Upgrading your AR-15 with a match-grade AR-15 barrel is one of the most effective ways to improve accuracy and overall performance. Whether you are stepping into your first match or chasing tighter groups in competition, a barrel upgrade gives you a noticeable edge. If you are still running a standard mil-spec barrel, this is the first upgrade I would recommend to get the most out of your rifle.
With so many AR-15 barrels on the market, it can be tough to know where to start. That is where Faxon barrels stand out. Known for delivering accuracy, reliability, and value, Faxon Firearms offers options ranging from budget-friendly to competition-ready. In my opinion, a Faxon barrel is one of the best starting points for new shooters and a trusted upgrade for seasoned competitors.
I recently had the chance to run the Faxon Match Series 16″ Gunner barrel chambered in .223 Wylde, and it completely changed how my rifle performed. This barrel tightened up my groups, balanced the rifle better, and proved to be a massive upgrade from my government-profile mil-spec barrel. In this review, I will break down why I believe the Faxon Match Series is one of the best AR-15 barrels for competition shooting and why it should be on your shortlist if you are serious about accuracy.
The Faxon Match Series 16″ Gunner, .223 Wylde has an MSRP of $235.00, making it a cost-effective option for barrels. Faxon’s Match Series starts with 416-R in 5R rifling. 5R is a hybrid rifling, with lands opposite grooves and reduced sharp angles that reduces jacket deformation increasing velocity and easy cleaning. The Gunner profile is a blend of two of the best performing profiles of all time, Government (Gov’t) and Pencil. Faxon’s Gunner profile combines the durability of the Gov’t profile with the weight savings and maneuverability of the Pencil profile. The Gunner profile brings the balance of the rifle back towards the shooter’s body, limiting fatigue, and allowing for shooting, training, or hunting all day long. The rest of its technical specifications are listed below as presented by Faxon:
· Barrel Material: 416-R Stainless
· Barrel Type: 5R Button Rifled
· Caliber: .223 Wylde
· Barrel Length: 16″
· Barrel Twist: 1:8
· Barrel Profile: Gunner
· Barrel Gas System: Mid
· Outside Finish: QPQ Nitride
· Muzzle Thread: 1/2×28
· Gas Block Diameter: .625″
· Gas Block Journal Length: 1.9″
· Barrel Extension: M4 – Nickel Teflon Coated
· Barrel Weight: 1.33 lbs
· Crown Type: Recessed 11-degree Target Crown
· SKU: 15BW8M16NGQ-5R-NP3
If you run into issues with your barrel. Faxon offers a 100% Satisfaction return, 3-year parts and labor repair policy.
A Word from Faxon Firearms on the Match Series 16″ Gunner, .223 Wylde
Faxon’s MATCH SERIES of barrels takes our renowned performance and value up a notch.
One of the most common questions I get when reviewing gear is, “What exactly comes with the purchase?” That’s a big deal, because knowing what’s included helps you figure out if you’ll need to budget for extra accessories or if your rifle build is ready to roll out of the box.
With the Faxon Match Series 16″ Gunner Barrel in .223 Wylde, you’re getting just the barrel itself. This match-grade AR-15 barrel is designed for accuracy and performance, but it doesn’t ship with extras.
That said, if you order directly from Faxon Firearms, you can bundle in additional components. Options include a bolt or complete BCG, head spacing to match your bolt or BCG, an upper receiver, gas tube, gas block, muzzle device, handguard, and even a charging handle. Having the ability to source all of that from Faxon makes it simple to keep your AR-15 build consistent and high quality.
One important detail: the Gunner profile barrel uses a .625” gas block journal. If your current gas block doesn’t fit that size, you’ll need to grab a new one to ensure proper function.
I took the Faxon Gunner barrel to the range and to a competition, and it impressed me every step of the way.
At my home range I’m limited to 100 yards, but I was able to string several groups inside ½ inch — which works out to roughly 0.48 MOA at 100 yards. That’s a big step up from my old mil-spec barrel, I noticed the ease in follow-up shots too. Since the Faxon Gunner barrel has a 1:8 twist, I went with Black Sheep 62-grain. I went with the 62-grain because it has greater stability in flight, better ballistic coefficient, and more consistent performance against the wind. The barrel stabilized the ammo beautifully.
To really put the barrel through its paces I ran it at the Tactical Games Ohio Regional, a two-day event that mixes fitness and precision shooting. Ranges there included targets out to 200, 300, and 500 yards, the 16″ Gunner profile has a nice balance with maneuverability and longer-range capability. With my rifle set-up I run a mid-length gas system, fitted with an Elf Apex Pro SE trigger (adjustable 2¾–7 lbs), a Sharps Bros. Bandlands integrated muzzle brake/blast deflector, and an Eotech Vudu 1–10 LPVO for fast, flexible aiming.
Whether I was punching plates at close quarters, shouldering the rifle unsupported, running barricades, or engaging targets at distance, the Faxon barrel held up. The Gunner profile made the rifle feel balanced and controllable in dynamic stages. I was able to make clean hits out to 300–400 yards with relative ease, and the barrel never felt over-stressed during rapid strings. In short: it’s a true “do-it-all” profile for shooters who need a blend of close-quarter handling and credible extended range.
If you’re a competition shooter — or a newer shooter stepping into matches — the Faxon Gunner barrel is worth a look. It elevated my accuracy over a mil-spec tube, paired well with heavier 62-gr bullets thanks to the 1:8 twist, and gave me the balance and feel I want when stages demand both speed and precision.
Faxon built a barrel that punches well above its price class. I put thousands of rounds through the Gunner at the range and in competition. The match grade barrel never let me down — it stayed accurate even when it heated up from long strings and fast transitions. The Gunner profile gives the rifle a balanced, controllable feel that makes unsupported shooting and quick barricade work noticeably easier. For the money, it’s one of the best value upgrades you can make to an AR intended for dynamic matches.
If you’re new to competition, this barrel is forgiving and versatile enough to handle close, fast stages and the longer shots you’ll see on range day. For experienced shooters, it’s a reliable, match-capable option that won’t break the bank.
Bottom line: if you’re building a competition AR and want a straight-shooting, do-it-all barrel, buy the Faxon Gunner — you’ll thank me later. Are you running Faxon barrels now, or thinking about one for your next build? Drop your setup (rifle platform, gas system, ammo, optic) in the comments — I want to hear what you’re running.
