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

Faxon
SKU:
15A58M16NPQ
|
UPC:
816341020146
$185.00
(35 reviews)
Current Stock:
Adding to cart… The item has been added

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

Caliber
5.56 NATO
Length
16" (Mid-Length Gas)
Profile
Pencil (Lightweight)
Material
4150 CMV Steel
Rifling
Button-rifled, 1:8 twist
Finish
Black Nitride (inside & out)
Gas System
Mid-Length
Gas Block Diameter
.625"
Gas Block Journal Length
1.1"
Muzzle Thread
1/2-28 TPI
Barrel Extension
M4
Weight
1.20 lb (approx.)
Crown
11° Target Crown

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

Reviews

  • 5
    Great seller!

    Posted by Brennan / Firearms 4 Less on Mar 11th 2016

    We've been selling the Faxon barrels for just a short time but we've already re-ordered several times. Our customers frequently comment how great the accuracy can be with such a lightweight barrel. Keep up the great work! Brennan www.firearms4less.com

  • 5
    Nice Lightweight Barrel

    Posted by BlueandCold on Feb 25th 2016

    Was going to buy a heavier barrel (16" Gunner) , but they were not in stock and got tired of waiting. Bought the 16" Pencil barrel and I like it fine. Have shot only 150 rounds or so through it at 50 yds (to sight in) and 100 yards. Seems to shoot as well as I can hold at 100 yards with iron sights. I plan to use this in some Run N Gun events and will probably be glad I got the lighter barrel. I have a free float handguard and one thing I have noticed is that if you push on the barrel at the end it will move/flex. The barrel is not so much bending as it is flexing at the barrel nut. (Barrel nut is torqued properly). However, with a free float handguard the barrel is isolated from external forces (except gravity) so the flex is not an issue. If you ever rested the end of the barrel on something it would shift your point of aim. So don't do that.

  • 5
    super Light

    Posted by Dave on Jan 2nd 2016

    Purchased this barrel for a LW build and was nit disappointed. Pencil profile was ultr a light. Fit and finish are excellent. I added the Faxon LW gas block and the combination looks great and keeps weight to a minimum. Only giving 4 stars since I haven't had the chance to test for accuracy yet. However I don't forsee any problems in this area. The biggest issue so far has been actually finding this barrel in stock! The fact that the demand for this product is so high speaks to the desireability of it. **Faxon staff note - we bumped it up to 5 starts as we thought he would be pleased with the accuracy!

  • 5
    lightweight and beautiful!

    Posted by Art Sauer on Oct 7th 2015

    I had some concerns ordering a pencil barrel for my first build. I wasn't sure about the fit and the quality. Someone recommended Faxon and I was not disappointed. I ordered the block, tube, and barrel at the same time from Faxon to be sure it all fit together. This barrel is incredibly light weight and perfectly machined. I can't wait to build another AR and use Faxon mechanics in it!

  • 5
    beautifully machined

    Posted by David on Sep 3rd 2015

    I just got this in so I obviously haven't had the opportunity to shoot anything through it. My initial impression is very favorable. It is beautifully machined, having an elegant taper at the muzzle. It is nicely finished in deep black qpq and super light. It is really a good looking piece of equipment. It is clear that Faxon is putting a lot of care into their products. My plan is to find a super light rail and go with the MFT minimalist stock for a super light carbine. Shipping was also fast and product well packaged.

  • 5
    Nice Barrel

    Posted by Paul J on Aug 31st 2015

    Very nice high quality barrel, you can tell that a lot of time was taken to develop this product. Even after reading the weight on the page, I was still surprised by the lack of weight while handling it. There are some other light weight pencil barrels on the market for much more money with no or not much weight savings over this one.

  • 5
    Lightweight Build Must Have !!!

    Posted by Gordon R. on Jun 11th 2015

    I have built several lightweight AR's and used barrels from some of the top names at much higher prices. I can tell you first hand none of them have preformed as well as this barrel does. With the right ammo I have shot .65" 5 shot groups off a bench and when I take my time freehand it will stay under an inch. It does get warm fast and opens up a bit 2-3" in a 30 round string. The finish and workmanship are top of the line. I can't wait to get my hands on one of the 14.5s and shoot for a 4lb build. Buy with confidence well worth the money.

  • 5
    Great barrel

    Posted by Steve Li on Jun 4th 2015

    I purchased one of these barrels to build a lightweight (4.95 lb) AR for my grandson. It looks great and the accuracy was very good. It is a lightweight, so it does heat up quicker than a heavier profile, but that is to be expected. Finish was great and everything fit as it should. Just waiting for them to come back in stock so I can order one for my daughter's rifle.