Chrome-lining of gun barrels

[Dawes]

Many types of military firearms have chrome-lined barrels. This (from my understanding) increases barrel life to some extent and makes cleaning a bit easier. It also protected the barrel better from the effects of corrosively-primed ammunition, although this is probably a non-issue nowadays.

Is this an especially expensive and involved process? I'm guessing that it's neither necessary or cost-effective for civilian firearms.

 

[hacksaw]

it is not a process suited for home use; the reason for its use is economics nothing more.

 

[EdDanzer]

Corrosion resistance and heat spalling are the primary reason for plating gun barrels. This is expensive and difficult, so not for personal fire arm.

 

[tomwalz]

Maybe Co/Cr lining as a solid sleeve as well? Maybe Co as well? Especially in automatic weapons?

It is very effective

In a combat situation a barrel heats up from friction and fouls from propellant gases. As it heats it can lose accuracy. As it fouls the force used to propel the bullet drops off and the force back into the mechanism increases.

There is a theory that having a combat weapon that operates a peak efficiency and reliability for as long as possible is worth additional cost.

As to whether it is necessary or cost – effective for civilian firearms it depends on just how well you want them to work. It does improve performance. Whether it is necessary is an individual matter.

We do this occasionally for competition arms and the cost is rather small.

Tom Walz

 

[jackboot]

If I remember this was a hot issue with Stoner's original design for the M-16 - which did not call for a Chrome lined/plated barrel. Stoner's design would not require the chrome if the newer cleaner powders were used - or that was the thought.

However, the military was still spec'ing ammo that had some of the nasty powders and many military armors quitely had the barrels chrome lined and the issue (jamming) went away.

For competition guns - a fouled barrel will destory accuracy - or any gun for that matter.

jackboot

 

[patdaly]

Jackboot, IIRC, Stoner's original design did have a Chrome lined BBL. I believe it was the McNamara regime who initially removed it for cost savings. Kindly correct me if I am wrong.