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AR-15 Barrel Profiles: Pencil vs Government vs SOCOM

Posted by 3CR Tactical on 11th Jul 2026

AR-15 Barrel Profiles: Pencil vs Government vs SOCOM
Barrel profile is the contour of an AR-15 barrel — the amount of steel left along its length — and it decides how much your rifle weighs, how fast it heats up, and where it balances. It is a separate spec from barrel length. A 16-inch barrel can weigh anywhere from about 1.5 pounds to over 2.5 pounds depending on its profile, and that difference is felt every time y …
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