Abstract: An assembly for quickly attaching and detaching the guide bar to and from the rotor housing of a minigun is provided. The assembly comprises a guide bar and a rotor housing. The guide bar includes a front end having a pinhole extending through the front end and a rear end having a locking cam. The rotor housing includes a recessed channel configured to receive the locking cam and a spring-loaded lock pin assembly configured to secure the front end of the guide bar. The guide bar is secured to the rotor housing when the locking cam is inserted into the recessed channel and the spring-loaded lock pin assembly secures the front end of the guide bar. The assembly allows the guide bar to quickly be attached and detached from the rotor housing without the need for tools. The rotor housing may be designed without a yoke to reduce weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to increasing the flight stability of a bullet in subsonic flight. The bullet may incorporate features that impart additional angular momentum during flight. Helical fins may be configured such that laminar airflow over the bullet during flight increases rotational forces, thus increasing the angular momentum of the bullet and stabilizing it during flight. The fins may be self-forming during the use of the bullet or may be formed during manufacturing.

Abstract: Pistols have a frame, a firing facility operable to discharge the pistol, a safety device connected to the frame and having a safe condition in which discharge is disabled and an operable condition in which discharge is enabled, an actuator responsive to the presence of a safety-indicating element and operative to control the condition of the safety device such that the safety device is in the safe condition when the safety-indicating element is absent and in the operable condition when the safety-indicating element is present, a selector connected to the frame and operably connected to the safety device, and the selector being movable between an enabled position in which the safety device is operably responsive to the presence and absence of the safety-indicating element, and a disabled position in which the safety device remains in the operable condition irrespective of the presence and absence of the safety-indicating element.

Abstract: Bolt assemblies for firearms (e.g., bolt action firearms) and methods of assembling and disassembling same are disclosed herein. In particular aspects, bolt assemblies comprising a bolt body, a bolt handle, a bolt shroud, and a clip that secures the bolt shroud to the bolt body are disclosed. The bolt shroud preferably resists removal of the bolt handle from the bolt body.

Abstract: A muzzleloader cartridge comprises a case having an open rear end, a forward end defining a vent hole, and sidewall defining a plurality of perforations. The case defines an interior space with a combustible liner lining the interior space; a first propellant received in the interior space; and a second propellent having a different characteristic received in the interior space rearward of the first propellent.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for extending a recoil impulse of a gun. The system elongates the recoil impulse to spread the recoil energy over time and reduce felt (i.e., peak) recoil force. Although the system adds weight to a gun, the system reduces felt recoil beyond what is possible by simply adding weight to a gun by using an inertial weight on a spring to absorb and release energy. To prevent shaking, the inertial weight system is tuned to a gun so that the inertial weight hits a pair of stops at certain points in the gun's discharge action cycle.

Abstract: An armored land vehicle includes: a roof delimited by an opening containing a recess; a retractable weapon system to be deployed automatically between a first retracted position located inside the vehicle in the recess of the roof and a second deployed and operational position located outside the vehicle; an automatic mechanism to ensure, during use, a movement of the weapon system between the first and second positions; and an armored cap secured to the weapon system to cover the recess by forming a junction between an outer contour of the cap and a periphery of the opening of the roof with a perfect fit and in an extension of the roof surface, when the weapon system is in the first position. The weapon system includes at least one weapon with a caliber of up to 40 mm. The opening containing the recess is fitted or related to weapon system dimensions.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle comprising one or more buttons disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle, such that the one or more buttons can be in contact with an operator's hand when the operator grasps the handle; a safety mechanism in mechanical communication with the trigger. The safety mechanism comprises: a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger; and a second position that does not block actuation of the trigger; and at least one processor configured to: upon determining an input code matches a stored code, transmits a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position so that the firearm can be fired by the operator.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle comprising one or more buttons disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle, such that the one or more buttons can be in contact with an operator's hand when the operator grasps the handle; a safety mechanism in mechanical communication with the trigger. The safety mechanism comprises: a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger; and a second position that does not block actuation of the trigger; and at least one processor configured to: upon determining an input code matches a stored code, transmits a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position so that the firearm can be fired by the operator.

Abstract: A kinematic mount assembly is provided. The kinematic mount assembly includes a fixed mount and a pivot mount. The fixed mount and pivot mount together have a plurality of an protrusions and recesses to guide the mounts into a repeatable position when rotating from an opened to a closed position. The protrusions may be semispherical balls and the recesses may be gothic-arch shaped. The pivot mount and fixed mount may be coupled by a pivot pin and rotate about the pivot pin. The pivot mount may contain holes configured to mount an accessory. A latch assembly may hold the fixed mount and pivot mount closed until the latch is actuated, usually by a switch, to allow the system to open.

Abstract: Provided is an interchangeable modular chamber system for a firearm. The system includes a firearm receiver, a barrel comprising lands and grooves, a chamber insert sleeve comprising lands and grooves, an index pin, a locking collar, and a recoil lug. The barrel is threaded into the receiver with the chamber insert sleeve positioned within the barrel. The chamber insert sleeve is indexed to align the lands and grooves of the chamber insert sleeve with those of the barrel. The locking collar and recoil lug are threaded onto the external threads of the barrel and are adjustable to optimize the headspace for different cartridges of the same caliber and to allow for the sacrificial replacement of the throat area of a barrel.

Abstract: A firearm barrel having an inner layer and a shroud. The inner layer surrounds a concentric bore and has an outer diameter. The inner layer is made up of an unperforated core that directly surrounds the concentric bore and a perforated core that surrounds the unperforated core. The shroud surrounds the perforated core, which is made up of a plurality of equilateral triangular cutouts and a plurality of circular cutouts in a grid pattern that is configured to form structural ribs between the unperforated core and the outer diameter of the inner layer. The inner layer is preferably made of steel, and the shroud is a cylindrical titanium tube.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a housing enclosing a pyrotechnic charge and an installation for implementing this method includes inserting a pyrotechnic charge into a charging volume laterally delimited by a rigid cylindrical charging wall and into a lower part by a first element of the housing to be obtained; positioning a second element of the housing to be obtained of cylindrical shape above the inserted pyrotechnic charge and in the extension of the cylindrical charging wall. The second element has a lateral cylindrical wall of the same shape and diameter as the cylindrical charging wall and is able to cooperate with the first element, and jointly translating the second element and the cylindrical charging wall relative to the first element such as to make the second element cooperate with the first element and form the housing enclosing the pyrotechnic charge.

Abstract: A firing mechanism provides a secondary interface between a hammer and a sear of a firearm that will automatically be engaged in case a primary interface between the hammer and the sear fails. In various embodiments, an actuator is employed to facilitate engagement of the primary and secondary interfaces.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle comprising one or more buttons disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle, such that the one or more buttons can be in contact with an operator's hand when the operator grasps the handle; a safety mechanism in mechanical communication with the trigger. The safety mechanism comprises: a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger; and a second position that does not block actuation of the trigger; and at least one processor configured to: upon determining an input code matches a stored code, transmits a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position so that the firearm can be fired by the operator.

Abstract: A base pad for a firearm magazine is provided. The base pad has a base pad body made in one piece. The base pad body has a body base and a peripheral wall, protruding peripherally from the body base. The body base and the peripheral wall delimit a body compartment configured to face a lower end of the firearm magazine. Anchoring means for anchoring the base pad to the firearm magazine are provided on the peripheral wall, on a side of the body compartment. Fins, spaced apart from each other, are provided in the peripheral wall, on an outer side, opposite to the side of the body compartment.

Abstract: A magazine loader includes a clamping frame; a clamping groove used for placing a cartridge clip is formed in a front side of the clamping frame; a clamping groove penetrates through an upper end face and a lower end face of the clamping frame; a limiting structure is arranged in a lower port of the clamping groove; a bullet pressing tongue plate is arranged in an upper port of the clamping groove; a grip and a linkage mechanism are arranged on a rear side of the clamping frame; one end of the grip is hinged to the clamping frame; the grip is connected to the bullet pressing tongue plate through the linkage mechanism, so that the bullet pressing tongue plate can move up and down in the upper port of the clamping groove.

Abstract: A modular pyrotechnic launch unit includes a launch module, a first module, and a second module. The launch module includes a launch barrel. The first module is coupled in series to the launch module. The first module includes a first ignition state in which the first module ignites a pyrotechnic element that will then pass through the launch barrel. The first module also includes a first pass-through state in which the first module allows a pyrotechnic element ignited by another module to pass through the first module. The second module is coupled in series to the first module. The second module includes a second ignition state in which the second module ignites a pyrotechnic element that will then pass through the first module and through the launch barrel.

Abstract: Firearms with cartridge-case ejection, including a barrel with a movable bolt carrier with a bolt, with a breech face, with a movable ejector and with a firearm-fixed functional edge which pushes the ejector into its ejection position when the bolt carrier moves back after a shot has been fired. In order to create an ejection that is always evenly performed, an ejector lever is arranged on the bolt carrier so that it can be rotated about a pivot axis running normal to the firearm's central plane, which abuts against the functional edge when the bolt carrier moves backwards and thereby twisted so that it abuts an impact surface of the ejector and forces it to the eject position.

Abstract: Launching an aeronautical system can comprise applying force or energy to the system in connection with accelerating the system. Responsive to the force or energy, an element of the system can move along a defined path within the system. The system can comprise a drive that converts motion along the defined path into rotational motion. The drive can rotate a mass within the system, which can be supported by a gas bearing. The rotating mass can comprise the moving element, a different system element, or the entire system. The rotating mass can produce angular momentum and can support gyroscopic stabilization of the aeronautical system. Rotational energy can be selectively imparted to and transferred between system elements in connection with stabilization management. System elements can moderate the system's response to impulsive stimuli associated with rotation and acceleration. A gas bearing can support an external surface of the system during launch.