Christensen Arms Carbon Fiber AR15 Barrels

[Nor*Cal]

Wondering if anyone has any experience with Christensen Arms Carbon Fiber Barrels. I usually research products before buying them but in last years rush to build a few additional rifles prior to the new year, I purchased one without any research. I took advantage of Brownells Black Friday coupons.

With all the bad weather, I have only been able to take it out once early last month and I really liked it. However, no idea what the consensus is on these and how durable they are. If that information is even out there as I do not know how long they've been around.

I would appreciate some feedback. Even if its just about carbon fiber wrapped barrels in general.

[AreWeFree]

I recall posts about trouble with even .22lr wrapped barrels, so a high pressure round like 556 would have even more problems and that's why it's not a common thing.

Even without issues, I don't see the advantage of a carbon fiber wrapped pencil barrel.

[C.G.]

Advantage of carbon fiber is that it has great tensile strength (thus increases the stiffness of the barrel), disadvantage is lousy shear strength so if you whack your barrel with a hammer expect carbon fiber failure. Also, I wonder how they isolate metal from carbon fiber as mixed metal and carbon fiber without isolation is prone to electrolysis under some conditions, i. e. coastal areas or salt water.

[Nor*Cal]

Thank you both for your feedback. I found a very interesting thread on carbon fiber barrels. It's a bit old but it has some good technical detail.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/long-range-hunting/6351-talk-carbon-barrels-real-advantages-disadvantages.html

I also found good feedback on the specific barrel I bought on a few different sites. I'm really liking the rifle I built and especially how light it is. Besides the carbon barrel, I also used a carbon stock and handguard.

[CouchOperator]

I inquired with Spartan Rifles a while back about getting a trued and rebarreled action with a proof barrel.

Heres their reply from 1/9/2016:


"I'd be happy to do that but I have to tell you that I no longer guarantee accuracy or any other behaviors in those carbon wrapped barrels. I've had to send several of them back for different reasons and I no longer purchase or supply them on my builds. I'll chamber them for customer supplied parts builds but if you have any problems with them in any way you'll have to deal with PROOF directly."

I have heard similar experiences with christensen barrels and proof in general. IMO its largely snakeoil, and maybe has a very niche area where its beneficial.

[BigBamBoo]

I have a Proof Research Carbon wrapped barrel on my Ares SCR. It is a shooter.

There are mixed opinions and reviews on Christenson Arms barrels. Have heard more then once that they use standard Remington barrels for their barrel blanks.
Not what I would spend top dollar on. YMMV

Here is some info on the one I have:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1158797

.

[BigPimping]

Everything I've ever seen from them has been really expensive. I hope that the price justifies the quality

[technique]

So, I know this dude who is SUPER smart. Straight nerd, actual rocket scientist and ****. Does a lot of work with the Military. The intellectual type that has no filter.

Anyway, he says carbon wrapped barrels are BS. Something to do with the epoxy material.

That said, this is largely dependent on what you wanna do with the gun you're barreling. I'd do one on a Bolt Gun or possibly a DMR that I wasn't beating the crap out of.
I have a 14.5 PROOF 5.56 barrel I was gifted and haven't got around to using it yet, I was going to build it out this week.

[Spyder]

Last time I went to SHOT...2012? I remember they had a carbon wrapped 50BMG barrel. It was VERY impressively light, but I haven't seen or heard anything about it since.