Abstract: A hand guard attachment assembly for a firearm having a barrel and a receiver fastened to the barrel by a barrel nut. The hand guard attachment assembly includes a forearm having a monolithic mounting rail/hand guard that is removably connected to the receiver. The monolithic rail/hand guard interfaces with an integral multi-slot mounting portion of the receiver. A cinch block is mated to the slots of the receiver and held in place by the monolithic rail/hand guard. A tension block is mated at one end of the monolithic rail/hand guard and is attached to the cinch block by a fastener to securely hold the monolithic rail/hand guard in place.

Abstract: A reinforcement device for reinforcing a locating pin aperture in a firearm magazine. The reinforcement device includes a front panel with an aperture adapted to be coaxially aligned with the locating pin aperture. The reinforcement device also includes a clamp adapted to secure the front panel to the firearm magazine to ensure accurate alignment of the front panel aperture with the locating pin aperture.

Abstract: A quick-detach barrel mounting system for removing and attaching a barrel to a receiver of a firearm. The quick-detach barrel mounting system can include a barrel nut having a body defining an axial bore. A proximal end of the barrel is received at least partially through the axial bore, and the barrel nut releasably engages a front end of the receiver. A hand guard can be mounted to the receiver and can define a cutout proximate the receiver. The hand guard at least partially encloses at least a portion of the barrel and the barrel nut, and the cutout is at least partially aligned with the barrel nut. At least a portion of the barrel nut is accessible via the cutout of the hand guard for at least partially disengaging and engaging the barrel nut with the receiver when the hand guard is mounted on the receiver.

Abstract: A monolithic upper receiver/hand guard is provided for use with a firearm. The monolithic upper receiver/hand guard can include an upper receiver section, a hand guard section, and an interrupted optics rail extending along the top of the upper receiver section and the hand guard section. Cable routing features can be defined in the hand guard section and/or the upper receiver section for helping to control wires and cables extending from or between peripheral devices and accessories, which can be mounted on the monolithic upper receiver/hand guard. The cable routing features can include one or more crossover cable guides disposed in respective channels in the interrupted optics rail. The crossover cable guide can include one or more grooves for receiving a portion of a cable passing from one side of the monolithic upper receiver/hand guard to the other for connecting two peripheral devices, for example.

Abstract: A hand guard attachment system for releasably attaching a hand guard to a firearm is disclosed herein. The system includes the hand guard having a proximal end configured to engage a forward end of a receiver of the firearm. The system further includes a tensioning assembly configured to interface between the hand guard and the forward end of the firearm. The tensioning assembly is further configured to selectively maintain an engaged position between the hand guard and the firearm such that the hand guard is releasably attached to the firearm without interfering with, or requiring removal of, the barrel and/or barrel nut connected to the receiver.

Abstract: A bolt assembly for a firearm such as an auto-loading or pump action shotgun includes a bolt body, bolt carrier and a bolt head. The bolt head is received within the bolt body and is rotatable within the bolt body to lock the bolt assembly into battery prior to firing the weapon, but does not extend from the bolt body during such rotation. The bolt carrier translates axially relative to the bolt body so as to cause rotation of the bolt head. The extractor for the firearm can be pivotally attached to the bolt body, while the ejector further can be integrated into the bolt assembly for engaging and ejecting a shell or cartridge after firing.

Abstract: A pistol thumb safety that is capable of being coupled to a frame of a pistol, the thumb safety including a safety body adapted to be movably mounted to the frame so that the body is movable between firing and safe positions. The safety body includes an outer side surface, an inner side surface, and a top portion. A blocking feature is formed along the top portion of the safety body, wherein the blocking portion engages the slide of the pistol when the safety body is in its safe position. As a result, the slide is movable along the safety body for clearing the chamber of the pistol while the safety body is maintained in its safe position.

Abstract: A modular firearm is disclosed. The firearm that can be configured to operate using ammunition of different calibers via interchangeability of only a few parts. The firearm includes a foldable butt stock assembly for quickly and easily converting the firearm from an extended operating configuration to a compact transport configuration, and vice-versa. Additionally, the firearm includes a modular hand guard assembly having multiple mounting platforms for accommodating a variety of different accessories.

Abstract: A priming mixture is provided having a primary explosive and an oxidizer system containing bismuth oxide. The priming mixture generally is applicable to any application or device that employs ignition of a propellant or fuel, including, but not limited to, air bag gas generator systems, signaling devices, ejection seats, small or large arms ammunition primers, and the like.

Abstract: A wad for ammunition cartridges, including shotshell cartridges, includes a wad body having a series of separable fingers. A shot confinement tube is located within the wad body, surrounded by the separable fingers. The confinement tube extends longitudinally along the wad body and defines a recess in which an ammunition payload is received and is contained upon firing of the ammunition cartridge and as the wad is separated from the ammunition payload.

Abstract: A barrel mounting and retention device for attaching a barrel to a receiver of a firearm. The barrel mounting and retention device can include a barrel extension disposed at a proximal end of the barrel, with an annular collar extending from the barrel extension and defining a first clamp face. A mounting plate having a second clamp face and defining a first axial bore fits over the barrel of the firearm with the barrel extending through the first axial bore. At least a portion of the second clamp face abuts a portion of the first clamp face as the mounting plate is secured to the barrel extension for mounting and retaining the barrel in communication with the receiver of the firearm.

Abstract: A muzzle brake assembly for a firearm provides several benefits including an ability to reduce firearm recoil by redirecting the propellant gases and reshaping the pressure wave in a new manner, reduction or substantial elimination of muzzle movement upon discharge, lessening the acoustic signature of the firearm closer to non-braked levels and relatively easy and low cost to manufacture by current machining practices thereby minimizing cost of manufacturing. Ports in the muzzle brake assembly are arranged opposing one another about a circumference of the muzzle brake assembly.

Abstract: A modular firearm is disclosed. The firearm that can be configured to operate using ammunition of different calibers via interchangeability of only a few parts. The firearm includes a foldable butt stock assembly for quickly and easily converting the firearm from an extended operating configuration to a compact transport configuration, and vice-versa. Additionally, the firearm includes a modular hand guard assembly having multiple mounting platforms for accommodating a variety of different accessories.

Abstract: A gas operating system for a firearm renders the firearm capable of firing a wide range of shot loads by passively or automatically compensating for different shot loads. The firearm includes a plurality of ports formed in the firearm barrel, and corresponding ports formed in a gas cylinder of the gas operating system. The ports tap gases generated during firing which are used to cycle the firearm. When firing different cartridge loads, differing combinations of the ports are selectively at least partially blocked or otherwise obstructed by the cartridge casing according to the size of the cartridge.

Abstract: A firearm and a method for configuring the firearm is described that, in one aspect, includes a tubular magazine having a mechanical connection arranged at one end, a cap having a mechanical connection and configured to cooperate with the mechanical connection arranged on the one end of the tubular magazine, a retaining mechanism arranged in the tubular magazine having a circumferential surface, the retaining mechanism having retaining mechanism locking components arranged on the circumferential surface, and the cap further including an internal peripheral surface having cap locking components arranged along the internal peripheral surface, the retaining mechanism locking components and the cap locking components configured to interact to keep the cap from rotating thereby preventing the cap from accidentally disconnecting from the tubular magazine.

Abstract: A firearm and a method for configuring the firearm is described that, in one aspect, includes a tubular magazine having a mechanical connection arranged at one end, a cap having a mechanical connection and configured to cooperate with the mechanical connection arranged on the one end of the tubular magazine, a retaining mechanism arranged in the tubular magazine having a circumferential surface, the retaining mechanism having retaining mechanism locking components arranged on the circumferential surface, and the cap further including an internal peripheral surface having cap locking components arranged along the internal peripheral surface, the retaining mechanism locking components and the cap locking components configured to interact to keep the cap from rotating thereby preventing the cap from accidentally disconnecting from the tubular magazine.