Abstract: Methods and apparatus to lock a dust cover in a firearm housing are disclosed. An example firearm disclosed herein comprises a housing constructed substantially from non-magnetic material and defining an opening; a dust cover to cover the opening in the housing, the dust cover being pivotable between an open position and a closed position; and a magnetic lock to secure the dust cover in the closed position.

Abstract: A hollow point bullet and methods for fabricating the same are disclosed. An example hollow point bullet includes a recess opened at a tip of the bullet that includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion opens to the tip of the bullet and has a square cross-section, and the second portion has a circular cross-section.

Abstract: Firearms protected from unauthorized use. 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: 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: Firearm(s) with a breech lock are disclosed. One such firearm includes a first pivoting lever which, when actuated, releases the breech lock and a second lever, which when actuated also releases the breech lock. The first and second levers are located on opposite sides of the weapon.

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: Automatic firearms and safety mechanisms for automatic firearms are disclosed. In an illustrated example, a disclosed firearm includes a breech mounted for movement between a fired position and a cocked position, a breech catch having an inoperative position and a locked position, and a sear arm mounted to the breech catch.

Abstract: Firearm(s) with a breech lock are disclosed. One such firearm includes a first pivoting lever which, when actuated, releases the breech lock and a second lever, which when actuated also releases the breech lock. The first and second levers are located on opposite sides of the weapon.

Abstract: A blank cartridge device is disclosed. According to one example, the blank cartridge device includes a frame, a threaded bush, a nozzle body, and a cover bushing. In such an arrangement, the frame may include first and second longitudinal sides and front and rear sides, wherein the rear side includes a laterally open recess, and wherein the frame is laterally deferrable on a muzzle flash eliminator of an automatic firearm. The nozzle body may include a male thread on the outer periphery of the nozzle body and may be adapted to be screwed into the threaded bush and to extend into the muzzle flash eliminator.

Abstract: Safety devices for use with a handheld firearm are disclosed. The safety devices include a lever that can be pivoted into the travel path of the hammer of the firearm to preclude the hammer from striking a firing pin. In an example, the lever is connected to the trigger such that the safety device is released when the trigger is pulled. In another example, the lever protrudes into the magazine shaft of the firearm such that the safety device is only released when a magazine is inserted into the shaft.

Abstract: A loading indicator for use in a firearm having a barrel including a rear section and a cartridge chamber is disclosed. In one example, the loading indicator includes an elastic shaft disposed within a compartment in the rear section of the barrel and a feeler portion coupled to the elastic shaft, wherein the elastic shaft is loaded to cause the feeler portion to project into the cartridge chamber and wherein the loading of the elastic shaft allows the feeler portion to be displaced when a cartridge is placed into the cartridge chamber. The example implementation further includes an indicator element adjacent the feeler portion and coupled to the elastic shaft, wherein the indicator element projects from the cartridge chamber when the feeler portion is displaced by a cartridge.

Abstract: Firearms and recoil pad devices for use with firearms are disclosed. An example recoil pad device includes a pad having a working surface which increases by more than approximately 15% when moving from a first condition in which the pad is pressed against a shooter and a second condition when the firearm is fired.

Abstract: Grenade launchers and methods to secure a grenade launcher to a firearm are disclosed. In an example method, if the firearm has a first fixed bearing and a first movable bearing separated by a first distance, (a) a first adapter is secured to the grenade launcher, (b) the first fixed bearing is secured to one of the grenade launcher and the first adapter, and (c) the first movable bearing is secured to the first adapter. If the second firearm has a second fixed bearing and a second movable bearing separated by a second distance, (a) a second adapter is secured to the grenade launcher, (b) the second fixed bearing is secured to one of the grenade launcher and the second adapter, and (c) the second movable bearing is secured to the second adapter.

Abstract: A hand-held firearm with a combination lock with number dials rotatable around an axis is disclosed. The lock only permits movement of the bar triggering a shot if the lock is unlocked. The axis of the lock is positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the weapon. The combination of the lock is changeable.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a cartridge into a cartridge chamber of a firearm is provided. The apparatus includes a barrel, and a bolt assembly mounted for movement from a rear position to a forward position to advance a cartridge into the cartridge chamber. The bolt assembly includes a center axis which is not in coaxial alignment with the center axis of the barrel when the bolt assembly is in the rear position. The bolt assembly further includes a bolt head defining a percussion recess. The percussion recess is dimensioned to receive a proximal end of the cartridge with clearance to permit transverse movement of the proximal end of the cartridge relative to the percussion base. The firearm also includes a locking piece adjacent the cartridge chamber for centering the bolt head as the bolt assembly moves from the rear position toward the forward position such that the center axis of the bolt assembly is substantially coaxially aligned with the center axis of the barrel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fastening a silencer on to a firearm are disclosed. In an example, a mounting device is disclosed which includes a housing adapted to be mounted to the barrel such that the housing is fixed against rotation relative to the barrel. It also includes a silencer holder rotatably mounted to the housing; and a fastener to secure the silencer holder to the housing at an angular position that substantially maximizes the firing accuracy of the firearm.