Abstract: A method for locking a firearm in an “open” position involves blocking some portion of the firearm's action (internal operational mechanism) with a selectively-extendable locking device accessible from outside the firearm. More specifically, the locking device is positioned at one of a plurality of pre-selected locations on the firearm, and includes a plunger that lies retracted when the device is unlocked, and that extends into the interior of the firearm when locked. The pre-selected location is chosen such that: (i) when locked, the locking device interferes with the firearm's action, preventing it from being closed, and the firearm from being fired; (ii) the locking device can only be locked when the firearm's action is in an open position, with the chamber visually exposed; and (iii) to the extent one is able to operatively disassemble the firearm when the locking device is locked, the locking device cannot be defeated internally.

Abstract: A wall-mounted locking system for firearms comprises a wall-mounted base plate having hinged primary and secondary latch doors. A breech hook is connected to the base plate. The primary latch door carries a locking mechanism, which is dimensioned to pass through a hole or cut-out provided in the secondary latch door. Additionally, a barrel ring or muzzle hook is wall mounted above the base plate. A firearm is held against the base plate via the breech hook, which engages the firearm's ejection port and prevents the firearm from being loaded with ammunition. The barrel ring or muzzle hook prevents the firearm's barrel from being moved laterally. The firearm is secured via closing the latch doors and locking the lock.

Abstract: A gun operating system for firearms, particularly for a shotgun, includes a bolt/slide movable between a closed position prior to firing and an open position after firing and a link operatively connected to the bolt/slide. An inertial recoil assembly housed in the gun stock is operatively connected to the link and includes a first mechanical an/or gas spring having a higher spring deformation rate in series with a second mechanical spring having a lower spring deformation rate. Upon firing of the gun, the bolt/slide is adapted to move to the open position and the link is adapted to initially deform the first spring in one direction and, subsequently, the first spring is adapted to return to its initial position and move the link and deform the second spring in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A safety and bolt assembly system for firearms, particularly for a shotgun. A firing pin is slideable within an opening in the gun's bolt to strike a shell in the gun. The firing pin being movable between a first position in which it is aligned with the opening and capable of sliding movement to strike the shell and a second position in which it is out of alignment with the opening and incapable of sliding movement to strike the shell. The gun safety system includes a spring for urging the firing pin away from the shell and an angled slot for moving and retaining the firing pin away from the shell when the bolt is in the second position. A link is adapted to connect the bolt/slide to a bolt operating system, a pin is secured to one of the bolt/slide or link, and a slot is present in the other of the bolt/slide or link to receive the pin. The slot is angled rearward to prevent movement of the pin from the slot during movement of the bolt/slide in the direction of the link.

Abstract: A firearm, such as a shotgun, is normally-enabled at all times for firing. An authorized user, such as a police officer, wears a transmitter that transmits signal energy in all directions. The transmitter may be worn by the authorized user on the user's person. The transmitter transmits a "disable" system that is received by a corresponding signal receiver built into the firearm only when the muzzle of the firearm is pointed in the direction of the authorized user. That is, the receiver has a narrow angular spatial range of signal reception. In this way, if the firearm is taken away from the authorized user, or the authorized user accidentally points the firearm at his/her person, then the firearm will be disabled automatically from firing by reception of the "disable" signal sent by the transmitter worn by the authorized user.

Abstract: A line carrying projectile has an axially elongate hollow projectile rod for muzzle loading within the bore of an associated shotgun and an at least partially transparent container assembly mounted on the forward end of the projectile rod and containing a chemiluminescent flare. The flare is removed from the container and activated by bending after which it is reassembled within the container in its active condition preparatory to firing. A part of the projectile frictionally engages and grips an associated portion of the gun barrel to releasably retain the projectile in a launching position within the gun and regardless of barrel orientation until the projectile is fired from the gun.

Abstract: Gases of combustion vented from the bore of a shotgun barrel in spaced relation to the muzzle travel along one or more passageways externally of the barrel and are discharged externally of the barrel and ahead of the muzzle in a generally transverse direction relative to the barrel axis to create turbulence immediately forward of the muzzle and exert lateral forces on a shot charge after the charge leaves the muzzle whereby the short range shot pattern produced by the barrel is substantially enlarged. A finite, moveable mechanical obstruction projecting into the bore retards the advance of a wad to reduce influence of the wad on the shot charge.

Abstract: A gas operated auto loading shotgun having an axially elongate magazine tube and a gas operated piston/cylinder coaxially surrounding the magazine tube includes a gas pressure relief mechanism at the forward end of the gas cylinder for venting gases of combustion in a forward direction toward the muzzle end of the gun when gas pressure within the gas cylinder exceeds a predetermined magnitude. The pressure relief mechanism includes two angularly spaced apart vent ports communicating with the interior of the gas cylinder and terminating at valve seats at the forward end of the gas cylinder. Spherical valve elements seated on the valve seats are biased toward the valve seats by an annular flat spring member secured in fixed on the gas cylinder by a single fastener and surrounding an associated portion of the magazine tube.

Abstract: A choke tube assembly having a rear part and a front part selected from a plurality of front parts is releasably retained within a stepped cylindrical bore in the muzzle end of a shotgun barrel. The front and rear parts cooperate to define a forwardly converging forcing cone contiguous to a cylindrical choke bore which opens through the forward end of the front part. Each of the front parts define a choke bore of a different diameter. The shot pattern characteristics of the gun barrel may be altered by substituting one front part for another having a different choke characteristic.

Abstract: A shotgun barrel assembly for producing a prematurely enlarged shot pattern has an axially position on barrel and a barrel extension mounted in fixed position on the forward end of the barrel. The barrel defines a shell chamber and a bore which communicates with and extends forwardly of the shell chamber and opens through the forward end of the barrel. A portion of the bore forward of the shell chamber is generally cylindrical and terminates at a conically tapered forwardly diverging portion which opens through the forward end of the barrel and has an axial length at least equal to eight times the diameter of the cylindrical portion. The barrel extension defines an expansion portion which forms an extension of the bore and which has a diameter greater than the major diameter of the conically tapered portion. Compensating slots may be formed in the barrel extension portion.

Abstract: A shotgun having interchangeable barrels includes a buttstock having interchangeable combs. A low comb is provided for use when the gun is fitted with a barrel having a sighting rib. A high comb may be used when the gun is fitted with a barrel for slug shooting with a scope. The selected comb is disposed within a notch in the buttstock and is secured by a single fastener.

Abstract: A firearm lock assembly includes a trigger blocking element and a cable lock which passes through the receiver to secure the breech bolt of the firearm in an open condition and which cooperates with the trigger blocking element to lock the trigger in a disabled condition.

Abstract: An autoloading shotgun having a receiver, a barrel projecting from the receiver, a magazine tube supported on the receiver in parallel relation to the barrel, a generally cylindrical gas cylinder mounted in fixed position relative to the barrel and coaxially surrounding relation to an associated portion of the magazine tube, and in an annular piston received within the gas chamber and coaxially surrounding an associated portion of the magazine tube and supported for movement along the magazine tube and toward and away from the receiver. The gas cylinder, magazine tube and piston cooperate to define an annular a gas chamber in communication with the shotgun bore. An obturation ring coaxially surrounding the magazine tube forward of the gas cylinder is biased into engagement with an annular seating surface on the forward end of the gas cylinder to provide a closure for gas ports communicating with the gas chamber and opening through the seating surface.

Abstract: A firearm having a movable barrel including an axially elongated smooth bore. The barrel moves in an axial direction and simultaneously rotates about its axis when a round of slug ammunition is discharged by the firearm whereby to impart rotary motion to the slug as it travels through the bore so that the slug is rotating about its axis of trajectory as it leaves the muzzle of the firearm and travels toward a target.

Abstract: A firearm having a receiver and a changeable barrel releasably connected to the receiver. A sight mounting member integrally connected to the barrel forward of the receiver extends for some distance in a rearward direction above the receiver and carries a telescopic sight. The barrel, sight mounting member and telescopic sight are removable from and assembled with the receiver as a unit. The sight mounting member also carries an adjustable open rear sight which cooperates with a front sight mounted in fixed position at the forward end of the barrel.

Abstract: A proven sporting type shotgun with the stock removed therefrom converted to a military combat type weapon by addition of a retrofit assembly which includes a retrofit housing containing the trigger of the basic sporting shotgun and at least a portion of the shotgun receiver. The trigger of the shotgun is operated by an elongated trigger connector assembly operably connected to a primary trigger supported on the retrofit housing forward of the shotgun trigger. The gun safety mechanism includes a blocking cam biased to a blocking position wherein it engages an abutment surface on the trigger guard of the shotgun to prevent movement of the shotgun trigger to its firing position. A cam roller carried by the trigger connector assembly cammingly engages the blocking cam during inital rearward movement of the primary trigger to move the blocking cam to a releasing position relative to the shotgun trigger.

Abstract: A sporting shotgun from which the stock and forearm have been removed is partially encapsulated within a clamshell housing assembly which includes a stock and pistol grip and which substantially alters the appearance of the shotgun. Projections within the housing assembly block a safety member on the gun in an inoperative position. A recoil beam attached to the receiver of the shotgun and contained with the butt end of the stock functions as a recoil absorber and also cooperates with a cup-shaped butt plate to retain the butt end portion of the housing in assembly. The trigger of the shotgun is encapsulated within the stock and connected by a trigger connecting assembly to an auxiliary trigger associated with the pistol grip.

Abstract: A semiautomatic shotgun having a gas operating mechanism for unlocking a bolt and moving it from battery position. The operating mechanism includes an action bar and an inertia weight assembly which comprises a plurality of inertia elements. The inertia elements, the action bar and the bolt are arranged for movement relative to each other and impact at different times during the operating cycle. A return spring cooperates with the inertia weight assembly to maintain the various parts of the mechanism in fixed position relative to each other when the bolt is locked in battery.