I've been a big fan of these cans since I first saw one on a Mk 12 way back when. Haven't seen a thread dedicated to them, so thought I would create one! Anything you spy that is incorrect, let me know.

The Firearm Blog article on Allen Engineering written by our own @goloud

5.56 Cans
Ops Inc cans
Ops Inc Family pic courtesy of @The_Accuser. Top picture from right to left: M4S, M4M, Model 14th, 15th, 16th and 12th:


Ops Inc 3rd Model
1989 Panama (Paul Howe on far left)
 

Mid-90's in use by Delta (photos found by @10Point3)

1990-1991 Gulf War:

 



1992 joint training w/ SAS in Hereford

1993 Somalia



Possible 3rd model as used by Craig "Sawman" Sawyer (h/t to @Augee and @bigbore for detective work)

More recent photos of 3rd model (found by @MDStroup):


Original alignment collar (courtesy of Ron Allen (@k31user), owner of Allen Engineering and long-time maker of cans at Ops Inc)

Diameter: 1.5 inches
Length past muzzle: 5 inches
Overall length: 10 inches
Weight: 24 ounces
Construction: Fusion welded 300 series stainless steel
Endurance: Meets SOPMOD objective of 30,000 rounds under various firing schedules.
(Note: Currently these devices have surpassd 90,000 rounds operational use without failure)

M4-S
 

Caliber 5.56mm / .223 caliber
Diameter: 1.5 inches
Length Past brake: 1 inch
Length past muzzle: 2.25 inches
Overall length: 4.5 inches
Weight: 11.2 ounces
Construction: Fusion welded 300 series stainless steel
(Note: Currently these devices have surpassd 90,000 rounds operational use without failure.)

M4-M MBS
 


@pistolpete's 12.5" upper with M4M


Diameter: 1.5 inches
Length Past brake: 2.5 inches
Length past muzzle: 3.75 inches
Overall length: 6 inches
Weight: 14.6 ounces
Construction: Fusion welded 300 series stainless steel
(Note: Currently these devices have surpassd 90,000 rounds operational use without failure.)

12th Model SPR MBS 5.56
Mk 12s
 

Matt Axelson's with James Suh (RIP ) Mk 12 Mod 1



@Rogue4's

Mod Holland's (h/t to @Glass1, @18E3V, and @Nikiel09):

 




Diameter: 1.5 inches
Length past brake: 5 inches
Length past muzzle: 6.25 inches
Overall length: 8.7/8 inches
Weight: 21 ounces
Construction: Fusion welded 300 series stainless steel
Endurance: Meets SOPMOD objective of 30,000 rounds under various firing schedules

14th Model CQB MBS

Diameter: 1.5 inches
Length past brake: 3 inches
Length past muzzle: 4.25 inches
Overall length: 6.5 inches
Weight: 15.5 ounces
Construction: Fusion welded 300 series stainless steel

15th Model CQB MBS


15th model? In use by Canadian SOF




Diameter: 1.5 inches
Length past brake: 3.5 inches
Length past muzzle: 4.75 inches
Overall length: 7 inches
Weight: 17 ounces
Construction: Fusion welded 300 series stainless steel
Endurance: Meets SOPMOD objective of 30,000 rounds under various firing schedules.

16th Model CQB MBS


@BookHound's 16th Model:

@pistolpete's 16th Model

Diameter: 1.5 inches
Length past brake: 4 inches
Length past muzzle: 6.25 inches
Overall length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 19 ounces
Construction: Fusion welded 300 series stainless steel
Endurance: Meets SOPMOD objective of 30,000 rounds under various firing schedules.
Allen Engineering (AE) cans

AE22

Length: 8"
Weight: 20.1oz
Finish: Black Oxide
Lifetime Warranty

AEM5
@RTUtah's:

Length: 8 7/8"
Weight: 21oz
Finish: Black Oxide
Lifetime Warranty

AEM4

Caliber: 5.56
Length: 8.5"
Weight: 20oz
Finish: Black Oxide
Lifetime Warranty

AEM3

Length: 7"
Weight: 18.2oz
Finish: Black Oxide
Lifetime Warranty

AEM2

Length: 6"
Weight: 15oz
Finish: Black Oxide
Lifetime Warranty

Which AE can is roughly equivalent to an Ops Inc Can?
AE22 = Ops Inc 3rd model 5.56
AEM5 = Ops Inc 12th model SPR MBS
AEM4 = Ops Inc 16th Model CQB MBS
AEM3 = Ops Inc 15th Model CQB MBS
AEM2 = Ops Inc M4M

How about an omega?

I’ll be getting one for my 300blk. I want to keep it in the AE family since I’m using the Spikes tapered GB. Probably gonna have to chop off a bit of barrel for another AE can to work.
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RIP SC-Texas AKA Sean Cody

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I had not heard this. RIP.

RonA

What’s the shortest barrel you can run with the AEM5, AND USING the Spikes micro tapered gas block?

Damn. RIP.

I believe it's 11.00" for a carbine length gas system, 13.00" for a midlength gas system, and 16.38" for a rifle length gas system.

This sounds right or at least close enough. My rifle length precision rig measures 16.5" with the Spikes tapered gas block. I love the rifle length gas without the full SPR barrel length.

My mid length is s 13.0x".
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Thanks.  So for a carbine length gas system, is there a go to barrel that I can get?   Use the Spikes gas block and muzzle device?

Or do all these short barrels need to be custom fit?

I see 11.5 inch, 10.5 inch and 10.3 inch barrels often.

You’ll probably have to have something cut to length. Mine started as 16" and I had D. Wilson chop it.

I'd also recommend somebody like d.wilson to do the chop because he will make sure it is EXACTLY the length you need it to be versus trying to get a factory option to work. It also gives you more barrel options to start with as a host.

Apologies.  I’m new to AE, in fact my AEM5 hasn’t been transferred to me (in the NFA process though).

Who is “d. Wilson?”   How do I contract him?

I have a couple of barrels I’d like to consider.

Thanks.

An Arfcom member who does some great work. Lots of experience with AE pin/weld, chops, etc. d.wilson

@unclemoak he did the chop for my spikes GB so he should have the measurements already.

I still think this ranks as some of my favorite AE jobs to date.

Who has a muzzle shot of an AEM?

That's one of my super special "signature series" suppressors. Signed and everything.

Have pictures of the can installed? 10.75 or 10" rail?

I had talked with Ron on the phone before and had taken some notes but I've misplaced them now.  How far does the AEM5 reflex back over the barrel?  I'm possibly buying one of the Ballistic Advantage barrels very soon that already has the Ops12 profile to start building up a potential AEM5 host upper.  I need to know how long of a rail I could get away with before the collar and the back of the can will be an obstacle?

MAS Defense has a good sale on those barrels right now and I've been wanting to start building up another upper that is more focused on longer range shooting.   Leaning heavily towards the 18 inch .223 wylde rifle length but I'm sure the 16 inch midddy would be just as capable.  While I may not ever get an AEM5 I can definitely use the Sandman K I currently have or possibly the updated Resonator which I'm 99 percent sure I'm also purchasing soon once they start hitting the retail channel.  Having the barrel already profiled for the collar would be nice if I ever decided to get myself an AEM5 at some point. I'd like to.

2.75ish difference in barrel vs hand guard length before the back of the can hits the front of the rail.

I’m thinking about picking up an aem2 for my mini recce so my aem5 can be on my Mk12 full time. Looking at the measurements on the AE website it looks like I’ll have to chop the barrel about .8" for the aem2 to work with the spikes tapered GB. My concern is if I’m cutting down the dwell time too much to function reliably. Ending OAL would be about 12.3" with a mid length gas system.

Pics for reference:
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There are a few companies who make 12.5” midlengths. Running the can will help with back pressure and you can always go super light on the buffer. There is also opening your gas port up if necessary.

Wouldn't be any different than a MK18 barrel. Distance/dwell time wise. 7/10.3 and 9/12.3

Or

Sell me that barrel and block and start with a different one!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6zZ3F2J4KM/?igshid=dguka83lo7qj

Thanks for posting those pics up. I was just coming by to see if there have been any new developments in the AEM world only to find that, apparently, we're the development. That said, I just picked up a well used KAC 10" rail that I think I need to find a use for and perhaps give my MK12 a little buddy. Speaking of my MK12, it's all done except for the scope mount. That's a Warne on there now which works fine but its soon to be replaced with a NF Unimount....



Ron, if I send mine back can you do add the "signature" to mine too? That's value added right there!

Hmmmmm.....

I was about to post that yesterday I ordered a BA barrel with the intention of getting the ball rolling on a AEM5 later this year.  Then I saw this thread............

https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/Suppressor-Experts-Need-Input-Problem-/20-506856/?r=-1&page=1&anc=5237652#i5237652

Following it with great interest.

Fingers crossed that I don't regret buying a BA barrel after all.  As far as I knew BA barrels were good to go.  I wasn't planning on putting together a super crazy precision host for an AEM5, just something that was more than adequate.  We shall see I guess.

You seek this

https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Official-MINI-RECCE-Photo-and-Discussion-Thread/118-659371/

 
 

The BA barrel I ordered came in.  One step closer to towards the AEM5 goal. I'm liking the way its coming along so far. When talking to Ron he said its always advisable to measure the outer diameter so he can make an exact collar for that specific barrel. Now I know. My Sandman K will have to do for the moment.  It will be nice to eventually get the reflex can on the end to and shorten that gap from the back of the can to the rail and make it even quieter.

Crap in a basket. That is exactly what I'm looking for. I really don't want to spend money but that thread is very, very, tempting.

12.5/AEM5

I can finally post in here!



Give me another year+/- and I'll have a suppressor to post in here too!

Anyone had an AEM2 and AEM3 next to each other in the real world? Looking at the numbers from TFB, it only looks to be a few DBs... Just curious how much difference there is in sound and if the 3 is worth the extra length and weight?

All depends on what you want. To me, the AEM5 is the ultimate in suppression with a weight penalty. I’d consider the AEM4, but for the AEM2 and AEM3 length, I’d prefer a traditional suppressor like the YHM Turbo K.

But your needs/wants may be different.

Long ago, there was either a one-off or a small run of cans that went back over the barrel the same length as the AEM 5 (or the OPS 12th Model), but was much shorter, and therefore added less overall length when mounted.

I don’t want to configure another setup that wouldn’t work with the AEM 5, but I wouldn’t mind sitting in NFA jail for a new AEM can that fits my existing mounts for the ‘5.

Does anything like this exist?

I love my AEM5! Easily my favorite can. I’d like something a little shorter/ lighter for my mini recce (w/ the spikes GB) so my AEM5 can be on my Mk12 all the time. I looked at the 4 but want shorter/ lighter than that which naturally led me to the 2 & 3. Just can’t decide if the 3-5 DBs saved with the 3 is worth the extra weight/ length. I wish there was a bigger difference. A few decibels doesn’t seem like a lot on paper but for all I know could be pretty noticeable next to each other outside.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I think all the other AE cans mount differently than the AEM5. Less length between the muzzle and collar.

Decibels are a logarithmic scale. An increase of 3 dB correlates to a doubling of sound intensity. The ear doesn't perceive this as a doubling of the sound level (that occurs at about 10 dB), but the energy increase can be enough to possibly cause damage to the ear. Id take the weight hit for the increase in performance, personally.

Already having an AAC Mini4, y'all are about to convince me to go with an AEM4 over the AEM3 now.

Does anyone know when the next batch of aem5’s will be released? I asked my local shop to order one before Christmas and was told there is a 4-5 week lead time. Checked in with him and was told no update. I don’t have much of a relationship with this dealer so just trying to verify if I’m being strung along. The f4 transfer time is bad enough without added time.

I see that Allegiant Arms as well as THSF has them in stock. I've bought from both without issue.

Adco is a major AEM dealer in OH but they show OOS at the moment.

Capitol Armory has them in stock. Buy it there and F3 it to your dealer.

I’m intensely curious what the cost would be for these to be made partially or totally out of Ti
At $900 they’d compete with the current crop of precision cans

A full Ti AEM5 would be sweet.

I have an AEM4. If you already own a 5 you're not going to have much perceived difference in weight and length with the 4. Sound reduction is about the same. So I'd recommend the AEM3 (no personal experience with it) if you're wanting to stick with AE. If you have a MK12 profile barrel, there are adapter collars to fit the 2,3 and 4 (bought mine from ADCO). I really want an AEM2 for my 12.5" SBR that already is set up for the AEM4 but sadly the way VA is going it is probably not happening.

Ron isn’t a fan of titanium. I know he’s played with the idea.