1,428 Posts . A regular M4 barrel can be up to 28 oz while the 16″ Gunner is 22 oz. To demonstrate a variety of options, we obtained four identical standard 16-inch mid-length gas system barrels with government profiles (and 0.750-inch gas block) from Bravo Company USA. It does mean that heat is going to open your groups up a bit faster than other barrels with less mass. The lightweight or pencil barrel profile is the original M16A1 profile and IIRC is 0.675" in diameter under the handguards and forward to the flash suppressor. That being said, for those who are curious about the actual weight difference between a "government" barrel profile (also known as an A2 barrel profile) and a "pencil" barrel profile (also known as an A1 barrel profile): (EDIT: this picture/schematic isn't mine; I found it in a Google search, but I don't recall where) That lightweight barrel, now commonly called the A1 or “pencil” barrel, was good for snapping off single shots but not as good for full-auto shooting.At the request of the Marines the M16A2 was given a chromed bore and a heavier barrel profile forward of the gas block, mainly to minimize the chance of bending (one of the A1’s most common failures in close combat). Faxon Gunner Profile. This "Pencil" profile Chrome lined barrel is the same size and finish as the original AR-15, XM16E1, M16 and M16A1 models. A Government profile is 0.675" under the handguard and 0.750" from the front sight base to the flash suppressor. Discussion Starter • #1 • Jul 6, 2014. Weight for a 20" in 2.5lbs. Lightweight or pencil profiles are just flat out thin, no weird swells. AR15.COM is the world’s largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. I don't know about DD but Faxon's pencil profile opens about 1.5-2MOA after about 2 mags dumped though. We sent three of them to Adco Firearms to be dimpled, fluted and turned down to a lightweight contour. While comparing a pencil barrel to a govt. If you are looking for a Military quality Pencil profile 20" barrel for your Retro build.. or want a Light Weight Barrel for your modern build then this is one of the nicest barrels available. Government profile vs Pencil barrel So I'm deciding between a 16" government profile or a 16" pencil both mid length gas systems. Weight is around 2.2lbs for a 20" barrel. I'm new to AR-15 builds, so please bear with me if I make any mistakes. It’s the best of both worlds. The plan is to test 4 barrel profiles (10.5" Faxon Pencil, 10.3" DD MK18, 11.5" BCM ELW Fluted, 11.5" BCM Gov't) suppressed and unsuppressed cold for POI shift and group size both between profiles and between suppressed and unsuppressed, then heat them up and repeat the test with hot barrels/suppressors. That’s a good 6 oz amount (hockey puck or billiards ball) of savings at the end of your AR. The 'pencil barrel' is a thin profile all the way to the flashider except under the front sight, this is found on A1s An A2 barrel is very similar except it gets wider under the front sight and stays wider until the end and will only weight slightly more than an A1 barrel, this is called 'Government profile' About AR15.COM. Barrel Contours: Tale of the Tape. You get the stiff Government profile at the beginning which tapers into a pencil profile of diameter .625″ for the gas block. 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