FAXON DUTY SERIES SOCOM PROFILE 16" MID-LENGTH 5.56 NATO AR15 BARREL

Faxon
SKU:
15A58M16NSQ
|
UPC:
816341020108
Availability:
Usually ships within 2 business days.
$175.00
(25 reviews)
Current Stock:

Faxon Duty Series SOCOM Profile — 16" Mid-Length 5.56 NATO (1:8 Twist)

Rugged SOCOM contour with smooth mid-length gas timing for duty-grade accuracy and endurance.

The Faxon Duty Series 16" SOCOM Profile 5.56 NATO barrel blends a proven heavy contour with mid-length gas to deliver controllable recoil, excellent heat management, and consistent accuracy over long strings of fire. Manufactured in-house from certified 4150 CMV, finished black nitride inside and out, and verified with air-gauge, MPI, and headspace checks, this barrel is built for real-world reliability.

Key Benefits

  • SOCOM contour: Added material for heat control and stability during rapid or sustained fire.
  • Mid-length gas system: Smoother cycling and reduced component wear versus carbine gas.
  • Duty materials: In-house machined 4150 CMV steel, button-rifled 1:8 twist.
  • Corrosion resistant: Black nitride finish on bore and exterior for longevity and easy maintenance.
  • QC that matters: Stress relieved, air-gauge tested, magnetic particle inspected, and individually headspace-checked.
  • Build friendly: Standard 1/2-28 threads, .750" gas block (1.9" journal), and M4 extension.

Specifications

Caliber
5.56 NATO
Length
16" (Mid-Length Gas)
Profile
SOCOM
Material
4150 CMV
Rifling
Button-rifled, 1:8 twist
Finish
Black Nitride (inside & out)
Gas System
Mid-Length
Gas Block Diameter
.750"
Gas Block Journal Length
1.9"
Muzzle Thread
1/2-28 TPI
Barrel Extension
M4
Weight
1.73 lb (approx.)
Crown
11° Target Crown

Why Choose the SOCOM Profile

The SOCOM profile adds strategic mass for thermal stability and reduced POI shift as the barrel heats up. Paired with mid-length gas, it’s a workhorse choice for patrol carbines, training rifles, and hard-use builds where reliability under heat is non-negotiable.

Installation & Compatibility

  • Standard M4 barrel extension fits AR-15 uppers and bolts.
  • Use a .750" gas block on the 1.9" journal; adjustable blocks recommended for suppressed use.
  • 1/2-28 threads accept brakes, comps, and direct-thread suppressor adapters.
  • Pair with a mid-length gas tube and appropriate buffer system for optimal reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does SOCOM compare to Government profile?
SOCOM retains more mass toward the muzzle for better heat control and stability during rapid fire than standard Government profiles.
Is the barrel chrome-lined?
No — it uses a black nitride treatment inside and out for wear and corrosion resistance.
Can I use a suppressor?
Yes — mid-length gas and the SOCOM contour make an excellent suppressor host. An adjustable gas block helps tune back-pressure.
What ammo weights work best?
The 1:8 twist stabilizes common 55–77 gr 5.56 loads for duty, defense, and match use.

Overview: Duty-Grade 16" Mid-Length SOCOM Barrel

The Faxon Duty Series 16" SOCOM Profile 5.56 NATO barrel is engineered for serious shooters who expect consistent accuracy and long service life from their AR-15. Its heavy contour resists thermal shift and barrel whip, while the mid-length gas system softens recoil and enhances reliability — suppressed or unsuppressed.

Starting with 4150 CMV steel, Faxon button-rifles a versatile 1:8 twist, then stress-relieves, air-gauges, and MPI-inspects every barrel. A black nitride finish protects the bore and exterior from corrosion, and the 11° target crown promotes repeatable accuracy.

For patrol carbines, training rifles, or hard-use duty builds, the 16" SOCOM offers the ruggedness, precision, and QC pedigree that define Faxon’s Duty Series.

 

Caliber:
5.56 NATO
Barrel Profile:
SOCOM
Barrel Material:
4150 CMV
Rifling Twist Rate:
1:8
Muzzle Thread:
1/2x28
Gas Block Diameter:
.750"
Gas System Length:
Mid
Outside Finish:
QPQ Nitride
Barrel Length:
16"

Reviews

  • 5
    Very Nice!

    Posted by Matt on Jun 17th 2016

    I also put this barrel on a customers build, and using PMC Bronze 55gr ammo and came in under MOA. Very good deal on this barrel!

  • 5
    perfect barrel

    Posted by Azheat on Apr 15th 2016

    First glance i could tell it was worth every penny, quality is highend. Will try to buy another barrel, 18" this time , for sure.

  • 5
    Quite Impressed.

    Posted by MJ on Apr 14th 2016

    I sighted it in at 50yds for initial grouping, and with cheap M885 ammo, the holes were almost touching. So I took a shot at 150 yds at my 3" steel target, and it was a hit every time. For the price, it can't be beat!

  • 5
    16" socom

    Posted by Unknown on Apr 5th 2016

    Great barrel, fast shipping

  • 5
    No compromise

    Posted by Tyler on Mar 29th 2016

    I waited until I had a chance to shoot this barrel before reviewing it. I'll start at the beginning... before I ordered a barrel, folks at Faxon were very responsive to all of my inquiries about different products, and availability timelines nothing worse than asking about a product and getting an answer 3 days later, Faxon answered any question I had within minutes, or hours. Shipping was fast, barrel arrived in very nice, protective packaging, finish was flawless. I instantly told a family member about this barrel and they went and bought a 300 blackout from faxon (have not shot that one yet, but everything said above is the same with that barrel). Installation was very easy, I put this barrel on an aero precision enhanced upper... finished the build and finally got to shoot it. Could not have asked for better performance from this barrel, it's very accurate (more than I am). I was also concerned that maybe the gas port would be too big, or my gun would end up being over gassed, or some sort of issue, since this was my first rifle build, but perfect ejection patterns, not a single stoppage. I have to agree with the many customers of Faxon and say that this has to be one of the best quality barrels for much less money. Zero compromises using a faxon barrel.

  • 5
    High quality price is right

    Posted by Derek on Mar 16th 2016

    Very high quality. I would like to see a pre-dimple or pin option for the barrels. The Faxon gas blocks use three set screws spaced differently from other manufacturers.

  • 5
    excellent barrel, reasonable price

    Posted by ibmikey on Mar 15th 2016

    I have built four AR's around this Faxon barrel after the first build provided everything I was attempting to obtain in a light, easy handling and accurate carbine. Most of my shooting is at steel, rocks, dirt clods and cans of every size and shape. The Faxon barrels are beautifully machined and surface prepared with a nitride process resulting in long wear. My first rifle has in excess of 5000 rounds of ammunition with no suggestion of a loss of accuracy. Installed the AR balances well this barrel aiding in quick movement on targets.

  • 5
    Fantastic

    Posted by DJ on Feb 22nd 2016

    Great value. Great quality!

  • 5
    16" 5.56 SOCOM

    Posted by Bill on Feb 20th 2016

    Another quality barrel from Faxon. Wish you guys would get into manufacturing 6.8 SPC barrels.