Carbon fiber is significantly lighter than steel, which reduces the overall weight while maintaining comparable strength and performance to a traditional stainless steel barrel. The process starts with profiling a 416R stainless steel barrel blank and wrapping it with carbon fiber strands infused with epoxy resin. The result is a lightweight barrel with superior strength and improved heat dissipation. The reduced weight also improves the balance of this firearm in an 18-inch format, resulting in a lightweight, balanced rifle that is ready for anything.