ECM vs conventional rifling durability

[AJR337]

I've read that ECM rifled barrels can produce excellent results with regards to accuracy but haven't found much information or comparisons on durability so I figured that I'd ask if others have...given that ECM rifling is already fairly shallow and not as sharp or well defined compared to button or broached rifling how do ECM rifled barrels compare with regards to longevity / heavy use?

 

[StrawHat]

I am not sure how shallow edm rifling is but the rifling on the Model 1917 was shallow and it held up well to jacketed ammunition. With lead bullets my 1917s are still 10 ringers.

Kevin

 

[AJR337]

Here's a picture of the ECM rifling...looks very similar to polygonal rifling

 

[ridewv]

I'm not familiar with ECM rifling but in the image it appears much sharper than the polygonal rifling on my pistols.

 

[ReloadforFun]

Many ECM barrels have been used in competition guns that get shot a lot. I have not heard of complaints about shorter lifespans than conventional barrels.

I would have no qualms using an ECM barrel.

 

[dsf]

The fellow who now owns McGowan was on GunTalk this weekend and spoke of the virtues of ECM. Was on in the 1st 15 minutes of the show if anyone cares to listen online.

 

[stansdds]

The vast majority of gun owners will never shoot enough ammo through one firearm to wear out a barrel with broach cut or button rifling and ECM rifling is no different.

 

[Tanners Owner]

I agree with others, unlikely anyone will shoot that much to wear out any barrel regardless of rifling.

There is a difference IIRC with bullet types that perform better/ worse with ECM vs the others. Again, IIRC, believe jacketed bullets perform better in ECM than lead ( or perhaps more leading of the barrel occurs)

Others may be better informed & can correct me

 

[minconrevo]

I have personally worn out Colt and Wilson Combat factory handgun barrels. I've handled a fair number of ECM barrels that were seriously worn by nasty erosive powders. With good powder choices made, I've never worn out a ECM barrel.

ECM barrels can be produced with deep rifling, if the engineering is there. As far as barrel life goes, it is more a function of the chemical makeup of the barrel and the particular powder(s) used in the cartridges than anything else. A diet of lead (plain or coated) bullets, everything else being the same, is more gentle than jacketed bullets.

 

[rct269]

Step One in my "welcome bath" for newcomers routine was to remove the lead, and any other crud from the bore. That done in right at or over 200 S&W's over the years, I never came across one with a barrel that didn't look like new, and some of these things were over 120 years old!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Alk8944]

Durability of a rifled barrel is strictly dependent upon the wear resistance of the steel used, frictional qualities of the bullets fired through them and potential effects of the propellant used. Method of rifling cannot and does not have any effect on the longevity of the barrel assuming steel of equivalent wear characteristics is used in both barrels being compared.