Abstract: A free-floating handguard for mounting onto a firearm includes a tubular polymer-based handguard body allowing passage of a barrel therethrough. The handguard body has a free-floating muzzle end and a clamping end engaging a barrel nut that secures the barrel to the firearm. A downwardly extending lobe is formed on the handguard body proximate the clamping end. The handguard body may further include either or both of a first metal insert and a second metal insert. The first metal insert may be embedded within a bottom wall of the downwardly extending lobe and releasably couple with a mounting feature on a firearm sling. The second metal insert may be embedded within the downwardly extending lobe and defines a threaded bore for receiving a threaded fastener therein. The threaded fastener and second metal insert may clamp the clamping end on the barrel nut to secure the handguard body on the firearm.

Abstract: A gas piston assembly comprises a piston apparatus having a first end and a second end. A piston bonnet has a bonnet end wall with a bonnet aperture defined therethrough and a bonnet sidewall to receive the second end of the piston apparatus therein. A piston gap is between the second end of the piston apparatus and the bonnet end wall and communicates with the bonnet aperture. An adjustable gas regulator communicates with the bonnet aperture and selectively occludes the bonnet aperture in fully open, partially open and fully closed orientations. The bonnet end wall includes a threaded bore in communication with the bonnet aperture. The gas regulator includes a threaded shaft received within the threaded bore which translates to selectively occlude the bonnet aperture. The threaded shaft includes a head portion gripped by a user while a detent engages a recess on a bottom face of the head portion.

Abstract: A magazine adapter for use in a firearm includes a magazine adapter body configured to be bottom-fed and detachably received within a magazine well on the firearm. The magazine adapter body has a bottom panel, an upwardly extending first panel and an upwardly extending second panel defining a channel therebetween proportioned to slidably receive a magazine therein. The second panel defines a groove configured to engage a firearm magazine catch on the firearm when the magazine adapter body is received within the magazine well. The magazine adapter body may detach from the magazine well when the firearm magazine catch is actuated. The first panel includes an adapter magazine catch configured to releasably engage the magazine when the magazine is received within the magazine adapter channel. A magazine release is coupled to the adapter magazine catch. The adapter magazine catch disengages from the magazine when the magazine release is actuated.

Abstract: An upper receiver and barrel assembly includes an upper receiver, a barrel assembly and a gas piston assembly. An upper receiver housing receives a shotgun shell cartridge and the bolt carrier group includes a bolt carrier, a bolt within the bolt carrier, a firing pin and an ejector pin to expel fired shells. The barrel assembly includes a barrel, a barrel extension and a barrel nut to secure the barrel and barrel extension to the upper receiver housing. The gas piston assembly includes a piston body, a piston end cap and a piston bonnet configured to slidably receive the piston end cap therein. A piston gap is defined between the piston end cap and the bonnet end wall. The barrel defines a gas port fluidly connecting the open bore of the barrel with the piston gap. A biasing member urges the piston toward the bonnet.

Abstract: A decocking safety lever for use with an external hammer shotgun includes a safety rod selectively positionable between a safe position wherein squeezing of the trigger is prevented; a fire position wherein squeezing of the trigger fires a shotgun shell; and a decocked positioned wherein the hammer is positioned in a decocked position and unable to fire the shotgun shell.

Abstract: A magazine adapter for use in a firearm includes a magazine adapter body configured to be bottom-fed and detachably received within a magazine well on the firearm. The magazine adapter body has a bottom panel, an upwardly extending first panel and an upwardly extending second panel defining a channel therebetween proportioned to slidably receive a magazine therein. The second panel defines a groove configured to engage a firearm magazine catch on the firearm when the magazine adapter body is received within the magazine well. The magazine adapter body may detach from the magazine well when the firearm magazine catch is actuated. The first panel includes an adapter magazine catch configured to releasably engage the magazine when the magazine is received within the magazine adapter channel. A magazine release is coupled to the adapter magazine catch. The adapter magazine catch disengages from the magazine when the magazine release is actuated.

Abstract: An upper receiver and barrel assembly includes an upper receiver, a barrel assembly and a gas piston assembly. An upper receiver housing receives a shotgun shell cartridge and the bolt carrier group includes a bolt carrier, a bolt within the bolt carrier, a firing pin and an ejector pin to expel fired shells. The barrel assembly includes a barrel, a barrel extension and a barrel nut to secure the barrel and barrel extension to the upper receiver housing. The gas piston assembly includes a piston body, a piston end cap and a piston bonnet configured to slidably receive the piston end cap therein. A piston gap is defined between the piston end cap and the bonnet end wall. The barrel defines a gas port fluidly connecting the open bore of the barrel with the piston gap. A biasing member urges the piston toward the bonnet.

Abstract: A decocking safety lever for use with an external hammer shotgun includes a safety rod selectively positionable between a safe position wherein squeezing of the trigger is prevented; a fire position wherein squeezing of the trigger fires a shotgun shell; and a decocked positioned wherein the hammer is positioned in a decocked position and unable to fire the shotgun shell.

Abstract: A shotgun shell magazine to be received within a mil-spec magazine of an M16/AR-15 mil-spec firearm is disclosed. The magazine has an open top end defining a cavity configured to receive one or more shotgun shells. The magazine body includes a feed lip which partially occludes the open top end and a rim edge including a vertical edge strip which defines a gap in communication with the cavity. A follower having a ramped upper surface resides within the cavity. The follower is biased to direct the shotgun shells toward the open top end until the primer end of a top most shotgun shell engages the feed lip. The top most shotgun shell is angled with respect to the open top end and at least a portion of the closed end of the top most shotgun shell lies above a plane created by the open top end.