Accuracy, weight, cool factor...yep. Plus it gives longevity to the rifle....I highly doubt I will be able to shoot out the 15-22 barrel in my lifetime, but my children will be able to benefit from it
It is nice that there are options as you say....and good quality options at that. For those of us who don't abide in the land of the free, where AR's are readily available...and .22lr are our main go to rifles, this brings joy to my heart. I use mine in competitions and have tried everything to squeeze out every bit of accuracy, if this barrel helps or assists in doing that, then as Jean luc Picard would say......'make it so'