Faxon FX5500 Ultralight AR-15

Published on December 14, 2018
Duration: 13:34

This expert review of the Faxon FX5500 Ultralight AR-15, presented by Iraqveteran8888, details its lightweight construction and performance. The rifle features a carbon fiber handguard, pencil barrel, and ultralight BCG, contributing to its sub-5 lb weight. While offering manageable recoil and comfortable handling, the review highlights potential accuracy trade-offs during sustained rapid fire due to barrel whip, a common characteristic of lightweight barrels.

Quick Summary

The Faxon FX5500 Ultralight AR-15 is an exceptionally light rifle, weighing under 5 lbs without optics, featuring a carbon fiber handguard and ultralight BCG. While offering manageable recoil and excellent portability, its lightweight pencil barrel can lead to accuracy degradation during sustained rapid fire due to barrel whip and heat.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Faxon FX5500
  2. 00:22Shooting Session Setup & Ammo
  3. 00:38Initial Shooting & Accuracy Observations
  4. 01:55Recoil and Weight Saving Features
  5. 02:34Muzzle Device and Gas Block Details
  6. 03:16Lightweight Component Breakdown
  7. 04:20Trigger and Ideal Rifle Applications
  8. 05:46Barrel Whip and Accuracy Trade-offs Explained
  9. 06:20Rapid Fire Test Setup
  10. 07:14Second Shooting String Performance
  11. 08:48Barrel Heating Effects on Accuracy
  12. 09:35Limitations and Practical Use Cases
  13. 11:08Conclusion: Build Quality and Value
  14. 12:25Closing Remarks

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Faxon FX5500 Ultralight AR-15 stand out?

The Faxon FX5500 Ultralight AR-15 is notable for its exceptionally light weight, coming in under 5 pounds without optics. Key features contributing to this include a carbon fiber handguard and an ultralight bolt carrier group, making it highly portable and maneuverable.

How does the Faxon FX5500 perform during rapid fire?

During sustained rapid fire, the lightweight pencil barrel of the Faxon FX5500 can experience significant barrel whip and heating, leading to a degradation in accuracy with groups spreading considerably. This is a common trade-off for ultralight rifle designs.

What are the recommended uses for the Faxon FX5500 Ultralight AR-15?

The Faxon FX5500 Ultralight AR-15 is well-suited for applications where weight is a primary concern, such as carrying around property, 3-Gun competitions requiring quick transitions, or as a handy option for home defense due to its lightweight and manageable nature.

What components contribute to the lightweight design of the Faxon FX5500?

The lightweight design of the Faxon FX5500 is achieved through components like a Faxon carbon fiber handguard, a Mission First Tactical (MFT) lightweight stock, an ultralight bolt carrier group, and a pencil-profile barrel. Ambidextrous controls from Radian also add functionality without significant weight.

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