AR Barrels - Chrome Lined vs. QPQ (Nitride)

[TrappedinCalifornia]

I get the theoretical differences between Chrome Lined (which has been pretty much the 'standard' for decades) and QPQ... Frequenty Asked Questions: Nitride vs. Chrome Lined

I get the idea that QPQ is more 'cost effective,' making it a less expensive option; at least in theory. On a pragmatic level, I'm not sure I see much of a difference in pricing due to the Chrome vs. Nitride; i.e., the primary difference seems more to do with the manufacturer and barrel construction.

I even get the idea that, boiled down, the 'debate' tends to focus on...

• Chrome Lined is more heat resistant, making it superior for full auto
• Chrome Lined is (or was), potentially, less accurate or so it has been argued
• QPQ (Nitride) barrels are sufficiently hard for most, normal semi-automatic shooting
• Both are corrosion resistant, but not corrosion proof

What I don't get is whether there is a true, overall preference and, if so, why. Opinions seem to be 'mixed' on the various sites. While I get that generational differences exist and a lot of it comes down to what you're looking for out of the firearm, I'm unclear as to whether this is an 'improvement' or simply an 'alternative' which lessens the production costs (and, thus, in theory, the retail price). Or, as alluded to in this piece, is it a matter of which manufacturer is producing it?

...The ideal finish option will vary for each individual rifle build depending on the intended purpose and unique application of the rifle. Both treatment methods will serve to increase effective barrel life by many thousands of rounds when compared to their untreated counterparts. Historically the decision between finish options has been dictated by a choice between durability or accuracy potential. Thanks to modern advancements in barrel finish technology offered by Criterion Barrels, picking one or the other will no longer be necessary.

What say you guys?

[HK Dave]

Frankly I don’t think it matters to 99% of shooters. Contrary to the internet, most will never seen a difference in accuracy and most will never burn a barrel out. Those that do, change barrels long before actual end of barrel life. After all, what’s a $200-300 barrel when compared to the $2000+ cost of ammo you need to get close to burning one out.

With today’s ammo prices maybe $5000-8000 before you burn a barrel out? The cost difference or wear difference between the two is inconsequential.

[xsefan]

Nitride is better than no finish. Its been around a long time now. Military has not picked it up . My guess is due to the heat issue. Chrome only hurts accuracy on bad barrels. Nitride is low cost compared to Chrome. Its hard,its way better than no lining. I have both. My lwrc di is great its Nitride. My colts are Chrome. I'm not sure on KAC. I'm not sure on the brn4 barrel . I know the mr556 barrel is non lined. My rra tends to be my go to. Due to the kac being less accurate and no bcg for the hk stuff. Colts are not as accurate as the RRA. I have not shot the lwrc to see where it stands. It will have to more accurate than the rra . I use to get 2 inch groups from the rra . I need to shoot more. It's just to expensive now

[kcheung2]

...
What I don't get is whether there is a true, overall preference and, if so, why. Opinions seem to be 'mixed' on the various sites.
...
What say you guys?

Preference is exactly that: preference. Buy what you want. If a whole bunch of people's preference was suddenly violet-colored cars, that's not a good enough reason for me to get one, and I suspect it wouldn't sway you either.

And there isn't a single best option either. If there was, (like my sig line says) then every mfg would make it just that one way. Because why would a mfg make a barrel the 2nd-best way? But obviously there continues to be different methods to treating a barrel because each has pros/cons.

[naz]

For an affordable general purpose barrel, I think criterion is a solid pick. Chrome lined for durability and good accuracy from how they rifle and lap

[bugsy714]

Nitride is better than no finish. Its been around a long time now. Military has not picked it up . My guess is due to the heat issue. Chrome only hurts accuracy on bad barrels. Nitride is low cost compared to Chrome. Its hard,its way better than no lining. I have both. My lwrc di is great its Nitride. My colts are Chrome. I'm not sure on KAC. I'm not sure on the brn4 barrel . I know the mr556 barrel is non lined. My rra tends to be my go to. Due to the kac being less accurate and no bcg for the hk stuff. Colts are not as accurate as the RRA. I have not shot the lwrc to see where it stands. It will have to more accurate than the rra . I use to get 2 inch groups from the rra . I need to shoot more. It's just to expensive now

I think they use NICOR on the LWRC not sure how that differs from nitride think it is closer to melanite


Dictated but not read, voice typing plus bad eyes equals typos

[hermosabeach]

What - I want to choose stainless!!!!


Start at the end- what is the purpose of use?

Will your shooting be:
Past 1,000 yards
Out to 1,000 yards
Out to 500 yards
99% 100 yards or less
3 gun?


Look at the end result for the tool… then find out what works for that application.


Chrome lined barrels are fantastic when shooting corrosive primed Ammo


Each model of the X has up sides and draw backs.


So do you have a family of 7 and are looking at a corvette?
Contractor and want a Prius as a work truck?

What is the end goal???

[SharedShots]

If you clean and maintain your firearms adequately they will not rust, corrode or have many of the problems that seem to be most of the stories.

Shoot your rifle? Clean it. Lube it. Store it in a cool dry place. Take it out once in a while between shoots and give it a look over, maintain the metal components including the bore.

Its really not that hard.

[ScottsBad]

I have two or three QPQ barrels, but have not put enough rounds through them to find any problems. That said, I prefer hammer forged barrels and most of those are chrome lined.

The majority of my AR barrels are HF CL. Some are VERY accurate, some are just average. The reason I prefer HF is that they are said to be longer lasting.

I don't want to definitively weigh in yet on QPQ, but I suspect they QPQ treatment is not as long lasting as chrome.

[ScottsBad]

I have something like 12 uppers, including 2 stainless, some QPQ, and HF CL. Turns out, the most accurate AR barrel I have is a BCM Lightweight, 14.5" HF CL. It is makes .25 MOA, on a good day, with Mk262. Crazy accurate, makes no sense, but its true.

Stainless has a shorter life, but are generally more accurate. HF CL can be very accurate, but its a crap shoot.

[FeuerFrei]

My first experience with "NITROCARBURIZING" was when I bought my first Glock back in the 80's. "Tenifer" finished slide/barrel. I was sold on it then and now.

The entire barrel/part is processed and corrosion resistant. Not just the bore.

Chrome is a layered process that covers the metal. Nitrocarburizing defuses into the top layer of the metal and seems to maintain specs and keep accuracy longer.

* a piss poor execution of either process can upset the accuracy/longevity of a barrel/part.
Caveat emptor.

[DrewTheBrave]

I think the quality of the barrel manufacturing process is more important than the finish. If you're planning to do lots of sustained fire drills, chrome lined is probably the way to go. For a budget build intended for more moderate usage, I don't think there's much practical difference.

[teflondog]

When I got my M&P Sport, I was quite surprised with the nitride barrel. It's more accurate than most of my expensive rifles with chrome lined barrels.

[peppermintman]

When I got my M&P Sport, I was quite surprised with the nitride barrel. It's more accurate than most of my expensive rifles with chrome lined barrels.

[Barang]

i have two nitride and the rest are cl. we shoot 100 yard most of the time but 200 yard is also available but not as easy to schedule. so probably doesn't matter because of the short distance range.