Your barrel is the backbone of your rifle. If you think about it, the rest of your rifle is just there to get bullets into your barrel and give you a place to put your hands.
Best AR-15 Barrels Comparison Table
Criterion Barrels AR-15 Hybrid Rifle Barrels
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
.308 Winchester
- Fabric/Material:
4150 CMV Steel
- Threads per Inch:
5/8×24
Pros:
Excellent performance with .223 Remington and .5.56mm ammo.
Barrel profile delivers good balance of weight and performance.
Standard threading and M4 feed ramps.
Your AR-15 barrel is important, but you already knew that…
Clearly, you want the best AR-15 barrel you can get.
Of course, your definition of “best” will vary based on your budget and shooting context.
However, I’ve rounded up the highest performing AR-15 barrels, based on my observations in the gunsmithing shop and experience out on the range.
Once you’re finished reading, you’ll be ready to get the right AR-15 barrel with confidence.
If you want confidence faster than that, here’s a quick cheat sheet for what to look for in an AR-15 barrel.
Everything you need to know about AR-15 barrels
If you’re not an AR-15 nerd, you probably have questions about AR-15 barrels.
Not to worry, we’ve got the answers you need to get the right AR-15 barrel for your rifle. We also have the information you need to become an AR-15 nerd, if you’re into that.
What is the best barrel type for an AR-15?
The best barrel type for an AR-15 depends on what you use your rifle to do. For example, competition shooters benefit most from a barrel type than those who use their AR-15 for home defense. But, for most people, medium and government profile AR-15 barrels are excellent choices.
There are reasons to favor a medium profile barrel over a government profile barrel.
Medium profile barrels can offer slightly better precision and heat resistance.
However, government profile barrels are perfectly good barrels, which are easy to get because most manufacturers make a government profile barrel or two.Unless you’re a competition or long-range shooter, you’re unlikely to notice the difference between a medium and government profile barrel. You can be confident getting a barrel you can afford.
What are the best AR-15 barrels made of?
The top AR-15 barrel manufacturers usually use 4150 CrMoV (chromoly vanadium) steel, 416 stainless steel, or 416R stainless steel. 4150 CrMoV steel is the most durable and delivers the longest lifespan. 416 and 416R stainless steels are more precise, but have somewhat shorter lifespans.
The vast majority of shooters should stick with 4150 CrMoV steel barrels.
These barrels are more than precise enough for typical AR-15 shooting contexts — defense, recreation, and even certain types of competition. 4150 chromoly vanadium steel is insanely durable and long lasting.
If you need a barrel for serious competition or long-range shooting, you may want to get a 416 or 416R stainless steel barrel for the increased precision. Just understand that you’re trading longevity for precision.
What is the best AR-15 barrel length for home defense?
For the vast majority of people, the best barrel length for home defense is 16 inches. It’s short enough to manage inside a house, delivers plenty of performance for home defense, and requires no tax stamp or additional work to be compliant with the laws in most states.
If you’re willing to pay more or do more work on your rifle, a shorter barrel is technically easier to manage inside buildings.
But, if your barrel is shorter than 13.7 inches, you’ll need to purchase a short-barreled rifle tax stamp for $200 for legal compliance.
If your barrel is between 13.7 and 16 inches, you must pin and weld a muzzle device to your barrel to make it at least 16 inches to avoid needing a tax stamp.
For most people, the added cost of getting a barrel shorter than 16 inches isn’t really worth the small benefit of having a shorter rifle inside a building. In short, 16 inches is the ideal barrel length for home defense when you consider both cost and performance.
What should I look for in an AR-15 barrel?
Check these specs when you’re choosing an AR-15 barrel: chamber, rifling twist rate, barrel steel, and quality control processes.
Here’s what you need to know about each AR-15 barrel specification.
AR-15 barrel chamber
As for what to look for in an AR-15 barrel, you’re mostly looking for quality materials and solid quality control. Any AR-15 barrel with a 5.56mm or .223 Wilde chamber, constructed from 4150 CrMoV steel, that’s been at least magnetic particle inspected (MPI) will work perfectly for most people.
The chamber just determines what sort of ammunition the barrel can handle. 5.56mm and .223 Wilde chambers accept the widest variety of AR-15 ammunition, and they deliver plenty of precision.
AR-15 barrel twist rate
The rate of twist simply specifies how far the bullet must travel in the barrel before it makes one complete revolution. 1 in 7 rate of twist means that the bullet makes one full rotation every seven inches inside the barrel.
Twist rates matter when it comes to ammunition. Faster rates of twist make the bullet spinning faster when it exits the muzzle. A faster twist rate, such as 1 in 7 inches rate of twist, is designed to work with heavier bullets. Slower rates of twist, such as 1 in 9 inches, are best for lighter bullets.
However, most AR-15 ammunition is between 55 and 62 grains. Heavier AR-15 bullets exist — 69 and 77 grain are common heavy weights — but they’re less common than the 55 and 62 grain ammo.
A 1 in 7 or 1 in 8 twist rate will shoot 55 and 62 grain ammunition just fine. 1 in 7 twist works slightly better for 62 grain ammunition. 1 in 8 twist shoots 55 grain ammunition a little better.
Both of these twist rates will work well enough, regardless of what type of ammo you’re shooting.
AR-15 barrel steels
4150 CrMoV (sometimes labeled 4150 CMV) steel should be your go-to AR-15 barrel steel if you’re not building a rifle for long-range precision or high-end competition. Enough said.
Just kidding.
But seriously, 4150 CrMoV is the best option for just about everyone.
4150 CMV steel is hard, durable carbon steel that resists heat well.
However, if you’re going to use your AR-15 for long-range precision shooting or high-end competition, a 416 or 416R stainless steel barrel might be the best option.
416 and 416R stainless steel isn’t quite as hard as carbon steel. It has better flex characteristics for use in rifle barrels, though.
416 and 416R stainless steel delivers better precision, at the expense of a shorter lifespan than 4150 CrMoV steel.
You can’t go wrong with 4150 CrMoV steel, though. Even if your goal is long-range precision or serious competition, you’ll get solid performance and longevity.
AR-15 barrel quality control
Magnetic particle inspection (MPI) is a quality control process where magnetic fields are used to check for invisible warping and cracks in the steel. MPI is solid quality control on its own.
However, some manufacturers also use high pressure testing (HPT) as part of their quality control process.
High pressure testing is just the technical term for test firing. If a manufacturer specifies that a barrel has been HPT, it means they fired at least one round through the barrel to make sure it works.
You can be totally confident you’re getting a quality product if it’s only been quality checked with MPI. If you want the peace of mind from knowing that your barrel was test fired before they sent it to you, get a barrel that’s also been HPT.
You’ll have to pay a little more for the additional quality assurance, though.
Finish and bore lining
Typical AR-15 finishes are parkerized (similar to manganese phosphate) and black nitride. The only bore lining on AR-15 barrels is chrome lining.
Parkerized barrels almost always have a chrome lined bore. Black nitride barrels usually have a black nitride finish inside and out.
Chrome lined bores are regarded as being more precise than black nitride bores. However, chrome lining supposedly has a shorter lifespan than a black nitride bore.
I say “regarded” and “supposedly” because the difference in precision and lifespan between the two is negligible for most people.
If you’re not trying to be a professional long-range shooter or build a full-auto rifle, either finish and bore lining will work just fine for you. Get the one you like better.
The best AR-15 barrels: Which barrel is right for your broomstick?
Obviously, we’d never mislead you…
However, if you want to check our work or if you just want to know what to buy, these are the AR-15 barrel specs that will work for just about everyone reading this article, including you (most likely):
| Chamber | 5.56mm or .223 Wilde |
| Rate of twist | 1 in 7 or 1 in 8 |
| Barrel steel | 4150 CrMoV |
| Quality control | MPI |
With that, let’s check out the top AR-15 barrels.
1. Criterion Barrels AR-15 Hybrid Rifle Barrels
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
.223 Wilde chamber
- Twist:
1 in 8 rate
- Finish:
Black Nitride
Pros:
- Excellent performance with .223 Remington and .5.56mm ammo.
- Barrel profile delivers good balance of weight and performance.
- Standard threading and M4 feed ramps.
- Chrome lined.
Cons:
- Parkerized finish tends to show signs of wear.
The Criterion Barrels AR-15 Hybrid Rifle Barrels is designed to hit the sweet spot between price and performance.
They’re not the most affordable barrels on the market, but they've got a lot of great features that elevate their performance above budget barrels.
First, these barrels are chambered in .223 Wylde. The chambering is designed to maximize performance with both 5.56mm rounds, and .223 Remington rounds. It offers the precision of match-grade .223 rounds, with the high-pressure tolerance for 5.56mm rounds.
Second, Criterion uses a hybrid barrel profile that’s tapered near the chamber to save weight. However, the tapering and standard barrel profile near the muzzle provide more precision than a true thin profile.
On one end of this barrel is standard threading for flash hiders, muzzle brakes, and other muzzle devices. At the other end, Criterion Barrels equipped this model with M4 feed ramps for smoother feeding and improved reliability.
On the inside, the bore is chrome lined for maximum precision and barrel life. The rifling is a 1 in 8 inch twist rate, which is a solid all-around twist.
It provides good flight stability for bullets of all weights. Though, if you only shoot very light bullets or very heavy bullets, a more specific rate of twist will give you better performance.
If there’s one downside to this model, it’s the finish. The finish is parkerized. It’s a decent finish that resists corrosion well.
However, it’s prone to sling wear. Fortunately, your handguard should protect your barrel from too much external wear.
Also, these barrels include a headspaced BCM bolt. This ensures that your barrel will work once you put it together, because the key parts have been tested.
Overall, this is an excellent barrel for any type of AR-15 rifle. The price is good, and the performance is exceptional. You can’t go wrong.
2. Rosco Manufacturing Bloodline 5.56 NATO Barrel
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
5.56x45mm NATO
- Fabric/Material:
4150 CMV Material
- Finish:
Black Nitride
Pros:
- Standard mil-spec materials and design.
- Black nitride finish is is durable and looks cool.
- Excellent gas port tuning.
- Ridiculous quality and durability for the money.
Cons:
- Slightly heavier than most government profile barrels.
Rosco Manufacturing barrels deliver outstanding quality, regardless of the price. The price is incredible, though.
The Rosco Manufacturing Bloodline 5.56 NATO Barrel might be priced for budget-minded buyers, but you arguably get more than you pay for.
This barrel might look like a standard government profile barrel. To some extent, it is.
The profile is just slightly thicker than a standard government profile barrel. It’s good for precision and heat resistance, but a tad heavier than a true government profile.
The metal is 4150 CrMoV. The barrel extension is cut with M4 feed ramps. The twist rate is 1 in 7. Normal mil-spec stuff.
However, the finish is black nitride, which is at least as good as the phosphate, chrome-lined finishes on a true mil-spec barrel. Some argue that a nitride finish is better than mil-spec.
Additionally, Rosco Manufacturing does good work on their gas port sizing. The gas port is large enough to run reliably. Though, it’s not so large that it causes an especially sharp recoil impulse or excessive gas blowback in suppressed shooting.
Additionally, Rosco Manufacturing has excellent quality control and build quality. This is a Bloodline barrel that lasted for over 26,000 rounds of full-auto operation before it started to fail.
That’s incredible durability. If you need a barrel that will work for a long time, without spending a ton of money, get this barrel.
3. Ballistic Advantage AR-15 Modern Series Barrels
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
5.56mm chamber
- Fabric/Material:
4150 CrMoV steel
- Twist:
1 in 7 rate
Pros:
- Better-than-mil-spec quality.
- Super smooth black nitride finish.
- Improved government profile minimizes barrel flex.
- Sub-MOA guarantee.
- Available in 13.7 inch length.
Cons:
- Twist rate may not produce sub-MOA performance with lightweight bullets.
The Ballistic Advantage AR-15 Modern Series Barrels are the Ballistic Advantage take on a government profile barrel. They’re excellent barrels, especially considering the price.
These are essentially government profile AR-15 barrels, with standard mil-spec qualities — M4 feed ramps, 1 in 7 inch twist rate, 1/2×28 muzzle threads.
It’s a proven design. However, the finish is black nitride, which can be considered an upgrade over a phosphate, chrome-lined finished.
Then, Ballistic Advantage put their own touch on the barrel profile. The tapering and curves on the barrel profile have been mellowed slightly, producing fewer sharp corners and a slightly straighter overall profile.
Ballistic Advantage claims that this reduces barrel flex and enhances organic precision. This might be true. Even if it’s not true, BA barrels still produce outstanding precision.
Ballistic Advantage is so confident in their barrel design that they offer a sub-MOA guarantee. And, so far, that seems to be true. Nobody I know has ever had to return a BA barrel under their sub-MOA return policy.
Yes, that’s anecdotal evidence. However, Ballistic Advantage would probably stop offering that guarantee if it wasn’t working out for them. Just saying.
4. Ballistic Advantage AR-15 Performance Series Barrels
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
5.56mm chamber
- Fabric/Material:
4150 CrMoV steel
- Twist:
1 in 7 rate
Pros:
- Proven, mil-spec design specifications.
- NP3 finished barrel extension improves reliability and ease of cleaning.
- Hanson contour produces an exceptionally balanced rifle.
- Pre-drilled for pinning gas block pinning.
- Sub-MOA guarantee.
Cons:
- Some lengths are a tad heavier than a government profile.
Ballistic Advantage AR-15 Performance Series Barrels are easily some of the best designed barrels on the market.
The specifications are relatively standard: M4 feed ramps, 1 in 7 twist rate, black nitride finish. The things that make this barrel cool are the profile and barrel extension.
The barrel extension is finished in NP3, which is a bit smoother than black nitride. This improves reliability and minimizes carbon buildup around the star chamber.
The Hanson profile is a straight contour profile that delivers excellent precision and balance.
Hanson profile barrels weigh about the same, or even a little bit more, than a government profile barrel of the same length. The weight is distributed along the barrel, which makes your rifle easier to handle, even if it’s not lighter overall.
All this comes with the same sub-MOA guarantee as you’d get from any other Ballistic Advantage barrel.
Additionally, most Hanson profile barrels come with a low-profile gas block. The barrel is also pre-drilled for pinning. So it’s super easy to install your gas block as securely as possible.
Not only do these barrels deliver incredible performance, Ballistic Advantage does the hard part of installing a gas block for you.
5. Faxon Firearms AR-15 Government/SOCOM Barrels
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
5.56mm chamber
- Fabric/Material:
4150 CrMoV steel
- Twist:
1 in 8 rate
Pros:
- Improved M4 profile.
- Construction offers a good blend of weight reduction and precision.
- Versatile rate of turn is good for most bullet weights.
- Durable nitride finish.
Cons:
- Slightly less precise than a standard medium contour barrel.
The Faxon Firearms AR-15 Government/SOCOM Barrels are designed to match the standard military issue profile and the mass production price. However, this model actually offers a bit better performance than a standard military issue barrel.
This model features a profile that’s a mix of an M4 and a heavy barrel profile.
The section under the handguard is thin, and the section near the muzzle is thicker. Faxon removed the M203 grenade launcher cutout from the M4 profile in favor of more stability (civilians don’t usually use grenade launchers).
The result is a barrel that’s light, but offers more precision than a general issue M4 barrel.
However, the chambering is 5.56mm, which withstands more pressure than .223 chambering. It’s slightly less accurate with .223 rounds, though.
This barrel is constructed from chromoly vanadium steel, which is lighter than stainless steel.
However, it’s slightly less rigid. Carbon steel is a good blend of weight reduction and precision. This barrel might not deliver match-grade precision, though. The reduced weight is great for a patrol or tactical rifle.
The twist rate is 1 in 8 inches. It makes this barrel versatile enough to shoot all bullet weights well enough.
Where this barrel is a step up from standard military equipment is in the finish.
The entire barrel is QPQ nitride coated for excellent corrosion resistance. Nitride finishes also resist wear from slings and gear.When you add all this up, you’ve got a great barrel that provides an ideal blend of light weight and precision. It’s a good option if you take most of your shots from less than 300 yards.
6. Faxon Firearms AR-15 Pencil Profile Match Barrel
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
.223 Wilde chamber
- Fabric/Material:
4150 CrMoV steel
- Twist:
1 in 8 rate
Pros:
- Very lightweight.
- Machined stainless steel construction to retain precision.
- Versatile rate of twist.
- Nitride and NP3 coated for corrosion resistance.
- .223 Wylde chambering for precision and durability.
Cons:
- Still not as accurate as a true match barrel.
Thinner, lighter barrels are less accurate than thick, heavy barrels. The Faxon Firearms AR-15 Profile Match Barrel is designed to minimize the compromise of a lighter barrel.
This model features a pencil profile for maximum weight reduction. However, it’s machined from a solid piece of stainless steel bar stock for maximum rigidity. That way you sacrifice far less precision for the weight savings.
Additionally, the chambering is .223 Wylde for maximum precision with both .223 Remington and 5.56mm rounds.
The rate of twist is 1 in 8, for good performance with all bullet weights. 5R button rifling coaxes the best precision and velocity from your ammunition.
Faxon used a nitride coating to protect the stainless steel. The barrel extension is NP3 coated to prevent seizing in your upper receiver.
All in all, this is the most accurate lightweight barrel you can get. It’s not as accurate as a true match barrel. But, it’s an excellent option for a lightweight rifle.
7. Faxon Firearms 5.56 NATO Gunner Rifle Barrel
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
5.56x45mm NATO
- Fabric/Material:
4150 Steel
- Finish:
Black Nitride
Pros:
- Black nitride finish is excellent.
- 1 in 8 twist rate is a great all-around twist rate.
- Gunner profile delivers excellent balance and weight.
Cons:
- Can be a bit overgassed for suppressed shooting.
Faxon Firearms makes excellent AR-15 barrels. And their proprietary design features are excellent. The Faxon Firearms 5.56 NATO Gunner Rifle Barrel features one of Faxon’s best innovations: the Gunner Profile.
The specifications are relatively standard: 4150 CMV steel, M4 feed ramps, 1/2×28 muzzle threads. No surprises here.
The only standout design spec is the 1 in 8 twist rate. It’s a good all-around twist rate that accommodates typical 55-grain ammunition slightly better than a 1 in 7 twist rate.
However, the Gunner profile is a hybrid between a government profile and a lightweight profile. The mid-section of the barrel has a medium taper, similar to a government profile barrel. Then the barrel thins out, like a pencil profile, after the gas port.
The design concept is that the barrel has more metal near the chamber, where most of the heat buildup is. Then it gets lighter toward the end, to minimize swing weight.
The result is a rifle that’s easy to handle, but performs well, because the barrel resists heat distortion.
This might come at the cost of precision, as the last two to four inches of your barrel play a relatively big role in precision.
However, Faxon Gunner barrels consistently produce about 1-MOA precision (give or take). The trade-off of precision for weight savings is minimal.
The only complaint I’ve heard about these barrels is that they can be a little bit overgassed for suppressed shooting.
It’s not terrible, and the larger gas port does promote reliability with a wider range of ammunition. It’s just something to be aware of.
However, all in all, if you want a barrel that hits a perfect balance of weight and precision, this is an excellent option.
8. Daniel Defense AR-15 Hammer Forged Barrel
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
5.56mm chamber
- Fabric/Material:
4150 CrMoV steel
- Twist:
1 in 7 rate
Pros:
- Standard government profile is a good all-around profile>
- Cold hammer forged construction gives exceptional durability and lifespan>
- Manganese phosphate finish is durable and corrosion resistant>
Cons:
- 1 in 7 twist rate is best for heavy ammunition.
- Government profile skews a bit toward weight reduction over precision.
The Daniel Defense AR-15 Hammer Forged Barrel comes with all the usual military specifications, but features far higher quality construction.
Where this barrel falls into military specifications is the profile and the rate of twist.
The profile is a standard government profile, minus the notch for mounting a grenade launcher. It’s a good all-around profile that’s not too heavy, but still nicely rigid.
The rate of twist is 1 in 7, which is what the military uses for their standard issue rifles. This rate of twist is best for heavy rounds. If you frequently use 77-grain and 80-grain rounds, this rate of twist will work great for you.
Where this barrel is better than a mil-spec barrel is in the construction. This model is cold hammer forged from chromoly vanadium steel for excellent precision, even with the minimal government profile.
The manganese phosphate finish is also a step up from typical mil-spec fare. It’s more durable and corrosion resistant. The finish also provides excellent bore lining for precision and lifespan.
Combine all this with M4 feed ramps and a threaded muzzle, and you’ve got a barrel that’s built to military specifications, but performs much better.
9. Criterion Barrels AR-15 HBAR Rifle Barrels
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
.223 Wylde
- Barrel Twist Rate:
1-8
- Threads per Inch:
1/2×28
Pros:
- Fluting reduces weight on longer barrel lengths.
- Fluted for enhanced cooling.
- Good precision with manageable swing weight.
- .223 Wylde chambering for precision and maximum ammo compatibility.
Cons:
- 1 in 8 twist rate isn’t optimized for heavy ammunition.
- No corrosion resistant coating.
The Criterion Barrels AR-15 Fluted Stainless Steel Barrel gives you a long barrel, with as much barrel rigidity as possible, for competition-grade precision.
The contour is a modified bull barrel profile. The profile is full under the handguard, but narrows near the muzzle to keep your rifle from being too heavy up front.
This model also features .223 Wylde chambering for solid precision with both .223 Remington and 5.56mm rounds. The rifling is a 1 in 8 twist rate. This provides good performance with any ammunition.
However, 1 in 8 twist is an interesting choice. Most match ammunition is heavy. So, a 1 in 7 twist seems more appropriate for a longer barrel. The Criterion Barrels engineers probably know something I don’t.
The construction is machined stainless steel. It offers excellent precision and longevity. However, there’s no corrosion resistant coating.
There’s also M4 feed ramps and a threaded muzzle to round out the package for reliability and customization.In the end, this barrel delivers excellent precision without making your rifle too heavy. It’s an excellent barrel for an AR-15 match rifle or a designated marksman rifle.
10. Proof Research PR15 Carbon Fiber 223 Wylde Rifle Barrel
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
.223 Wylde
- Fabric/Material:
416R stainless steel and carbon fiber
- Finish:
Black/Silver
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight, even in long barrel lengths.
- Carbon fiber jacket enhances cooling.
- Built from match-grade 416R steel.
- Performs well with almost any ammunition.
Cons:
- Expensive.
The Proof Research PR15 Carbon Fiber 223 Wylde Rifle Barrel takes an innovative approach to delivering a rigid, but lightweight, barrel.
This model is constructed from 416R stainless steel and carbon fiber. The carbon fiber is wrapped around a stainless steel core to enhance the rigidity, without adding much weight.
Additionally, the carbon fiber jacket is vented to improve air flow and cooling. The carbon fiber is also heat resistant, which keeps the barrel cool enough to touch even after rapid fire.
The stainless steel core itself is match-grade 416R steel. This is rigid enough that this barrel delivers match-grade precision, even though much of the body is carbon fiber.
The stainless steel backbone of the barrel features .223 Wylde chambering for good performance with .223 Remington and 5.56mm ammunition. This combines with a 1 in 8 twist rate to provide solid precision with any ammunition you throw at it.
You might expect it by now, but the core is capped with M4 feed ramps and a threaded muzzle for the industry-standard reliability and customization.
This is an excellent barrel for any lightweight build, especially if you want to use a slightly longer barrel to retain long range performance.
The Final Shot
Criterion Barrels AR-15 Hybrid Rifle Barrels
Key Specs:
- Cartridge:
.223 Wilde chamber
- Twist:
1 in 8 rate
- Finish:
Black Nitride
Pros:
- Excellent performance with .223 Remington and .5.56mm ammo.
- Barrel profile delivers good balance of weight and performance.
- Standard threading and M4 feed ramps.
- Chrome lined.
Cons:
- Parkerized finish tends to show signs of wear.
Your barrel is the centerpiece of your rifle. Fortunately, there’s a barrel for every rifle. No matter what your shooting context and goals are, there’s a barrel for you.
If you want a solid barrel that you could put on almost any rifle, pick up the Criterion Barrels AR-15 Chrome Lined Barrel. The blend of performance and price is nearly impossible to beat.
Now that you’ve got a good read of your options, upgrade your barrel, improve your rifle, and tighten your shot groups.
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