Who makes AR's with hammer forged barrels

Generally the major differences in the tier's of AR's is more attributed to materials used.. finishes used.. tolerances... inspections. ect.

Some look at the $600 M&P sportline and go well there is no chrome lining.. no dust cover.. no forward assist. People who can live with out those features will buy the M&P sportline.. and probably enjoy it rightfully so.

However those are not the only differences when referring to a top end AR. The barrel of the Sportline is of softer steel... Not a major issue for a casual shooter... but someone like myself.. who runs high volumes of ammo through his AR... the softer steel will get shot out quicker.

The Sportline doesn't use type III hard anodizing.. so it wont take as much abuse as some of the higher tier guns... again.. not a huge issue... but if your like me and run & gun and abuse your AR's.. every bit helps.:rolleyes:

From there it goes into different specs.. and tolerences.. and mil spec's.

The M&P Sportline is a great gun. I have recommending it and sold it to a lot of my customers.. but you have to be realistic with what you NEED in the AR you are thinking of choosing. If your looking for a casual shooter.. something to blow off some rounds and have fun with.. sure... save the cash and get a Sportline.. they are in fact a nice rifle for the $$. If you play on running & gunning alot.. taking carbine courses... or just running high volumes of ammo.. I would look for something a little nicer.

In reality.. if you do shoot a lot... your ammo costs.. even reloading.. will greatly out weight the price of a gun or a high end barrel.
 
@HKFan9 - is there a study of how many rounds it would take to wear out the M&P 15 Sport's barrel? What's the usual barrel life of a chrome lined , chrome moly, or stainless steel barrel?
 
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I haven't seen a set study on it, and it really depends on your personal definition of shot out... obviously someone measuring groups for tightness will chuck a barrel before I would running around in carbine courses and what not.

I am sure someone more qualified in metallurgy will come along shortly to discuss.:D
 
Hammer forged isn't really "better" anyways. As someone else pointed out.. a lot of bench rest guns do NOT use hammer forged barrels.
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Precision benchrest barrel makers aren't capitalized well enough to afford a $1million machine. It has nothing to do with which can make a better barrel.

Most European military rifles - including HK - have used hammerforged nitrided barrels since the 1970's. Most American sporting rifles do, too, including Remington, Ruger, and others. Almost all handguns have hammerforged barrels.

What Colt negotiated with Uncle Sam as milspec and put into the TDP has more to do with the 2MOA requirement allowing less capital intensive barrels. It allows a smaller supplier who can't pony up the bucks for a hammer forge to stay in the game, and lets the government help them remain a Berry compliant maker. Colt doesn't even forge the platters for the receivers.

All in good time, whenever a new Infantry rifle is finally adopted, it likely will also have the makers TDP, which will dictate milspec.
 
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