How can I tell if my AR has a chrome lined barrel?

ISC · November 5, 2008, 08:54 PM

I have a couple ARs that I got used and I don't know if they have chrome lined bores. How can I find out?

vzenmn · November 5, 2008, 11:12 PM

There will be CL (chrome lined) stamped on the top of the barrel near the muzzle along with a company name, rifle twist, and other things. Also if you shine a light in the bore a chrome lined bore might be brighter then a chrome moly bore.

hardhit · November 5, 2008, 11:42 PM

I have a SAKO TRG and it has a chrome lined bore, the crown on the muzzle shows a stainless steel like brightness, and the chrome lining just protrudes to the edge of the crown, When the bore is just cleaned it looks like the chrome on a Harley exhaust pipe.

10-96 · November 6, 2008, 05:14 AM

VZENMN,
Not neccessarily, I've got a 20" CL bbl with 1:9 twist and the ONLY markings on it are " E3 **** " stamped on the left side about 3" from the chamber end. I haven't dug anything up on either the E3 or the astericks, but if anybody else has a chance to get one- they're great bbl's.

Bartholomew Roberts · November 6, 2008, 06:47 AM

Not all chrome-lined barrels are stamped externally. The easiest way to tell is to take off the flash hider and check the muzzle - you will normally see a dull gray ring around the muzzle of the bore on chrome-lined barrels. You can also check from the chamber end (look for a dull gray ring around the chamber after you clean it); but there are a small amount of Colts with a chromed chamber and unlined bore out there.

Alleykat · November 6, 2008, 09:08 AM

You could also check the side of the receiver and see if the word, "Bushmaster" appears there. Unless it's a varmint or DCM model, it'll be chrome-lined.

k Squared · November 6, 2008, 10:28 AM

ISC,

If you give us the manufacturer, model and serial number, we might help to answer your question.

ISC · November 6, 2008, 12:23 PM

I got it from CMMG as one of their bargain bin specials last year for $600. It had a DPMS lower and the barrel was marked 1:7. It didn't have "chrome bore" or anything like that stamped on it so I assume it was unlined.

I was trying to figure out if I should sell it or a different one that I have with a rail system and ACOG on a Doublestar lower. It is stamped "5.56 NATO CHROMED". I swapped out the DPMS lower with 6 pos stock for the doublestar lower with 4 pos stock.

The one I'm keeping has:

a generic rail system
Knights rail covers
Knights forward pistol grip
fake ACOG
1:7 chrome lined bore
DPMS lower w/ 6 pos stock

I have about $700 into it. I was going to sell it for $1150 but I think I'll keep it instead.

jacktalley · November 6, 2008, 12:40 PM

I just checked my Colt A-2, HBAR, Sporter and it had a "C" followed by an "MP" with the "P" being part of the "M." It also had the .223 and the .556 designations with a 1 in 7 twist. Anybody know what the C MP means? Thanks.

RockyMtnTactical · November 6, 2008, 03:21 PM

Where did you buy them from, what markings are on the barrels??

Quote:

There will be CL (chrome lined) stamped on the top of the barrel near the muzzle along with a company name, rifle twist, and other things.

That is not always true.

jacktalley · November 6, 2008, 04:13 PM

Rockymtn: If you mean me, I actually bought it used from a dealer and, now that I think about it, he told me that the local county sheriff brought it in and they went with a larger caliber rifle instead of the AR-15. It had not been shot much as it had not been cleaned when I bought it. I cleaned it. I wonder if the MP would mean Military Police? It's a Colt but doesn't appear to have anything different about it. The markings on the barrel are - C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7 HBAR Thanks.

10-96 · November 6, 2008, 05:08 PM

Anybody else have one with only E3 and four astericks stamped on it?

IZinterrogator · November 6, 2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

I wonder if the MP would mean Military Police?

That means it was magnetic particle inspected.

Alleykat · November 6, 2008, 06:24 PM

Chances are the el-cheapo doesn't have a chrome-lined barrel.

scoobydoo6906 · January 13, 2013, 12:52 AM

On colt rifles and a lot of others the "c" stands for chrome lined, and the "mp" is stands for magnetic particle tested.

November 5, 2008, 08:54 PM	#1
ISC Junior member Join Date: August 5, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,982	How can I tell if my AR has a chrome lined barrel? I have a couple ARs that I got used and I don't know if they have chrome lined bores. How can I find out?

November 6, 2008, 05:14 AM	#4
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	VZENMN, Not neccessarily, I've got a 20" CL bbl with 1:9 twist and the ONLY markings on it are " E3 **** " stamped on the left side about 3" from the chamber end. I haven't dug anything up on either the E3 or the astericks, but if anybody else has a chance to get one- they're great bbl's. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

November 6, 2008, 10:28 AM	#7
k Squared Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 238	Brand? ISC, If you give us the manufacturer, model and serial number, we might help to answer your question. __________________ K Squared

November 6, 2008, 12:40 PM	#9
jacktalley Junior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: Atlanta/Blue Ridge, GA Posts: 11	What does this mean? I just checked my Colt A-2, HBAR, Sporter and it had a "C" followed by an "MP" with the "P" being part of the "M." It also had the .223 and the .556 designations with a 1 in 7 twist. Anybody know what the C MP means? Thanks.

November 6, 2008, 05:08 PM	#12
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	Anybody else have one with only E3 and four astericks stamped on it? __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

November 5, 2008, 11:12 PM	#2
vzenmn Member Join Date: March 2, 2008 Posts: 76	There will be CL (chrome lined) stamped on the top of the barrel near the muzzle along with a company name, rifle twist, and other things. Also if you shine a light in the bore a chrome lined bore might be brighter then a chrome moly bore.

November 5, 2008, 11:42 PM	#3
hardhit Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Posts: 343	I have a SAKO TRG and it has a chrome lined bore, the crown on the muzzle shows a stainless steel like brightness, and the chrome lining just protrudes to the edge of the crown, When the bore is just cleaned it looks like the chrome on a Harley exhaust pipe.

November 6, 2008, 06:47 AM	#5
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	Not all chrome-lined barrels are stamped externally. The easiest way to tell is to take off the flash hider and check the muzzle - you will normally see a dull gray ring around the muzzle of the bore on chrome-lined barrels. You can also check from the chamber end (look for a dull gray ring around the chamber after you clean it); but there are a small amount of Colts with a chromed chamber and unlined bore out there.

November 6, 2008, 09:08 AM	#6
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	You could also check the side of the receiver and see if the word, "Bushmaster" appears there. Unless it's a varmint or DCM model, it'll be chrome-lined.

November 6, 2008, 12:23 PM	#8
ISC Junior member Join Date: August 5, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,982	I got it from CMMG as one of their bargain bin specials last year for $600. It had a DPMS lower and the barrel was marked 1:7. It didn't have "chrome bore" or anything like that stamped on it so I assume it was unlined. I was trying to figure out if I should sell it or a different one that I have with a rail system and ACOG on a Doublestar lower. It is stamped "5.56 NATO CHROMED". I swapped out the DPMS lower with 6 pos stock for the doublestar lower with 4 pos stock. The one I'm keeping has: a generic rail system Knights rail covers Knights forward pistol grip fake ACOG 1:7 chrome lined bore DPMS lower w/ 6 pos stock I have about $700 into it. I was going to sell it for $1150 but I think I'll keep it instead.

November 6, 2008, 04:13 PM	#11
jacktalley Junior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: Atlanta/Blue Ridge, GA Posts: 11	Rockymtn: If you mean me, I actually bought it used from a dealer and, now that I think about it, he told me that the local county sheriff brought it in and they went with a larger caliber rifle instead of the AR-15. It had not been shot much as it had not been cleaned when I bought it. I cleaned it. I wonder if the MP would mean Military Police? It's a Colt but doesn't appear to have anything different about it. The markings on the barrel are - C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7 HBAR Thanks.

November 6, 2008, 06:24 PM	#14
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	Chances are the el-cheapo doesn't have a chrome-lined barrel.

January 13, 2013, 12:52 AM	#15
scoobydoo6906 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2005 Location: Portland, Or Posts: 306	On colt rifles and a lot of others the "c" stands for chrome lined, and the "mp" is stands for magnetic particle tested. __________________ Remington 700 BDL, Yugo M70B1 , Remington 870 wingmaster, Pre 64 Fn Mauser, WASR-10, Mossberg 500, S&W M&P-9, S&W M&P-9c, Mossberg 1500, AR-15 X2, Ruger 10/22, Kahr CW-9, Ruger P-89, Yugo SKS

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