AR15 Upper Receivers
Three series. Eight calibers. Barreled, complete, and stripped configurations — all designed, machined, and assembled in Cincinnati, Ohio. Backed by a Lifetime Guarantee.
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Which Configuration Is Right for Your Build?
Barreled Upper
Barrel, handguard, and upper receiver — no BCG or charging handle included. The right pick if you already have a bolt carrier group, or want to source one separately.
Shop Barreled Uppers →Barreled — Suppressor-Ready
Adds Faxon's patented MuzzLok® Plan B compatible muzzle device and Faxon's patented adjustable gas block — ready to mount most major suppressor brands and tune your gas system right out of the box. No BCG included.
Shop Barreled SR →Complete Upper
Everything included — barrel, handguard, upper receiver, Faxon superfinished BCG, and charging handle. Drop it on any mil-spec lower and you're ready to run. Best option for most shooters.
Shop Complete Uppers →Complete — Suppressor-Ready
The full package for suppressed builds. BCG, charging handle, MuzzLok® Plan B muzzle device, and Faxon's patented adjustable gas block — all included. Drop it on your lower and it's ready to run suppressed from the box.
Shop Complete SR →Stripped Upper
Faxon's Enhanced Forged AR-15 upper receiver — bare metal, ready for your barrel and handguard. Available stripped or with a completion kit (forward assist, dust cover, brass deflector). Standard, .338 ARC, and Big Bore cuts available. From $99.99.
Shop Stripped Uppers →ARAK-21® Uppers
Faxon's patented ARAK-21® long-stroke gas piston upper receivers — a fundamentally different operating system that drops onto any standard AR-15 lower. Available in 5.56 NATO and 7.62x39 in 12.5" and 16" configurations.
Shop ARAK-21® Uppers →The Lineup
Duty. Match. ION. What's the Difference?
The series determines the barrel steel, finish, intended use, and available calibers. Every configuration above is available across multiple series.
Duty Series
Most PopularSalt-bath nitrided 4150 CMV steel. 1:8 twist. M4 feed ramps. The reliable workhorse built for daily use in the most popular calibers.
Calibers
5.56 NATO · 9MM · .350 Legend · 7.62x39
Match Series
Precision416-R stainless steel barrels. Enhanced accuracy and consistency for competition, hunting, and long-range applications.
Calibers
6MM ARC · 6.5 Grendel · .223 Wylde · .300 BLK · .338 ARC
ION Series
UltralightPencil barrel paired with a carbon fiber handguard. The lightest AR upper in the Faxon lineup — built for hunts, competition, and long carries.
Calibers
5.56 NATO
Why Faxon
Built in Cincinnati. Backed for Life.
In-House Barrels
Every barrel in every upper is drilled, rifled, finished, and inspected at Faxon's Cincinnati facility. No outsourced blanks.
MPI & Headspace — Every Barrel
Magnetic particle inspection and headspace testing on every single barrel — not batch-sampled. Every one.
Superfinished BCG
Complete Uppers ship with Faxon's superfinished bolt carrier group — reduced friction, smoother cycling, easier cleaning out of the box.
Lifetime Guarantee
Every Faxon upper is backed by a Lifetime Guarantee. Defect in materials or workmanship — we make it right. No asterisks.
Common Questions
AR-15 Upper Receiver FAQ
Will a Faxon upper fit my lower receiver?
Yes. All Faxon AR-15 uppers are mil-spec dimensioned and fit any standard AR-15 lower — Aero, Anderson, PSA, BCM, or any other mil-spec lower. No fitting required.
Do I need any tools or gunsmithing to install the upper?
No. Align the upper with your lower, push the pivot pin forward, push the takedown pin in — done. No tools required.
What's included in a Complete Upper vs. a Barreled Upper?
Both include the barrel, handguard, and upper receiver. A Complete Upper also includes Faxon's superfinished BCG and charging handle. A Barreled Upper does not — you supply your own BCG and charging handle.
What's the difference between a stripped upper and a completion kit upper?
A stripped upper is bare receiver only — no forward assist, dust cover, or brass deflector. The completion kit version adds those components pre-installed, so it's ready to accept a barrel and handguard without any additional parts sourcing.
What does "Suppressor-Ready" mean?
Suppressor-Ready uppers include Faxon's MuzzLok® Plan B compatible muzzle device, which mounts most major suppressor brands directly without additional adapters, plus Faxon's patented adjustable gas block to tune your system for suppressed use. Complete Suppressor-Ready uppers also add a suppression-optimized BCG. Need a can? Browse Faxon's suppressor lineup or suppressor mounts.
Which upper should I buy for home defense?
The Duty Series 5.56 NATO Complete Upper in 16" is the most straightforward option — nitrided barrel, mid-length gas, BCG included, ready to run. If you plan to run a suppressor, go with a Complete Suppressor-Ready variant instead.
Which series is best for long-range shooting?
Match Series — specifically in 6MM ARC or 6.5 Grendel. The 416-R stainless barrels deliver tighter consistency over volume than the nitrided Duty Series steel, and both calibers are purpose-built for extended range performance on the AR-15 platform.
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