Face it: there are a lot of AR-15s on the market. You can get them new, used, or in part kits to build your own. But even with the abundance of AR options, it’s good to know which models are high-quality or purpose-driven and which ones aren’t. The Axelson Tactical 5.56 Battleworn is a versatile, do-all AR-15 rifle that’s built to handle just about anything you can throw at it.
What is the Axelson Tactical AXE-15 5.56 Battleworn?
This rifle, which we’ll refer to simply as “Battleworn” from now on, is a personal favorite, and for good reason.
The gun offers numerous features that make it worth the price. From the stock to the muzzle brake, it’s ideal for my needs. The Battleworn has a 16-inch barrel, putting it firmly in the carbine category. That barrel has a 1:8 twist rate, which is great for stabilizing bullets of various weights. As for capacity, since this is an AR-15, capacity depends on the mag you’re using. For my purposes, that means anywhere between 10 and 30 rounds.
A B5 Systems Bravo stock makes it easy to adjust the length of pull. Changing length on the fly is as easy as pressing the lever and sliding the stock in or out. It’s also a lighter-weight, compact stock, which is great. The sling mount at the back of the stock is designed for quick disconnect. The butt pad is non-slip, and the angled uppermost portion is fantastic for a good, comfortable cheek weld.
Other features of the Battleworn include a full-length Picatinny rail, an M-LOK-compatible handguard, and an extended charging handle. The BCG has a DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating for superior lubricity and longevity. This gun does have a forward assist, which I like, though not everyone agrees on whether it’s useful or not. The trigger guard is rounded and somewhat oversized for use with gloves. The trigger itself is an Axelson Tactical Combat model with a curved blade. Another Axelson component is the muzzle brake, which is a ten-port tunable model.
How does it shoot?
Over time, this gun has had all kinds of ammo run through it. Hornady .223, 55 grain V-Max produces some of the best groups, with Browning .223, 50 grain BXV being a close second. When it comes to target rounds, Remington FMJs are great, but it’ll eat anything and everything.
Here’s what I love about the Battleworn: It’s short and balanced in a way that makes mounting it to my shoulder smooth and comfortable. I keep the stock adjusted to my length of pull, but when others shoot it, it’s one simple adjustment. The B5 stock is a favorite because of the angle and curve of the cheek weld. Comfort, especially during extensive use, matters. I’ve run this gun in high round-count, hard-use classes, and it has always cycled reliably.
Sights
All kinds of optics have been mounted to the Battleworn, but it currently has folding iron sights. Despite my love for LPVOs for close-quarters use, the irons have been a nice change and work perfectly for the closer-range shots I tend to take with this gun. Having a full-length rail is ideal for me because it allows me to put whatever I want on the gun—thermal, magnifiers, random accessories—without worrying if there’ll be enough room. So, while iron sights don’t take up much space, it’s nice knowing you have that space available if the need arises.
Trigger
The trigger has a clean break and short reset. Though it technically has a curved blade, the curve is gradual and slight. That makes it a good fit for my fingers—yes, plural, because I’ve run this in classes that require you to use different fingers on the trigger. It’s crisp enough to ensure a smooth pull, even with my pinkie. That might sound odd until you consider the many things that can go down during a self-defense situation. Sure, those cases are the exception rather than the rule, but I just want to know: can you pull your AR’s trigger with your pinkie without torquing the gun to the side and messing up shot placement?
Accuracy
Although the Battleworn isn’t a precision rifle, it is accurate whether you’re on the range or hunting. Since it’s a 5.56 NATO, the hunting side is left to smaller varmints and pests, with some feral hogs thrown in there. Like many 5.56 NATO guns, this one’s most accurate when firing .223 Remington, but the 5.56 NATO rounds still group well at 100 yards. Something that can increase accuracy is tuning the muzzle brake. Having a muzzle device that can be adjusted for the specific ammo is a huge plus and makes more of a difference than you might think. Adjusting it is easy with a tiny Allen key. I try to keep the key in my range bag during zeroing.
Aesthetics
Something has to be said about the aesthetics of this AR-15. Russ Bacon of Nevada Cerakote did the Cerakote finish, and the silver battle-worn finish is beautifully done. I’m not a big fan of colorful guns, but the silver finish is perfect for me. It’s also held up impressively well despite the gun being flown and driven all over the country. Russ does excellent work and is typically the first name I mention to gun owners in need of Cerakote.
Final Thoughts
This really is a versatile gun. It’s compact enough to carry in my truck—no, I don’t leave it there, but it’s useful to have a truck gun for hogs or coyotes when I’m out on the property. As a home defense gun, it functions well, and in fact, I’ve used it in close-quarters classes. It’s the ideal AR-15 because I can take it wherever and whenever I need it, it cycles consistently, and it’s accurate. Further, it feels good in my hands and has proven itself time and again. What’s not to love?
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