Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination munition, particularly an illumination payload ejection device housed within a common carrier payload delivery shell, with a frangible safety link. There is provided an illumination munition comprising a shearable tail unit, a main body which comprises a payload cavity for receiving an illumination payload apparatus, a fuze, an ogive element located between said main body and the fuze, and an explosive train operably connected to said fuze, wherein the illumination payload apparatus comprises an illumination composition, a drogue parachute and a main parachute, wherein the main parachute is tethered by a payload tether to the payload apparatus, such that after deployment of said main parachute said payload apparatus descends under the control of said main parachute.

Abstract: A fireworks aerial display shell is provided with lift charges positioned at opposite ends of a casing that additionally contains an effects charge. Fuses are operatively associated with the lift charges and the effects charge in a manner to ignite the lift charges a period of time before igniting the effects charge. When either one of the ends of the casing is placed facing a closed bottom of a launch tube of a reusable mortar, the burning lift charge at that end of the casing when ignited exerts a propelling force to propel the aerial display shell upwardly out of the launch tube to an intended height before the effects charge is ignited to create a pyrotechnic visual effects display.

Abstract: A method of supplying a rifle with cartridges includes providing classes within a group of cartridges. The classes are classified by specific and precisely graduated increments of propellant load contained in the cartridges, or by formulation of propellant, of each class relative to the cartridges of each other class. The user can test fire a rifle with multiple classes of the group and record the accuracy of the firing. A class of the group can be then chosen for a particular rifle based on accuracy of the rifle in the test firing.

Abstract: An assembly for a firearm includes a magazine well with an adjustable inner volume for accepting magazines of different projectile calibers.

Abstract: A patrol vehicle protection system with a quick release bullet resistant transparent panel and door panel covering system that requires no permanent modifications to the patrol vehicle, offers head impact safety protection, and ventilation. The system includes a bullet resistant transparent panel that temporarily attaches to a door window opening mounting mechanism attached to the vehicle door. The mounting mechanism includes z-shaped upper and lower brackets designed to fit into the upper and lower slots formed around the window opening. An adjustment plate or brace holds the brackets in place in the slots. The transparent panel is securely held between the two brackets during normal use but automatically releases outward in a side impact collision. The system also includes a ballistic fabric panel that hangs from the lower bracket over the inside surface of the door panel to protect the driver's legs and lower torso of the driver sitting in the patrol vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading cartridges into a magazine comprises a setting mechanism including a sleeve, a body, a setting tool, and a link. The body may be slidingly disposed about the sleeve so that the body and the sleeve can slide relative to one another along a sliding axis. The body may translate between an upper position and a lower position along the sliding axis. A first end of the setting tool may be pivotally coupled to the sleeve for relative rotation between the setting tool and the sleeve about a forward axis. The setting tool rotates about the forward axis as the body translates between the upper position and the lower position.

Abstract: An ambidextrous magazine catch for a firearm has a body movable on the frame of the firearm. A dog is rotatably mounted on the body. The dog has a jaw which is movable toward and away from the magazine well upon either motion of the body or rotation of the dog. The jaw engages a magazine in the magazine well. A plunger engaged with the body effects rotation of the dog through a cam surface on the plunger and a cam follower on the dog.

Abstract: A modular firearm system capable of easily attaching and detaching an upper receiver and a barrel is disclosed. The upper receiver is operably coupled to a bearing case. A biasing member is positioned on the bearing case. A plurality of bearings are positioned on the bearing case. A spring sleeve is engageable with the biasing member and circumscribes the bearing case, biasing member and bearings. A face plate is positioned adjacent to the bearing case and fixedly coupled thereto. The face plate engages the spring sleeve such that the biasing member and bearings are enclosed within the spring sleeve and the face plate. A barrel sleeve is operably coupled to the barrel. In an engaged state, the barrel sleeve is positioned within the bearing case and the bearings are positioned between the barrel sleeve and bearing case such that the upper receiver and barrel are substantially aligned.

Abstract: Shrouds for preventing unintentional engagement or initiation of firearm triggers during handling of the firearm are described.

Abstract: Consistent with various embodiments, a firearm securing apparatus has a first securing interface that is configured to generate a holding force between the apparatus and a support surface in response to an applied pressure. A second securing interface is configured and arranged to receive and secure a firearm barrel and includes a graspable feature. A support piece is configured and arranged to physically connect the two securing interfaces and to provide space, to allow a person's fingers to seize a graspable feature and to allow the person to apply pressure sufficient to overcome the holding force between the apparatus and the surface in order to remove the firearm from the apparatus when desired.

Abstract: A cover system for a sound suppressor that reduces the mirage created by the heat generated when a projectile is fired through the sound suppressor and allows the sound suppressor's appearance to be easily changed to blend in with the sound suppressor's surroundings. The cover system comprises a front cap and a cylindrical member. The front cap is configured for attachment to the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member is configured for attachment to the front cap and to receive the sound suppressor. An air gap is formed between an outer surface of the sound suppressor and an inner surface of the cylindrical member when the sound suppressor is at least partially received within the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A striker fired semi-automatic pistol or handgun that utilizes a magazine positioned horizontally and in front of the grip. The pistol of the invention includes two recoil springs and two locking lugs positioned on each side of the barrel (1 per side) which has a corresponding set of locking blocks. A sliding stripper rail is utilized to move cartridges from the magazine to the barrel. The grip is detachable and completely customizable, using a small solid tang to connect the grip to the firearm.

Abstract: A semi-automatic pistol has a frame having a trigger guard defining a trigger finger space, a barrel connected to the frame and defining a bore axis, a slide connected to the frame and operable to reciprocate along the bore axis between a forward battery position and a rearward open position, a recoil mechanism operably connected between the slide and the frame, and operable to bias the slide to the battery position, and the recoil mechanism being entirely below the barrel axis and forward of the trigger finger space. The recoil mechanism may be a recoil spring defining a spring axis. The spring axis may be parallel to the bore axis. The recoil spring may be a helical shape defining a bore receiving a guide rod. The guide rod may be below the barrel. The trigger guard may have a downwardly facing upper surface defining the trigger finger space.

Abstract: A thumb mounted ammunition loader engages a digit, preferably a thumb, of the user's hand to protect the digit while loading ammunition into a magazine. The thumb mounted ammunition loader additionally maintains traction to the pressure applied to the ammunition, as the thumb mounted ammunition loader provides a barrier to depositing skin oil onto the ammunition. The thumb mounted ammunition loader includes a digit-mounting tube, a digit-receiving opening, a distal-closed end, and at least one joint-accommodating aperture. The digit-mounting tube engages the digit. The digit-receiving opening allows the digit to be inserted into the digit-mounting tube. The distal-closed end interfaces with the ammunition as the user applies pressure to the ammunition through the distal-closed end. The at least one joint-accommodating aperture provides flexibility of the thumb mounted ammunition loader for the user to maintain range of motion of the digit.

Abstract: A firearm includes a receiver for housing a trigger mechanism. The receiver is attached to a firearm barrel, and the receiver includes a bolt carrier that is configured to reciprocate therein. The firearm includes a recoil spring that has a first end and a second end, and the first end interfaces with the bolt carrier. The recoil spring further includes a dampened portion positioned between the first and second ends. The dampened portion has a plurality of dead spring coils. The firearm also includes a spring retainer that is configured to retain the recoil spring within the firearm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to firearms, especially to guns, and more particularly to a system for attenuating recoil, reducing muzzle climb and increasing accuracy. The invention provides a recoil attenuating mechanism that is an improvement on the well-known and widely used Browning tilting barrel system which is used mostly in semi-automatic pistols. The recoil attenuation is achieved by redirecting and manipulating the forces of the recoil of the slide of the pistol to a different axis than what is the norm on a regular Browning action, thus reducing muzzle climb substantially in addition to attenuating recoil, and therefore improving accuracy, recovery time, and controllability.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interceptor type system for neutralizing a shaped charge threat, which comprises: (a) a detection system for detecting an approach of a shaped charge projectile, for calculating upon such detection its course of approach, and for activating an interceptor to create a flux of intercepting fragments within a destruction corridor; and (b) one or more of said interceptors, each comprising one or more magazines of fragments, each magazine comprises said fragments and an explosive layer which in turn explodes thereby to create said flux of intercepting fragments within said destruction corridor.

Abstract: A fireworks aerial display shell is provided with lift charges positioned at opposite ends of a casing that additionally contains an effects charge. Fuses are operatively associated with the lift charges and the effects charge in a manner to ignite the lift charges a period of time before igniting the effects charge. When either one of the ends of the casing is placed facing a closed bottom of a launch tube of a reusable mortar, the burning lift charge at that end of the casing when ignited exerts a propelling force to propel the aerial display shell upwardly out of the launch tube to an intended height before the effects charge is ignited to create a pyrotechnic visual effects display.

Abstract: The following invention provides method of retrofitting an automated wad dispensing attachment for shotgun shell reloading machines. The invention consist of the following separate parts described from proximal the distal. A cylindrical inclined rotary hopper open in its superior aspect and a floor plate in it inferior aspect having an discharge port opening near its apex of the floor plate. Just above and parallel to the floor plate a motorized rotating collating plate is present which selectively segregates wads into the correct orientation delivering them through the discharge port of the floor plate. A long vertical tubular conduit, the wad feed tube, with a proximal funnel opening attached around the exterior of the discharge port of the floor plate. The wad feed tube is attached via brackets to the reloading machine leading to a common feature on reloading machines—the wad carrier.

Abstract: A blast treatment method whereby a smoke grenade is blast treated inside an explosion-proof container, said method comprising: a blast step in which the smoke grenade (20) is exploded inside the explosion-proof container (10); and a dissolving step in which gas or micro particles generated when the smoke grenade (20) was exploded are dissolved inside the explosion-proof container (10), in a liquid (W) including a greater volume of water than the volume of water generated by the explosion of the smoke grenade (20).