Interesting set of videos comparing Melonite (Salt Nitride) to chrome lining...

Watch the 3rd video on the playlist first, as it is the accuracy baseline between two barrels, both identical manufacturer, materials, and twist with the only difference being the barrel treatment.

AR-15 Meltdown - YouTube

The accuracy test is really the accuracy of HIM shooting the AR .. bolt it down to a rest and then shoot it !! That will show true accuracy .. he even states he might have pulled one .. very un controlled conditions .. wind gusting during some of it .. he had to stop till it calmed down ..

True, it isn't scientific... but since he did all the shooting, both before and after, it gives a good indication of what went on there. The main take away is that even after all of those rounds, both barrels held up well. The nitride finish doesn't appear to be inferior... but the video I am really wanting to see is the one where the barrel manufacturer cuts the barrels and compares them.

Cutting the barrels would do no good the human eye can't see down to microns .. and its 2 different processes .. one is a plating and the other a hardening process .. you can find representations of both on the web ..

I'm starting to think that you don't understand what the point of the videos are. Yes, I am aware that chrome plating and salt nitriding are two different processes... but the are both done to prolong the life of the barrel. And there has been many debates on which one is superior.

By cutting the barrels, you would be able to compare wear and throat erosion... with throat erosion being the bigger killer of the barrel.

What I am saying if you want that info you need to look at it scientifically done .. not someone lying in a corn field under changing conditions .. where he is a major factor in the testing ..

Been doing research on barrels when I get a chance with the thought of building a 20" upper so thanks for any and all info.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

I've used a bore scope for years for examining throat erosion, general bore condition, fouling, etc. Works great.

I prefer Melonite/Nitride over chrome lined.

I saw a S&W representative claiming that Melonite treated barrels are more durable than chrome lined barrels. Not only that but the barrels they have made since they quit using Melonite are actually treated the very same way but they don't use the name I believe because that name is trademarked and they have to pay to use it. Plus barrels treated with "Melonite" or the "Durable Corrosion Resistant Finish also protects the exterior of the barrel. Here's the quote I saw.

"The barrel on the M&P15 SPORT rifle has a "Durable Corrosion Finish" on the interior and exterior surfaces (Formally referred to as "Melonite".)which is harder and more durable than chrome lining and provided external protection as well. The process is the same as it always has been, but we now call it Durable Corrosion Resistant Finish. The only difference on the newer SPORT models is the 1/9 twist (changed from 1/8) and standard mil-spec rifling instead of the 5R rifling. Thank you. S&W"

Melonite ? I thought it was Kriptonite , dang.....

Dang nothing. I couldn't use it if it was Kryptonite.