People are always buying barrels, never had a problem selling barrels on here. If lightweight is your goal, and it’s just for range shooting, the pencil one is the clear choice. However, if accuracy is a larger factor, and you “may” intend for this rifle to be used for other things that “may” require more shooting, such as shtf or whatever else you are concerned about, I’d go with the heavier gunner barrel. The heavier barrel should have a stiffer contour, mitigating barrel whip, and will run longer under heat. If those are not your concerns, f it save the extra few ounces!

 

I went with a Faxon 10.5" pencil for my AR pistol build. Been happy with it.

 

I only have a gunner on my 10.5 300 blackout. Very pleased. Top notch quality. Almost too pretty to hide under the handguard.

 

I want a shorter handguard -

 

Just a side note, you may want to check out their light weight barrels with the low profile flash hider if you want ultimate light weight. They were at AIM surplus on a Saturday and had the barrel and a carbon fiber handguard that was silly light.

Faxon Patented 16" Pencil, 5.56 NATO, Mid-Length, 4150 QPQ Nitride, Integral Flash Hider AR-15 Barrel

This 16 inch 5.56 NATO barrel is crafted from 4150 chrome moly vanadium. This barrel comes with an integral slim flash hider and is given a nitride finish.

faxonfirearms.com

they also make a gunner profile.

 

Why are you going for the lightweight build? That is the question.

Weight compromises durability - if you want a more durable, shooting barrel, vs. a lightweight portable one.

You can choose to save weight elsewhere in the build, and less accessories.

 

Why are you going for the lightweight build? That is the question.

Weight compromises durability - if you want a more durable, shooting barrel, vs. a lightweight portable one.

You can choose to save weight elsewhere in the build, and less accessories.

Sort of random -

I have been wanting to build a rifle upper for a spare pistol lower - decided one pistol AR is enough.

I have a Battlelink minimalist stock - that seems a little lighter -

I was poking around and came to the Faxon web site and decided they were a good choice - since I already have a carbine and rifle length AR I decided a mid-length and then saw the pencil barrel and figured it was a good choice.

Something different - my 18" barrel rifle AR seems sort of heavy - so why not a light one!

When it looked like the ATF was going to ban the pistol brace I was considering buying a pencil barrel and swapping the 10.5 " for a 16". But since I have the spare lower maybe go ahead and build a complete rifle.

 

I've got a Gunner 10.5 No complaints.

 

I've had good luck with my Faxon pencil barreled AR build. It's light weight for sure, but as mentioned above, anything more then a range gun, will compromise the durability of it. It gets hot quick, and if you need to keep shooting......

 

Apparently Faxon's pencil barrels handle heat very well due to modern production methods. This isn't the old M16 A1 pencil barrel.

Can a Modern Pencil Barrel Take the Heat? InRange TV Puts Faxon's Stress Relieved Barrels to the Test -

The traditional wisdom goes: Lightweight or “pencil” profile barrels can shoot great – just so long as you don’t get them hot. After a mag or two of heat is dumped into your lightweight build, your point of impact (POI) will probably shift by several minutes of angle. If you don’t like it, then...

www.thefirearmblog.com

 

I added up the stuff I need to build the upper. I am almost at $550 / no sites or optic but including the 16" Gunner barrel with built in flash hider (on sale at Primary arms for only $208.16 regular price $236.55, but $259 on Faxon web site)

Faxon Firearms 5.56 Mid-Length Gunner AR-15 Barrel with Integral Flash Hider - 16"
Coupon code save12 gives you 12% off!

About the same $$ I can get a complete upper from PSA with the FN 14.7" pinned barrel & Toolcraft BCG.


PSA 14.7" MID-LENGTH CHF 5.56 NATO 1:7 13.5" LIGHTWEIGHT M-LOK UPPER PINNED & WELDED - NO BCG OR CH - 77932796

Says weight without BCG is 3 pounds - so ~~4 pound upper + sights.

I think FN makes a quality barrel - whatever a light profile A2 is IDK.

Barrel: A proprietary blend of Hammer forged chrome molly vanadium made by FN that is referred to as "Machine Gun Steel" by virtue of its use in FN's M249 and M240 weapons. The hammer forging process work hardens the steel, making it more durable. In addition, the chrome process for the bore allows for a lining almost twice as thick as a standard M16 for enhanced durability. Chambered in 5.56 NATO, with a 1:7 twist, M4 barrel extension, and a mid-length gas system. The special A2 light profile barrel allows for better balance and portability over the standard A2 profile and is Mil-spec phosphate coated. Barrel is High Pressure tested, and Magnetic Particle inspected, to ensure quality and dependability.