Silencer Saturday #356: Reflex Silencer Roundup

Welcome back to another edition of Silencer Saturday. This week we’re taking a tour around the world of reflex suppressors. These models extend back over the barrel, unlike the more common muzzle mount suppressors.

Silencer Saturday @ TFB:

Silencer Saturday #355: More “DIY-Lisle” Adventures Silencer Saturday #354: SHOT Show 2025 Predictions Silencer Saturday #353: The SilencerCo Velos LBP Silencer Saturday #352: Are Silencers In Common Use Now? Silencer Saturday #351: The DIY De Lisle

Disclaimer: Silencers are highly regulated. Be sure to understand and observe all relevant laws and regulations. Failure to do so could land you in prison for a very long time.

Reflex, or “Over The Barrel” aka OTB silencers are an interesting subcategory. While most suppressors on the US market attach to the muzzle (either with a quick detach fitting or by directly threading onto the muzzle) and extend forwards, reflex cans also cover some portion of the barrel. This adds volume for gas expansion without adding length to the front of the gun.

As a general rule, adding volume behind the muzzle is less efficient than adding it in front of the muzzle. It also makes the mounting arrangements more complex. Many OTB suppressors use a multi-piece mounting system, and they are only compatible with barrels that are skinny enough to fit inside the suppressor. They also require enough unobstructed external barrel length to seat fully. Those extra compatibility steps are added hassles that first-time suppressor buyers may not want to deal with, but those who do will find some very interesting silencer options.

Some integral silencers blur the line between being over the barrel or just part of the barrel, so those will not be part of this article.

Knight’s Armament

KAC still sells two legacy reflex silencers, and if you have even dabbled in the clone game you’ve likely seen them before. The M110 and SR-25 silencers have ridden into battle for many years on US Military sniper rifles like the Mk 11 and M110. Both models attach to the SR-25 gas block, but the M110 model also requires the M110 muzzle device.

Griffin Armament

The Dual-Lok PSR (OTB) is a modern take on the reflex suppressor. It incorporates the Griffin Eco-Flow baffle stack for improved performance compared to earlier models. There are two models in the PSR series, the PSR 5 for 5.56 guns and the PSR 7 for .30 caliber and smaller. The PSR silencers use a one-piece mount that extends two inches behind the shoulder. Those mounts are available in both muzzle brake and flash hider versions.

Griffin Armament also produces their own KAC-compatible suppressors in the Military Gate-Lok (MGL) line. These models mount to the same fittings as the KAC M110/SR-25 suppressors. The MGL-110 fits the M110-style mount and flash hider. The MGL-11 is a substitute for the Mk11-style suppressor, and the MGL-C fits newer SR-25 models like the ECC.

Amtac Suppressors

Amtac has probably the largest assortment of over-barrel suppressors. There are four different families:

Ku 9mmRongo .30 and 6.5Koa 5.56Kaha .300 Blk

Some of these models have both end-of-barrel and over-the-barrel versions. All of Amtac’s OTB models fit common barrel and gas system combos like a 20-inch barrel and rifle gas system, or 16-inch barrel and mid-length gas system.

Allen Engineering

Once upon a time, Ops Inc was the main player in the military suppressor space. Their legendary 12th Model silencer was used on the Mk12, and their other models showed up on famous setups like the Gordon carbine. Ops Inc eventually shut down, but Ron Allen, who was the brains behind Ops, kept producing those suppressors under the Allen Engineering brand. Trajectory Arms took over manufacturing for Allen Engineering and is still working from the original hand-drawn diagrams under Ron’s supervision.

The AEM5 Is the current model name for the Ops 12th. Like other Ops-derived silencers, it uses a unique mounting system. The silencer itself screws onto a muzzle device, but the back end of the suppressor sits onto a mounting ring. Another thing to keep in mind is that the barrel must have a specific profile for the mounting collar to fit properly. Thankfully, the Mk12 is such a popular option that there are many barrels out there that work.

Otter Creek Manufacturing

Otter Creek got into the reflex suppressor game with the OCM5. That silencer is a modernized take on the classic Ops Inc/Allen Engineering AEM5. It cuts off about five ounces of weight and has a modernized baffle design. But it keeps the original mounting system and can drop onto any existing mount set up for an Ops 12th or AEM5.

One of the most interesting OCM products is the OTB Flash Hider Mount. This one-piece muzzle device takes the Ops/Allen mounting system and makes it all one piece. So it works with any barrel profile small enough to fit inside the muzzle device rather than needing a specific barrel.