22 ARC
Faxon Firearms was an early adopter of 22 ARC, partnering at launch and engineering AR-15 barrels around what the cartridge does best—high-BC .224 bullets, real downrange capability, and practical performance from rifle-length gas systems. Every 22 ARC barrel we offer is manufactured in-house in Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, using the same controlled processes trusted for duty, competition, and emerging cartridge platforms. This guide is designed to help you choose the right 22 ARC barrel length and series with confidence—based on how you actually plan to shoot.
Start Here: Pick Your 22 ARC Use Case
Quick guidance: 22 ARC shines when you pair the cartridge with the right balance of barrel length and profile for your job. If you want a lighter, fast-handling rifle, start at 16". If you’re chasing maximum downrange consistency (and can accept more barrel), start at 20"–24".
Practical DMR / Field Rifle (Lightweight, do-it-all)
For shooters who want a rifle that carries well, handles fast, and still takes advantage of 22 ARC’s downrange efficiency.
- Best when weight and handling matter as much as distance.
- Great for range work, steel, and field carry.
- Ideal if you want a single “one rifle” configuration.
If you want the most balanced setup in this lineup, start here.
Varmint / Predator / Longer Strings (More velocity, more stability)
When you want additional velocity and a steadier feel from supported positions—without committing to the longest, heaviest option.
- Excellent for open-country shooting and small targets.
- More “forgiving” feel in longer shot strings.
- Strong choice if you shoot prone/bipod often.
Precision-First (Consistency and bore refinement)
For shooters who treat barrel consistency as the primary objective and want the most refined bore finish we offer in 22 ARC.
- Best for the accuracy-driven buyer.
- Prioritizes consistency and repeatability over minimum weight.
- Ideal for serious range work and careful load development.
AXIS barrels are honed and lapped for a more refined bore finish.
Maximum Reach / Bench / Small Groups (Velocity + stiffness)
When you want the most barrel in the lineup to maximize velocity potential and reduce the “human factor” in supported shooting.
- Best for bench/prone, bags, bipod, and calm deliberate shooting.
- Heavier contour helps resist movement and heat effects.
- Built for distance-focused range sessions.
Why 22 ARC Barrel Choice Matters
22 ARC is built around modern .224 bullets that carry energy and fight wind better than you’d expect from a small-bore AR-15 cartridge. That performance advantage is only fully realized when the barrel configuration matches your priorities—handling, velocity, and consistency.
- Barrel length changes how much performance you can extract downrange and how the rifle balances in real use.
- Profile & fluting change how quickly the rifle settles, how it carries, and how it behaves across longer strings.
- Series choice is the “refinement decision”: Match for premium features and 5R rifling; AXIS for the most accuracy-driven bore finish via honing/lapping.
Match Series barrels are built for accuracy-minded shooters, with premium stainless construction, a recessed target crown, and a coated extension to support smooth, consistent function at critical interfaces.
22 ARC Barrel Length Guide
On 22 ARC, the “right” barrel length is less about chasing a single number and more about choosing the balance of handling vs. downrange performance that matches your shooting. Here’s how the 16"–24" range typically breaks down for most buyers.
16" 22 ARC Barrels
Best for: A balanced, carry-friendly rifle that still takes advantage of 22 ARC’s efficiency.
- Fast handling and lighter overall rifle weight.
- Great for field carry, practical range shooting, and general-purpose use.
- Ideal if you want one upper that does a little of everything.
20" 22 ARC Barrels
Best for: Shooters who want more downrange performance and a steadier feel without going “full long barrel.”
- Excellent all-around choice for varmint/predator and distance-focused range work.
- Added barrel length supports a calmer supported-position rifle feel.
- A strong middle ground for most long-range-minded AR-15 shooters.
22" 22 ARC Barrels
Best for: A precision-first 22 ARC build where consistency and refinement are the priority.
- Great for deliberate shooting, load development, and accuracy-driven setups.
- Excellent if you spend most of your time on bipods, bags, and benches.
- AXIS series adds honing/lapping for a more refined bore finish.
24" 22 ARC Barrels
Best for: Maximum reach and a “settled” rifle for supported shooting and small targets.
- Built for the shooter who wants the longest option available in the lineup.
- Heavier contour and length favor stability and consistency across longer sessions.
- Excellent for bench/prone shooting and distance-oriented range time.
Faxon 22 ARC Barrel Series Comparison
Once you’ve narrowed down your ideal barrel length, the final decision is series—because series determines the refinement level and feature set you’re paying for. Faxon’s Match and AXIS barrels are both built for accuracy-minded shooters, but they serve different “decision logic.”
Match Series (5R / Coated Extension)
Best for: Shooters who want premium accuracy features with a broad, practical use-case range.
- Accuracy-focused stainless construction with premium rifling geometry.
- Recessed target crown for protection and consistency.
- Coated barrel extension for smoother function at critical interfaces.
- Great choice when you want “one upper” to cover a lot of roles.
AXIS Series (Honed & Lapped, Accuracy-Driven)
Best for: The buyer who wants our most accuracy-focused bore finish for maximum consistency.
- Honed and lapped bore for a more refined finish and consistency focus.
- Designed for shooters who prioritize repeatability and precision-first setup decisions.
- Ideal for careful load development and supported-position shooting.
Still deciding? Choose Match Series if you want a premium, versatile barrel lineup across multiple lengths. Choose AXIS if your top priority is the most accuracy-driven bore finish we offer in 22 ARC.
Recommended 22 ARC Barrels
If you want to skip the analysis and go straight to proven setups, these are the 22 ARC barrels we recommend most often—each chosen to cover a distinct role so you can buy with confidence.
Best Overall “Do-It-All” 22 ARC
Faxon Match Series 16" Gunner Profile (Rifle Gas)
The most balanced choice for most buyers: lighter handling than longer barrels, still optimized around a rifle-length gas setup, and built with Match Series accuracy features.
- Best blend of handling and downrange capability
- Great for field carry, steel, and general-purpose use
- Match Series is ideal when you want premium features with broad versatility
Best “Longer Range” Balance
Faxon Match Series 20" Flame Fluted® (Rifle Gas)
For shooters who want more barrel to lean into 22 ARC’s downrange efficiency, while keeping weight and feel more manageable than a heavy 24" build.
- Excellent for varmint/predator and distance-focused range work
- Fluting helps manage weight while maintaining a steady feel
- Great “middle ground” option for most long-range AR shooters
Best Premium Accuracy Option
Faxon AXIS Series 22" Target Profile (Honed & Lapped)
If your priority is consistency-first and you want the most accuracy-driven bore finish in this caliber lineup, AXIS is the move.
- Honed and lapped bore for refined consistency focus
- Ideal for careful load development and supported-position shooting
- Built for the accuracy-driven buyer
Best Maximum Reach / Supported Shooting
Faxon Match Series 24" Heavy Fluted (Rifle Gas)
For the shooter who wants the longest option and a more settled rifle for small targets and deliberate distance work.
- Longest 22 ARC barrel option in the lineup
- Heavy fluted contour for stability with weight-conscious design
- Excellent for bench/prone/bipod use
Simple rule: If you carry the rifle and shoot from multiple positions, start at 16"–20". If you primarily shoot supported and want maximum stability, go 22"–24".
Shop 22 ARC Barrels
AXIS Series 22 ARC Barrels
Browse AXIS Series 22 ARC barrels (honed & lapped, accuracy-driven).
All Faxon barrels are manufactured in-house in Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, and built under our direct quality control.
22 ARC Barrel FAQs
What 22 ARC barrel length should I buy? ▾
If you want the best all-around handling and real downrange performance, start with a 16" or 20". Choose 22"–24" if you primarily shoot supported (bench/prone/bipod) and want the most settled rifle for deliberate distance work.
What’s the difference between Match Series and AXIS Series in 22 ARC? ▾
Match Series is built for premium versatility across multiple lengths, while AXIS is the accuracy-driven option with a honed and lapped bore for a more refined finish and consistency focus. If you want one upper to cover the most roles, start with Match. If your top priority is consistency-first precision work, choose AXIS.
Are these 22 ARC barrels made in the USA? ▾
Yes. Faxon Firearms barrels are manufactured in-house in Greater Cincinnati, Ohio—under Faxon’s direct quality control from machining through inspection.
Are Faxon 22 ARC barrels inspected and quality checked? ▾
Yes. Faxon’s barrel QC process is designed to ensure consistency and reliability, including inspection checkpoints throughout manufacturing and final verification prior to shipment.
Is 16" too short for 22 ARC? ▾
No—16" is a highly practical choice for most shooters who want a lighter, more maneuverable rifle while still taking advantage of 22 ARC’s efficiency. If your priority is maximizing downrange performance and a steadier supported feel, move up to 20"–24".
Which 22 ARC barrels are in this lineup? ▾
This guide covers four in-stock 22 ARC AR-15 barrel options: Match Series 16" Gunner (15B22A7R16NGQ-5R-NP3), Match Series 20" Flame Fluted® (15B22A7R20LMQ-5R-NP3), Match Series 24" Heavy Fluted (15B22A7R24FHQ-5R-NP3), and AXIS Series 22" Target (15B22A7R22NTM-HL-5R-NP3).
What warranty comes with Faxon 22 ARC barrels? ▾
All Faxon Firearms products are backed by our Limited Lifetime Warranty.
For full warranty terms, service instructions, and exclusions, please visit:
https://faxonfirearms.com/warranty-privacy-terms/