When did Alexander Arms change their 6.5 Grendel 16" Lite Barrel?

[ahillock]

Looks like the 16" barrel changed somewhat recently. Use to have the Duracoat black finish to it:





Now it is unfinished:




Anyone know why they stopped providing the Duracoat finish?

[LRRPF52]

Probably when people started buying them so fast, they had a hard time keeping up with demand.

[ahillock]

Probably when people started buying them so fast, they had a hard time keeping up with demand.

I called AA up and the person I spoke with said they stopped using the Duracoat finish because they had multiple requests for for plain stainless barrels. C'est la vie.

Wonder how much it would cost to send it off somewhere to get it Duracoated or cerakoted?

[LRRPF52]

Going rate for a barrel or any other single AR15 component like upper, lower, or handguard is ~$45.

I can Cerakote if you want. I have:

FDE
Black
Sniper Grey
Burnt Bronze
Civil War Blue
Desert Verde

[ahillock]

I know that Cerakote is a ceramic based finish, what is Duracoat?

Is one superior to the other, or just different?

[LRRPF52]

Duracoat is similar to garage floor paint.

Cerakote is a microscopic solution of ceramic mud, mixed with an epoxy hardener.

Cerakote is extremely durable as a result.

[A5BLASTER]

LRRPF52 could you cerakote a full rifle in pink for my woman.

[babue]

I know that Cerakote is a ceramic based finish, what is Duracoat?

Is one superior to the other, or just different?

I would recommend the Cerakote, by far. I had a Glock done in Duracoat and it did not hold up well at all. The frame wore off real quick and the slide did not take much longer. That is in and out of the kydex holster alot but I would never have anything done with Duracoat if I had a choice. I have a Cerakoted slide now and it is holding up very well.

[alicea8541]

Ordered mine in December and it came in black. Buddy of mine saw it and decided he had to make a Grendel too. Ordered his in January and it came in plain stainless.

[ackar]

For you guys that purchased the AA 16" lite barrel have you taken them to the range? How are you liking the barrel in regard to accuracy etc.

[EdiCiud72]

I bought my 16" and it came stainless and fluted. Best gun I own. Love it!

[just_john]

Just finished a build with a newly arrived stainless / flutted AA 16". This is Grendel build No 5 for me and, so far, is the best shooter ( and they have all been good ). Was gonna be a "pig'er" but is destined to become main GoTo gun. Will have pix and results in a couple of weeks after more detail range studies. Wish I had started with AA parts sooner.

[BluntForceTrauma]

JJ, yup, Bill A. and AA puts extra engineering luv into all their parts.

[Chrazy-Chris]

I just ordered one of these and will probably scuff it up real good then rattle can it with high temp grill paint. I'm hoping she's a shooter!!

[WanderingZero]

For what it's worth I'm getting 1.5 MOA out of mine with handloads without trying too hard, using bargain-bulk 120 grain Hirtenberger bullets and 28.3 grains XBR8208. The scope is fixed 2.5x and the rest is a simple sandbag, and I haven't even tried any other bullets or powders so the rifle and barrel may well be capable of more accuracy, but I'm pleased with the results.