I had acquired a few Advanced Armament Corporation rifle suppressors over the years - the 5.56mm M4-2000 and its 7.62mm cousin the SDN-6. The latter I purchased to support a brief .300 AAC Blackout experiment, and once I moved on from the cartridge, was relegated to the back of the safe. The M4-2000 on the other hand lived on my SBR, and saw frequent use over the years.
In the intervening time, AAC was sold by Kevin Brittingham to Remington/Freedom Group, and was ultimately a casualty when the Group filed for bankruptcy in 2020. The Group was broken up and the component parts sold off; AAC eventually was purchased by JJE Capital Holdings (JJE by coincidence or design also owns America's Ammunition Company, which I'm sure causes no confusion at their headquarters), who are best known for owning Palmetto State Armory. Unfortunately, it also meant that the company was essentially a new entity, and any warranties for products from the original company were no longer honored.
AAC has resumed operations (though now they are the Advanced Armament Company). They are again producing the M4-2000, and apparently have secured a small military contract for the venerable suppressor. They are producing some legacy accessories, such as the Ti-Rant 3-lug mount and the 51T muzzle device (more on that later). And they have recently introduced some new products, namely the Ranger 5 and Ranger 7 rifle suppressors.
They have also started the AAC Restoration Program for former AAC owners. Essentially, owners of cans such as the M4-2000 or SDN-6 could send their suppressor to the new AAC for 'conversion' to the new Ranger 5/7 specifications. But the only part of the old suppressor reused is the ring with the serialized information; you're essentially getting one of the new Ranger suppressors back.
I recently busted a baffle and spacer on my well worn M4-2000, and it was in need of a refinish. Besides the fact that I wasn't shooting .300 anymore, the SDN-6 was a bit of a pig. I decided to send both cans to AAC and have them refinished in FDE. I received a discount since I was sending in multiple suppressors; still the work cost $625 for each can. While expensive, I did not find it out of line with similar work offered by Ecco Machine, and in return I would receive a new, warrantied can, with some notable modern features - without requiring an additional tax stamp and associated waiting time. Considering that both cans were in danger of becoming paper weights, this was an easy decision for me.
Ranger 7 Mini (L) and Ranger 5 (R)
The new Ranger design offers several desirable features compared to the legacy cans -
- Universal HUB Mount
- Replaceable End Cap
- Reduced Backpressure
The Ranger 5 is also overbored (6mm), which at the cost of a db or two adds some tolerance when used with short barrels (like my URG-I). AAC also offers their 51T STAMP interface for the HUB, allowing the use of the legacy 51T muzzle device. Now the 51T had detractors and there were reports of the can loosening under use. The new device not only allows for servicing and replacement of parts, but has also been reengineered for a tighter lockup. Being two of my rifles have the 51T devices installed, I opted for the STAMP adapter, but now thanks to the HUB you have your pick of muzzle devices if you'd prefer a different design.
Ranger 5 (L) and Ranger 7 Mini (R) with 51T STAMP
Some have noted that the Ranger 5 and 7 are shorter and lighter than the original AAC designs; perhaps this is true with the included direct mount adapter, but the 51T adapter makes the Ranger 5 similar in length and weight to its M4-2000 predecessor. Use of a different muzzle device may offer some length and weight savings. Considering my dislike of the size and weight of the SDN-6, I opted to receive a Ranger 7 Mini, which is actually a touch lighter and shorter the full size Ranger 5. The Mini cans are not advertised yet, but Mini versions of the 5 and 7 are in production and you can opt to receive a shorter can.
Front View of Replaceable End-Cap with AAC Logo
I sent the cans off to AAC on October 9th; they returned on November 2nd - a three week turnaround. Today I was able to put 50 rounds of M193 and XM556FBIT3 downrange through the Ranger 5 using my SBR with Geissele URG-I shorty upper during a brief range session. I started with re-zeroing (a click of windage and a click of elevation at 50 yards and I was back in business), and then followed with some multi-shot presentations.
Ranger 5 on Geissele URG-I
Some initial impressions -
1. They aren't kidding that the new 51T adapter locks up tight. It was so tight that I was actually concerned that I'd end up rotating the suppressor body out of the HUB, though this wasn't an actual problem. So far, this seems like a significant improvement.
2. The M4-2000 is notoriously gassy; the Ranger 5's reduced back pressure was noticeable. No, it's not a flow-though can - and reduced back pressure doesn't mean no gas, but it is certainly better. Multi-round strings that would've made my eyes water with the M4-2000 were much more tolerable with the Ranger 5.
3. The Ranger 5 is reportedly a few db louder than the M4-2000 (likely due to the oversized baffles), but I didn't notice much difference.
I also put 10 rounds through the Ranger 7 Mini; the shorter length and larger bore resulted in a significantly louder can. Not unexpected - but also not the optimal pairing. I'll be trying this can on a friend's more appropriate .300 upper and will report back.
50 rounds is hardly comprehensive, but so far I'm pleased with the results. There's nothing revolutionary here, but I think AAC has produced a modern suppressor with some desirable features, and their restoration program is a compelling option for legacy AAC owners.
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Originally Posted by JCN
