Im curious as to what the differences are and their respective advantages. I see the more common parked and some that appear to chromed, if not stainless…
What is the actual difference between the two other than the observed finish?
Any advantages of one over the other?
I assume park was and is the standard and, in turn has its benefits – absorbs oil for lubricity and corrosion resistance etc…
However, chrome as well is pretty corrosion resistant, has natural lubricity and, a big plus IMHO, easier to clean. which, from my personal and non-technical view of things, would be better the better option, hence, my curiosity as to why a good chunk of the top tier manufacturers still park theirs.
There must be a good reason for choosing one over the other, assuming the difference between them is only lies on finish and not actual material.
Anyone?
What I noticed with my Bushy barrel is that the receiver extension is parked and rough, while the BCM’s is shiny smooth… Logic dictates that the feedramp must be shiny and smooth to make feeding easier. Well, I never yet had problems with regards to feeding with my Bushy though… Been thinking of polishing the Bushy’s feedramps, but then again why fix it if it ain’t broken… 
shiny = smooth
Smooth and shiny. More for less fouling build up/ease of cleaning than operation. Like a slide at a playground is slick. Now glue sand paper to it. You stick to the slide. My observation and seems a pluasable explanation.
My thoughts exactly. Shiney:smooth and smooth:efficient – both cleaning and functionally speaking. My BCM too has the “chromed” extension. Smooth and shiny all the way throughout the lugs, not just the ramps.
Im curious as to why the other top tier mfgs have yet to or have opted not to adapt such features on their extensions…
I don’t know of any barrel extensions that are chrome plated.
A CM barrel gets parked after the barrel extension is installed so the extension gets parked as well.
Stainless barrels do not get parked so the extensions are generally in the white.
There is the possibility of introducing dimensional tolerance issues when using chrome plating. Not plating the extension could allow tighter/repeatable dimensions on a mass production basis. Not always true but chrome plating, in my experience, is easily done wrong if the vendor isn’t very careful and experienced. I believe that is why many precision rifles have non-chrome lined barrels.
In that case, my extension, as well as those on stainless barrels are bare steel??:eek:
Could there be a possibility of them actually being polished stainless steel and if so, I wonder if anyone has ever quantified its durability vs. the standard steel ones.
Very true. Further reinforcing Todd’s point that they are either parked with the barrel or left bare in the case of stainless barrels and again, I suppose on mine as well.