Abstract: Firearms with improved systems and methods of controlling which side of the firearm shell casings are ejected from, with ejection port covers on both sides of the firearm that open to provide cross ventilation, or both. In some embodiments, the bolt can be installed in one of two different orientations to select whether shell casings are ejected from the left or the right ejection port without a need to replace any parts. In a number of embodiments, spring loaded ejection port covers on both sides open when the firearm is fired or when the bolt or carrier of the firearm moves to provide cross ventilation through a passageway through the firearm to cool the firearm. The covers can be manually closed by the operator when the weapon is not being fired to keep dirt and debris out of the firearm.

Abstract: Firearms where the bolt catch can be released from either side using the same or a substantially similar motion using contact features that look, feel, or operate similarly on both sides, that are located within the firearm rather than externally, that can be used more easily or reliably, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a bolt catch engagement feature, magazine release mechanism, or both, are also (e.g., similarly) ambidextrous. In many embodiments, a user action on one side of the firearm is substantially similar to, but in the opposite direction from, a user action on the other side that performs the same function. In various embodiments, a left button, pad, or feature is directly opposite and in line with a right button, pad, or feature. Bolt catches can use two levers and magazine release mechanisms can use two parallel elongated members perpendicular to the barrel and a catch actuator.

Abstract: Firearms that pull back the carrier using a charging handle and carriers and charging handles for firearms. In various embodiments, the charging handle engages the carrier at a gas key or tab thereon. In some embodiments, the charging handle has a bridge or engagement face located between a rearward end and a forward end of the charging handle. In particular embodiments, the bridge extends from a left wall to a right wall of the charging handle. In some embodiments, the bridge, the left wall, the right wall, and a top wall are all one piece and a stem of the charging handle has an open bottom between the left and right walls. In various embodiments, the bridge does not extend below the left or right wall, the tab on the gas key extends upward between the left and right walls to engage the bridge on the charging handle, or both.

Abstract: Firearms and buffer systems having a second buffer spring or having a buffer spring and a buffer adjusting nut, for instance, to absorb recoil energy, reduce recoil forces, or both. In some embodiments, a first buffer spring is aft of the bolt assembly and a second buffer spring is forward of the first buffer spring, forward of the carrier assembly, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a buffer adjusting nut adjusts preload of the second buffer spring, contacts the second buffer spring, or both. In particular embodiments, a buffer weight is located between the first buffer spring and the carrier assembly or the second buffer spring, the first buffer spring is longer than the second buffer spring, the first buffer spring is less stiff than the second buffer spring, the first buffer spring and the second buffer spring have a common axis, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Firearms where the bolt catch, magazine, or both, can be released from either side using the same or a substantially similar motion using contact features that look, feel, or operate similarly on both sides, that are located within the firearm rather than externally, that can be used more easily or reliably, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a bolt catch engagement feature is similarly ambidextrous. In many embodiments, a user action on one side of the firearm is substantially similar to, but in the opposite direction from, a user action on the other side that performs the same function. In various embodiments, a left button, pad, or feature is directly opposite and in line with a right button, pad, or feature. Bolt catches can use two levers and magazine release mechanisms can use two parallel elongated members that are perpendicular to the barrel with a catch actuator located between.

Abstract: Firearms having a carrier assembly, buffer systems, and methods, having a carrier spindle, carrier saddle, or both, to reduce carrier tilt or wobble, reduce wear, or both. A carrier spindle can be located forward of the buffer spring, buffer weight, or both, and aft of the carrier assembly, and can slidably engage the carrier assembly. A spindle spring can bias the carrier spindle aft from the carrier assembly. In some embodiments, a taper on the carrier spindle facilitates separation of the lower receiver from the upper receiver. In some embodiments, the spindle spring is a helical spring that is loaded in compression and pushes the carrier spindle aftward. Some embodiments include a carrier saddle that supports the aft end of the carrier assembly. The carrier saddle can be raised, have a concave top surface, be made of a softer material, have dimensions within certain ranges, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Firearms with improved systems and methods of controlling which side of the firearm shell casings are ejected from, with ejection port covers on both sides of the firearm that open to provide cross ventilation, or both. In some embodiments, the bolt can be installed in one of two different orientations to select whether shell casings are ejected from the left or the right ejection port without a need to replace any parts. In a number of embodiments, spring loaded ejection port covers on both sides open when the firearm is fired or when the bolt or carrier of the firearm moves to provide cross ventilation through a passageway through the firearm to cool the firearm. The covers can be manually closed by the operator when the weapon is not being fired to keep dirt and debris out of the firearm.

Abstract: Firearms with improved systems and methods of pulling back a carrier within the firearm and charging handles for such firearms. In some embodiments, the charging handle engages the carrier at an engagement face located between a rearward first end and a forward second end of the charging handle and the engagement face is at least ten percent of the length of the charging handle from the second end. In some embodiments, the charging handle has a stem having a top wall, a left wall, and a right wall, and the engagement face extends from the left wall to the right wall. In various embodiments, walls are perpendicular or parallel or are one piece, the bottom is open, the carrier has a protrusion contacting the charging handle, the engagement face is concave, the firearm is a rifle that selectably fires in fully-automatic and semi-automatic modes, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Firearms with improved systems and methods of retaining a charging handle within the firearm and charging handles for such firearms. In some embodiments, a spring, a portion or a majority of the latch, or both, are located, for example, within a hollow, inside the body of the charging handle. In certain embodiments, one or two levers on the charging handle can be pulled to release the latch and thereby release the charging handle. The lever(s) and latch are pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle in a number of embodiments. In some embodiments, the charging handle includes a stem and a bezel. The firearm can be a semi-automatic or a fully-automatic rifle, for example.

Abstract: Firearms with improved systems and methods of attaching the barrels that can provide for quicker and easier replacement of the barrel. In particular embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes a door that opens to release the barrel from the receiver. In certain embodiments, the door is located on the firearm below the barrel, a latch releasably holds the door closed, the door is pivotably attached to the receiver at a first end of the door, the latch is at a second end of the door, the door includes a barrel clamp that contacts a flange at a rearward end of the barrel to secure the barrel to the receiver, a rotating cam in the door secures the barrel to the receiver, the barrel attaches to the receiver without screwing the barrel into the receiver and without screwing an attachment component onto threads on the receiver, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Firearms and handguards for firearms having three pivotably attached pods wherein a first pod is deployable as a monopod and second and third pods are deployable together as a bipod, or having at least one pivotable pod having at least one hinge pin, at least one locking pin, and at least one return spring that biases the at least one locking pin. In some embodiments, a return spring, a slide spindle, a locking spindle, or a combination thereof, push two locking pins, for example, into opposite detents when the pod is pivoted into a deployed position, and the pod can be released by moving a slide button and secured in a stowed position with a catch. In certain embodiments, the monopod is pivotably attached to the handguard aft of where the bipod is pivotably attached to the handguard. In particular embodiments, the firearm is an AR-15 or an M-16.