Abstract: An over-and-under shotgun apparatus includes a radius track which serves as a hinge for articulating the barrel portion of the shotgun apparatus relative to the receiver/stock portion of the shotgun apparatus. The radius track is defined by a female or concave portion formed on the monoblock attached to the shotgun barrels, and a male or convex portion formed on the frame or receiver section. The radius track defines a pivot axis that is spaced from the radius track. The radius track provides a substantial surface area sufficient to absorb all of the recoil force generated when the shotgun is discharged. No additional abutment surfaces are needed. A further aspect of the invention involves a novel trigger assembly, including a striker which moves toward the front end of the firearm when the firearm is cocked, and moves toward the butt end of the firearm when the trigger is pulled to discharge the firearm.

Abstract: An over-and-under shotgun apparatus includes a radius track which serves as a hinge for articulating the barrel portion of the shotgun apparatus relative to the receiver/stock portion of the shotgun apparatus. The radius track is defined by a female or concave portion formed on the monoblock attached to the shotgun barrels, and a male or convex portion formed on the frame or receiver section. The radius track defines a pivot axis that is spaced from the radius track. The radius track provides a substantial surface area sufficient to absorb all of the recoil force generated when the shotgun is discharged. No additional abutment surfaces are needed. A further aspect of the invention involves a novel trigger assembly, including a striker which moves toward the front end of the firearm when the firearm is cocked, and moves toward the butt end of the firearm when the trigger is pulled to discharge the firearm.

Abstract: An over-and-under shotgun apparatus includes a radius track which serves as a hinge for articulating the barrel portion of the shotgun apparatus relative to the receiver/stock portion of the shotgun apparatus. The radius track is defined by a female or concave portion formed on the monoblock attached to the shotgun barrels, and a male or convex portion formed on the frame or receiver section. The radius track defines a pivot axis that is spaced from the radius track. The radius track provides a substantial surface area sufficient to absorb all of the recoil force generated when the shotgun is discharged. No additional abutment surfaces are needed. A further aspect of the invention involves a novel trigger assembly, including a striker which moves toward the front end of the firearm when the firearm is cocked, and moves toward the butt end of the firearm when the trigger is pulled to discharge the firearm.

Abstract: A convertible ballistic optimizing system includes a main body portion adjustably secured to the muzzle end of a firearm. A retainer, such as a lock nut, is utilized to secure the main body portion in a particular axially position to change vibrational characteristics of the firearm barrel so that the bullet exits the muzzle end of the firearm when the barrel is undergoing the least amount of transverse movement. The main body portion includes a plurality of apertures that function as a muzzle brake when a weight element is attached to the outlet end of the main body portion. Alternatively, in place of the weight, a sleeved end piece can be secured to the outlet end of the main body portion to cover the apertures, thereby disabling the muzzle brake feature, without adversely affecting the inherent accuracy of the firearm.

Abstract: An eccentric for mounting at the distal end of a limb of a compound archery bow includes a step-down take-up ramp which combines the features of the side-by-side and step-down eccentrics of known eccentrics while maintaining vane clearance and avoiding development of twist on the limb. The eccentric is also provided with a cable clamp device permitting adjustment of the draw of the bow and a pivot insert which permits adjustable pivot locations for the eccentric.

Abstract: An eccentric for mounting at the distal end of a limb of a compound archery bow includes a step-down take-up ramp which combines the features of the side-by-side and step-down eccentrics of known eccentrics while maintaining vane clearance and avoiding development of twist on the limb. The eccentric is also provided with a cable clamp device permitting adjustment of the draw of the bow and a pivot insert which permits adjustable pivot locations for the eccentric.

Abstract: A bolt assembly for a firearm is constructed with three locking lugs, one of which is oriented down in unlocked condition as it is withdrawn past the magazine of the firearm. The body of the bolt is of reduced diameter with respect to the bolt head which carries the locking lugs. A cartridge depressor is mounted in association with the bolt body to effectively increase the diameter of the bolt body in the vicinity of the magazine to that of the bolt head.

Abstract: An eccentric for a compound bow includes two sheaves for the bowstring and tension runs, respectively. The sheaves carry nonparallel tracks of noncircular configuration which are oriented so that the cam ratio of the eccentric increases rapidly during the initial stages of draw. The track for the tension run includes a ramp which urges the terminal end of the tension run down towards the axis of the eccentric and away from the plane of the bowstring.

Abstract: The forearm of a pump shotgun is mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to the magazine tube through a coupling system which prevents twisting of the forearm. A coupling system includes grooves in the exterior sidewall of the magazine tube and detents on the exterior sidewall of the forearm mount tube in registration with the grooves.

Abstract: An electronic set trigger is mounted in association with the mechanical firing mechanism of a rifle. The rifle may be fired in normal fashion through the normal mechanical linkage associated with a trigger lever. When a set trigger is desired, the electronic set trigger is activated by depressing a switch which activates a charging circuit to charge a capacitor carried within the firearm. The capacitor is discharged by pressing a switch associated with the trigger lever thereby discharging a capacitor through a solenoid coil associated with a reciprocating core mechanically linked to the trigger lever.

Abstract: A box magazine follower system is constructed with spring struts pivotally connected at an intersection to form an "X" configuration. A magazine follower is supported by the upper ends of the struts to move vertically within the magazine box while maintaining an approximately horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A trigger for a side lock black powder rifle includes an upper ramp surface operating against a spring biased roller. The trigger has a "set" position wherein the spring force operates through the roller against the sear lever of the lock mechanism of the rifle and a "stiff" position wherein the spring force is added to the force required against the sear.

Abstract: A magazine isolator is provided for a shutgun having a pump action of conventional type, including sliding linkage, operable sequentially from a battery position through an eject position and loading sequence back to the battery position. The magazine isolator has a selector adapted to the tubular magazine of the shotgun. The selector is movable between a single shot position and a repeat position. A stop surface is fixed to the sliding linkage of the pump action for contact with a shoulder associated with the selector. Upon positioning the selector in the single shot position, the shoulder is positioned for contact with the stop surface to inhibit the pump action from operating past the eject position. A spring loaded detent arrangement is adapted to selectively latch the selector in either the repeat or single position.

Abstract: A breech plug for sealing the breech end of black powder guns is constructed of two pieces. The first piece is an inner plug which threadedly engages internal threads at the breech end of the barrel and creates a bore seal. The second piece is an outer housing adapted to mate with the inner plug and to effect alignment with the barrel flat sides and barrel breech end. An assembly technique utilizing this composite breech plug greatly simplifies the machining procedures and reduces the cost normally associated with producing high quality black powder guns with a full hook breech plug.