Abstract: A generally round handguard assembly (10) for a rifle barrel (18) has substantially identical bottom and top mating sections (26, 28). The handguard assembly has a shell with an upper and lower row of vent holes (36) formed by two shell sections (31), an outer liner, formed by two outer liner sections (35), with upper and lower rows of vent holes (58) and an inner liner, formed by two inner liner sections (33), with upper and lower pairs of laterally opposed rows of vent holes. An outer annular volume (94), an intermediate annular volume (92) and an inner annular volume (90), which are in fluid communication, are defined within the shell by its inner periphery and the liners. Air flow in the inner volume cools the barrel and gas tube (22) and air flow in the outer and intermediate volume maintains the shell at a reasonable temperature during repeated firings.

Abstract: A firearm (10) adapted for blowback operation has a receiver incorporating a longitudinally reciprocatable bolt assembly (24) having an inertia firing pin (40) which is movable between retracted or recoil and battery positions in the receiver (14). A trigger (68), including a sear (72), is pivotally mounted in the receiver. A hammer (74) is pivotally mounted in the receiver in such a manner that movement of the bolt assembly from the battery position to the recoil position urges the hammer into a cocked position. The hammer includes a first sear abutment (82) to engage the sear on the trigger, a second sear abutment (84) and a stop abutment (86). A disconnector (76) is pivotally mounted on the trigger pin (70). The disconnector includes a hook sear abutment (88) on an intermediate portion which is adapted to engage the second sear abutment on the hammer when the trigger is in a depressed position.

Abstract: An open bolt firing mechanism for an automatic firearm (10) has a reciprocating bolt assembly (20) with a sear abutment (32) which is engaged by a searing surface (46) on a hammer (36) during counter-recoil for terminating forward movement of the bolt assembly in a cocked position. An automatic sear (56) serves to pivot the hammer downwardly and produce disengagement of the sear abutment of the bolt assembly and the searing surface on the hammer which allows the bolt assembly to move into the battery position. A connector (76), which is pivotable in response to the pulling of a trigger (86), functions to displace the automatic sear for producing downward pivoting of the hammer. The automatic sear has a searing surface (54) which engages a sear abutment (52) on the hammer for retaining the hammer in a cocked position. A shoulder (106) on the bolt carrier (20a) of the bolt assembly is adapted to engage a leg (68) on the automatic sear as the bolt assembly moves into the battery position.

Abstract: A loading tool for a cartridge magazine embodies a channel for positioning a cartridge to be inserted in the magazine and a rear wall inclined at a preselected angle for orientating the feed mouth of the magazine over the cartridge at the proper angle and relative position such that vertical movement of the magazine causes the rear portion of the cartridge to enter the cartridge opening of the feed mouth. Longitudinal guide surfaces, disposed on either side of the channel and extending from the rear wall, respectively engage the slider lips of the magazine for terminating downward travel of the magazine and guiding subsequent forward movement of the magazine to permit complete insertion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A double action revolver has a frame on which is mounted a cylinder, a trigger and a hammer. A hammer or main spring is interposed between the trigger and hammer such that pulling the trigger causes the spring to compress and bias the hammer toward its fired position. The position of the hammer remains essentially unchanged during initial trigger pull by virtue of a toggle spring device interposed between the frame and the hammer. When the hammer spring is sufficiently compressed, a surface on the trigger contacts and engenders a deflection or buckling of the toggle spring device. Buckling of the toggle spring device permits the hammer spring to drive the hammer to the fired position in which a cartridge is fired.A spring loaded cylinder stop, having a projection adapted to be received in a locking recess on the cylinder, is adapted to be displaced forwardly, against the bias of its spring load during initial trigger return from the pulled position to its normal or released position.

Abstract: A recoil assembly for an automatic firearm, including a reciprocating bolt and carrier assembly, has a hydraulic buffer to provide a reduced rate of fire and prevent wide fluctuation in the round to round rate of fire. The buffer includes a piston which pushes hydraulic fluid through an orifice when depressed by the bolt and carrier assembly at the end of its recoil stroke. When the bolt and carrier assembly begins to displace the piston, hydraulic retardation is immediate. A spring loaded sliding seal pushes the hydraulic fluid through the orifice during the return stroke which returns the piston to its original extended position. The buffer also prevents carrier bounce and promotes a mild recoil shock.