Faxon Firearms – Precision Barrels and Firearm Parts Review
Since stopping at excellent wasn’t enough, Bob Faxon decided that he would push the envelope with his Cincinnati based company to be the best. This company is now known as Faxon Machining. Faxon has been producing top quality parts for almost any and every industry in existence since 1978.
What began as specialized machining for many industries would see the addition of Faxon Firearms. Bob was a firearms enthusiast who saw untapped potential in an area of the AR-15 he could innovate. Since 2012 Faxon Firearms has been one of the most widely known and respected firearm parts companies in the industry. With Faxon’s strong manufacturing experience, they leverage an intimate knowledge of the machines and materials they work with to produce the best.
Essentially, they are exactly who you want making your firearm parts. Achievements of Faxon Machining are over 30 million parts produced, 6.5+ million machining hours, and over 125,000 hours of engineering services. With this under their belt, one could infer Faxon Machining knows precisely why they are doing.
Think every application possible (including the International Space Station and the very cars we drive). With experience as intense as Faxon’s, it is clear why they are in the position they are in today. They merely drive themselves to make the best possible parts for the best possible value. We had the chance to test out several of their configurations to see for ourselves how they perform.
Quick Highlights:
Match Series 20” Heavy Fluted .308 WIN 416-R, 5R, Nitride, Nickel Teflon Extension Barrel
- Barrel Material: 416-R
- Barrel Type: 5R Button Rifled
- Barrel Caliber: .308 WIN
- Barrel Twist: 1:10
- 20-inch barrel length
- Barrel Profile: Heavy Fluted
- Barrel Gas System: Rifle (1.1″ Journal)
- Inner and outer finish: Salt Bath Nitride
- Muzzle Thread: 5/8-24 TPI
- Gas Block Diameter: .750″
- Gas Block Journal Length: 1.1″
- Barrel Extension: DPMS LR-308 Compatible – Nickel Teflon Coated
- Barrel Weight: 2.4 Lbs.
- Magnetic Particle Inspected
- 11-degree Polished Target Crown
- Chambered to SAAMI specification .308 Winchester at a nominal headspace depth (passing “Go” and failing “No-Go”)
.308 / 6.5 Creedmoor Full-Mass Bolt Carrier Group – Complete – Nitride
Bolt:
- 9310 Tool Steel Construction (Stronger than C158)
- Full MIL-SPEC Heat Treatment
- Shot Peened to MIL-SPEC
- Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) to certify material is dependable and without defects
- Back of Lugs Chamfered for Reliability at 45 degrees
- .308 Spec Springs, & Dual O-Ring Installed
- QPQ – Salt Bath Nitrided
Extractor:
- S7 Tool Steel Construction
- Fully Heat Treated
- Shot Peened Per MIL-SPEC
- Black Oxide Coated
Carrier & Key:
- Superfinished Carrier to improve operation smoothness and decrease fouling plus friction
- Carrier: MIL-SPEC 8620 Steel Material
- Key: 4140 Steel Material
- Fully Heat Treated
- Forward Assist Serrations
- Grade 8 Fasteners
- Fully & Properly Staked Key, Permatex Sealed
- QPQ – Salt Bath Nitrided
- Full-auto rated
Cam Pin:
- 4140 Pre-Hardened Steel Material
- QPQ – Salt Bath Nitride
Faxon Firearms Match Series 20” Heavy Fluted .308 WIN 416-R, 5R, Nitride, Nickel Teflon Extension Barrel Review
When it comes to finding the right blend of quality, accuracy, and durability for barrels, Faxon’s Match Series has without question, won me over. Armed with match-grade ammunition and the .308 rifle itself featuring a Faxon Firearms 20” heavy fluted barrel, I had no problem achieving 1 MOA and better at the range; while steel could be heard ringing all-day long from 500 plus yards using 10” plates.
For those who love to shoot long-range, you’re going to be exceptionally pleased with how this barrel performs. Shot after shot, I absolutely love mine!
With super tight QC and tolerances, you can expect nothing short of the best from Faxon for every dollar spent. In terms of features, you’ll find 416-R (stainless by name) for high-accuracy thanks to its free-machining characteristics. The differences can be found in places like the crowns, chambers, and rifling.
Now, while there are other barrel materials out there like 4150 for instance, 416-R is what myself and other skilled shooters opt for. Sure, 4150 is better rated at certain things like full-auto, but for precision, 416-R is king in my book.
Material aside, this 5R Button Rifled .308 barrel features a 1:10 twist, 20” length, and heavy fluted profile. On the interior and exterior of the barrel, you’ll find a Salt Bath Nitride finish alongside a nickel Teflon coated (DPMS LR-308 compatible) extension.
Overall weight comes in at 2.4lbs which I found to be plenty lightweight given its 20” length. To top it all off, each barrel is magnetic particle inspected and features an 11-degree polished target crown.
Faxon Firearms .308 / 6.5 Creedmoor Full-Mass Bolt Carrier Group Complete Nitride Review
There are a lot of different bolt carrier group brands out there, each with their own flavor of coatings/treatments. When I noticed Faxon had their own full-mass Nitride BCG for .308/6.5 Creedmoor, I was curious to see how it would perform.
After pairing the BCG with their 20” heavy fluted barrel, I was super impressed by the results. Performance and reliability were top notch, and it’s not hard to see why when you consider all the features Faxon packs into this piece.
For starters, the bolt features 9130 Tool Steel which is stronger than C158. You’ll also find a full MIL-SPEC heat treatment, shot peened to MIL-SPEC, an MPI, chambered back of lugs at 45 degrees, dual O-ring, and salt bath nitride finish.
For the extract, you’ll find an S7 tool steel construction paired with a Black Oxide coating. Like the bolt, it also features a full heat treatment and is shot penned per MIL-SPEC.
To ensure a buttery smooth operation and long, reliable life, Faxon’s superfinish carrier significantly reduces both fouling and friction. Alongside the full heat treatment, grade 8 fasteners are used, a salt bath nitride finish is completed, and the key is fully staked. For the cam pin, 4140 pre-hardened steel is used as is a salt bath nitride finish.
All said, yes, its full auto rated for you gentlemen out there who like to collect stamps. After taking this BCG out for a day at the range, it’s certainly lived up to the Faxon Firearm’s name. For firearm parts, I have to say, Faxon is genuinely one of my all-time favorites. The remarkable quality, excellent price, and stellar performance have won me over time and time again.
