Looking to build a 10.5 inch 556 AR pistol. I’m your opinion are the premium barrels worth more than twice the cost? They’re about 600 with no BCG or CH and the others are just over 300 with those two things. The pricing seems off and I’m curious about others opinions. TIA
The premium barrels are FN CHF and chrome lined. They are fantastic barrels. But so are the nitride and stainless barrels. If you plan to shoot 10k+, get the CHF. Otherwise i would go nitride.
honestly most of us will never need the durability from the FN CHF barrels but that said, they are quite awesome barrels and I do prefer them because hell, the best is the best. . that said, I also love the nitrided barrels, and hve quite a few of them. Ive never worried about shooting out a barrel, regardless of how much or little i shoot. fact is i probably cant afford the ammo it would take to shoot out a nitrided barrel much less a Premium one. sooo… all that to say you’re fine with either. if you can afford it and want the best, go with the FN Premium barrel, if you want a great barrel which is the best of the rest non premium, go with the nitrided… personally 9 times out of 10, my wallet does my voting for me, in just about everything, hence why i have many more nitrided barrels than the premium ones.
Oh and one more thing… @nstam welcome to the forums Nick!
Thanks. I realistically will probably take this out six time a year. I think I’ll splurge and upgrade and get cheaper ones for others. I want one with the best of everything for peace of mind for home defense option.
Here’s how I heard it:
- Stainless barrels are the most accurate (no source to quote)
- Nitride more “durable”
- Chrome-lined let you shoot full-auto for a long time without ruining the barrel
This source compares nitride to chrome lined barrels.
Definitely an interesting subject that should be studied to satisfy your curiosity! I have stainless on one rifle and nitride on most everything else. One old rifle has chrome-line barrel (Yugo SKS), probably to protect against corrosive East European ammo. Most military rifles use chrome because they’re select-fire and can burn 200 - 300 rounds (??) very quickly in a fight.
youre welcome. that sounds like a great idea and plan to me especially if you have the funds to get it now.
bout what i understand too, except the chrome lining in barrels versus nitriding is a little less accurate, as it takes up more space in the lands and what not versus nitriding being a chemical process that bonds into the metal versus chrome being atop the metal if that makes sense.