AEM4 vs M4-R vs M4-D

When OPS INC was making suppressors for the military, Phil Seberger had a unique naming system for suppressors. A lot can be said about this, but simply Phil would name many different suppressors the “M4” because it was designed for a M4 rifle. However these suppressors would often be different and not interchangeable. So not only were the Delta and DEVGRU suppressors both marked “M4”, but we have also seen many Mk12 suppressors (AEM5/12th Model) marked “M4”. 

When OPS INC shut down and Ron continued to make suppressors under Allen Engineering. However he decided to slightly change the naming system. The M4 stayed M4, but some of the other suppressors were given an AEM prefix. More specifically, the 16th model was renamed to the AEM4. And now we have multiple suppressors named almost the same thing. So lets go over the differences between the AEM4 and the two M4 variants: the M4-Delta and M4-Recce. 

The M4-Delta (M4-D) is the oldest Allen Engineering design still made today. It is so old that it predated the OPS INC nomenclature, but the 3rd Model was created by the standardized of these early suppressors. Previously this suppressor was just known as the “M4” but we renamed it M4-D due to this suppressor being used by Delta forces. The M4-D is best known for being the suppressor that was used on the Gordon Carbine. The M4-D sleeves over a 14.5″ carbine barrel and indexes with a 3-piece collar on the FSB. People will often use “AE M4” or “M4” to describe the Allen Engineering M4-D, which leads to a lot of confusion. So if you are looking to build an accurate Gordon Carbine, the M4-D is the suppressor you want to use. 

The M4-Recce (M4-R) was one of the most unknown Allen Engineering designs until we brought it back for civilian market. This model was also technically “M4″ due to Phil Seberger naming different suppressors the same thing. We renamed it to the M4-R due to this suppressor being used on the DEVGRU recce rifles. The M4-R sleeves over a 17″ Lilja barrel and 14.5” 416 barrel and indexes with a recce collar. People often mistake this suppressor with the AEM5 due to its similar appearance and years of incorrect cloning information. So if you are looking to build an accurate M4 Recce or a 416 Recce, the M4-R is the suppressor you want to use. 

The AEM4 (16th Model) is the latest Allen Engineering design still made today. It takes the more accessible B-Mount from the AEM3 (15th Model) and combines it with the baffle stack from the AEM5 (12th Model). It was never used on any notable military firearms, but sounds just like the AEM5 and is easier to mount. THE AEM4 IS NOT USED ON THE GORDON CARBINE.