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- Alfred Mendoza
- June 3, 2024
My team and I finally decided to build our first AR-15 upper, and we’re now looking at brands that offer a good compromise between quality and value. We’ve literally spent hours clicking websites here and there, which led us to Ballistic Advantage vs Faxon barrels. Which of the two is better? Let’s dive right in.
Table of Contents
Main Differences Between Ballistic Advantage & Faxon
The Faxon uses M-Lok, 4150 / “Mil-Spec” or 416-R steels in its barrels with a carrier style of M16 Bolt, and optic types such as Trijicon RMR and Vortex Venom, and 4150 Chrome-Moly steel with a QPQ melonite finish or 416R Stainless steel. In comparison, Ballistic Advantage features a low-profile gas block that is installed and pinned, made from Chrome Moly Vanadium (CrMoV), and QPQ, also known as Salt Bath Nitride coated barrels.
The Faxon offers rifle barrels in various lengths ranging from 7.5 inches to a full-size 24 inches, while the Ballistic Advantage offers barrels with sizes ranging from 8.3 inches to 24 inches.
Specification Chart
Ballistic Advantage
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty / 1” MOA guarantee
- Affordability: Fairly Priced
- Quality: High-Quality
- Shipment: Limited Time Offer: Free Shipping, 3 – 5 Business days
Faxon
- Warranty: Lifetime Guarantee / Limited Warranty
- Affordability: Fairly Priced
- Quality: High-Quality
- Shipment: Fed Ex & USPS / Cost Depends on Weight
Detailed Comparison
Chamber Type
Both the Faxon and the Ballistic Advantage use several chamber types such as 9mm Luger, .223 Wylde, 5.56 NATO, 300 Blackout, 7.62X39mm, .224 Valkyrie, 6.5 Grendel Type 2, .458 SOCOM, etc. While the Ballistic Advantage uses the 5.56 NATO chamber that accepts both military-type ammo & .223 Remington. Since both offer the same chamber types, the result is a draw.
If you want to focus on reliability, find out the best buffer for 10.5 AR Pistol right here.
BA & Faxon Material
Faxon only uses 4150 / “Mil-Spec” or 416-R steels in its barrels used in heavy-fire applications while the Ballistic Advantage uses durable, matte black QPQ corrosion-resistant exterior finish.
Both use high carbon content steel, which makes it resilient to high-heat scenarios, and with its abrasion resistance, the barrels wear slower over time. It’s tough to choose between the two, so we decided it’s a draw.
Profile
BA barrels feature a shoulder-less design, symmetrically limiting barrel “whip” that allows the barrel to quickly return to its home position for follow up shots at full auto-fire. In comparison, the Faxon prides on its “Gunner” profile, which utilizes the best from Government profiles that are thicker to maximize heat resistance and lower barrel whip to the Pencil profile with gas block and reduced weight. Being relatively lighter, we decided to give this point to Faxon.
If you’re on the lookout for AR-15 rifles, here’s our LWRC vs Daniel Defense comparison.
Length - BA or Faxon?
Faxon barrels range from 7.5 inches to a full-size 24 inches, while the Ballistic Advantage offers barrels with lengths ranging from 8.3 inches to 24 inches. As stated, the Ballistic Advantage barrels offer longer barrel lengths than Faxon. With this, the Ballistic Advantage barrels earned a point.
Faxon Popular Models
Ballistic Advantage Popular Models
Weight
Since the Ballistic Advantage is generally longer, its barrel weights are usually heavier, too.
We are also impressed that even though Faxon barrels are a lightweight profile, it doesn’t tend to shift its point of impact when hot as other lightweight barrels do.
With this, Faxon gets another win.
Faxon & BA Lining
Twist Rate
Ballistic Advantage offers various twist rates for their AR Barrels depending on calibers used from 1/7 (5.56 Nato, .224 Valkyrie, and .300 Blackout) up to 1/10 (9MM, 308 Win) twist rates.
In contrast, Faxon uses 1/8 for all calibers, including 5.56, 300 BLK, and 7.62×39.
The fast twist for 7.62×39 is excellent for all standard loadings and ideal for heavy 147 grain loads.
Corrosion Resistance
Faxon & BA Purpose
Ballistic Advantage Pros & Cons
PROS
- 1-MOA guarantee using match ammo
- Doesn’t hold fingerprints
- Lightweight
- Accurate
- Mid-length gas system for a softer shooting impulse
CONS
- Does not relieved muzzle threads
- Barrel pin issues
Faxon Pros & Cons
PROS
- relieved muzzle threads
- button-rifled and air-gauge tested
- high-quality chamber
- in-house rifling and machining
- Lightweight
CONS
- Relatively expensive
Faxon or Ballistic Advantage? We Choose...
If we were to choose between the Ballistic Advantage vs Faxon AR-15 barrels, we choose the Faxon because of its high-quality chamber and relieved muzzled threads that make shooting easier, plus it’s button-rifled and air-gauge tested for guaranteed accuracy. It also uses QPQ that provides incredible hardness for better corrosion resistance in and out of the barrel.
If you’re looking for angled fore grips, you might want to take a peek at this Magpul AFG2 vs AFG1 article here.
Our #1 Recommendation
Faxon
- relieved muzzle threads
- button-rifled and air-gauge tested
- high-quality chamber
- in-house rifling and machining
I have been studying BA barrel’s and Faxon Barrel’s for weeks trying to get the best bang for my buck. It’s now 2023 and time to rescore your article.
Ballistic Advantage has upped there game in 2023 with a premium Hanson SPR and DMR profile barrel’s.The Hanson barrel has pinned low profile gas blocks and nickel boron application on feed ramps. Oh before I forget both companies use the same metals to form their barrel’s , 4150 and 416r respectfully . Price and value puts BA the winner in 2023 ! DMC