All About Nowlin Barrels

Nowlin barrels (are) the winner's choice. Here's why:

• Made from a forging. In the forging process, the molten metal in poured into a special vessel, then struck with a heavy drop hammer. This imparts tons of energy to align the steel grain structure and compact the molecules. Most other maker's barrels are cut from ordinary bar stock; this is a safe method, but clearly not the best. Forging gives a barrel greater strength than ordinary bar stock. Feet don't just break off our barrels as do some others.
• Extreme service life. Our customers tell us of Nowlin .45 ACP barrels with 200,000+ rounds still going strong. Our 9mm/38 Super barrels will run well over 60,000 with jacketed ammo as reported to us. We have reports of 130,000 rounds will good accuracy in Nowlin Super .38 barrels. Good cleaning practices will extend the life of any barrel and we suggest you clean any barrel after each shooting session.
• Tight bore specs mean extra velocity and accuracy. Bulls eye and Bianchi Cup, shooters know they really need Nowlin barrels to win. Pro shooters like Mickey Fowler and Bruce Piatt use Nowlin because they want to win.
• Electro chemical machining of rifling. Our extra deep, wide grooves are specially angled for maximum grip on the bullet and extraordinary accuracy. Bores vary less than .0002, from end to end. Extremely smooth (8RMS) bores require no break-in and ensure maximum velocity.
• Made from special lots of 416 Stainless Steel. We purchase only lots of 416 that meet our strict criteria. This is essential for long barrel life and optimal performance.
• Precision CNC machined throughout manufacture.
• Each barrel individually inspected multiple times for dimensions and best finish. Heat treated for optimal wear and durability.
• Extraordinary exterior finish. Bushing travel area of bore is 16 RMS or better, so you will not prematurely wear out a nice bushing fit. Feet are smooth as is the top of the hood area. Look for the Nowlin name engraved on the barrel hood to be sure you are getting the genuine article.
• Engineered for accuracy. Extensive testing goes into each barrel twist, chamber dimension, and bore size. It takes the best to be the best.
• Barrel locking lugs are prefit to center primer hits.
• Special chamber reamers for Nowlin barrels (available from Brownells) insure optimal velocities and accuracy.

YOUR CHOICE, GUNSMITH OR PRE-FIT

• Gunsmith dimension barrels are oversize in the following areas: hood width, hood length, and feet. Chambers are started but short for easy, precision completion. Gunsmiths like our barrels because they are oversize in the necessary areas only. We strongly advise the use of Nowlin/Manson chamber reamers with our barrels. Other reamers may damage the bore.
• Pre-fit barrels are ready for easy installation. All areas are completely fit for easy installation. Just put it in the slide and go shoot! A few slides will require minor fitting of the outside of the bushing to the inside of the slide. Our standards of fit are the tightest in the industry. Close tolerances and attention to detail make the difference. Repeatedly our customers tell us their gun went from shooting 6 @ 25 yards to 2 (or less) after the installation of a Nowlin pre-fit barrel. That's minute of cantaloupe to minute of tennis ball accuracy; a big difference.