FAXON MATCH SERIES PENCIL PROFILE 16" MID-LENGTH 223 WYLDE AR15 BARREL

Faxon
SKU:
15BW8M16NPQ-5R-NP3
|
UPC:
816341023123
Availability:
Usually ships within 2 business days.
$235.00
(5 reviews)
Current Stock:

Faxon Match Series — 16" Pencil Profile .223 Wylde AR-15 Barrel (Mid-Length Gas)

416R Stainless • 5R Rifling • Nickel Teflon M4 Extension • Nitride Inside & Out • Lightweight Pencil Contour

The Match Series 16" Pencil .223 Wylde delivers match-grade accuracy in a featherweight package. The Pencil profile shifts balance back toward the shooter for quick transitions and reduced fatigue, while the .223 Wylde chamber provides precision with .223 Rem and safe compatibility with 5.56 NATO.

Starting with 416R stainless steel and 5R rifling (button-rifled, 1:8 twist), the barrel is salt bath nitrided inside & out for corrosion resistance and easy cleaning. Every Faxon Match barrel is stress relieved, air-gauge tested, magnetic particle inspected (MPI), and headspace verified. The M4 extension features a Nickel Teflon coating to enhance lubricity and tighten extension-to-receiver fit for consistency.

Key Benefits

  • Ultra-light Pencil profile: Minimizes front-end weight for faster handling without sacrificing precision.
  • .223 Wylde chamber: Match accuracy with .223 Rem plus safe operation with 5.56 NATO.
  • Match-grade build: 416R stainless, 5R rifling, 1:8 twist for broad bullet compatibility.
  • Durable finish: Nitride inside & out for improved barrel life and fouling resistance.
  • Nickel Teflon M4 extension: Smoother feeding and tighter fit for shot-to-shot consistency.
  • Rigorous QC: Stress relieved, air-gauge tested, MPI, and headspace checked in-house.

Specifications

Caliber / Chamber
.223 Wylde
Length
16"
Profile
Pencil
Gas System
Mid-Length
Material
416R Stainless Steel
Rifling Method
Button-Rifled, 5R; 1:8 Twist
Finish
Salt Bath Nitride (inside & out)
Muzzle Threads
1/2x28
Gas Block Diameter
.625"
Gas Block Journal Length
1.1"
Barrel Extension
M4 — Nickel Teflon Coated
Crown
11° Recessed Target Crown

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose the Pencil profile?
It offers the lightest front end for rapid transitions and reduced fatigue while retaining excellent practical accuracy.
What makes .223 Wylde advantageous?
.223 Wylde optimizes accuracy with .223 Rem yet safely accepts 5.56 NATO pressures — ideal for match and practical use.
Is a stainless barrel really nitride treated?
Yes. Our 416R stainless Match barrels are salt bath nitrided inside and out to enhance life, resist corrosion, and ease cleaning.

Overview: 16" Match Series Pencil .223 Wylde Barrel

The Faxon Match Series 16" Pencil .223 Wylde is built for shooters who want the lightest feel without giving up precision. With 416R stainless, 5R rifling, and a Nickel Teflon–coated M4 extension, this barrel feeds smoothly, resists fouling, and maintains accuracy across common bullet weights. The mid-length gas system softens recoil and speeds follow-up shots, while the nitride treatment inside and out boosts durability for long-term performance.

Barrel Material:
416-R Stainless
Barrel Type:
5R Button Rifled
Caliber:
.223 Wylde
Barrel Length:
16"
Barrel Twist:
1:8
Barrel Profile:
Pencil
Barrel Gas System:
Mid
Outside Finish:
QPQ Nitride
Muzzle Thread:
1/2x28
Gas Block Diameter:
.625"
Gas Block Journal Length:
1.1"
Barrel Extension:
M4 - Nickel Teflon Coated
Barrel Weight:
1.19 lbs
Crown Type:
Recessed 11-degree Target Crown

Reviews

  • 5
    Pencil Barrel STILL puts the poke on Pasture Poodles...

    Posted by Zeke on Dec 5th 2024

    I built a lightweight Pasture Poodle rifle with this barrel & other miscellaneous parts I wanted to use on this custom coyote killin' collaboration. I can say this is the very first time in my life I can EVER remember my doing something where I did not and have not settled for ANY other part other than just exactly what I had decided that I wanted to use for building this rifle... Man, I'm just gonna say... that is really causing me and everyone who sees or shoots this rifle to simply smile and say wow... But, I have absolutely had nothing other than pure joy and continued complementary words without one single... "Well, I would have maybe done this, or maybe changed that to this, if it were mine..." Literally... I just can't remember once it has happened. Those Coyotes though... Boy, o boy... I mean they just flippin' hate this thing. But, everyone else really loves it's featherweight arse... I don't shoot more than about 1 to 2... up to maybe 4 or 5 shots probably at the max thru it, before it cools down, and I walk some more before I see another pasture poodle that I need to reach and put that poker on that mangy, old, opportunistic joker... Mr. Wil E. Coyote. It shoots 62gr. Maker REX bullets better than anything else I have introduced to it... I have squeezed the trigger on probably #35 or so coyotes with it in about a year.... I have most shots at about 30 to 100 yards on average and my longest shot has been about +/- roughly 240 yards It'll really get that @ss for them... I've gotten 1 moa or less 3 shot 100yd groups when I've done it really bagged and steady. Thanks for the good memories. Faxon's 5R rifling really seems to be the stuff that'ill give the accuracy you need, in order to get that projectile where you want it.

  • 5
    Excellent Barrel

    Posted by Hayden Baker on Jun 13th 2023

    I have this on my "all purpose/duty" build which I use for defense and training. The barrel will produce a 2 inch group at 100 yards with 3x magnification and M193; I haven't tested it with nicer ammo and more magnification. The light weight makes the whole gun so easy to target transition and carry. No issues with accuracy even with longer courses of fire. I'm very happy with my purchase.

  • 5
    Match barrel

    Posted by Michael Kilfoyle on Feb 27th 2023

    I had this barrel in a previous rifle. Using a lpvo, a super wonky rest and cheap 55gr ammo, shot 1 MOA. Phenomenal results. Ordered Duty Series barrel for new build. I'm sure will be great as well.

  • 5
    Faxon Match Pencil Barrel

    Posted by Matt K. on Dec 29th 2022

    Started out using their 16" gov. pencil 5.56 barrel in my WWSD 2020 rifle, switched to the match barrel to see how much the groups would tighten up. It's brought things in about 1" tighter at 100yds from the gov. barrel. all around from cold bore to after warming up. From a cold bore the first 3 shots are incredibly tight (about 1" group) at 100yds and then they start to open up. It's worth pointing out, you have to know your use case, a pencil barrel isn't a precision rifle barrel by nature, but for what it is, I think it's a very accurate barrel. The cooldown time is fast, but I wish I could fit this with one of JP enterprise's heat sinks or a similar product. They don't weigh much, and might alleviate the main issue with these pencil barrels. Something for the Faxon team to think about if they haven't already. A pencil barrel is a no compromise lightest weight barrel you can get. For what it is, it is very accurate. I'm pleased with the results, but next time I may opt for their gunner profile to hopefully get another 2-3 more rounds down range before the groups open. Some things are worth the weight. It didn't like the 75gr hornady very much, I got better groups with 69gr SMK BTHP ADI.

  • 5
    First time buyer, very impresed

    Posted by Wayne Liskey on Dec 18th 2017

    As long as I don't get this barrel hot it shoots under 1MOA. Very light to handle and the machining is perfect.