Faxon Firearms is making some of the lightest barrel setups in the industry with their newest offerings for 2017. Both their barrels and muzzle attachments have tremendously shaved down on weight in comparison to their competitors.

The SLIMLINE barrels are a pencil thin 14.5″ chambered for 5.56 NATO with a 1:8″ twist rate. The flash hiders and muzzle brakes that are mated to the SLIMLINE are pinned and welded so they are a legal 16.1″ barrel to make a “rifle.” The finish on the barrels is a QPQ salt nitride finish (this includes the muzzle brake or flash hider; consumer’s choice). The barrels are also particle tested, have a target crown, button rifling, and will utilize a mid-length gas system. The barrel itself is constructed from 4150 GBQ steel.

Now I already know there are going to be people asking… Why go and build such a crazy light barrel? That will affect accuracy! And you will not be able to shoot it full-auto!

Faxon Firearms SLIMLINE 5.56 NATO 1:8″ w/ SLIM 3-Port Muzzle Brake

Will it affect accuracy? Of course it will. To the degree where the average consumer will notice and be hindered by it, probably not. Also, if you are concerned about your barrel handling full-auto cycling, I will be the devil’s advocate and ask, do you own a fully-automatic, registered lower?… Probably not.

What this feathery barrel setup was developed for was faster transitioning and movement of your weapon. Whether you have served in our military, shoot 3-Gun competitions on the weekend, or use an AR-15 for home defense, it is often important to be able to transition from one target to the next in a fluid, smooth, and fast manner. For those who shoot 3-Gun competitions, when was the last time you approached a stage with your rifle that had only one target?… Never, right? So these SLIMLINE barrels create a better balance for someone bracing their rifle’s forearm with an outstretched arm.

Now what makes these barrels legal to be rifles is their flash hiders and muzzle brakes which are ingenious as well. The SLIM 3-Port Muzzle Brake and SLIM Tri-Prong Flash Hider share many similiarities.

• 1/2″ x 28 TPI
• QPQ Salt Bath Nitride Finish
• Diameter 0.620″
• Caliber .223/5.56
• Gun Barrel Quality Steel

The SLIM Tri-Prong Flash Hider weighs less than one ounce at 0.96 oz! The SLIM 3-Port Muzzle Brake is secretly injected with helium (maybe, but probably not) and weighs a mere 1.12 ounces. Aside from their incredible weight, or lack thereof, these SLIM attachments are small enough where a gas block can be removed or replaced without the need to take off the muzzle device. This is a pretty important feature on a barrel where the muzzle devices are pinned and welded.

The 14.5″ SLIMLINE barrel with a SLIM Muzzle Brake or Flash Hider permanently attached sells for $259 at MSRP.

Other places like Brownells and AIM Surplus should be receiving and selling these barrels very soon.