Any one have one? I am looking at the 16" mid length gas. I have read that chrome lined is a bad thing for accuracy, was this wrong? Really appreciate any input on these. It's not exactly what I want as I am still looking for a match 14.5" mid length with no wait under $300.... If I can't find one and Criterion is a no go I am going to order the Rainer UltraMatch and be done with it! Thanks
Ben
As a very generalized statement, CL barrels will not be "as accurate" as their non-CL brethren, BUT...in my experience with the Criterion CL barrels, they are very uniform and produce great results. You aren't going to go win any matches with one of their CL barrels, but they are nothing to sneeze at either!
For roughly the same money though (actually...maybe a bit cheaper), you can get a WOA 16", mid-length, wylde-chambered match barrel (~$270). They will absolutely shoot, including sub-MOA levels of accuracy with quality ammo and a competent shooter, but alas...they are your basic SS match and NOT CL barrels.
In either of the above cases, you can have them cut down to 14.5" and rethreaded for ~$65-70 total + S&H both ways to any number of different smiths.
The Rainier UltraMatch barrels are of excellent quality as well. They start life as Shilen match blanks and are then turned out to RA's spec. They too are capable of sub-MOA accuracy, but at a higher price point than like offerings. Still though...you can have the 14.5", middy that is exactly what you want RIGHT NOW without any further mods, expense, etc. at ~$390.
