Abstract: A chamber reinforcement for composite firearm barrel and method for forming the same. In one embodiment, the barrel includes an inner tube defining a bore that provides a bullet path and an outer sleeve preferably made of a material lighter in weight than the tube. In some embodiments, the inner tube is made of a material that preferably has a greater density and strength than the outer sleeve. The reinforcement in one embodiment may be in the form of an end cap disposed on a portion of the sleeve. The reinforcement preferably is made of a material comparable to the inner tube in density and strength to reinforce the area where a chamber is formed for receiving a cartridge. In the preferred fabrication, the reinforcement, tube, and sleeve are forged together to provide a strong and unitary structure for withstanding combustion pressures and forces associated with discharging the firearm.

Abstract: A gas operated autoloading firearm having an improved bolt carrier. The gas piston system may include a barrel defining a longitudinally-extending bullet pathway, a gas block defining a piston bore, a passageway fluidly connecting the bore with the bullet pathway for diverting combustion gas to the bore upon discharging the firearm, and a piston slidably disposed in the bore for reciprocating movement. The piston actuates a reciprocating bolt assembly including a bolt carrier slidably received in a receiver. The bolt carrier includes supporting and guiding surfaces configured to reduce receiver wear and bolt carrier drag.

Abstract: A firearm with barrel interlock system for a rotary mounted quick coupling barrel assembly. In one embodiment, the firearm includes a receiver and barrel assembly rotatably mounted thereto. A bolt carrier supporting a bolt is slidably disposed in the receiver and axially movable into and out of battery with the barrel assembly. The barrel interlock system may include a first barrel anti-rotation locking element disposed on the barrel assembly and a mating second barrel anti-rotation locking element disposed on the bolt carrier that is engageable with the first element. When mutually engaged, the first and second locking elements form a meshed relationship and prevent rotation and removal of the barrel assembly from the receiver. In some non-limiting embodiments, the locking elements may be in the form of a protrusion and complementary shaped recess.

Abstract: A barrel retaining system for a firearm includes a firearm receiver having a barrel nut coupled thereto and a barrel assembly, which in one embodiment may include a barrel with a barrel extension coupled thereto. The barrel extension includes a plurality of barrel locking lugs that rotatably engage corresponding locking elements disposed on the barrel nut. The barrel extension may further include a flange that may engage one end of the locking elements of the barrel nut and the barrel locking lugs may engage an opposite end of the locking elements to wedge the locking elements therebetween for securing the barrel extension to the barrel nut. The firearm may be an autoloading rifle in some embodiments.

Abstract: A auto-loading firearm with magazine disconnect mechanism operable to disable the firing control mechanism of the firearm. The firearm may include a frame, a magazine adapted for holding a plurality of cartridges, and a pivotably mounted trigger movable for discharging the firearm. A magazine disconnect member is provided that is selectively engageable with the trigger and movable in response to removing and inserting the magazine. In one embodiment, the disconnect member may be slidably disposed in the frame proximate the trigger. In one position, the disconnect member engages the trigger when pulled to block or restrict movement of the trigger and disable the firing control mechanism to prevent discharging the firearm. A spring biases the disconnect member towards engagement with the trigger.

Abstract: A auto-loading firearm lockable manual safety mechanism operable to disable the firing control mechanism of the firearm. The firearm may include a frame, a pivotable hammer, and a trigger bar operably coupled to a pivotable trigger for cocking and releasing the hammer. In one embodiment, the trigger bar is movable between a firing position and standby position in which the firing mechanism is disabled. A rotary-operated camming member is provided that is engageable with the trigger bar. The camming member is operable to move the trigger bar between the firing and standby positions. In one embodiment, the camming member may be key-operated.

Abstract: A spring-loaded quick coupling barrel retaining system for a firearm. The firearm includes a receiver, a barrel nut, and barrel assembly rotatably mounted thereto. In one embodiment, the barrel assembly may include barrel locking lugs which rotatably engage and interlock with corresponding locking elements disposed on the barrel nut such a splines. The barrel assembly further includes a spring member forming a flexible interface with the barrel nut. The spring member self-tensions and tightens the lockup between the barrel assembly and barrel nut to promote a tight fit. Some embodiments may include a lock nut and a setting tool for adjusting the spring force to promote consistently proper lockup from one replacement barrel assembly to the next.

Abstract: A spring-loaded quick coupling barrel retaining system for a firearm. The firearm includes a receiver, a barrel nut, and barrel assembly rotatably mounted thereto. In one embodiment, the barrel assembly may include barrel locking lugs which rotatably engage and interlock with corresponding locking elements disposed on the barrel nut such a splines. The barrel assembly further includes a spring member forming a flexible interface with the barrel nut. The spring member self-tensions and tightens the lockup between the barrel assembly and barrel nut to promote a tight fit. Some embodiments may include a lock nut and a setting tool for adjusting the spring force to promote consistently proper lockup from one replacement barrel assembly to the next.

Abstract: A gas piston operating system for an autoloading firearm. The gas piston system may include a barrel having a longitudinally-extending bullet pathway, a gas block defining a piston bore, a passageway fluidly connecting the bore with the bullet pathway for diverting combustion gas from the pathway to the bore upon discharging the firearm, and a piston slidably disposed in the bore for reciprocating movement. In one embodiment, the piston includes a head having an axially-extending protrusion projecting towards the passageway. The protrusion is configured for slidable insertion into the passageway. The piston is movable from a first actuation position in which the protrusion is inserted into the passageway to a second actuation position in which the protrusion is at least partially withdrawn from the passageway. The protrusion acts to pretension a mechanical linkage between the piston and a reciprocating bolt assembly.

Abstract: A revolver with trigger mechanism for cocking a rotatable hammer. The revolver includes a frame, a barrel supported by the frame and defining a bore, at least one chamber aligned with the bore of barrel for holding a cartridge, a hammer pivotally mounted to the frame and moveable between a forward uncocked position and a rearward cocked position, and a trigger pivotally mounted to the frame. In one embodiment, the trigger includes a contoured camming surface configured and arranged to engage a protrusion extending outwards from the hammer for cocking the hammer in response to pulling the trigger. The protrusion may be a hammer dog pivotally coupled to the hammer in some embodiments. In another embodiment, the hammer may include a sear having a contoured camming surface for engaging the trigger.

Abstract: A barrel retaining system for a firearm includes a firearm receiver having a barrel nut coupled thereto and a barrel assembly, which in one embodiment may include a barrel with a barrel extension coupled thereto. The barrel extension includes a plurality of barrel locking lugs that rotatably engage corresponding locking elements disposed on the barrel nut. The barrel extension may further include a flange that may engage one end of the locking elements of the barrel nut and the barrel locking lugs may engage an opposite end of the locking elements to wedge the locking elements therebetween for securing the barrel extension to the barrel nut. The firearm may be an autoloading rifle in some embodiments.

Abstract: A striker-fired firearm with lockable manual safety and method of use. The firearm in one embodiment includes a frame, a chamber for receiving a cartridge, a striker movable to strike the cartridge, a trigger movably mounted to the frame, a trigger bar coupled to the trigger and operable to engage and release the striker to discharge the firearm, a manually-operated safety adapted to engage the trigger bar and selectively movable between a first deactivated position and a second activated position wherein the safety engages the trigger bar to prevent release of the striker, and a cylindrical locking member rotationally disposed in the frame. In one embodiment, the locking member, which may be a lock pin in some embodiments, includes a blocking surface that is engageable with the safety. The blocking surface is rotatable to a blocking position wherein the safety cannot be moved from the second activated position to the first deactivated position by a user.

Abstract: A system and method of drying casting molds for forming metal parts is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a casting mold comprised of a meltable pattern coated with a ceramic slurry containing a liquid solvent and a binder, placing the casting mold in a chamber, encapsulating the casting mold in a desiccant material, sealing the chamber sufficient to pull a vacuum in the chamber, and applying a variable vacuum to the chamber to dry the mold. In one embodiment, the vacuum is controlled and gradually increased over time from atmospheric pressure to a predetermined maximum vacuum pressure. The vacuum is preferably applied at a rate such that the meltable pattern has a temperature that does not decrease more than about 5 degrees F. from atmospheric pressure to maximum vacuum pressure in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the retained moisture level of the desiccant may be controlled to minimize temperature swings of the meltable pattern during the vacuum application.

Abstract: A slide catch-ejector assembly for an autoloading firearm. An embodiment of a firearm having a slide catch-ejector assembly includes a housing, a slide slidably mounted on the housing for rearward and forward axial movement, and an assembly having a slide catch portion configured for engaging the slide and an ejector portion configured for ejecting cartridge casings from the firearm. In one embodiment, the assembly is selectively movable in the housing between a deactivated position in which the slide catch portion is not engageable with the slide and an activated position in which the slide catch portion is engageable with the slide. The ejector portion is selectively movable into and out of axial alignment with a chamber that receives a cartridge via moving the assembly between the deactivated and activated positions.

Abstract: A chamber reinforcement for composite firearm barrel and method for forming the same. In one embodiment, the barrel includes an inner tube defining a bore that provides a bullet path and an outer sleeve preferably made of a material lighter in weight than the tube. In some embodiments, the inner tube is made of a material that preferably has a greater density and strength than the outer sleeve. The reinforcement in one embodiment may be in the form of an end cap disposed on a portion of the sleeve. The reinforcement preferably is made of a material comparable to the inner tube in density and strength to reinforce the area where a chamber is formed for receiving a cartridge. In the preferred fabrication, the reinforcement, tube, and sleeve are forged together to provide a strong and unitary structure for withstanding combustion pressures and forces associated with discharging the firearm.

Abstract: A composite barrel for a firearm and method for forming by forging. The barrel includes at least two materials joined together by forging. In a preferred embodiment, at least one material is preferably lighter in weight than the other material. The barrel may include an inner tube and an outer sleeve. The inner tube defines a bore that provides a bullet path and in one embodiment may be made of steel or alloys thereof. The outer sleeve surrounds the inner tube and in some embodiments may be made of aluminum, titanium, or alloys of either thereof. The tube preferably includes an exterior surface containing recessed areas therein for receiving material displaced from the outer sleeve by the forging process. The preferred barrel forming method generally may include inserting the tube into the sleeve, striking an outer surface of the sleeve, and deforming the sleeve to force material to flow into the recessed exterior surface of the tube to bond the tube and sleeve together.

Abstract: A revolver with latching mechanism for swing-out type cylinder. The revolver includes a frame, a rotatable cylinder movable from a ready-to-fire position in the frame to a loading position laterally displaced outwards from the frame, and a latching member retained in the frame by a barrel insert that defines a bullet bore. In one embodiment, the latching member may be a spring-loaded plunger movable from a locked position in which the cylinder is locked in the ready-to-fire position to an unlocked position in which the cylinder is movable to the loading position. A cylinder crane pivotally mounts the cylinder in the frame and moving the plunger to the unlocked position allows the cylinder crane to be swung out laterally from the frame by a user. In one embodiment, the plunger is held in the frame by a retaining plug engaged by the barrel insert.

Abstract: A firearm with reversible backstrap and method of use. The firearm in one embodiment includes a frame defining a grip and a cavity therein, and a backstrap insert that is removably positioned in the cavity. The insert includes first and second backstrap grip surfaces that are each respectively disposed on opposite portions of the backstrap insert, such as a front portion and a rear portion in one embodiment. Preferably, the second backstrap grip surface is different than the first grip surface in some characteristic, such as thickness, profile or shape, material of construction, surface texture, etc. In one embodiment, the position of the insert may be reversed in the frame to selectively reverse the orientation of the first and second grip surfaces between front-facing and rear-facing in some embodiments to provide a user with a choice of grip surfaces. In some embodiments, this allows the user to change the grip depth of the firearm.

Abstract: A gas operated autoloading firearm having an improved bolt carrier. The gas piston system may include a barrel defining a longitudinally-extending bullet pathway, a gas block defining a piston bore, a passageway fluidly connecting the bore with the bullet pathway for diverting combustion gas to the bore upon discharging the firearm, and a piston slidably disposed in the bore for reciprocating movement. The piston actuates a reciprocating bolt assembly including a bolt carrier slidably received in a receiver. The bolt carrier includes supporting and guiding surfaces configured to reduce receiver wear and bolt carrier drag.