Best AR 15 Barrels 2023

What is AR 15 barrel?🤔

It is the metal tube protruding from the upper receiver of an AR-15-style rifle. It houses the chamber, where ammunition is loaded and fired, as well as the rifling that imparts spin to a projectile for greater accuracy over long distances.

Features🔥

The AR-15 barrel is one of the most important components of the rifle. It serves as the main conduit for firing rounds from the firearm and can have a significant impact on its performance and accuracy.

• 🔰 The length of a barrel can affect its accuracy and performance. Longer barrels offer more accuracy due to the increased time for the bullet to spin as it travels down the bore, while shorter barrels reduce weight but can result in reduced velocity and accuracy at longer distances.
• 🔰 Additionally, consider if you want a 1:7 or 1:9 twist rate, which determines how quickly the bullet will spin as it travels down the barrel. A 1:7 twist works best for heavier bullets while a 1:9 is better suited to lighter ammo.
• 🔰 The material of a barrel also matters greatly. Chrome-moly steel barrels are popular due to their strength and durability but can be heavy and expensive. Alternatively, stainless steel barrels are lightweight and corrosion-resistant, but more delicate than chrome-moly barrels.
• 🔰 Finally, look at a polygonal rifling barrel if accuracy is your main concern; these are designed to reduce bullet deformation for improved accuracy over standard rifled barrels.

Our Top Pick

Criterion Barrels AR-15 HBAR Rifle Gas System Barrel

These barrels offer exceptional durability and resistance to corrosion as they are internally chrome-lined. Whether you require a barrel with high rigidity and heat absorption or need to find the ideal balance for rapid fire, the HBAR barrel is an excellent choice. While optimized for competition use, these barrels are also reliable for small-game hunting. They ensure superior internal barrel life and a precise fit while exhibiting excellent harmonics even during rapid firing. The barrels feature 1/2x28 TPI muzzle threads, a 0.750

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Benefits⏰

The AR 15 barrel is one of the most important components of the rifle, as it provides a host of benefits to improve accuracy, maneuverability, and overall performance.

• 🛟 One of the primary benefits is its accuracy. The length and diameter of the barrel can make a huge difference in shot placement and precision. The longer barrels offer more stability, allowing for greater accuracy at longer distances. This is especially beneficial for target shooting or hunting applications where precision shots are more important. A shorter barrel can also be beneficial in certain scenarios such as home defense or close-quarters combat, where maneuverability is key.
• 🛟 Another benefit is its ability to resist heat build-up from sustained fire. The thicker rifled wall of these barrels helps reduce heat transfer from each bullet fired, allowing for increased accuracy during extended firing sessions. Heat build-up can cause accuracy issues due to increased pressure that pushes hot gasses around the bullet’s trajectory as it exits the muzzle.
• 🛟 Lastly, having such a barrel offers ballistic advantages over shorter rifle barrels because they manage powder burn more efficiently, resulting in higher velocities with less powder used per round fired at any given distance. This not only makes them cost-effective but also increases their effectiveness compared to other rifle types which need heavier rounds or higher velocities at similar distances to achieve optimal performance.

Should bed an AR-15 barrel?🛠️

👍 Yes, it is generally recommended to bed an AR-15 barrel when installed on a new receiver. This will ensure that the fit between the barrel and receiver is secure and that the headspace has been set correctly.

⚙️ Bedding a barrel is also helpful for preventing accuracy issues from poor contact between the two surfaces. However, if you are replacing your existing barrel with another one of the same make and model, bedding may not be necessary as long as everything fits properly in place.

• 🔷 In general, if you’re using a high-quality steel or chrome moly vanadium barrel, bedding can help improve accuracy by providing better support for the chamber and locking lugs.
• 🔷 However, if you have an aluminum or polymer barrel that already has built-in heat-sinking properties and is designed to be floated in stock with some space around it, bedding the barrel could reduce accuracy by introducing potential pressure points.

🧑‍🔧 Ultimately, it’s best to consult your gunsmith before trying any modifications like bedding your new barrel.

Best AR 15 Barrel | AR-15 Barrel Review

Image	Product	Brand
	TRYBE Defense AR-15 Barrel	TRYBE Defense
	BSF Barrels AR-15 6.5 Grendel Rifle Barrel	BSF
	Faxon Firearms AR-15 barrel with Integral Muzzle Brake	Faxon
	TRYBE Defense AR-15 Barrel	TRYBE Defense
	Criterion Barrels AR-15 Hybrid Rifle Gas System Barrel	Criterion
	Faxon Firearms AR15 Barrel with Integral Flash Hider	Faxon Firearms
	Criterion Barrels AR-15 HBAR Mid Length Gas System Barrel	Criterion
	BSF Barrels AR-15 9mm Rifle Barrel	BSF
	Criterion Barrels AR-15 Hybrid Mid Length Gas System Barrel	Criterion
	Criterion Barrels AR-15 HBAR Rifle Gas System Barrel	Criterion
	Stern Defense SD AR15 Barrel	Stern Defense
	Criterion Barrels AR-15 Hybrid Nitrided Rifle Gas System Barrel	Criterion
	TRYBE Defense .450 Bushmaster 16-inch AR-15 Threaded Barrel	TRYBE Defense
	Lothar Walther AR15 Rifle Barrel	Lothar Walther
	Faxon Firearms AR-15 Flame Flute Profile Threaded Barrels	Faxon Firearms

1# Trybe Defense 10.5 in Government Profile AR-15 Pistol Barrel

This barrel is made and proudly presented in the USA by Trybe Defense, an experienced gunsmith, and tactical accessories company. It features a Cr-Mo steel body with a total length of 10.5″ and inner/outer nitride finish, a .223 Wylde chamber, and a threaded muzzle for attachments of your choosing. Fulfilled in government profile with a reinforced barrel front intended to add some extra points to stability and heat dissipation. However, this barrel requires some dimpling to be done to set up the gas block. But after everything is finally assembled it offers good grouping with the standard mid-weight rounds with its 1:8-inch twist rate. Overall it is a great choice both for an AR pistol and a rifle with a short barrel.

2# BSF Barrels  6.5 Grendel Rifle AR-15 Barrel

Second carbon jacketed gunsmithery masterpiece from BSF Barrels, but now for rifle 6.5 Grendel ammo. An impressive and beautiful combination of 416R stainless steel and carbon fiber on an 18.5″ or 20.5″ barrel is rather meant for deadeye shots at any distance than for showing off with your stylish AR. Charming and effective. We strongly vote for this one for long barrel hunting AR.

3# Faxon Firearms AR-15 Barrel with Integral Muzzle Brake

Faxon Firearms have been providing top-quality gun parts to the market for nearly 10 years. It is a well-known company in the circles of firearms enthusiasts that needs no introduction. So here is the Faxon Firearms 16″ barrel for 9mm pistol caliber with a machined muzzle brake. Made of 4150 Cr-Mo-V steel with a greatly looking nitride finish. It is the pinnacle of barrels to build the precise pistol ammo AR15 with a blowback system for cheap practice shooting or home defense. Features like 1:10-inch twist and 11-degree target crown imply its inclination towards accurate shooting and that’s what we tested immediately. And we confirm that with this barrel our AR showed extreme precision for 9mm caliber.

4# Trybe Defense 10.5in Government Profile AR-15 Rifle Barrel

Once again Trybe high-quality barrel. This time for .300 Blackout, featuring HBAR profile with 10.5″ total length it constitutes an appropriate decision if you’re going for intermediate round AR pistol/SBR. Made of hardened chromium stainless steel with a common Trybe black nitride finish both on the inside and outside, the quality of this barrel can be seen and touched as soon as you take it straight from the box. But as usual, prepare to do some dimpling to set up the gas block. We also faced a little issue with our upper receiver feed ramps being a bit lower than those of the barrel, but that was solved in a matter of 15 mins with a couple of handy tools. The barrel showed a formidable grouping and we are completely satisfied with it.

5# Criterion Barrels AR-15 Barrel (Hybrid Rifle Gas System)

Criterion is a company that possesses huge experience in making top-notch barrels. Numerous National Records achieved with these barrels speak for themselves. Designed with a .223 Wylde chamber for firing both .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO ammo. The hybrid profile is to provide the best accuracy without HBAR extra weight. The barrel is available with the rifle gas system in different lengths 16″ 18″ and 20″, made of 4150 Cr-Mo-V steel, hand-lapped, and finished with chrome lining inside and phosphate coating on the outside. This barrel is truly a masterpiece. Shooting practice showed astonishing accuracy at all distances and all ammo types.

6# Faxon Firearms AR15 Barrel with Integral Flash Hider

This Faxon’s barrel can be ordered in a few different variants – for 9mm Luger and 5.56x45mm NATO ammo types. That defines the available length and profile. We got a 14.5″ 5.56x45mm NATO barrel with Gunner profile for our testing and for sure can state that Faxon maintains the highest standard. It is a solid but light barrel made of 4150 Cr-Mo-V steel with a mid-gas system and a welded compact flash hider. Fully nitride finished on the inside/outside for ultimate corrosion resistance and durability. This fine piece of gunsmithery shines the best at the lightweight carbine, you will enjoy the pinpoint accuracy it delivers.

7# Criterion Barrels AR-15 HBAR Mid-Length Gas System Barrel

Created by Criterion Barrels to excel at stationary target shooting this 16″ heavy profile barrel will grant you outstanding heat dissipation and accuracy. It may be the most suitable barrel for binary trigger users that enjoy simulating full auto with common rifle ammunition. It is available in 4150 Cr-Mo-V and 416R Stainless steel variants both internally chrome-lined, dimpled for gas block, and feature mid-length gas system. We made sub-MOA grouping with this barrel remarkably (but predictably) easy and have been pleased handling this fine piece of gunsmith craftsmanship.

8# BSF Barrels AR-15 9mm Rifle Barrel

BSF Barrels engineers have their approach to barrel manufacturing. Their barrels come made of 416R stainless steel and jacketed in carbon. According to their technology, the major part of carbon has no direct contact with the steel, and the machined openings in it allow air to flow which results in better cooling. As a bonus, BSF barrels look extraordinary drawing all necessary (or unnecessary) attention. Let’s proceed straight to 9mm BSF barrels – the lengths available are 8,5″, 10,5″ and 16,5″ with blue, red (stylish!), and grey carbon parts. Ready for all accessories with 1/2×28 threaded muzzle. The SBR setup we made with 8.5″ gray barrel was a sight to behold. Testing it only added even more to our delight due to fine accuracy and barrel cooling.

9# Criterion Barrels AR-15 Hybrid Mid-Length Gas System Barrel

Another fine hybrid profile barrel from Criterion but this time with a mid-length gas system, almost perfect barrel for a well-balanced carbine. In the rest, it is another high-quality Criterion 16″ .223 Wylde chambered barrel made of 4150 CrMoV, pre-dimpled for the gas block, chrome-lined on the inside, and Parkerized on the outside. It showed predictably easy sub-MOA with little to no effort, it deserves its place in our Barrels Hall of Fame.

10# Criterion Barrels AR-15 HBAR Rifle Gas System Barrel

This time heavy profile with rifle gas system from Criterion chambered for .223 Remington and 5,56×45 NATO, available in 18″ and 20″ lengths. The best decision to provide you with ultimate long-distance precision. We think that these barrels’ lengths are the best for AR 15 as far as bullet velocity, durability, and steadiness are concerned. Of course, it has some drawbacks like carrying around in tight quarters and shooting on the move, but once you get to the shooting range it will surpass any 16″ or 14,5″. Great barrels from Criterion, as usual.

11# Stern Defense SD AR15 Barrel

Stern Defense produces a whole lot of quality gun parts – uppers, lower components, stocks, handguards, and barrels. The line of micro pistol-caliber barrels is intended to gladden gun enthusiasts that are willing to create extraordinary AR build that has unmatched mobility. However, mind the NFA laws in your state in this case. Anyway, this 9mm Luger 4″ barrel we received possesses all features of its bigger brethren. Made of 4150 Cr-Mo steel and finished in melonite coating it gives a pleasant sensation of a small but quality item as you take it from the box. The barrel is threaded for additional muzzle attachments and is intended to be used in blowback gas systems. It’s clear as day that we can’t get close to the longer barrels accuracy results, but we managed to get quite a decent accuracy even at 100 meters distance.

12# Criterion Barrels AR-15 Hybrid Nitrided Rifle Gas System Barrel

Long barrel with a hybrid counter for those who want the HBAR accuracy without its extra weight. Comes in 18″ and 20″ lengths and is chambered in .223 Wylde with a 1:8-inch twist rate for precise long-distance shooting. Traditional for Criterion 4150 Cr-Mo-V steel but this time with darker nitride finish or stainless steel it is still the golden standard of quality gun parts. So what length should be preferable for you to meet your specific requirements? Looking for a slightly higher bullet velocity and accuracy in exchange for mobility? Go for 20″. Otherwise consider 18″. We don’t mind two extra inches and were rather happy testing 20″. It is exactly 2.5 lbs and feels perfectly balanced after the rifle was assembled. We put nearly 100 rounds through it with sub-MOA grouping after the first dozen.

13# Trybe Defense .450 Bushmaster 16-inch AR-15 Barrel

The creation of this barrel poses the approach that Trybe Defense made to maximize the accuracy while staying beyond the 16″ limit if you are building a .450 Bushmaster beast. Manufactured from 4150 Cr-Mo steel (that excels 4140 in high-temp service) with a nitride finish, this heavy barrel is ready to deliver high-power rounds with great precision thanks to a 1:16-inch twist. The threaded muzzle is also featured to attach the muzzle brake, which we advise operating with this caliber. The barrel had some slight usage tracks, however, the manufacturer explained them to have happened due to the individual testing they put each of such barrels through. Sounds fair enough to cope with, especially with all this fun we had on the range testing it.

14# Lothar Walther AR15 Rifle Barrel

Walther here is no coincidence or commercial move, as this company was founded by the son of Carl Walther way back in 1925. Lothar Walther has nearly a century of button-rifled barrels production experience, so you can’t go wrong choosing any of them to compliment your AR. If you’ve got your reasons to build 22LR AR – here is one of the best barrels you can find for your build! It is a sturdy and reliable barrel made of Cr-Mo steel with a heavy profile for extra durability, also it features a 16.5″ length and 1:16-inch twist rate to squeeze maximum accuracy from 22LR. A great choice for cheap and high-volume shooting practice.

15# Faxon Firearms AR-15 Flame Flute Profile Threaded Barrels

Unique barrel from Faxon Firearms with Flame Flute profile. Special flutes are lengthwise machined in the barrel body, creating a smooth wavy surface that produces the impression of a burning flame silhouette. But they are not just the design elements as such flutes enlarge the surface for heat transfer which results in better cooling in comparison with ordinary barrels. Made of 4150 Mil-Spec steel, nitride is finished and thoroughly checked by the manufacturer to guarantee the quality of the product. Chambered in .223 Wylde it is a solid 14,5″ mid-length gas system barrel. However you must attach a 1.5″ muzzle device for your AR not to be considered SBR. Nicely looking and accurate barrel though. We enjoyed testing it.

AR-15 barrel basics📝

The barrel is the heart of the rifle and is a critical component in determining the accuracy and performance of your firearm. It’s important to understand the basics before making any decisions about what type of barrel to purchase.

🔍 There are two main categories: chrome-lined and stainless steel.

• ✔️ Chrome-lined barrels are more durable and have greater corrosion resistance compared to stainless steel barrels, which makes them popular for defensive rifles and situations where extra protection is needed.
• ✔️ Stainless steel barrels provide greater accuracy but are more susceptible to corrosion and wear if not properly maintained.

🔍 Another factor to consider is the barrel’s length and profile.

• ✔️ Longer barrels generally offer greater accuracy at longer distances, while shorter barrels can be beneficial in close-quarters combat or home defense scenarios where maneuverability matters more than accuracy.
• ✔️ The barrel profile also plays a role in overall weight with heavier profiles offering more stability while lighter profiles reduce overall weight.

🔍 Finally, it’s important to select a quality barrel that meets your specific needs.

• ✔️ A good way to determine if a particular barrel will work well for you is by looking at reviews from trusted sources such as gun forums or manufacturer websites.
• ✔️ Additionally, look for products that come with warranties or guarantees so you can rest assured that your investment will last through countless range sessions without issue.

FAQ🤓

Conclusion😉

Choosing the best AR 15 barrel for your rifle is an important decision that can make a big difference in accuracy and performance. While there are many options on the market, it’s important to consider quality and compatibility with other components before making a purchase. We hope this guide has given you some helpful tips and information about what makes each type of barrel unique so you can find the perfect match for your needs. Thanks for reading!🥰❤️‍🔥

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Vlad Miller

Athlete, Survivor, Writer

Hi! I am Vlad! Multi-profile athlete with professional education in sports and physical culture. Devoted to calisthenics, functional- and weight-trainings, boxing, shooting, long-distance bike touring, survivalism, and all kinds of outdoor activity imaginable. Qualified writer and interpreter. Perfectionist who likes to delve into and investigate various specific topics.

Taking apart my favorite AR-15 and Glock 43 with my eyes closed, I write on fascinating and favorite topics: guns, tactical gear, survival, and hunting. I share useful finds and do reviews of products I like, and gun upgrades are my best subjects!

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