Abstract: Practice barrels for use with practice cartridges are described herein. An example practice device for use with self-loading grenade launchers includes a practice barrel having a practice cartridge chamber to receive a practice cartridge. A live cartridge does not correspond to the practice cartridge chamber. Additionally, the live cartridge is unable to be properly positioned within the practice barrel to prevent ignition of the live cartridge. Further, the practice cartridge chamber is cushioned to substantially absorb a breech energy to substantially prevent damage to the practice barrel.

Abstract: Machine guns having detachable barrels and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An illustrated example firearm includes a housing; a removable barrel; a latch to releasably secure the barrel in the housing, the latch having a released state and a secured state; and a carrying handle movable between a rest position and a carry position. The carrying handle cooperates with the latch such that the latch can only be moved into the released state to permit removal of the barrel when the carrying handle is at least substantially in the carry position.

Abstract: A hand guard system for use with a firearm is described. A holding unit for releasably coupling the hand guard system to a firearm includes a coupling element having an opening, a flange, and at least one coupling portion. The flange and the coupling portion form the opening so that the coupling element is slidably removable about the barrel of the firearm, and an inner surface of the coupling portion engages an outer surface of the barrel nut. The holding unit further includes a sleeve operatively coupled to the coupling element having an inner surface defining an opening so that the sleeve is slidably removable about the barrel of the firearm and the inner surface forms a shoulder and defines a groove distally located from the shoulder and sized to receive a snap ring. The snap ring retains the sleeve to the coupling element such that the shoulder and snap ring are located on opposite sides of the flange of the coupling element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for gas cylinder components for use with a firearm with a barrel. The gas cylinder component includes a reception bore for receiving the barrel. Additionally, the gas cylinder component includes a torque-proof fixture that is under pre-stressing, wherein the torque-proof fixture comprises one or more bores tangential to the barrel further including a pin to create spring pinning action. Further, the gas cylinder component includes a foresight that is rotatable around an axis, and a demountable clamping device that secures at least one position of the foresight. The gas cylinder component is under spring pre-stressing and is torque proof on the barrel. Additionally, the gas cylinder component is to lock on the barrel. Further, the engagement of the gas cylinder component on the barrel is to substantially prevent the rotation of the gas cylinder apparatus relative to an axis of the barrel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for an example sight device with an adjustable sight line for use in a firearm. The example sight device described herein includes a base plate and a holder, wherein the holder is pivotable and includes a target device that defines the sight line. The sight device also includes a locking device that couples the holder and the base plate in one of a plurality of pivot positions. The locking device includes an adjustable locking element that engages at least one of a plurality of adjustment areas. Further, the plurality of adjustment areas include a plurality of notches, wherein each of the plurality of pivot positions is associated with one of the plurality of adjustment areas based on an ammunition type and one of the plurality of notches based on a distance to a target.

Abstract: Gas bleed assemblies for use with firearms are described. An example gas bleed assembly for use with a firearm having a barrel includes a gas cylinder that defines at least one gas outlet to be fluidly coupled to a bore of a barrel. The gas cylinder is substantially fixed relative to the barrel. Additionally the example gas bleed assembly includes a holding fixture that is substantially fixed relative to a housing having a front edge. The holding fixture interacts with the at least one gas outlet. A temperature induced variation of geometry of the barrel changes a position of the gas cylinder relative to the holding fixture and wherein a pressure acting within the gas cylinder is associated with the position of the at least one gas outlet relative to the holding fixture.

Abstract: Weapons safety systems and methods of operating the system are described. An example weapons safety system in which the enabling of a weapon to shoot is controlled by means of an exchange of identification between the weapon and an enabling apparatus. An example weapon includes a weapon identification code and a safety device. An example enabling apparatus that is designed to capture the weapon identification code and to transmit an enabling signal to the safety device in the weapon includes a control unit. The control unit controls the enabling device and includes an identification memory that includes at least one registered weapon identification. Upon receiving a control signal from the enabling apparatus, the weapon transmits an identification signal that contains the weapon identification code. In addition, the enabling apparatus sends a weapon-enabling signal if the weapon identification code matches at least one of the registered weapon identification.

Abstract: A belt bag for use with a firearm related methods are disclosed. An example belt bag includes a first bag component made of a rigid material and a second bag component. The first bag component and the second bag component are releasably coupled and may pivot with respect to one another between an open, reloading position and a closed position. In addition, an opening of the belt bag is coupled to the firearm adjacent to a belt intake opening of the firearm.

Abstract: Firearms protected from unauthorized use are disclosed. A disclosed firearm comprises a housing having a handle; a safety located in the housing to selectively prevent firing; and a module removably attachable to the handle and containing an electronic identification device to identify an authorized user. The electronic identification device controls the safety to prevent firing by unauthorized persons and to permit firing by the authorized user.

Abstract: An accessory mounting device for use with firearms is disclosed. The mounting device includes a first pin having a first head and a second pin having a second head, wherein the second head projects radially beyond the second pin only on one side of the second pin. The device further includes first and second apertures to receive the first and second pins, respectively, and a first undercut associated with the first aperture, wherein the first undercut is compatible with the first head and a second undercut associated with the second aperture, wherein the second undercut is compatible with the second head. Also included is a spring-loaded locking device attached to the second pin and a handle associated with the spring-loaded locking device. The handle moves the second pin against the force of the spring axially in the direction of the second head so that when the second pin is turned by the handle, the second head pushes against the force of the spring on the second undercut.

Abstract: An adapter for attaching accessories to a weapon and methods for mounting the adapter are disclosed. The adapter includes a connector for coupling with a rail on the weapon, wherein the connector includes connecting surfaces that are constructed to couple with corresponding contact surfaces on an accessory. The adapter further has a block projecting downward from the connector arranged between the connecting surfaces, wherein the block can engage a portion of the associated with the accessory.

Abstract: A holding device to attach one or more accessories to a firearm is disclosed. An example holding device disclosed herein comprises a top mount to engage one or more accessories, a bottom mount to engage the firearm, a fixing bore in one of the top mount and the bottom mount, a fixing pin in the other one of the top mount and the bottom mount, the fixing pin being dimensioned to insert into the fixing bore, a slider associated with the fixing bore, and a tensioning device to move the slider to cause the top mount and the bottom mount to move toward one another.

Abstract: Firearms, breechblock stops for firearms and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An example firearm includes a trigger that requires a force to be released, a trigger guard, a breechblock, and a spring-loaded breechblock stop that is operable between a resting position and an operative position. The example breechblock stop includes a slider control that has a control extension in the trigger guard. The firearm also includes a removable ammunition magazine that includes a follower. The breechblock stop may be moved between an operative position and a resting position by one of engagement with the follower of the magazine or actuation of the slider in a direction of operation essentially perpendicular to force releasing the trigger. Furthermore, the breechblock is unlocked in a released position when the breechblock stop is in the resting position, and the breechblock is locked in an open position when the breechblock stop is in the operative position.

Abstract: Mounting devices for firearms and methods of mounting the same are disclosed. An example mounting device for use with a firearm includes a clamping device, with which the mounting device can be optionally clamped to the firearm. The clamping device includes a rigid clamping jaw arrangement, a movable clamping jaw arrangement opposite the rigid clamping jaw arrangement, and a swiveling lever. The swiveling lever is coupled to a spring device that locks the movable clamping jaw arrangement, and the spring device has a first spring arrangement, which loads the swiveling lever in an opening direction over an entire unlocking path, and a second spring arrangement, which applies a much greater spring tension than the first spring arrangement. The second spring arrangement also loads the swiveling lever via a spring travel in the opening direction and minimizes the spring travel to maintain the seat of the mounting device with respect to the firearm.

Abstract: Machine guns having detachable barrels and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An illustrated example firearm includes a housing; a removable barrel; a latch to releasably secure the barrel in the housing, the latch having a released state and a secured state; and a carrying handle movable between a rest position and a carry position. The carrying handle cooperates with the latch such that the latch can only be moved into the released state to permit removal of the barrel when the carrying handle is at least substantially in the carry position.

Abstract: Firearms protected from unauthorized use are disclosed. A disclosed firearm comprises a housing having a handle; a safety located in the housing to selectively prevent firing; and a module removably attachable to the handle and containing an electronic identification device to identify an authorized user. The electronic identification device controls the safety to prevent firing by unauthorized persons and to permit firing by the authorized user.

Abstract: Firearms employing gas pressure loading mechanisms are disclosed. An example firearm includes a single force receiving component containing a gas cylinder, and a barrel in communication with a cartridge chamber received in the force receiving component. The cartridge chamber is in communication with a gas withdrawal-opening and is sized to fire cartridges having a caliber of at least 15 mm. The firearm also includes a bore in communication with the gas withdrawal opening and the gas cylinder. Further, the firearm includes a locking bolt having a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking bolt engages the single force receiving component when the locking bolt is in the locked position.

Abstract: Blank cartridge devices for attachment over a muzzle flash suppressor and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example includes a muzzle flash suppressor mounted on a barrel that includes a muzzle, a longitudinal bore including internal threading, an inner cone in communication with the longitudinal bore, and a lateral opening located in a side of the muzzle flash suppressor between the inner cone and the muzzle of the muzzle flash suppressor. A disclosed example further includes a blank cartridge device that includes a tube, a cover and a stop block. The tube is sized to penetrate the longitudinal bore of the muzzle flash suppressor, and the tube has external threading to threadingly engage the internal threading in the longitudinal bore of the muzzle flash suppressor. The tube also includes an outer cone to form a seal with the inner cone of the muzzle flash suppressor. The tube further defines a core bore that is in communication with the bore of the barrel.

Abstract: Firearms having a locked breech are disclosed. An example firearm includes a barrel; a bolt head; a firing pin having a bulge; a bolt head carrier having a forward position and a rearward position; a central force receiving component receiving a rear end of the barrel and defining a plurality of recesses; and a locking bolt penetrating the bolt head. The locking bolt is movable between: (1) a locked position wherein the locking bolt engages in the recesses of the central force receiving component to thereby lock the bolt head to the central force receiving component and (2) an unlocked position wherein the bolt head is free to move with the bolt head carrier. The locking bolt is pressed by the bolt head carrier into the locked position when the bolt head carrier is in the distal position. The locking bolt defines an oblong hole which is penetrated by the firing pin.