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

Thank you Pete for all the work you put into testing these.

RonA

I'm awaiting the results of the AEM5 on a Mk12 type upper combo.

I have it and I can say it's the one combo I can shoot without muffs on.

Hot off the press12hrs ago:

AEM5 On 18” MK12ish

MILSTD MUZZLE

132.2
132.5
130.2
129.8
129.9
130.1
129.8
130
129.9
129.1
130.6
130.5
129.1
AT THE EAR

137.5
137.6
138.6
137.5
137.9
139.6
137.9
138.1
137.9
135.1
135.6
135.4
134.6
139.9 bolt hold open

What are the Db’s sans supressor?

Over 150dB which the meter is not calibrated for.

I'm using it with an old Ops 15th.

Finally got out to shoot the one piece HVS mount over the weekend.   It's on a 12.5", so I don't plan on shooting without the can on - which is good, because the brake's fireballs are enough to completely obscure the scope sight picture in full sunlight.

Shoots fine with the can on, accuracy was as expected with a Mk262 clone.

I picked it up because I wanted at least one option that was thread-on-and-go.  The original 2-port brake is superior, with less recoil, a little bit of compensation, and a lower amount of flash off the the sides.

Thanks to you Ron for making such an awesome can and thanks to Pete for the great silencer coverage.

I think I own around 15 cans now (hard to remember these days ) but I'll tell you that my AEM5 is one of my absolute favorite suppressors. Certainly my favorite centerfire can. It goes with me to the range every time. It is such a joy to shoot and I love the mounting system. And good lord does it sound good! It ain't sexy by modern standards but nobody has ever said it sounds bad and I don't know anybody who regrets owning one.

Long live the AEM5!

The other BA 16” SPR barrels state that they have the correct profile for the Ops 12...they must have forgotten to write copy correctly for the 223 Wylde. The 6.5 Grendel version is identical and is listed as compliant. Thanks.

Those M4S and M4M numbers are shockingly good on the 11.5 SBR. I bet you could shave a couple more DB off the ear numbers with an LMT E-Carrier and A5 buffer combined with an adjustable gas block. Or alternately the new Surefire Suppressor Optimized Bolt Carrier Group long stroke action system.

Man, I would love to see what was possible if you increased the volume of the M4S or M4M by expanding the diameter to ~1.7" or even 2.0". I have this theory that short fat cans would meter lower at the ear than long skinny cans of the exact same volume and design due to uncorking timing.

For those click-averse:

B&K 2209 (Courtesy Of Allen Engineering)
A Weighted
37 degrees Fahrenheit
47% Humidity
29.76 in Hg
Snow covered ground
5.56mm Host: 18” BCM Upper; (AEM5); 11.5” Generic.
Bolt only MILSTD: 115.1 dB
Bolt only ear : 117.6 dB

AE M4S

MILSTD MUZZLE

150+ (all)
At The Ear

149.2
146.5
147.2
146.9
147
147.2
148.5
145.5
146.1
146.4
148.9
146.6
147.4
146.4 bolt hold open

AEM2

MILSTD MUZZLE

149.8
141
138.5
140.2
140
139.1
140.1
139
140.2
140.3

AT THE EAR

143.1
142.1
143.9
142.4
143.9
146
142.5
142.1
144
142.5 bolt hold open

AEM3

MILSTD MUZZLE

140+
138.5
136.9
136.5
137.1
136.2
137.3
137.5
137.8
137.4

AT THE EAR

140+
140+
143.6
141.2
142.2
141.1
142.3
143.1
142.5
143
143.1
145.1 bolt hold open

AEM4

MILSTD MUZZLE

137
132.6
129.1
132.8
132.6
131.4
130.6
130.1
132.4
131.1

AT THE EAR

140+
141.4
143.5
142.3
141.4
141.4
143.6
144.2
144.6
142.5
143.4

AEM5 On MK12

MILSTD MUZZLE

132.2
132.5
130.2
129.8
129.9
130.1
129.8
130
129.9
129.1
130.6
130.5
129.1

AT THE EAR

137.5
137.6
138.6
137.5
137.9
139.6
137.9
138.1
137.9
135.1
135.6
135.4
134.6
139.9 bolt hold open

Once I get everything back, I'll add an adjustable gas system to the 11.5 and test again to see the difference in the at ear numbers.

Interesting that the AEM3 seems to have beat the AEM4 at the ear, but not at the muzzle. Averaging the numbers excluding the bolt lock and non-specific numbers.

All I have to offer is anecdotal, but when I choked down my gas block with an insert, the AEM5 on my sbr became ridiculously quiet.

Every time I'm at the range people think I'm shooting a 22 until they see it.  Last time an old Vietnam vet asked me if I was ever going to start shooting because he couldn't hear shit LOL

What barrel are you using and which insert?  I just got to test my aem5 on a BA 18 stainless barrel that i built for accuracy.  I love how quiet this can is for how old the design is.  I am thinking about building a second as a rapid fire fun upper.  Was going to go with BA 12.5 or DD chf 12.5.  The 18 rifle is so smooth and quiet i might just do another 18 with a more durable upper.  I might just build to them all.

WOA 13" carbine gas, black river tactical 063 gas block

I take it the facebook group is closed? The link no longer works

Bump Attached File

Sex

Took apart a ModH and put the barrel on a Larue UU upper.  I think this will be liked better by the end user.

Does anyone know if the AE/OPS cans used on 416's were profiled for the cans? or were special collars/adapters made for the 416 barrels?

Got the upgraded old style clamp mounts done finally. Allows the old military style clamp mounts to be used with the AEM5.

What is a clamp mount? I can guess, but I'd probably be wrong.

The same setup that were used on Ops 3rd Models, as best seen in Mogadishu and Panama invasion era Delta carbines.

There was a clamp on collar just distal to the FSB that interfaced with the 3rd model can.

Maybe someone from the Ops Inc/AE facebook page could post a picture?

I got you, Ron! Last picture shows it best.

I’ve got a 17.9” CLE Douglas SPR barrel coming, and an AEM5 in jail.  I’m trying to decide between a 13” rail and 15” rail (of the Geissele MK4 variety)... but the 15” is obviously out of the running if there isn’t enough clearance between rail and collar.  Any ideas?

Fourth pic from the bottom, I've never seen the SIMRAD cap on the rear ring.  I'm surprised the scope's elevation turret is low enough to let the SIMRAD slip over it and still interface w/ the ring cap.  I can see it being necessary though, w/ how short the scope tube is forward of the turret assembly.  Either that, or it was an accident (less likely).

Rear of suppressor will sit back around 2 5/8" rearward from the bare muzzle. Collar should be able to slide under rail.

Attached File

Attached File


Here's a couple pics. Just mocked up until I send it off to get an A2 FSB pinned on it. Collar's flipped around to allow the PRi sight to clear in the bayo lug cutout.  

Thanks for posting the picture.

hey these things are pretty nifty, Ron. I waitied a year to try it!

Can flush fit against a URX 4. Ended up coming out as a 13" barrel.

I asked Ron how the AE30 would sound on a 6.5CM and he said it would work great, and he wasn't kidding, the sound and tone is great.  Here is the Bartlein M40 contour barrel with the shoulder and with the AE30 installed.

Attached File


Attached File

Your can will fit inside a URX4. Just in case flush doesn't work.

It should fit. I have a douglas barrel and 15" mk4 and there are no clearance issues to be had.

Been digging your IG page; very clean work, bro.

Do I understand correctly that the new clamp on mount is for a 18 inch barrel using a Model 12/M5 and has clearance for a bayo lug?

How much?

The barrel and clamp combos are right around 12.7, iirc. They do have clearance for the bayo lug, and work with the 12th/AEM5.

Attached File

You waited so long the outside got moldy?

Thanks.  So 12.7 barrel length for carbine length system and 18.2 for a rifle length?

If that's right, you could get one of those 14.7" mid length barrels designed for a pin and weld and get a one-stamp setup.

Just discovered this thread, has anyone here mounted an AEM5 on a BCM 14.5" M4 barrel?

The clamp collars use a special shelf all to itself. The rear of the collar sits against it, and then the replica two piece mount clamps around that. Ron made a handful of properly profiled SBR barrels and collars to go with them , and I do not believe he has any plans to make any more.

That right there is what dreams are made of.

Mini NSW RECCE:

It's so cute!

I build something similar a while back with a Geiselle rail. Kind of a modernized NSW Recce.

what barrel? 13.7 noveske? id redo my 11.5" with a 10" rail but theres just no ops ready 12.5-13.5" that i know of.

It’s a ballistics advantage barrel that was cut to length by D. Wilson using the spikes tapered GB. Not sure if the exact length. Go to the bottom of pg. 26 for more info.