Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a bullet having a first or proximal end, a second or distal end, and a curved circumferential feature formed between the proximal and distal ends of the bullet. The proximal end comprises a large meplat and a circumferential guidance feature. The circumferential guidance feature is configured to be operable with the rib of an ammunition magazine to help prevent binding and allow for normal alignment in the ammunition magazine. As a result, the bullet has more stability within the ammunition magazine, higher potential accuracy, and ability to have longer and heavier projectiles. The bullet further can be cast in a mold to form the bullet with the desired shape, including the circumferential guidance feature formed therein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a silencer or noise suppressor having a rearward portion that may be coupled to the barrel of a firearm and a forward portion that can mate with the rearward portion such that a length of the rearward portion may at least partially overlap an exterior surface of the forward portion. The forward portion may include an interior chamber that can receive a baffle core having a core body made up of a series of spaced peripheral portions, and at least a portion of the baffle core may protrude from the interior chamber so as to be substantially sealed between the rearward and forward portions.

Abstract: A multiple projectile fixed cartridge includes a casing, a retention insert arranged in the casing, and a plurality of projectiles arranged proximate the retention insert. The retention insert is configured to align and support at least a first projectile of the plurality of projectiles, and the casing is configured to align and support a second projectile of the plurality of projectiles.

Abstract: A wad or basewad for ammunition includes an ignition chamber. The ignition chamber can be integrally formed with the payload wad, basewad, or battery cup or can be attached to the payload wad, basewad, or battery cup. The ignition chamber communicates with a primer of the ammunition to receive and contain the primer blast for at least an initial period of time. This facilitates faster initial ignition of the propellant of the ammunition, and consequently allows higher performance levels to be achieved. Other advantages regarding other applications of this invention include cleaner burning loads, greater economy, and lower perceived recoil.

Abstract: A gas system includes a gas block having a gas port for directing propellant gases received from a gas port of a barrel of a firearm into the gas system to cycle an auto loading feature of the firearm. A spring-loaded plunger assembly positioned within the gas block includes a plunger component having a plurality of gas ports and a plunger cap at a forward end, wherein the position of the plunger component within the gas block automatically controls an amount of gas that is allowed to enter the gas system. Mounting a suppressor to the muzzle of the barrel depresses the plunger cap and drives it linearly rearward causing the plunger component to rotate to automatically restrict the volume of propellant gases directed into the gas system through a restricted flow gas port in the plunger component.

Abstract: A barrel for a firearm including a chamber configured to receive a round of ammunition, and a shoulder at least partially extending from an exterior surface of the barrel. The barrel also has a gas vent feature formed in the exterior surface of the barrel to vent gases from the chamber. The gas vent feature may include at least one channel formed in the exterior surface of the barrel, and the at least one channel may have a predetermined depth and at least partially extend into the shoulder of the barrel.

Abstract: A hand guard installation mechanism for securing a hand guard over the barrel of a firearm includes a tapered locking element that extends at least partially through the hand guard and interfaces with a surface of the barrel nut of the firearm. A fastener mates with the locking element, drawing the locking element at least farther into the hand guard and against the surface of the barrel nut. As the locking element is drawn against the barrel nut, the hand guard is tightened against the barrel nut such that the hand guard is secured in place against the receiver of the firearm.

Abstract: An auto-loading firearm includes a bolt assembly that is both automatically operable and manually operable between a forward position closing the chamber of the firearm and a rearward position opening the chamber, and a fire control mechanism. The fire control mechanism comprises a trigger plate assembly operably located between the chamber and a magazine that is capable of housing one or more additional rounds of ammunition. The trigger plate assembly includes a latch release and a carrier that is operable to lift a round from the magazine to the chamber. The fire control mechanism further includes a feed latch that is operable to release of a round from the magazine onto the carrier when disengaged by the latch release. The trigger plate assembly and the feed latch are configurable to control the release of rounds of ammunition from the magazine during manual operation of the fire control.

Abstract: A modular firearm comprising an adjustable modular buttstock assembly. The buttstock assembly can include a frame with a central opening. A comb assembly having a cheek piece and a butt plate assembly having a recoil pad each can be mounted to the frame by an adjustment apparatus. Each adjustment apparatus can include of a guide post and/or a threaded adjustment post each received in respective bores in the frame to adjust the positions of the cheek piece and recoil pad. The adjustment apparatus also can include a locking or engagement feature that can selectively increase the friction between the frame and the guide post and/or adjustment post, to help prevent the translation of the guide post and/or adjustment post in the bore in the frame to fix the comb assembly and butt plate assembly in desired positions with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A gas operating system for a firearm renders the firearm capable of firing a wide range of shot loads by passively or automatically compensating for different shot loads. The firearm includes a plurality of ports formed in the firearm barrel, and corresponding ports formed in a gas block of the gas operating system. The ports tap gases generated during firing which are used to cycle the firearm. When firing different cartridge loads, differing combinations of the ports are selectively at least partially blocked or otherwise obstructed by the cartridge casing according to the size of the cartridge. Additionally, the gas operating system includes compensating gas pistons with internal relief valves that can bleed off excess gas to compensate for larger shot loads regardless of the size of the cartridge.

Abstract: A barrel and a barrel extension for being coupled to a firearm. The barrel extension can be threadedly engaged with a proximal end of the barrel. A chamber of the firearm can extend in at least the proximal end of the barrel. One or more channels can be formed in the exterior surface of the proximal end of the barrel and/or the interior surface of the barrel extension for providing fluid communication from the chamber to the forward end of the barrel extension between the barrel extension and the proximal end of the barrel for venting high pressure gases that may develop in the chamber.

Abstract: A three component bullet with an improved core retention feature and a method of manufacturing the bullet includes a cylindrical jacket having an open end and a closed end containing a malleable metal core which is forced into a forming die having a bottleneck shaped interior, wherein the outside diameter of the open-ended forward portion of the jacket is smaller than the outside diameter of its closed rearward portion. The open end of the pre-form may be dropped through or forced through a malleable non-rigid locking band. A relatively tight-fitting punch enters the open end of the pre-form, to radially swell the core and subsequently portions of the jacket fore and aft of the non-rigid locking band, thereby securing the non-rigid locking band in place. An inwardly-extending annular band of jacket material embeds itself into the core material to lock the core inside the jacket.

Abstract: A feed ramp system for feeding cartridges into the chamber of a firearm. The feed ramp system includes a feed ramp insert having a body with at least one attachment tab projecting therefrom. The feed ramp insert is received within a mating recess formed in the receiver and is removably coupled to the receiver to enable replacement of the feed ramp insert. The feed ramp insert includes a pair of proximal ramp surfaces that align with distal ramp surfaces form at a breech end of the firearm barrel, to define a pair of feed ramps for directing cartridges into the chamber.

Abstract: A gas system for an autoloading firearm wherein the gas used to cycle the weapon can be restricted automatically through a mechanical shutoff actuated by the installation of a suppressor on the weapon. The gas system could be used to actuate either a piston to mechanically operate the weapon or a gas impingement mechanism wherein the gas is redirected into the bolt carrier assembly to directly actuate the unlocking and cycling of the bolt and bolt carrier group. A gas block for the firearm includes a spring-loaded plunger assembly positioned within a bore of the gas block and oriented parallel to a bore of a barrel of the firearm, the plunger assembly including a regulator plunger, a regulator bushing, a regulator spring, and a regulator cap. Mounting a suppressor over the muzzle depresses the regulator plunger driving it rearward, the rearward movement of the regulator plunger blocking one of gas ports in the gas block to automatically reduce the volume of propellant gases directed into the gas system.

Abstract: A hand guard attachment system for releasably attaching a hand guard to a firearm is disclosed herein. The system includes the hand guard having a proximal end configured to engage a forward end of a receiver of the firearm. The system further includes a tensioning assembly configured to interface between the hand guard and the forward end of the firearm. The tensioning assembly is further configured to selectively maintain an engaged position between the hand guard and the firearm such that the hand guard is releasably attached to the firearm without interfering with, or requiring removal of, the barrel and/or barrel nut connected to the receiver.