Barrel fluting is becoming increasingly popular among gun owners who want to improve the aesthetics and handling of their guns. If you are new to barrel fluting and want to know what it is and if it’s worthwhile, you've come to the right place. Besides answering what is barrel fluting, we'll talk about its pros and cons so you can decide if a fluted barrel is right for you.
What Is a Fluted Barrel?
A fluted barrel is a gun barrel with parts of its exterior carved out in a consistent pattern to create grooves. The most obvious difference between a fluted and unfluted barrel is a fluted barrel has a more eye-catching body than the plain, smooth exterior of an unfluted barrel.
Most fluted barrels weigh less than unfluted barrels. The reduced weight is due to the portions of the barrel removed during the fluting or carving. You can find fluted barrels in various sizes and patterns for different firearms, including pistols and rifles.
If you have an unfluted gun, you can have it fluted or buy a fluted barrel to replace the existing one. You can also find guns that come fluted from the manufacturer.
Barrel Fluting Patterns
As we’ve mentioned, several barrel fluting patterns are available. The primary difference between each barrel fluting pattern is the appearance, and the two most popular fluting patterns are:
Corkscrew Fluting
Corkscrew fluting leaves winding spiral patterns on the exterior of a gun barrel. A corkscrew-fluted barrel looks similar to a spiral-fluted barrel, but the spirals of a corkscrew barrel are shorter and closer together.
Straight Fluting
A straight fluted barrel has grooves that run in a line from the back of the barrel to the front. Most straight-fluted barrels have multiple grooves surrounding the barrel.
Other fluting patterns include:
- Dimple fluting
- Diamond fluting
- Spiral skip fluting
What Does a Fluted Barrel Do?
A fluted barrel does the same job as a non-fluted barrel. It is a metal tube through which a fired bullet travels before flying out of the muzzle. Rifles are the go-to option for hunting and target shooting because they have longer barrels that help increase accuracy.
Are Fluted Barrels Better?
During most fluted vs. non-fluted barrel arguments, you will hear that fluted barrels are better for multiple reasons. These reasons include a lighter gun, faster heat dissipation after firing, and superior aesthetics. If these benefits are something you crave in a gun, you'd think a fluted barrel is better.
However, fluted barrels cost more than unfluted barrels. If you prefer guns with a simple look and more heft, investing in barrel fluting may be unnecessary.
The Pros and Cons of Barrel Fluting
Weighing barrel fluting pros and cons against one another will help you decide if a fluted barrel is right for you. Below is a breakdown of the upsides and downsides of barrel fluting, starting with the potential benefits.
Benefits of Barrel Fluting
Distinct Look
Barrel fluting can turn a boring-looking gun into a firearm that commands attention. Several barrel fluting patterns are available, allowing you to pick a design that best fits your aesthetic preferences. However, once you flute a barrel, you can't restore it to its original look. Instead, you'll have to replace the fluted barrel with an unfluted one.
Lighter Gun
Since the fluting process reduces the mass of the barrel, you will end up with a barrel and gun that weighs less. The more material removed, the lighter the barrel will become.
Having a lighter gun can enhance your shooting experience in several ways. For instance, during hunts or shooting drills, it will take longer for arm and shoulder fatigue to occur because your gun weighs less. A lighter barrel can also improve your aiming and maneuverability with a gun.
Potential Drawbacks of Barrel Fluting
Barrel fluting done by a professional is unlikely to compromise the performance of your gun. However, since the solution requires shaving metal off the barrel, it will change certain aspects of how your firearm works. These changes may lead to issues like:
Durability Problems
Having your existing gun barrel fluted by a third-party gunsmith can reduce its resilience. For instance, milling a barrel that you’ve had for years can create weak spots that may crack or break during shooting. Avoid such issues by buying only barrels that underwent fluting during the manufacturing process or guns that come with fluted barrels from the manufacturer.
Barrel Fluting for AR-15s
AR-15 barrel fluting is available to make your gun look and perform better. You can get a fluted barrel for various AR-style rifles, including the 5.56, 7.62, .223, and 6.5 Creedmoor.
Since legal AR-15s have long barrels, switching to a fluted barrel can significantly reduce the weight of your gun and make it easier to carry and aim. Reducing the weight of your AR-15 will be most beneficial if you regularly engage in activities that require carrying your gun for long distances. AR-15 barrel fluting can also be a good option if you'd like to reduce your cooling time between rapid shots with your rifle.
Is Fluting Right for You?
Even though a fluted barrel can improve your gun’s aesthetics and portability, barrel fluting isn’t for everyone. To be 100% sure that switching from a non-fluted barrel to a fluted one is right for you, we recommend trying both options at a gun range to experience their differences.
Do you need a fluted barrel for your AR-15? Head to our online store today to shop for top-quality fluted AR barrels.