Gun barrels form an indispensable part of any type of weapon one might consider using. Naturally, the materialization of the important cylinder impacts the shooting experience in numerous ways, so users tend to choose specific models in order to improve their overall performance.
Still, some solutions work better than others, thus, today’s topic will try to introduce you to the stainless variant and provide you with the answer to whether stainless steel AR-15 barrels are worth your time. Are they any good or should you shift your focus to different choices? We suggest you go through the following lines and find the answers.
The Pressure
An AR barrel should be crafted in a way to endure the pressure and deliver the projectile as smoothly as possible. In a nutshell, if the materialization of the part in question is impermanent, the performance will suffer. We should underline that any weapon must pass safety protocols before being released to the market, still, accepting the narrative that different models deliver equal results would be native.
Fortunately, stainless steel AR barrel profiles handle both the internal pressure and external physical influences relatively well in comparison to alternate options. The tests have shown satisfactory results regardless of the caliber used and speak in favor of this type of AR 15 barrels, especially when compared to the carbon ones.
The Precision
Before we continue with the analysis, we should emphasize that an accurate weapon with smaller calibrations is more reliable than a fairly bigger source of destruction with a poor aim. The level of precision a peculiar rifle can deliver depends on multiple factors, such as the proficiency of the subject in charge, weather conditions, the distance of the target, the condition of the firearm, etc.
Now, if we include all of the aforementioned factors and test a single gun by combining various types of barrel profiles, we would conclude that it is the form that makes the huge difference. We do not state that alternative solutions would disappoint the shooter and make them appear as if their skill level is questionable. Moreover, we conclude that the utilization of stainless steel gun barrels delivers more reliable results than the competition.
The Heat Handling Features
AR barrel profiles must be designed to withstand high temperatures. To make a long story short, a projectile being fired produces a specific temperature, and the more shots a subject fires, the more heat is being produced in the barrel. When stainless steel solutions are concerned, we should underline that the form remains more stable than the case with alternate models is concerned.
The most commonly used material for gun barrel production is chrome-moly steel and its variations. Even though cheaper and reliable to a certain extent, we can hardly argue that it is a better option than match-grade stainless steel barrels. Do not let the comparison confuse you since both the superior and the lesser quality AR 15 barrel types can satisfy the wants and needs of an average gunpowder enthusiast. Consulting with professionals should provide more info on the subject and clarify any potential demurs you might have. For more details check https://midstatefirearms.com/
The Price Tag
A wise man once said that he was not that rich to could afford to purchase cheap stuff, so we should use his words to draw a parallel between stainless steel and carbon barrels. Firstly, if the price was the factor, the carbon models are incomparably less expensive than stainless steel crafts.
We dare not say that the cheaper option would not satisfy your wants and needs but we urge you to consider the potential benefits and analyze whether spending a few bucks more for the real deal would pay off in the long run.
The Longevity
In a nutshell, the longevity of a stainless steel AR 15 barrel mostly depends on the user and their relationship with their gun. Jokes aside, there are no exact numbers to show since the life expectancy of a specific barrel hinges on numerous factors. For example, experience has shown that extensive use without proper care limits the span, while occasional usage backed up with regular maintenance extends it.
One way or another, the more time you devote to your stainless steel gadget, the longer you should enjoy the performance it delivers. It would be irresponsible not to provide you with some numbers, but take them with a hold. Namely, some users report they experience satisfactory results even after shooting approximately 10K rounds, while the gunners who swing their thing more often tend to wear off their barrels after 4-6K shots fired.
Maintenance
The point of a material such as stainless steel is that it tends not to produce rust when exposed to humidity and unconventional weather conditions. Still, that does not suggest that you should neglect the state of your weapon and leave it unattended after using it. The calculus with this one is simple-the more you take care of your gun, the better it will serve and deliver as expected.
What we recommend is that you thoroughly clean the barrel after every usage. Yes, it has what it takes to deliver enhanced precision and facilitated utilization than carbon models, but you can only hope to enjoy the extra features as long as you do your part of the deal and maintain the barrel regularly. The maintenance does not imply you should use special cleansing oils or lubricants, moreover, the standard cleaning methods are considered to be enough for your barrel to function as pleasingly as it is designed to.
Hopefully, the aforementioned pieces of information have brought you closer to the answers about whether stainless steel AR 15 barrels makes a perfect match for your gun. We kindly suggest you do your homework and assess whether the investment in a gadget with a range of performance perks would bring more features to the table than the lesser-quality carbon version. There is no need to argue about whether the stainless steel variant is better or not, moreover, whether you deem the improvements are worth the extra buck this pleasure would cost you.