Single tube core barrels are the simplest, least expensive, and most rugged of the core barrel family and consist of a head section, core recovery tube, reamer shell, and cutting bit with core lifter. All head connections are "W" Design drill rod threads.

In operation, water flows through the head, around the core, and directly out of the waterways in the bit. Recommended uses include coring in homogeneous hard rock, (where the core does not wash away or crumble easily) and penetrating rock layers above the strata (where high core recovery is not essential). Single tube barrels are often used as a started barrel when beginning coring operations.