Abstract: A machine gun barrel for firing blanks comprising a reclaimed quick discoct barrel with a one piece blank firing attachment with diminished orifice replacing the flash suppressor and threadedly mounted over the barrel end provides gas build-up necessary for gun operation without leakage. Accidental live round firing causes forward, not lateral, fragmentation of the attachment because of its conical bore configuration.

Abstract: An ammunition feed mechanism for a machine gun includes a sprocket having rtridge feeding and positioning splines. This sprocket rotates in a feed direction to move a belt of linked cartridges into position for chambering and firing. An anti-backup pawl prevents counterrotation and maintains the sprocket in position while a cartridge is chambered. A ratchet release permits bidirectional rotation of the sprocket in loading and unloading of the ammunition belt. The rotation of the sprocket for feeding is done with a cam tube actuator making a ratchet connection with the sprocket. The reciprocating movement of the bolt carrier causes rotary movement of the actuator by means of a pin on the bolt carrier riding in the cam of the actuator. The bolt carrier has a depressible rammer for chambering the cartridges.

Abstract: A combined one piece cartridge case ejector and ejection spring useful in guns which have non-locking bolts for which conventional coil spring ejectors are not feasible. The device comprises a solid piece of elastic material such as hard rubber or nylon which is arranged in the path of the rearward travel of the spent cartridge case following firing and diametrically opposite from the extractor. This structure provides positive ejection of spent cartridge cases without damage thereto. The invention is of particular utility with cartridge cases with centers of gravity far to the rear thereof, which require high torque for positive ejection.