Gordon CAR-15 Carbine 14.5" Upper Receiver Group

This is the Clone Correct limited edition Upper for a Gothic Serpent - Black Hawk Down Gordy Carbine - suppressor ready for M4 AEM suppressor

The Gordon CAR-15 Carbine 14.5" Upper Receiver Group is an uncompromising homage to one of history’s most iconic carbines. Designed to replicate the rifle carried by Master Sergeant Gary Gordon during the Battle of Mogadishu, this custom upper receiver group is a collaboration between Potomac Armory and Allen Engineering. Built for true enthusiasts, this upper receiver is “clone correct,” adhering to the highest standards of authenticity while delivering functionality that modern collectors and shooters demand. Whether you're a collector, a historian, or a dedicated shooter, this upper receiver delivers the precision and history that define the Gordon Carbine.

Highlights

• Clone correct upper – Built to M16A2 specifications, matching the rifles used during Operation Gothic Serpent.
• Colt 14.5" SOCOM barrel – Chrome-lined, heavy-profile barrel ensures durability and accuracy, with a 1:7 twist optimized for a range of ammunition.
• Allen Engineering M4 suppressor-ready – Custom-fitted suppressor interface for precision alignment, maintaining historical accuracy.
• Skinny insulated handguards – Period-correct design for heat protection and a vintage aesthetic.
• Tested for accuracy – Suppressor alignment verified with precision tools for guaranteed performance.
• Ready-to-mount assembly – Includes Colt barrel nut, delta ring assembly, and gas tube, ensuring easy integration into your build.
• Suppressed-only barrel design – Designed for exclusive use with the M4 suppressor, enhancing historical fidelity and performance.

Historical Context and Technical Insights

This upper receiver group brings unparalleled attention to detail, offering a historically accurate reproduction of the Gordon Carbine used in Operation Gothic Serpent. The project embraces the nuances of the early 1990s U.S. military’s approach, where resource constraints under the Department of Defense resulted in creative assembly and customization of parts. By utilizing either the M16A2 or C7 upper receiver, this build reflects the range of equipment deployed during that era.

The Colt factory new M4 SOCOM barrel, a military-grade heavy-profile barrel, was carefully selected for this reproduction. This barrel features a 1:7 twist rate, optimized for stabilizing heavy ammunition like 62- and 77-grain projectiles. Chrome-lined for durability, the barrel also includes M4 feed ramps and an “F” height front sight base, delivering both authenticity and functionality.

A Note for Collectors

The suppressor’s historical design includes a Gunkote brown finish and the classic three-piece collar clamp. While the suppressor is not included with this upper receiver group, it is essential for this build to maintain both historical fidelity and functional performance. This setup is designed for suppressed use only, though it allows for the easy addition of a flash hider for those opting for unsuppressed operation.

For enthusiasts dedicated to building a Gordon Carbine clone, this upper receiver group ensures unmatched accuracy, authenticity, and performance, offering a true connection to one of the most significant military engagements of the modern era.

More on Clone-Correct

In the world of military rifle cloning, achieving "clone correct" status is about precision and authenticity. It means matching the original military-issued rifle component by component, using exact or nearly identical parts. Reputable sources, like Charlies Custom Clones, employ a scoring system to classify builds into categories such as "clone correct," "near-clone," and "military special." A clone correct build replicates the original design with virtually no deviation, using era-specific components, materials, and finishes. Near-clone builds may substitute hard-to-find parts with close modern equivalents. Military special refers to functional setups that capture the spirit of the original without strict adherence to details. For the Gordon Carbine, this means selecting the correct upper receiver (M16A2 or C7), barrel profile, and accessories like the Allen Engineering suppressor, all verified to align with the rifle’s historical configuration. These scoring systems guide enthusiasts in crafting builds that honor military history with precision.

Suppressor-Specific Features

This build is custom-fitted to pair exclusively with the Allen Engineering M4 suppressor, a reproduction of the Ops Inc suppressor used during Operation Gothic Serpent. The suppressor is internally direct-threaded, requiring precise barrel alignment for reliable operation. Potomac Armory takes this alignment seriously, manually verifying each unit with Surefire alignment rods before shipment. To accommodate the suppressor’s snug fit, minor modifications to the barrel, such as filing and re-blackening near the threads, have been meticulously completed.

A small, but important note here:  The Allen Engineering M4 suppressor is a remake of the OPS Inc. suppressor used during Operation Gothic Serpent.  The suppressor at the time was not really a production suppressor, so Potomac Armory, in working with Ron Allen, determined that the suppressor was a modification of the M4, and now called the AEM M4 suppressor.  This suppressor ONLY FITS a 14.5" Colt barrel, and only fits the donut hardware that is made specifically and fitted to each barrel, as the tolerances of each barrel and the collar mechanism are measured in 1/1000ths of an inch.  Many people believe that an AEM 5 is the correct Gordon suppressor.  It is not, but it is close.  The M4 Gordon specific suppressor will REQUIRE this upper receiver group, as the M4 suppressor fits a Colt M4 Government profile, or a SOCOM profile barrel.  The M4 suppressor is direct threaded into the middle of the suppressor, making it a one gun can, and should be thought of us a perpetually affixed to the Gordon Upper Receiver Group.  The other option, is to use an AEM5, which is the OPS Inc. #12 Mk12 suppressor, but requires a 12.5" or 12.7" barrel.  When the AEM5 is attached to a 12.5" barrel, it has the look of an AEM M4 attached to a 14.5" barrel, but these are very different suppressors and not interchangeable.  This upper receiver group is made for a dedicated M4 Allen can.

To learn more about the history of the OPS Inc and Allen Engineering suppressors:  Read here about OPS Inc and Ron Allen

Just a smidge of background on Mogadishu

Operation Gothic Serpent was a U.S.-led mission in Somalia in 1993 aimed at capturing key lieutenants of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. Culminating in the infamous Battle of Mogadishu on October 3-4, 1993, the operation became a harrowing 18-hour urban engagement. Task Force Ranger, comprised of U.S. Army Rangers, Delta Force operators, and other Special Operations units, conducted a daylight raid in Mogadishu to apprehend Aidid’s leadership.

When two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by RPG fire, the mission devolved into a desperate rescue effort under heavy enemy fire. The battle left 18 U.S. service members and hundreds of Somalis dead. It highlighted the complexity of urban combat, shaping modern military tactics. Delta sniper MSG Gary Gordon's heroism during the battle underscored the pivotal role of specialized weapons like the Gordon carbine upper.

For further reading, see Recoil Web's Guns of Black Hawk Down

Technical Specifications

photos courtesy of Potomac Armory and Columbia Pictures

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