FAXON DUTY SERIES PENCIL PROFILE 16" MID-LENGTH 5.56 NATO AR15 BARREL
Faxon
$185.00
(35 reviews)
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Faxon
FAXON DUTY SERIES PENCIL PROFILE 16" MID-LENGTH 5.56 NATO AR15 BARREL
Faxon Duty Series Pencil Profile — 16" Mid-Length 5.56 NATO (1:8 Twist)
Ultralight, balanced, and accurate — Faxon’s Pencil barrel optimized for all-day handling.
The Faxon Duty Series 16" Pencil Profile 5.56 NATO barrel is engineered for shooters who demand superior accuracy with minimal weight. Featuring Faxon’s signature Pencil contour, this barrel enhances agility and balance while maintaining precision and reliability. Ideal for lightweight builds, patrol rifles, and training carbines where speed and endurance matter.
Key Benefits
- Lightweight performance: The Pencil profile minimizes forward weight while retaining accuracy and heat control.
- Mid-length gas system: Smooth cycling, reduced recoil, and enhanced reliability for all shooting conditions.
- High-quality steel: Machined from 4150 CMV Mil-Spec steel, stress relieved, and air-gauge tested for precision.
- Corrosion-resistant finish: Black nitride inside and out for superior wear and easy maintenance.
- Lightweight yet strong: Weighs only 1.20 lbs — ideal for long sessions or fast-moving courses.
- Precision guaranteed: Each barrel is MPI-inspected and headspace checked for flawless performance.
Specifications
Why Choose the Pencil Profile
The Pencil profile offers maximum weight savings and maneuverability without sacrificing performance. It’s perfect for shooters who want an agile rifle for dynamic movement, field use, or long range days without fatigue. Despite its light weight, Faxon’s stress-relieved 4150 CMV steel and black nitride finish ensure durability and consistent accuracy.
Installation & Compatibility
- Standard M4 barrel extension fits all AR-15 upper receivers.
- Accepts .625" gas block on 1.1" journal; adjustable recommended for suppressed setups.
- 1/2-28 threads fit brakes, comps, and suppressor adapters.
- Compatible with mid-length gas tubes and standard AR-15 BCGs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this barrel good for a lightweight build?
Yes — the Faxon Pencil barrel minimizes forward weight, improving balance and control for lightweight rifles.
Is this barrel chrome-lined?
No — Faxon uses a black nitride treatment for smoother cleaning and superior corrosion resistance.
Can I use a suppressor with this barrel?
Yes — the mid-length gas system provides smooth cycling, especially with an adjustable gas block.
What bullet weights perform best?
The 1:8 twist stabilizes 55–77 grain bullets for reliable performance across various loads.
Overview: Lightweight 16" Mid-Length Pencil Barrel
The Faxon Duty Series 16" Pencil Profile 5.56 NATO barrel brings Faxon’s precision manufacturing and durability to a lightweight, agile design. With its mid-length gas system, this barrel delivers smooth recoil and consistent cycling for a wide range of AR-15 platforms.
Each barrel is made from 4150 CMV steel, button-rifled, stress relieved, air-gauge tested, and magnetic particle inspected. The black nitride finish protects inside and out, and the 11° target crown ensures consistent shot placement. Lightweight doesn’t mean fragile — this Pencil barrel is built for serious performance.
- Caliber:
- 5.56 NATO
- Barrel Profile:
- Pencil
- Barrel Material:
- 4150 CMV
- Rifling Twist Rate:
- 1:8
- Muzzle Thread:
- 1/2x28
- Gas Block Diameter:
- .625"
- Gas System Length:
- Mid
- Barrel Length:
- 16"
- Outside Finish:
- QPQ Nitride
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Reviews
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Super Light and Accurate!
This is my second pencil profile barrel from Faxon, the first has 3,000+ rounds through it and still shoots 1 MOA. Be sure to follow the break in procedure. If you are building an ultralight AR, this barrel is perfect...
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Fantastic Pencil Barrel
I bought this barrel for a lightweight/home defense build (~6.5 lbs fully decked out). The fit and finish was great. The only think I wish is that there was an option to have the barrel dimpled for the gas block I also bought from Faxon, Please do this!!! Or if you'd sell a gas block jig so I can sweat a little less when I have to dimple the barrel myself. The end product I built is a great shooter and pretty accurate for what it is. No problems with any of the ammunition that I've used with it thus far. Definitely love this barrel and I'm looking forward to using more of Faxon's barrels in the future.
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This barrel makes a poor shooter look like and Gold Medal Olympian
I recently got a system from Faxon. It’s an AR15 which consisted of a 16” pencil barrel, their new flash hider/ compensator, the Holding Upper and lower, a Faxon bolt carrier assy and a Hyperfire trigger. I took it to the range today and shot 5 rounds through it to get it close, I was using a Nikon 3-12x42 power scope shooting at 100yards. I put up a target and took my first shot. Made a quick windage and elevation adjustment then fired 4 consecutive rounds. I had 2 bullseyes and 2 just off dead center. The grouping was 0.950”, the ammo was cheap 30 cent a round Winchester 5.556/.223 ammo in the white box from Field and Stream. I was just laying the gun on my range bag Imagine what a good shooter, using match ammo and on sand bags could do. I bet you would hold 1/2MOA Thanks Faxon!
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16" PENCIL, 5.56 NATO, MID-LENGTH, 4150 QPQ
Barrel head spacing was correct. Barrel length was correct. Muzzle threads were correct and crisp. Barrel extension was correct. Gas port was properly sized for mid-length gas system and located correctly. Finish was complete and nice. Notes: All in all this is a great barrel, super light, correct to specifications. The value of this barrel is also another great point. I have used more expensive barrels that have the same attention to detail and workmanship as this one. The barrel is surprisingly accurate for its weight and the reduced rigidity found in pencil barrels. would recommend for use.
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wonderful barrel
This barrel is everything I expected, finish is flawless, markings are sharp and clear, and the inside of the barrel was beautiful upon arrival. I just finished my first range day with this barrel and I couldn't be happier, it groups tighter than me when I shoot offhand, it does heat up quick but it is so skinny it is to be expected. I doubt I will ever look anywhere else to buy a barrel for myself in the future. Wonderful product
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lightweight build
Wanted to do a lightweight build, heard about Faxon Firearms pencil barrel and talked to friends who use them. I was not disappointed, used with BCM Kmr 15" forearm it turned out fabulous. My wife shot it after I sighted in irons and red dot. "Thanks for my new ar honey, it's so much lighter than mine"! Yes dear your welcome.
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best barrel for the money
I'm building a light weight rifle and the pencil barrel was what I needed. Faxon has the lightest pencil barrel at a great price. I'm very happy with my purchase.
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Good barrel
So far I am impressed with this barrel. It is nice and light, exactly what I was looking for. Everything is a perfect fit when paired with the Faxon low profile gas block and gas tube. As far as accuracy: when in my untrained, hobbyist hands, I put 30 rounds of American Eagle 5.56 55gr FMJ all center mass at 100 yards with iron sights, good enough for me. I definitely recommend this product and will return to Faxon on future builds.
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Excellent Barrel!
I purchase this for a light weight AR-15 Rifle build, and this barrel is the lightest I've seen so far in the 16inch length with a mid-length gas system. The finish of the barrel is beautiful! it shoots nice and accurate as well. I will be creating a more detailed review for my youtube channel in the near future at youtube.com/BigGunner81 this barrel will also be featured in the his-n-her rifle build video series as well as the Washington State build of the 50 states of AR-15 project. Thank you again Faxon for making these awesome barrels!