I have bought two Spikes Tactical uppers that have different lettering on their barrels and I’m trying to decide which one to keep and which one to let loose of. They are both 16" 5.56 barrels with mid-length gas systems and they seem to be equally accurate.
So, can anyone decode some of the lettering for me? I’m thinking the top barrel is possibly made by FN and is Cold Hammer Forged but I don’t know what the CMV on the other barrel means or the stuff at the end like M249, CL, HP, MP?
CMV means chrome moly vanadium. CL is chrome lined. M249 means the barrel is made the same way as their M249 machine gun barrels and I believe it means the chrome lining is twice as thick as specified for M4 barrels. HP means it’s been high pressure tested with a proof round and MP means it’s been NDI’ed (Non Destructive Inspected) using the magnetic particle method. I believe the “mil” number denotes the barrel material meets that mil spec.
If both barrels are new and I were going to keep one and sell the other, I’d sell the CHF barrel as they usually bring more money as folks believe CHF has a longer barrel life. Other than that, both barrels are equal
To me, that meant that you agreed with MistWolf and would sell the CHF barrel.
Then, in your next statement you said “I would keep the top barrel”.
Since the top barrel is the CHF barrel, that contradicts your first comment. So, that’s why I questioned your reply.
Now, if you meant that MistWolf’s information comments were spot on but you disagreed with him about which one to keep, that would make sense. I just didn’t read that into your reply. Sorry.
CHF AR barrels usually cost more money although cold hammer forging was created to churn out a big pile of barrels rapidly and economically.
They are reputed to be more durable than button rifled barrels, yet there is no test data to support the claim. In fact, button rifling compresses the material inside the bore just as CHF does.
In either case, by the time the barrel is worn out from shooting, it’s time to buy a new barrel anyway and chances are, all else being equal, the CHF barrel with it’s higher initial cost, will probably cost more per shot to run.
Therefore, it’s more practical to sell the barrel that will bring in more money and shoot the barrel that is more economical to run.
More importantly, does FN make non-CHF barrels? If not- well, now it’s time to do your own critical thinking
I’m too tired from a non-sleeping 2yr. old and a pregnant wife that isn’t sleeping either. My head hurts from simply reading. Please elaborate. Seriously(said with well meaning inflections).
BTW, where are you? We just moved about 50min. north of SLC.
I disagree as they are not equal outside of one being stamped CHF and the other stamped CMV as the CHF barrel has an extra thick layer of chrome lining as it’s M249 designates.
Is this extra layer of chrome necessary for a non full auto or non permanent mag dumping shooter? Probably not.
But why would you not want the extra layer of protection if given the option (for the same price)?
