NIW Sprindfield Garand barrel or Criterion?

[Calfed]

Are there any reasons, other than price to pick a CMP NIW Springfield barrel from the early to mid-50's over a new Criterion for a Garand?

Metallurgy? Accuracy? Barrel life?

Thanks

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[Charlie59]

I don't know for sure, but the CMP barrels need some gunsmithing before the rifle is ready to shoot. You have to add that to the price, IMO. If you do the work yourself, you still need a chamber reamer, or some who will loan, rent you one. If you send the rifle out, you have shipping charges, and need a FFL as far as I know, to take delivery. I have one rifle with a Criterion barrel, and am perfectly satisfied with the accuracy. These barrels are correct for post war SAs', so if you are restoring one, and get a barrel that matches your receiver you'll be set. If you're building a rifle from scratch, it's a good deal IMO. Not sure about the metal characteristics. I think they might be a good investment, and might get one myself. But I will not be loading up on these hoping to make a bundle re-selling them.

[pmclaine]

Dont the criterion barrels need to be finish reamed for chamber and headspace? How could they manufacture a drop in barrel fit to all the minute tolerance changes on bolts and receivers. I'm not being a wise guy I just assumed every barrel was short chambered and had to be reamed.

[Riqrob]

I believe both types of barrels need to be finish reamed to headspace to your bolt/weapon.
Check the specs at CMP web.
Rick

[milsurpman]

Both Barrels are short chambered so both will need to be reamed. I will give a value bump to the niw Sa barrels. Alot of buyers will chose a Low throat erosion low muzzle wear usgi barrel on a garand at initial purchase. The cheaper (under 200) aftermarket barrels really will not help value of the gun. Unless of course you are comparing it to a shot out usgi barrel. The Criterion barrel is supposed to be held to a tighter tolerence and polish then a "50's usgi. " The Criterion should give a negligible accuracy improvement over a same condition usgi in a tight stock shooter.

[Calfed]

Well, that being said, it looks like the nod is to the NIW SA USGI barrel--CMP is selling them for $125, vs $180 for the Criterion. There is all kinds of information about the USGI NIW barrels that I wanted to investigate before I chose. Some have stated that they were not well made, with muzzle gauge numbers as high as 1.5 and that the Criterion barrels were smoother bored with less "tooling chatter marks" and a gentler "leade". All that may be true, but if those differences don't show up on the target, what difference does it really make.

[milsurpman]

Ok to rewrite what I wrote. The usgi holds greater weapon value new to new. The Criterion will hold better accuracy with all other variable the same. Do not expect a huge difference you will not get it. If you shoot in john c garand matches get the Criterion. You need every advantage you can get. So what do you want to do? If you want to shoot VERY REGULAR definitely get the Criterion. The Commercials will last longer for accuracy life in max round count. The old rule of thumb was 1000 rounds per te number. so 5000 rounds was a te of five.
The Gi barrels drop off accuracy wise fast around a te of five. The commercial will extend this. If you shoot at the range every once in a while, get the usgi it will hold the rifles value better and shoot great.

[Charlie59]

I'm guessing the vast majority of these barrels will be purchased as investments, re-sale, or to upgrade a nice rifle that has a bad barrel. These are not match grade barrels. I forgot about Criterion barrels needing to be chambered, sorry guys. BTW, it might be a good idea not wasting time on these-there are already two on gunbroker.

[ledge]

I looked this morning looks like CMP is sold out all ready.

[Calfed]

I was able to get an order in and have been advised that my order shipped yesterday. I'll post some pics when it arrives.