Faxon ar barrel problems

[603Country]

Just get another barrel. A couple years back, I bought an expensive AR that wouldn’t shoot better than 1.5 inches at 100. I called the company and spoke with the CEO, who said “it meets MiL spec”. That didn’t make me happy. I bought a new barrel and am very happy with the accuracy.

[stagpanther]

Yes, if that's the correct terminology. It looks darker and polished compared to the area around it, whick look more cut or to have mild tooling marks. and it seems to have a wave pattern going up and down and an uneven start point to the lands. They all seem to start at different distances from the chamber in relation to each other or the chamber. The other guns i have looked down, of similar or lesser quality, appeared more consistent to me.

Sounds like maybe the chamber reaming was rough and not polished. I'm not certain about this--unclenick or scorch would know better--but I don't think an uneveness in the beginning of the lands and rifling are going to have much effect as long as the bullet is concentric to the bore on the way in. I'm STILL very curious to know if the entire barrel was nitrided, I've had a couple that had lingering "dark stuff" in the bore that was uneven even after 100's of shots.

[Shadow9mm]

Updated responses is post #19. They recommend i shoot without the muzzle device. And reccomended federal gold medal match. No comment on the issue with the leade. But i asked again in my response. And they mentioned replacement.

All in all, im not thrilled with the response time/ease of contact. But seems like they are willing to work with me at this point and i feel things are heading in the right direction. Will keep you all posted.

[stagpanther]

I finally looked up your barrel myself--and it is one that is nitrided from what I can tell so that probably is a big factor in what you're seeing with the bore scope. I'm kind of curious what the rationale is for the pinned low profile gas block; I've never seen that before in other aftermarket AR barrels.

[DubC-Hicks]

I'm kind of curious what the rationale is for the pinned low profile gas block; I've never seen that before in other aftermarket AR barrels.

It's for extra rigidity/strength. It's very common these days and something I have done on all of my rifles. Noveske, Centurion, DD, BA, AIM Surplus, and tons of others offer this.

[Shadow9mm]

I wanted a pinned gas block. And i did not have the necessary tools to properly drill and pin it myself. This is on my primary duty gun, and the idea of a set screw in a dimple being the only thing keeping the gas block from rotating or sliding forward causing the gun to stop cycling was not confidence inspiring. The low profile helps it fit under free float handguards better. And the pin ensures it wont rotate or come loose. An additional side benefit as it is pre-drilled for the pin, you dont have to worry about alignment. Just put the roll pin in tighten the set screws as a backup, done.

[stagpanther]

It's for extra rigidity/strength. It's very common these days and something I have done on all of my rifles. Noveske, Centurion, DD, BA, AIM Surplus, and tons of others offer this.

I didn't say I've never seen it done to an AR--I just have never seen it used as a standard manufacture feature of the barrel alone. I understand the logic behind the pinning of the gas block from a maintenance point of view. Would I do it? Nope--not a chance. You're going to be bashing away at those pins when it comes time to examine your port--or possibly even change a handguard barrel nut.

An additional side benefit as it is pre-drilled for the pin, you dont have to worry about alignment. Just put the roll pin in tighten the set screws as a backup, done.

Assuming the port is properly clocked to the extension pin to begin with, I've bought a couple of barrels that weren't. Anyway, I've never shot my AR's in the role of selectfire duty so maybe that requirement is more stringent. My experience has been with the combination of carbon exhaust gases sealing gaps and solvents mixing--the block cements itself quickly to the barrel and I usually have a hard time getting it to budge even with the screws loose. Same kind of crud that forms at your muzzle crown that you'll find when removing a muzzle device.

[DubC-Hicks]

You're going to be bashing away at those pins when it comes time to examine your port--or possibly even change a handguard barrel nut.

Many of them use roll pins, which are removed quite easily. Definitely easier than taper pins used in fixed FSBs. How often are you examining your gas port?

[DubC-Hicks]

OP,

If you're seriously considering just getting a new barrel, I'd take a hard look at this one. BA does have a 1 MOA guarantee, and all of mine shoot very well. This Hanson profile comes with a pinned block as well, and I've never seen them go on sale for this low of a price before. They still have a few other options in stock as well.

https://bkingsfirearms.com/shop/ar15...rmance-series/

[Shadow9mm]

I need 2 more barrels over all. Looking into ballistic advantage. Didn't realize they offered a sub moa guarantee. Also on a wait list for a criterion.

[Shadow9mm]

I can verify, both the faxon and ballistics advantage use roll pins, not taper pins. Helped a friend install the roll pin on his ballistic advantage a few weeks back.

[czgunner]

OP, you aren't the first to have issues with Faxon. BA has also had issues. For my recent 18" build, I was turned off by reports about both of them and others in the "affordable" barrel category. I decided to use an ARP 3R 223 W barrel from Blackstone. I've used 3 of their barrels in the past and they have all been fantastic. I'd give them a shot after you return that poor shooting barrel to Faxon.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[Shadow9mm]

All makers can have issues. Thats life, were humans, mistakes happen. But thats why custom services is so important. Help tge customer get to the bottom of the issue. If it winds up being the product, make it right.

Had not heard of blackstone, will take a look.

[stagpanther]

I decided to use an ARP 3R 223 W barrel from Blackstone. I've used 3 of their barrels in the past and they have all been fantastic. I'd give them a shot after you return that poor shooting barrel to Faxon.

I can vouch for that, Harrison's barrels have been consistently some of the best AR barrels for the money that I've purchased and, as a consequence, I have quite a few of them. The worst of them shoots "very good." when he packed up shop and moved to FL for the "good life" I think he scaled way back on his involvement and that's when he subbed to Blackstone. I haven't bought any since the move--mostly because I already had most of his caliber offerings. He is/was especially interested in wildcats coming from 6.8 spc--and his 6.8 spc barrels still have a reputation of being some of the best in the industry.

[jetinteriorguy]

I have an Aeroprecision rifle with an 18” heavy profile stainless, .223 Wylde 1/8 twist BA barrel that’s been a consistent .75 MOA shooter out to 300 yds. It was basically an MOA rifle up to around 500 rounds and then it started getting better and finally settled at .75 and sometimes I can even get a sub .5 MOA group at 100yds.

[Shadow9mm]

Possible big update. Found this today. Not sure what's up. Gonna tear it apart after dinner. Looks like its venting gas out the roll pin in the gas block/tube. Venting gasses could seriously mess up barrel harmonics. Will post some more pic when I get it apart.

[Shadow9mm]

[stagpanther]

So much for the pinned gas block theory.

What's obvious is pressurized gas is blowing out the rollpin hole that holds the gas tube to the bock and cutting the handguard. I'm surprised you didn't encounter cycling issues. Could be the tube was not aligned properly when pinned to the block or the tube itself was blocked up--what does the other end of the tube look like?

Holy hotgas batman!

[stagpanther]

That should freak any manufacturer out and result in a quick call tag IMO. Send em pics.

[Shadow9mm]

I sent them pics, will see how they respond. Ill upload some more pics tomorrow evening after work.

Also, i did notice the gun was extra gassy. It was coming back and wafting out the receiver, stinging my eyes. Never had that happen before. Heard it was an issue with suppressors, but i dont have one and have never shot one.

Im pretty sure the gas tube is in spec based off my measurements. So best guess is an over sized gas tube hole leaking gas everywhere.

[DubC-Hicks]

So much for the pinned gas block theory.

Pinning the block to the barrel has nothing to do with gas escaping through the gas tube roll pin.

Also, i did notice the gun was extra gassy.

Faxon is known to use slightly larger than typical gas ports in the barrel. All of mine are slightly more gassy than similar barrels, but not so bad I'm choking on gas unsuppressed. And I've never seen that much gas blowing out of the gas tube pin hole, there's definitely an issue with the block, tube, or tolerance/fitment of the two.

[stagpanther]

Pinning the block to the barrel has nothing to do with gas escaping through the gas tube roll pin.

I beg to differ.

The whole point of selling a barrel with the gas system pre-pinned, IMO, is that the buyer assumes the manufacturer has ensured increased reliability with proper assembly. Pinning and unpinning a block is no easy feat without the proper tools, especially if nitrided after the fact, and, the way I see it, if there is anything out of whack with the original clocking--the block will have a "set" to be out of alignment.

It might even be possible that pressures were spiking with blowback into the upper.

I say send it back--immediately.

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by stagpanther

I beg to differ.

The whole point of selling a barrel with the gas system pre-pinned, IMO, is that the buyer assumes the manufacturer has ensured increased reliability with proper assembly. Pinning and unpinning a block is no easy feat without the proper tools, especially if nitrided after the fact, and, the way I see it, if there is anything out of whack with the original clocking--the block will have a "set" to be out of alignment.

It might even be possible that pressures were spiking with blowback into the upper.

I say send it back--immediately.

What i was getting does sound like blowback into the upper as best i can tell. But again this is my first time ever dealing with theses issues and i have built and worked on at least 6 or 7 gas blocks over the years.

I would agree. I did expect a higher level of quality using a factory pinned/alligned gas block. This is also a mid length gas system, so if anything it should be less gassy due to the lower port pressure.

I took several measurements on the gas tube with my micrometer after cleaning. Odin works stainless gas tube. As i understand it, the tube is supposed to be 0.1800 give or take a little. After cleaning my measurements showed exactly that with the snallest measurement being 0.1795 around the roll pin area. But i would not expect 0.0005 to cause the issues im seeing. And it was 0.1800 around the gas port hole and back towards the receiver.

[DubC-Hicks]

I beg to differ

How does pinning a gas block to the barrel have anything to do with tolerances inside the gas block, or tolerances between the block and gas tube? If the block was pinned wrong, it'd be off center and possibly partially covering the gas port. Therefore, less gas getting into the system. The fact that it's over gassed means the block was pinned in the correct place, and it's getting the full gas flow. The issue here is probably Faxon's slightly oversized gas port compared to other manufacturers, combined with a likely tolerance issue between the internals of the block and the gas tube. Or they could've drilled the gas port totally wrong.

I'm not saying there's not an issue with the setup somewhere. Obviously some of the parts aren't playing well together. But the fact that the block is pinned isn't the issue in and of itself. If they were so bad, I guess someone should tell the tons of high end manufacturers that do it, as well as every company selling uppers/barrels with fixed FSBs.

[stagpanther]

How does pinning a gas block to the barrel have anything to do with tolerances inside the gas block, or tolerances between the block and gas tube? If the block was pinned wrong, it'd be off center and possibly partially covering the gas port. Therefore, less gas getting into the system. The fact that it's over gassed means the block was pinned in the correct place, and it's getting the full gas flow. The issue here is probably Faxon's slightly oversized gas port compared to other manufacturers, combined with a likely tolerance issue between the internals of the block and the gas tube. Or they could've drilled the gas port totally wrong.

I'm not saying there's not an issue with the setup somewhere. Obviously some of the parts aren't playing well together. But the fact that the block is pinned isn't the issue in and of itself. If they were so bad, I guess someone should tell the tons of high end manufacturers that do it, as well as every company selling uppers/barrels with fixed FSBs.

It could have been any of those things--or something else. If it were a complete upper or rifle it most likely would have been test fired to see if everything was in order. Because a barrel is delivered with a block already pinned--the purchaser is completely reliant on the manufacturer for having cut the pin slot, done the install etc. I don't even want a slot cut into my barrel that's going to be hammered at from the side--but that's a different argument. It's no trivial matter sliding the block on and off to adjust the gas flow--not to mention examine the port when its been pinned to the barrel. Unpinned blocks generally seal with carbon deposit; I've never had one move or come off easily.

I think this is a "classic" argument of "ultimate reliability." If so called mil spec battle ready is a requirement--go for it, pin by all means. I think it gets dodgy when talking about modular building and maintenance--no way I'd do it.