Abstract: A coupling system attaches a device such as a blank adaptor or a sound suppressor to the flash hider of a firearm. The device is slid over the flash hider until a set of flat surfaces on it are aligned with a set of holes in the device. Camming latches are held in the holes in the device. The collar carried by the device is then threadably advanced to a locking position with respect to the device where it presses the camming latches into secure engagement with the flat surfaces on the flash hider. Unthreading the collar to the unlocked position allows the camming latches to be moved radially when the device is to be removed or rotated. A spring lock prevents the collar from rotating during use, particularly during firing of the firearm but may be released to rotate the collar between locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: A flash hider has a central bore for receiving the barrel of a firearm at one end and three tapered tines at the opposing end with a gap formed between each pair of adjacent tines. Just past the muzzle-seat in the central bore is a flared entrance leading to the gaps thereby allowing hot air and combustion gases to expand radially through the gaps between the tines, thereby cooling the hot air and gases. The lateral faces of the tines are stepped to cause turbulent mixing of the cooler air surrounding the flash hider with the exiting gases so as to further expand and cool in order to prevent re-ignition and thereby reduce secondary flash. Long tines help to hide all but direct viewing of primary flash.

Abstract: A flash hider, a sound suppressor and a quick-disconnect coupler that holds the sound suppressor to a flash hider is disclosed. The quick-disconnect coupler enables the suppressor to be attached to the flash hider so that the hider forms a nozzle at the entrance to the sound suppressor to facilitate the operation of the suppressor. The coupler includes a collar that threads to the first part of the suppressor over plural holes formed therein. Camming latches set in these holes are held firmly against flat surfaces on the exterior of the flash hider by the collar. A spring lock holds the collar against rotation until it is released.

Abstract: A bipod for a light-weight machine gun is disclosed. The bipod has tubular telescoping legs with large ground-engaging feet that may be extended and retracted to discreet locking positions. The bipod has a spring-based system that allows a user to pivot the bipod legs about cylinder-in-a-cylinder pivot pins, either towards or away from the barrel muzzle with one hand, thus giving 180 degrees of travel. The bipod is attachable to a machine gun with a round yoke using a stepped screw and compression spring that assures yoke remains tightly secured to body, but rotatable for traversing, during extended use.

Abstract: A light-weight machine gun is made by replacing selected components previously made of steel with interchangeable components made of coated titanium alloy. Several different coatings are used on the components depending on the performance requirements of the component as well as factors related to convenience. The back sight bracket, the side plates, bottom plate and cocking handle guide of the receiver, and the carrying handle rod of the carrying handle assembly, are made of titanium alloy coated with tungsten DLC; the front block, also made of titanium alloy, is coated with a first coating of chrome nitride for resistance to wear resistance and secondarily for high temperature resistance, followed by a second coating of chrome carbo-nitride to provide the appropriate appearance; and the titanium alloy carrying handle bracket of the carrying handle assembly is coated with boron carbide.

Abstract: A sound suppressor suppresses sound and flash by creating interacting paths of gas. While a first portion of the gas follows a first path through the suppressor, a second portion of the gas is diverted radially from the first path to a second path and then repeatedly made to cross the first path by a series of baffles with alternating radial passages so that the two portions of gas interfere and interact with each other, and therefore quickly give up much of their kinetic energy before they exit the suppressor. Preferably, the baffles defining the second path impart a swirl to the second portion of gas to cause the present suppressor to flush itself of carbon and metal particles. The interaction of the two portions also accelerates completion of combustion of the gas to thereby reduce flash.

Abstract: A semi-infinitely-adjustable butt stock assembly. A butt stock is slidably affixed to a buffer stem. An over-center lock is attached to the butt stock adjacent to the buffer stem. The user can disengage the over-center lock from the buffer stem by rotating a lever thereby permitting the longitudinal position of the butt stock to be adjusted relative to the buffer plate. To secure the butt stock at the desired position, the user rotates the lever in the opposite direction causing the over-center lock to re-engage the buffer stem. A cheek rest overlaying the butt stock and biased forward with respect thereto is adjustable vertically with respect to the butt stock by manually moving the cheek rest aft, adjusting it vertically, and releasing the cheek rest.

Abstract: A rapidly-adjustable butt stock assembly comprised of a butt stock, a buffer, a slot cylinder, a key cylinder, and keys. The butt stock has a cylindrical recess with key grooves longitudinally therein for receiving the slot and key cylinders. The key cylinder is rigidly attached to the buffer. The slot cylinder has at least one longitudinal slot with a plurality of transverse slots extending therefrom. The key cylinder carries one or more keys, which keys extend through the key cylinder and the slot cylinder and into the key grooves of the butt stock. To adjust the length of the assembly, the user rotates the slot cylinder so that the keys rotate out of the transverse slots and into the longitudinal slot of the slot cylinder thus permitting the key cylinder to move axially with respect to the butt stock.

Abstract: A speedloader for a shotgun having a tubular magazine includes an integral pulley system to minimize handle travel in delivering a plurality of cartridges into the magazine. The speedloader comprises a frame with a channel therethrough dimensioned to receive a plurality of cartridges. The frame carries a handle on an exterior longitudinal track and, inside, a pusher that travels from the first end of the frame to the second end of the frame in response to movement of the handle, thereby expelling the cartridges from the speedloader and injecting them into the magazine. The pulley system translates movement of the handle to movement of the pusher and reduces the distance the handle needs to be moved to move the pusher the full distance to reload the shotgun.

Abstract: The present invention is a T-rail that is capable of supporting, in the preferred embodiment, a day and night optical sights, image intensifier and thermal imaging device (scope) and an infrared laser designator. The scope is supported on an upper rail while the designator is supported on an extension that extends perpendicularly away from the upper rail. The T-rail supports these two objects in alignment so that when the T-rail is removed from the weapon and subsequently replaced, the two objects remain in alignment. The T-rail is designed to be mounted to a standard Picatinny rail and comprises a jaw and flange along its bottom to facilitate this mounting. The jaw has a top surface and a bottom surface that matingly engage the top and bottom slope of one side of the Picatinny rail, while the flange has only an upper surface that rests along the top slope of the other side of the rail.

Abstract: A ballistic optimizing system for use on a rifle comprises an axially movable weight threadedly secured to the end of a rifle barrel such that movement of the weight can be used to change vibrational characteristics of the rifle when it is fired. By damping vibrations of the barrel at the muzzle, a bullet can exit the barrel at the point of minimal vertical deflection so that accuracy is improved. To secure the weight element into a desired position, a tooth on a spring carried on the weight is received into one of a plurality of axial grooves equally spaced around the circumference of the rifle barrel. Additionally, a compression spring in an annular space between the barrel and the weight applies greater frictional engagement between the threads of the weight and the threads of the barrel so that alignment of the weight with respect to the barrel is improved.

Abstract: A buttstock formed with a single piece of molded synthetic materials and contains two slots so that the rifle may be carried using a sling in multiple positions. The buttstock is designed to have the same size and occupy the same exterior envelop as a standard M-16 rifle buttstock but with far fewer parts and lower weight but without compromising strength. The buttstock comprises a buttplate, a shoulder, and a flange all held in spaced relationship with and integral with a panel. Two slots are formed in the panel near the buttstock, one parallel to the shoulder and the other parallel to the flange. Each slot is dimensioned to receive a sling.

Abstract: A fire control system for a semiautomatic, double action only pistol includes a sear carried by a biased sear arm. As in other pistols, the sear engages a striker to load it against a striker spring until it is released to fire a chambered round. In the present invention, the sear arm is biased so that it urges the sear forward and upward, against the rearward movement of the sear as a result of the pulling of a trigger operating through a trigger arm, and restores the sear after release of the striker. The sear arm is biased by a spring system comprising two torsion springs. One torsion spring operates against the sear block to urge the sear arm in an upward direction; the other torsion spring, pivotally supporting the sear, operates on it to urge it forward. The sear and the striker lie in the same plane.

Abstract: A device for holding two ammunition magazines in spaced relations so that either can be inserted into the magazine well of an M-16 rifle, an M-4 carbine, or an M-249 machine gun without interference with the operation of the weapon from the remaining magazine. The device comprises a shell and a centerpiece. The shell holds the two magazines in a tapered or "V" shaped arrangement, and the centerpiece, acting in combination with the shell, secures the magazines in place. The device is made of a light-weight corrosion and chemical resistant polymer. In an alternative embodiment, the magazines are held in an approximately parallel position within the shell.

Abstract: The present invention is a handgun having a polymeric frame with metallic rails that are inserted within the frame after the frame has been formed by a molding process. The rails are inserted into recesses formed in a channel within the frame, before the frame has completely cooled and contracted. The rails comprise a pair of front rails and a pair of rear rails. The rear pair of rails are positioned within rear recesses and held in place by the sear block. The front pair of rails are positioned within front recesses and held in place by a plurality of metallic parts. The parts include a horseshoe, an unlock block, and a spreader block that are positioned between and matingly engage the front rails, thus securing them within their respective recesses.

Abstract: A fire control system for a semiautomatic, double-action only pistol includes a sear carried at the free end of a cantilevered spring. As in other pistols, the sear engages a striker to load it against a striker spring until it is released to fire a chambered round. In the present invention, the cantilevered spring urges the sear forward and upward, against the rearward movement of the sear as a result of the pulling of a trigger operating through a trigger arm, and restores the sear after release of the striker. The cantilevered spring is preferably a spring with a torsion spring on each end. One torsion spring operates against the frame to cantilever the spring body; the other torsion spring, supporting the sear, operates on it to urge it forward. The sear and the striker lay in the same plane.

Abstract: The present invention is a receiver made by a welding process. The receiver made according to this process has less net distortion because of a number of techniques used in the process, including: (1) cooling the weld with Carbon Dioxide (CO.sub.2) preheated with the welding torch tip; (2) use of not more than approximately 4% oxygen in the shield gas to enable hotter, faster welding; (3) the use of a reduced voltage and wire feed rate at the end of a weld to avoid cracking; (4) the intentional use of distortion to reduce net distortion; and (5) sequencing of welds to reduce distortion. Distortion can be introduced in the stamped parts as they are made or when placed in a fixture for welding that, when welded, have less distortion than before. Distortion can also be countered by welding parts in a sequence where a subsequent weld reduces the distortion of a previous weld.