Tactical Tailor

Faxon’s Guides: All About Barrel Profiles

March 25th, 2024

(Cincinnati, OH) Faxon Firearms, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based manufacturer of quality rifle and pistol components and complete firearms, is proud to provide its latest guide: The Ultimate Guide to Barrel Profiles. 

Building or tweaking an AR-15 can involve a variety of things, some vital, some arguable or even cosmetic. It could be receiver sets, muzzle devices, anti-walk pins, or any of a dozen other things, but one of the most important considerations is that of a barrel – and when you’re choosing a barrel, you need to be thinking about barrel profiles.

The following rundown comes courtesy of Faxon Firearms.

Finding the right barrel profile is a Big Deal. It’s not just about looks; it shapes how your rifle handles and shoots and fits your shooting lifestyle, whether that’s defending your home, hunting in the woods, or just having fun at the range.

Why should you care? Because every profile offers something different; there relative advantages and arguable disadvantages to each one.

From the heavy hitters to the lightweight models, we’ll walk you through what each might mean for your build or intended upgrade. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or someone whose just getting started, we want to make the choice that feels – and functions – just right.

AR15 Barrel Profiles Explained

The term “barrel profile” refers to the thickness of the barrel on an AR-15-style rifle (like the Faxon Sentry). Different barrel profiles can impact the gun’s performance in various ways.

For instance, thinner barrels are lightweight and easy to handle, while thicker barrels provide more stability by adding weight to the front of the gun and can withstand more heat. The weight of your barrel is going to impact the weight of your rifle. Though those few ounces might seem insignificant, they’re not, particularly if you’re manipulating the weapon for extended periods, carrying a bunch of weight in other ways (armor, gear, etc.), or maybe just dealing with physical constraints or limitations.

It’s important to consider the trade-offs of different barrel options available (particularly vis-a-vis accuracy, heat dispersion, durability, and weight) before making your choice!

Let’s take a look at some AR15 barrel profiles and see what makes each one unique.

Faxon Gunner Profile

The Faxon Firearms Gunner profile blends 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 you to shoot, train, or hunt all day long.

Government/SOCOM Profile

A SOCOM barrel for an AR-15 is designed differently from the standard M4/A2 barrel.

Instead of being consistently thick throughout, it has a thinner section past the gas block and a thicker section near the chamber. SOCOM barrels often have a slot for attaching a grenade launcher and provide a balance between strength and weight.

If you’re looking for a barrel that can handle sustained shooting while still being lightweight, a SOCOM barrel may be a good option for you.

Pencil Profile

The pencil barrel is the original profile for the AR-15. It typically measures 0.625 inches in diameter.

It is known for being slim and lightweight, making it easy to carry and handle. Its thinness, however, makes it heat more quickly than its cousins, particularly during rapid fire. Overheating the barrel leads to elastic deformation or warping, which in turn affects accuracy and reliability.

Unlike run-of-the-mill pencil barrels, Faxon Firearms barrels are properly heat-treated and stress-relieved. The Faxon manufacturing process improves heat resistance and longevity.

The durability of this AR15 barrel profile is ideal for shooters with a light or medium shooting schedule.

Learn more about barrel characteristics and how they affect the performance and longevity of your weapon, particularly AR15 barrel profiles.

What is the best all-around barrel profile to use?

Of course, barrel profile doesn’t just affect AR15s and large-frame pistols. The barrel characteristics (not just the profile) of any firearm can greatly affect its overall performance and handling.

We’ve looked at the three most common barrel profiles: Gunner, Government, and Pencil.

Of those, the Government/SOCOM provides the most stability with the greatest potential for accuracy. It does so because it’s the thickest and heaviest style, which adds weight to the gun and to the shooter’s aggregate loadout.

The Pencil version is the thinnest and lightest option, making it easier to handle and carry but it does sacrifice some stability and accuracy potential.

Faxon believes the Faxon Firearms Gunner barrel is the best general barrel choice. It provides the best balance of the other two, offering a good compromise between weight, performance, and durability.

Ultimately, the choice of barrel profile will depend on the individual’s personal preferences, but should absolutely be appropriate for the intended use of the rifle.

Consider the trade-offs and choose the barrel profile that best suits your needs!

Learn more about the Faxon Gunner Barrel:

About Faxon Firearms: Faxon Firearms is a family-owned and operated manufacturer proudly based in Cincinnati, Ohio that began with their patented ARAK-21 XRS. Since then, Faxon has made impressive expansions into rifle and pistol barrels, MuzzLok­© muzzle devices, BCGs, FX-19 handguns, and two lines of complete rifles. Faxon strives to bring high-quality, high-value products to the shooting sports marketplace that can be enjoyed and handed down from generation to generation.

Media/Marketing Contact:

Dustin Wallace

Director of Marketing, Faxon Firearms LLC

Dustin.Wallace@faxonfirearms.com

MATBOCK Monday: Graverobber Assault Medic to Sustainment

March 25th, 2024

In part 3 of 3 we are going to cover how the GRAM attaches to the sustainment to create the MATBOCK Tech Ruck

In the video above we also have links to Part 1, where we covered the Graverobber™ Assault Medic Insert Panel and Part 2, where we covered the Graverobber™ Assault Medic

This well-organized medical bag and series are why we decided to call it the Graverobber™. The ability to scale up or down based on mission requirements is paramount for the units we support.

Next week, we will cover the LIFT System and how this product line can save you nearly 36lbs. If you have any questions, reach out to us at sales@matbock.com

Sneak Peek – Edgar Sherman Design Kestrel Chest Rig

March 25th, 2024

During last week’s USASOC Sniper Competition vendor day I caught up with Edgar Sherman Design and checked out several upcoming products.

The first one I’ll introduce you to is the Kestrel Chest Rig. It integrates several cool features.

One innovation is their new laser cut PALS slots which eliminate straight dark lines to help reduce signature.

The ammunition pockets have adjustable floors which allow customization of magazine height. These pockets will also accept other items such as radios.

To the front you can see that there is a Fidlok buckle to affix the harness to he chest panel. This aids with rapid donning and doffing.

Reliance on End User Devices has become ubiquitous and ESD has taken a hard look at how they are used and how they should be integrated into load carriage.

Since so many are using external batteries for their EUD, ESD’s answer is a bib which incorporates a battery slot at the rear.

Here you can get a look at the harness.

Edgar tells me the Kestrel is about three months out.

KAC Machine Gun Suppressor

March 25th, 2024

One of the standouts from last week’s USASOC Sniper Competition vendor day is the Machine Gun Suppressor prototype from Knights Armament Co. It is distinctly different from the dedicated Lightweight Assault Machine Gun suppressor which debuted in 2019.

While this one is for 5.56mm weapons and is mounted to the Knights LAMG, they also have a 7.62 version.

The Army has been looking at multiple machine gun suppressors over the past few years, but they can’t seem to decide if they want a QD suppressor or a barrel with dedicated suppressor. This is Knights’ QD MG suppressor.

There aren’t a lot of details at this point so instead, I’m going to give a couple of extra images to check out. The red tint is due to the red tablecloth and natural light through the festival tent roof. One feature which jumps out is the distinct cooling fin design. You can also see the QD latch.

3rd Special Forces Group Takes First Place in Special Operations International Best Sniper Competition

March 25th, 2024

FORT LIBERTY, N.C. – The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School hosted the U.S. Army Special Operations Command International Best Sniper Competition at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, March 18-22.

In its 15th year, sniper teams from the special operations force from across the U.S. Special Operations Command, the Department of Homeland Security, and international partners were challenged during a 23-stage, multiple-day competition to demonstrate skill and capability through performance.

“Snipers (were tested) on their skills in intense events that look, feel, and sound like modern-ground combat,” said Lt. Col. Scott Elliott, the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Special Warfare Training Group, commander. “The instructors of the Special Forces Sniper Course, the premiere U.S. military school for long-range marksmanship and sniper options, designed events that will challenge the three-person teams’ ability to work together.”

This year’s competition saw 20 sniper teams that represented seven countries including Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Sniper teams from 1st, 3rd, 5th,7th, 10th, and 19th Special Forces groups, as well as the 75th Ranger Regiment, represented the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Both U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command and Naval Special Warfare Command had two sniper teams each, and one team from the U.S. Coast Guard completed the roster of competitors.

Cadets from Virginia Tech were on hand to watch the competition. This was a chance for the cadets to watch some of the world’s best SOF snipers. One cadet had a special interest in the competition and the SOF community.

“I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to come witness the International Sniper competition here at Fort Liberty,” said Cadet Brindle from the Virginia Tech Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. “I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in special operations. I’m just glad to get some insight and meet some amazing people.”

Virginia Tech ROTC cadets were able to watch the competition and see realistic military training with U.S and foreign allied partners. The events in the competition were based on real-world scenarios and were taken from historical and current sniper missions conducted around the globe.

Sgt. 1st Class Lin, a sniper team member from the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and a competitor in this year’s competition, spoke of the reality of the scenarios.

“In this competition specifically, there are a lot of practical applications,” Lin said. “It’s a lot of real-world application, a lot of SOF sniper techniques, tactics and procedures are incorporated into these stages and experiences.”

Lin added that it was a complete group effort for special operation snipers. We must be able to operate independently, but also as a team, directly integrating with each other.

The competition offered the competitors precision training that would be performed in real-world scenarios while comparing their skills against the best for friendly international competition.

This year’s USASOC International Best Sniper was the team from 3rd Special Forces Group. The French Team finished in second and 10th Special Forces Group was in 3rd place. Congratulations to all the sniper team competitors.

Following the International Sniper Competition, SWCS will host the Best Combat Diver Competition at the Special Forces Underwater Operations School in Key West, Florida, in June.

For more information about the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, visit www.swcs.mil.

By Steve Morningstar, USAJFKSWCS Public Affairs

Emerald Warrior Tests Air Commandos Mettle

March 25th, 2024

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —  

Air Force Special Operations Command’s 17th annual Emerald Warrior exercise concluded recently having exercised in three extreme cold weather environments throughout the midwestern U.S. with many firsts.

This U.S. Special Operations Command-supported exercise aligned with the Special Operations Command-Europe exercise Trojan Footprint under the large-scale global exercise construct to demonstrate Special Operations Forces value to the Joint Force and strengthen military relationships with U.S. and partner forces.

“Our Nation has entered a new era of competition,” said Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander. “We must continue to innovate and transform to remain the most capable, most lethal Air Force in the world…and that’s exactly what AFSOC is doing.”

Air Commandos trained on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear readiness incorporating new decontamination systems like the CBRN MRZR that supports decontamination during infiltration, exfiltration, tactical movement and maneuver where force size and composition constraints exist.

A continued focus area this year was building autonomy through mission command to ensure Special Operations Task Groups and Special Operations Task Units are trained to operate in today’s dynamic operating environment.

“Every Emerald Warrior, we build on lessons learned from previous iterations and this year was no different,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. David Allen, Emerald Warrior exercise director. “We further developed the Agile Combat Employment concept through Mission Sustainment Teams by successfully relocating two Special Operations Task Groups, to multiple locations. These SOTGs exercised flexible response options conducting strategic fires, air-to-ground integration with close air support and non-kinetic effects to deter aggression.”

In addition to kinetic effects, EW exercised non-kinetic effects and capabilities like space, cyber, public affairs and information operations. They employed technical and deceptive activities in support of exercise objectives for the participants to enhance overall combat operability.

“From strategic messaging to incorporating effects in the gray zone, Emerald Warrior provides the joint force the ability to adapt and create dilemmas for tomorrow’s adversaries,” said Allen.

Emerald Warrior ensures preparedness of Special Operations Forces, conventional force enablers, partner forces and interagency elements through realistic and relevant, high-end pre-deployment training encompassing multiple joint operating areas.

By 1st Lt Cassandra Saphore, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Charyn Precision Supports Arctic Guardian Fundraiser

March 24th, 2024

Having donated a $9000 gift certificate toward a full custom 1911/ 2011 pistol build and a 2024 Build Spot, Charyn Precision is supporting Arctic Guardian.

Arctic Guardian is using the gift certificate as well as other items in a to raffle to raise money. Raffle Tickets start at $50.

Arctic Guardian supports the uniformed services of Alaska by funding equipment and training that would otherwise be cut from the operational plan due to fiscal restraints. This is made possible by a grass-roots effort to maintain a dialogue with the leaders of local Military and Law Enforcement units. Once a need has been identified Arctic Guardian works diligently with civilians and companies across Alaska that want to ensure those who are called on in times of conflict and crisis; are well trained, equipped and supported.

www.arcticguardian.org

Multi-Billion-Euro Contract for Rheinmetall: The “Heavy Weapon Carrier for the Infantry” Provides the Australian Army’s Medium Forces with Firepower and Rapid Mobility

March 24th, 2024

The German Bundeswehr has commissioned Rheinmetall to supply the “Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie (Heavy Weapon Carrier for the Infantry)”. Following the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag approved the proposal on 20 March 2024, the contract was signed today on 21 March 2023. The German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) will procure up to 123 vehicles “Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie”. The contract is worth around €2.7 billion, which also includes service and maintenance. Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2025.

The Heavy Weapon Carrier for the Infantry serves as a replacement for the Wiesel (“weasel”) tracked vehicle for direct tactical fire support of infantry units. It is also a core element of the German Army’s new force category, the “medium forces” are able to rapidly deploy over long distances and thus contribute to credible national and alliance defence.

The Heavy Weapon Carrier for the Infantry is based on the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), the wheeled armoured reconnaissance vehicle of the Australian Defence Force, also supplied by Rheinmetall. This is the proven 8×8 combat vehicle with an armoured reconnaissance mission module including the two-person Lance turret. The main weapon is the Rheinmetall MK30-2 ABM automatic cannon, which is also installed in the German Puma infantry fighting vehicle. In addition, the multi-role guided missile system (“mehrrollenfähiges leichtes Lenkflugkörpersystem” or MELLS), which enables the Heavy Weapon Carrier for the Infantry to provide anti-tank defence, is also fitted.

Armin Papperger, Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG: “We are very proud to have been selected to supply the Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie, an essential element of the German Army’s new force category, the ‘medium forces’. In order to be able to provide the Army with the required combat vehicles as quickly as possible, we are integrating not only our German but also the Australian sites in our Rheinmetall network.”

The vehicles earmarked for the Bundeswehr will use production capacities at Rheinmetall’s state-of-the-art Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Redbank, south-east Queensland – together with the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles produced for the Australian Defence Forces.

Comprehensive German-Australian cooperation on this programme was initiated in 2023. In July 2023, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed a corresponding agreement in principle in Berlin on the fringes of a visit to Germany. A declaration of cooperation had previously been signed in Canberra on 23 March 2023 by the Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy MP, and the German Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence, Thomas Hitschler. This lays the foundation for further contractual arrangements between the Australian and German Ministries of Defence and Rheinmetall.

John Abunassar, head of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Division, emphasised the similarities between the Australian and planned German Boxer vehicles and the trust that both allies place in Rheinmetall. “The Bundeswehr Boxers, some of which are to be built at MILVEHCOE, are based on the design of the successful Australian Boxer wheeled armoured reconnaissance vehicle. This would be one of the largest Australian defence exports in the country’s history and supports Rheinmetall’s goal to further develop the capabilities of the Australian defence industry and integrate it into the company’s global supply chains.”

“Rheinmetall has more than 900 employees in Australia, high-tech capabilities and an established manufacturing facility in Redbank that produces vehicles, armour and electronics. Our Australian and global supply chain will grow and bring further prosperity to small and medium sized businesses as we secure new orders to complement existing export programmes. We welcome the close defence industry partnership between Australia and Germany as the two nations work together to enhance global security,” added Nathan Poyner, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia.

The Boxer is a modern 8×8 armoured vehicle that is in service or under procurement with various armed forces around the world. The Boxer provides increased safety and protection for crews and has a high level of firepower and mobility for prolonged peacekeeping operations as well as near-peer conflict.

In Australia, Rheinmetall is the largest supplier of military vehicles to the country’s armed forces. In addition to the 211 Boxer vehicles delivered as part of the Land 400 Phase 2 project – 133 of them in the CRV variant with the crewed Lance turret – the company also supports the Australian Defence Force’s HX fleet, which comprises over 2,900 vehicles. Rheinmetall also provides the Multi-Ammunition Soft-Kill System to the Royal Australian Navy, manages training systems for Defence and has delivered more than 200 HX Trucks to the New Zealand Defence Force.