Faxon Firearms vs Cryptic Coatings: AR-15 brands compared
Faxon Firearms leads in 5 of 5 categories.
Faxon Firearms for receivers and furniture. Cryptic Coatings for bolt carrier groups.
From tens of thousands of real builds and live prices at 30+ retailers.
Our take
Faxon Firearms makes its own AR barrels in Ohio, like the Gunner profile, plus bolt carrier groups.
In-house barrels · Lifetime guarantee · ISO 9001 certified · Family owned
- Close to average prices
- The more popular pick: in 9% of builds
- Receivers (Cryptic Coatings receivers are rarely picked)
- Furniture (Cryptic Coatings furniture are rarely picked)
Cryptic Coatings makes coated AR bolt carrier groups in PVD and CVD finishes like Mystic Bronze, made to cut friction and run cooler.
Veteran founded · Lifetime warranty · BCG specialist · Low lube
- Paying more: about 22% above average
- Bolt carrier groups, picked 1.6x as often
Many builders mix them: 13% of Cryptic Coatings builds add Faxon Firearms, most often the barrel.
Biggest differences
"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.
| Faxon Firearms | Cryptic Coatings | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price vs average | 9% cheaper | 22% pricier | Faxon Firearms cheaper |
| Share of builds | 9% | 5% | Faxon Firearms 1.8x |
| Retailers carrying | 15 | 4 | Faxon Firearms 4x |
| Parts listed | 665 | 243 | Faxon Firearms 2.7x |
| BCGs picked | 6.0% | 9.6% | Cryptic Coatings 1.6x |
Price: Faxon Firearms wins
For the same part, Faxon Firearms parts run 9% cheaper than average and Cryptic Coatings parts run 22% pricier than average.
Builder favorite: Faxon Firearms wins
Faxon Firearms is in 9% of builds and Cryptic Coatings is in 5% of builds.
Why Faxon Firearms: Every barrel is MPI checked, air gauged and covered by Faxon's Lifetime Guarantee.
Receivers: Faxon Firearms wins
Faxon Firearms upper receivers picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.
Most picked Faxon Firearms receivers
FAXON Firearms Ascent 5.56 NATO Barreled Upper Receiver$374.00, out of stock
FAXON Firearms Enhanced Forged Stripped Upper Receiver$91.99, in stock at 4 stores
FAXON Firearms Enhanced Forged 338 ARC Stripped Upper$115.00, out of stockMost picked Cryptic Coatings receivers
Rarely picked
Internals: Faxon Firearms wins
Builders pick Cryptic Coatings bolt carrier groups (1.6x) more often than Faxon Firearms. Faxon Firearms barrels and gas blocks are picked often, Cryptic Coatings's rarely.
Why Faxon Firearms: Faxon barrels come in 4150 CMV or 416R stainless, button rifled, with QPQ nitride or PVD finishes.
Furniture: Faxon Firearms wins
Faxon Firearms handguards picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.
Most picked Faxon Firearms furniture
FAXON Streamline Carbon Fiber M-LOK Handguard$311.88, in stock at 4 stores
FAXON Streamline Carbon Fiber M-LOK Handguard$347.00, in stock at 3 stores
FAXON Firearms Streamline Carbon Fiber M-LOK Handguard$348.68, in stock at 6 storesMost picked Cryptic Coatings furniture
Rarely picked
The full record
Everything we track for Faxon Firearms vs Cryptic Coatings, from builds, store listings and daily prices.
| Faxon Firearms | Cryptic Coatings | |
|---|---|---|
| Share of builds | 9% | 5% |
| Price tier | Mid priced | Premium |
| Parts listed | 665 | 243 |
| Part types | 16 | 1 |
| Retailers carrying | 15 | 4 |
| In stock now | 61% | 29% |
| Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts | 5% higher | 10% lower |
| On sale now | 3 parts | None |
