barrel question

I hope this isn't dumb...but I've noticed that you can get an air rifle with either a solid steel barrel, or that fluted plastic wrapped around metal barrel, like the one on my big cat.  What's the difference between the two?  Like, is the solid one better than the plastic one? does one last longer than the other or is just for weight and or production costs?

[vinceb]

And you don't hafta wipe it down with oil.

Airgun barrel accuracy has nothing to do with the outside. It's the inside that counts, there's no reason a plastic-covered barrel should perform any differently.

[leftcoast1]

It's done that way for the reason you stated to keep cost down. Nothing wrong with them. A clean bore a good crown is what matters. The plastic would be of help with harmonics but you probably won't have that problem. I know it looks deceiving but look at Crosmans barrels on the 22xx series CO2 guns. That is skinny barrel and they have some very accurate guns. HTH.