So I noticed some people talking about Rainier Arms...

[Marinos]

I will never do business with Rainier Arms again. I installed a 20" SS barrel from them on my AR10. I noticed my AR10 was over gassing. I took it to my gunsmith for a professional opinion. What he found was that the gas port had been drilled to big. This is not a big deal as you can just throw an adjustable gas block on there. The bigger issue was when he showed me the inside of the barrel. The rifling was nonexistent in certain spots inside the barrel. He said that when I started putting rounds through the gun it started taking the rifling off. The gunsmith also told me I'm like the third customer to have this problem and they already jumped through all the hoops. Rainier Arms stated that they would not stand by their barrels. He then proceeded to show me several other barrels from them that had issues. I also learned that Rainier Arms has been outsourcing their barrels to China to catch up with the demand. No wonder the machine work was crap. Just a fair warning if you plan on purchasing a barrel from them.

[ty423]

wtf? which barrels are you talking about? because I heard good things about their match barrels. I know they have two kinda of barrels. The regular and match.

[Marinos]

This exact one is the one I had. It's not a match grade but still no excuse for this bad of a barrel. I'll post pictures when I get my barrel back. I couldn't tell you about the other ones I saw.

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2691

[-hanko]

I also learned that Rainier Arms has been outsourcing their barrels to China to catch up with the demand.

Do you have a source for that...not hard to believe. But they should do the right thing and identify parts that are US made and not...like Brownells.

-hanko

[damon1272]

Whoa, thanks. I was close to ordering that exact barrel.

[a1c]

Wait a minute... I thought importing new barrels was illegal?

[NoHeavyHitter]

Just curious - Rainier says the bbl is made in USA - why would the gas port be drilled in China?

Not calling anyone a liar - but this is a pretty serious charge to level, so am just asking.

[ClarenceBoddicker]

Wait a minute... I thought importing new barrels was illegal?

Non "sporting" ones were banned by W Bush in 2005. They are probably importing raw barrel blanks that have not been contoured on the outside, but the "hard" work has been done, the boring & rifling. Don't think that China can't make match grade barrels. My MAK-91 has a factory heavy air gauged chrome plated barrel & is my most accurate AK.

I'd never pay big bucks for a barrel unless it was cold hammer forged or was made by cut rifling.

[NSR500]

Rainier is one of the most legit shops. Your gunsmith is probably a moron that doesn't know what polygonal rifling looks like, assuming you have the select barrel.

[THEJAPINO]

Rainier is a solid, Westcoast outfit. I like ordering from them because parts get to me faster. My .223 Wylde match is a great barrel. The shooter behind the barrel? Not as great. Haha

[StratORcaster]

Wow, glad I got the Fulton barrel for my 308 Maten build! Couldn't be happier!
I got tired of waiting for Rainier.

[FeuerFrei]

Holy crap! Over gassed 308 barrel? Really?
308 LR-DPMS-AR are typically overgassed.
I would not do business with that "gunsmith". Ever.
No comments on accuracy? Crap rifling = crap accuracy.
Rainier is GTG and I can only say they do stand behind their stuff if you have a legit problem.

[dieselpower]

I would have liked to hear from John or any one else at RA before making a post like this.

[SJgunguy24]

Wait a minute... I thought importing new barrels was illegal?

Nope, barrels can be and are imported all the time. Parts kits with complete barrels are what's banned. You can import new barrels as repair parts.
They have to be imported from a country we have trade agreements with. Ever wonder how Apex has new Romy barrels that happen to be Russian? If you know how to play the game you can get anything you want.

[a1c]

Nope, barrels can be and are imported all the time. Parts kits with complete barrels are what's banned. You can import new barrels as repair parts.
They have to be imported from a country we have trade agreements with. Ever wonder how Apex has new Romy barrels that happen to be Russian? If you know how to play the game you can get anything you want.

Thank you for clearing that up!