What kind of steel is it?
Is it worse than 4140/4150? I'd be interested in hearing why.
There are many barrels out there that are much better (and last much longer) than Colt barrels. That is why Colt Canada went with CHF barrels and double the chrome lining. Daniel Defense and BCM barrels are better than GI Colt barrels.
Norinco might have some products that have chitty heat treatments. But their steel can be very good when they want it to be. Take the 1911s for example.
As far as grouping goes, yeah those fantastic 3-4" groups with 55gr bulk ball ammo through Colts...outstanding. I am sure the Norinco will struggle to keep up.
Muskoka,
Yeah I know what you mean. I was talking about the average user here in Canada too. But the SOCOM barrel profile (and our SFW profile) still show that even a 4150 barrel (IF it has the GI cut) is still not enough to get the job done in sustained use anyway.
But the key is like you said, none of us are going to be breaking contact with mag dump after mag dump, and if you just shot them all day, I really, really don't think a Colt barrel comes out head and shoulders above a Nork barrel, even after 10,000 rounds.