Yes the general build of the pipe may be slightly thinner but as EyeFellOva put's it they will both break if you run into a tree.
On a day to day basis the freak is much much much easier to damage than the pipe as it has ultra thin walled inserts that slide into the rear of the barrel.
These inserts are made of maybe 1mm thick aluminium, which is very easily damaged. If you are careful, this will never happen, but you can very easily just put your gun or something down onto them and crush them. Another point to consider is that they are held in by stupid little o rings which wear and then the barrel becomes inaccurate because the insert is not sitting straight.
The pipe on the other hand uses multiple backs instead of inserts, which are obviously stronger.
Like i've said before, i'm using a pipe on my cocker and a freak on my Ion, but given the choice, i'd be using the pipe on both.
Just my unbiased opinion
