Abstract: A pistol having a frame and a slide assembly slideably coupled to the frame is disclosed. The slide assembly includes a plate including a housing and a button slideably coupled to the slide assembly near a rear of the pistol. The plate further includes a bearing surface for contacting the frame to limit the forward travel of the slide relative to the frame.

Abstract: A firearm system is provided. A pump-action firearm, such as a shotgun, includes a buffer attached to a trigger housing. The buffer consists of a resilient or semi-resilient material and is positioned such as to face towards an opening the receiver in which the magazine tube is partially received. The buffer includes a contoured bottom surface and an upper surface, configured in a way which shortens the space available within an opening of a receiver while accommodating the loading of shells into a magazine tube. Upon moving a shell into the opening, such as by pumping the action, the shell impacts the buffer, which stabilizes the shell prior to being lifted by an elevators. For shorter shells, this reduces the risk of a jamming event. For longer shells, the buffer is configured to compress to accommodate the additional length.

Abstract: Applicants have disclosed an adjustable modular trigger assembly, and a related method, to avoid an unexpected firing of a long gun after an unintentional trigger pull. Applicants' preferred assembly comprises: a modular trigger housing, containing every trigger component, designed to be removably mounted within a lower firearm receiver; a trigger pull adjustment screw in a housing wall; and a sear force adjustment screw in another housing wall. During an intentional trigger pull, the shooter's finger pushes against a secondary trigger until it nestles within a slot of a non-coaxial primary trigger. Continued pulling on both triggers causes a sear to fall off a hammer notch and the firearm to discharge. In an unintentional trigger pull or jostling of the primary trigger, hooked protrusions (within the housing) of the second trigger and hammer engage to block the hammer from fully rotating, thereby avoiding discharge of the firearm.

Abstract: Applicants have disclosed an adjustable modular trigger assembly, and a related method, to avoid an unexpected firing of a long gun after an unintentional trigger pull. Applicants' preferred assembly comprises: a modular trigger housing, containing every trigger component, designed to be removably mounted within a lower firearm receiver; a trigger pull adjustment screw in a housing wall; and a sear force adjustment screw in another housing wall. During an intentional trigger pull, the shooter's finger pushes against a secondary trigger until it nestles within a slot of a non-coaxial primary trigger. Continued pulling on both triggers causes a sear to fall off a hammer notch and the firearm to discharge. In an unintentional trigger pull or jostling of the primary trigger, hooked protrusions (within the housing) of the second trigger and hammer engage to block the hammer from fully rotating, thereby avoiding discharge of the firearm.

Abstract: Applicant has disclosed a Method and Apparatus for stripping and feeding cartridges to enhance stripping cartridges out of a detachable double-stacked magazine, inserted into a (well opening of a) receiver of a bolt-action rifle, and to enhance feeding the cartridges into the firing chamber. In the preferred “apparatus” embodiment, Applicant's device comprises two protrusions (“bumps”) integral with, and radially spaced around, a bottom of the breech bolt head. When the rifle's breech bolt is pushed through the receiver, towards the firing chamber, a flat front face of a protrusion engages the rim of the top cartridge, pushing the cartridge out of the magazine, over the feed ramp or lip, and towards a firing chamber of the rifle. The protrusions alternate as to which engages the next top cartridge(s), due to the staggered (zigzag) columns of the cartridges in a double-stacked magazine.

Abstract: Applicant has disclosed a Magazine Guide Assembly with Dual Latching System for bolt-action rifles for guiding, latching and unlatching differently shaped firearm magazines for other rifles. In other words, the assembly is an adapter for bolt-action rifles. In the preferred embodiment, Applicant's invention comprises: (a) a magazine guide housing, attachable to a receiver of a bolt-action rifle, for guiding and latching differently shaped magazines designed for AR-10 and M-14 style semi-automatic rifles; (b) the magazine guide housing has different first and second latches, wherein: (i) the latches are respectively hinged on first and second pins, attached to the housing, and activated by a single torsion spring; and (ii) the first latch is adapted to latch onto a AR-10 style magazine designed for an AR-10 style semi-automatic rifle, while the second latch is adapted to latch onto a differently shaped M-14 style magazine designed for an M-14 style semi-automatic rifle.

Abstract: Applicant has disclosed a method and apparatus to enhance feeding cartridges into the receiver of a bolt-action repeating rifle, from a detachable magazine. In the preferred embodiment, Applicant's invention strips the cartridges from the magazines and feeds the cartridges into the chamber by a spring-activated hinged flap, pinned in a mating recess in a breech bolt head, adjacent a well opening and the inserted magazine. The flap is biased by a spring, which tends to lower the flap away from the breech bolt head, when the breech bolt is in a retracted position. As the breech bolt is pushed forward, the flap engages a rim of the next cartridge to be fed from the magazine and pushes the cartridge out of the magazine, over a feed ramp of the magazine, towards the rifle's chamber. The flap raises, against spring pressure, as it contacts a feed ramp of the receiver, allowing the breech bolt to enter the locking area of the receiver.

Abstract: Applicant has disclosed a Method and Apparatus for stripping and feeding cartridges to enhance stripping cartridges out of a detachable double-stacked magazine, inserted into a (well opening of a) receiver of a bolt-action rifle, and to enhance feeding the cartridges into the firing chamber. In the preferred “apparatus” embodiment, Applicant's device comprises two protrusions (“bumps”) integral with, and radially spaced around, a bottom of the breech bolt head. When the rifle's breech bolt is pushed through the receiver, towards the firing chamber, a flat front face of a protrusion engages the rim of the top cartridge, pushing the cartridge out of the magazine, over the feed ramp or lip, and towards a firing chamber of the rifle. The protrusions alternate as to which engages the next top cartridge(s), due to the staggered (zigzag) columns of the cartridges in a double-stacked magazine.

Abstract: Applicant has disclosed a Magazine Guide Assembly with Dual Latching System for guiding, latching and unlatching differently shaped firearm magazines for rifles. In other words, the Magazine Guide Assembly can accommodate either of the differently shaped magazines. In the preferred embodiment, Applicant's invention comprises: (a) a magazine guide housing, attachable to a receiver of a semi-automatic rifle, for guiding and latching differently shaped magazines designed for AR-10 and M-14 style semi-automatic rifles; (b) the magazine guide housing has different first and second latches, wherein: (i) the latches are respectively hinged on first and second pins, attached to the housing, and activated by a single torsion spring; and (ii) the first latch is adapted to latch onto a AR-10 style magazine designed for an AR-10 style semi-automatic rifle, while the second latch is adapted to latch onto a differently shaped M-14 style magazine designed for an M-14 style semi-automatic rifle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for substituting a different forend assembly in a long gun (e.g., a shotgun) without the use of tools by a user in the field. Applicants' preferred apparatus for substituting a forend comprises: a modified forend carrier that is affixed to the long gun (e.g., the illustrated shotgun); a forend; and tool-less means for removably attaching the forend onto the carrier, or removing the forend off the carrier, without the use of tools, wherein the tool-less means comprises: (i) a tongue-and-groove arrangement in the forend and carrier, and (ii) a releasable lock contained, at least in part, in the carrier. This permits the forend to be swapped out.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for launching electrified projectiles from a firearm (preferably, a shotgun) by using a specially designed breech bolt which also prohibits firing lethal ammunition. The preferred method comprises: opening a receiver of a shotgun by retracting a breech bolt having a central protrusion on a leading end; inserting a cartridge, having an electrified projectile, into a breech of the firearm; wherein the electrified projectile contains a primer and adjacent pyrotechnic propellant; nesting an end portion of the cartridge within the protrusion of the bolt; propelling the electrified projectile from the firearm by striking a firing pin of the shotgun against the primer, thereby igniting the pyrotechnic propellant, of the nested electrified projectile; and prohibiting, by the central protrusion of the bolt, the firing of lethal ammunition from the firearm.

Abstract: Applicants have disclosed a quick connect/disconnect recoil pad for the butt-end of a shoulder-mounted firearm. The recoil pad can be installed and removed without tools or implements, to swap in another recoil pad. Applicants' preferred embodiment comprises: an interchangeable recoil pad assembly having a recoil pad; and a spring-loaded latching means, attached to the rear or butt-end of a gun stock for connecting the recoil pad assembly onto the stock and for later quickly disconnecting the pad assembly, if desired, via a release button housed in the stock.

Abstract: Applicants have disclosed an improved trigger assembly for firearms, and a related method, to avoid premature firing after an unintentional trigger pull, especially where light trigger pulls have previously been set. In the preferred embodiment, Applicants' trigger assembly has two non-coaxial triggers: a slotted primary trigger and a secondary trigger which can pivot into the slot. During an intentional trigger pull, the shooter's finger initially pushes against the secondary trigger until it pivots and nestles within the primary trigger's slot. Continued pulling on both the secondary and primary triggers causes a sear to fall off the primary trigger and the firearm to discharge. In an unintentional trigger pull, where the secondary trigger is not pulled back enough to nestle within the primary trigger's slot, a protrusion on the secondary trigger blocks the sear from falling, thereby avoiding discharge.

Abstract: Applicant has disclosed an improved trigger assembly for firearms, and a related method, to avoid premature firing after an unintentional trigger rotation, especially where light trigger pulls have previously been set. In the preferred embodiment, Applicant's trigger assembly has two triggers: a slotted primary trigger and a secondary trigger which can pivot into the slot. During an intentional trigger pull, the shooter's finger initially pushes against the secondary trigger until it pivots and nestles within the primary trigger's slot. Continued pulling on both the secondary and primary triggers causes a hammer to rotate off a sear, thereby allowing the firearm to discharge. In an unintentional trigger rotation, where the secondary trigger is not pulled back enough to nestle within the primary trigger's slot: an upper portion of the secondary trigger (unseen within the housing) constrains a protrusion on a spring-biased mainspring guide.

Abstract: A weapon conditionally activates a cartridge. The cartridge has a projectile and a first mechanical feature. The weapon includes an activator and a station. The activator includes a second mechanical feature. The station positions the cartridge so that the first feature opposes the second feature. On condition that the first feature does not mechanically interfere with the second feature, the activator activates the cartridge to launch the projectile from the cartridge. On condition that the first feature mechanically interferes with the second feature resulting in an excess head space, the activator is inhibited by the excess head space from activating the cartridge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for substituting a different stock, or a different receiver assembly, in a long gun (e.g., a shotgun) without the use of tools by a user in the field. Applicants' preferred apparatus comprises: a long gun (e.g., an illustrated shotgun) having a stock and a receiver assembly; and an adaptor assembly which removably interconnects the stock to the receiver assembly, wherein the adaptor assembly includes: an adaptor base affixed to the receiver; an end of the stock is mounted onto the adaptor base; and a rotatable locking pin, continuously attached to the base, which can be lifted up and rotated or turned on its axis by 90° to unlock the adaptor assembly. The stock can then be pulled off the adaptor base. Upon a new stock being mounted on the adaptor base, the locking pin can be rotated back to its original orientation and pushed down to lock the adaptor assembly, whereupon the adaptor assembly interconnects the substitute stock with the receiver assembly.

Abstract: A display clamp, and related method, are disclosed for removably attaching a second, interchangeable barrel to a fully assembled long gun (i.e., a shotgun or rifle) for display purposes only, wherein the extra barrel's gas cylinder or lug is suspended from the long gun's magazine tube, and held in place by the shotgun's/rifle's removable magazine cap. The method and apparatus allow a retail store (or buyer) to display the firearm and extra barrel as a combination unit either vertically or horizontally oriented within display cases.

Abstract: A display clamp assembly, and a related method, are disclosed for removably attaching a second barrel to a shotgun for display purposes, allowing a retail store (or a buyer) to display the firearm as a combination unit in a display case. The extra barrel is attached onto and substantially parallel to the barrel of the fully assembled shotgun. In the preferred embodiment, the display clamp is longitudinally split into two halves. The two halves are mirror images that can be bolted together, along their midsections. When joined, the two halves form collars on opposite ends. One collar is designed to snugly fit around the barrel of an assembled shotgun. The second collar has flared ends that guide the second barrel into the clamp.