The general consensus seems to be that stainless barrels are for slower fired precision weapons, and that chrome lined barrels are better suited to weapons that will see a heavier prolonged firing schedule, such as a fighting carbine.
So what is the attraction to having a stainless barrel on an 11.5in gun? i wouldnt think that an 11.5in gun is going to be seeing duty as a DMR type weapon. I would think that an 11.5in gun would be most likely to see a heavy sustained firing schedule.
So whats the attraction to a stainless barrel on a fighting rifle?
Yeah, I’ve often pondered this myself! I was thinking about getting a Noveske 10.5" 6.8 barrel for a CQB build. But then got to wondering the same thing.
yea im looking for a new barrel for my gun. I want to change it from a carbine gas system to a midlength, so im looking for midlength barrels. All that seems to be around are stainless barrels. I may buy one of the DD CHF barrels and just stick with the carbine gas system.
I like the accuracy improvement that comes with a stainless barrel, and im a good shooter. I just dont know how much ill notice with a stainless barrel. At 100 yards i shoot about 3moa with my chrome lined barrel.
If you’re talking about Noveske stainless, then the hardness of the steel used (32 on Rockwell C) largely negates the oft-heard durability arguments against stainless in hard-use or NFA applications.
I wouldn’t hesitate to go this route; in fact, have a 10.5" SS Switchblock Noveske in production right now.
AC
I too have absolutely ZERO interest in SS bbls on carbines and SBRs.
As for SPR’s and precision guns, of course, SS is the way to go.
I have been DESPERATELY seeking an 11.5" or even 12.5" Cold Hammer Forged bbl for a couple years now, with absolutely ZERO luck.
I don’t know how much longer I can take it. The market has been demanding these CHF’d SBR bbls for years now, with nothing to show for it.
Sure, Noveske offered up some 10.5" CHF’d bbls, but that’s it. Nothing more.
I sure hope like hell that the new BCM and DD CHF’d bbls will soon be offered in 11.5", and even moreso, I hope they are on the exact same quality level/accuracy level as the Noveske N4 CHF’d bbls. That will definitely be the deal maker or deal breaker for sure. It sure sucks having to pay all that money and buy a brand new Noveske barreled upper, just to get it home and tear it all apart just to get the bbl you want.
I get sick every time I think about it.