Abstract: A rifle stock is configured to receive a barreled action having an attached barrel and a lower surface which also has a downward protrusion. A shell having an exterior surface defines an exterior and an interior of the stock. The shell has opposed sidewalls extending from a bottom portion and an intermediate portion. A span element which is preferably a planar element and at least in part encompassed by fill material spans between the opposed sidewalls. The span includes a structural element that connects to the shell, a transverse intermediate portion, vertical end portions, and a forward edge for a protrusion receptacle which is defined in part by fill material in the stock and in part by the span element. The protrusion receptacle receives a downward extending protrusion of the rifle action. The fill may comprise rigid foam, composite materials, carbon fiber, or combinations of these materials.

Abstract: A recoil pad for a firearm has a compressible body, the body having a forward surface configured to face toward the firearm, an opposed rear surface configured to face toward the shoulder of a user, and the body comprising an anisotropic matrix of flexible material extending from the forward surface to the rear surface. The body may be a unitary mass. The body may be an agglomeration of welded particles. The body may have a plurality of planar members interconnected by elongated spans. The body may define a medial plane associated with a medial plane of the firearm. The planar members may be oriented perpendicularly to the medial plane of the body. The body may define a first array of elongated holes passing through the body in a first direction, and a second array of elongated holes passing through the body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A recoil pad for a firearm has a compressible body, the body having a forward surface configured to face toward the firearm, an opposed rear surface configured to face toward the shoulder of a user, and the body comprising an anisotropic matrix of flexible material extending from the forward surface to the rear surface. The body may be a unitary mass. The body may be an agglomeration of welded particles. The body may have a plurality of planar members interconnected by elongated spans. The body may define a medial plane associated with a medial plane of the firearm. The planar members may be oriented perpendicularly to the medial plane of the body. The body may define a first array of elongated holes passing through the body in a first direction, and a second array of elongated holes passing through the body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for guns having an openable breech. Guns of this type have a manual lever for operating the breech locking mechanism. The invention provides a linkage between this lever and a trigger block member which prevents trigger actuation. As a result, the gun cannot be fired unless the breech is in a fully closed and locked position.

Abstract: A gun mechanism for guns embodying safety mechanism. The mechansim includes a trigger, a sear, and a hammer in operative relationship. A disconnector member is carried by the trigger and is operative to disconnect the sear from the hammer for firing. An extending member extends from the bolt carrier to a position over the trigger mechanism. A link member is positioned between the extending member and the disconnector member and is operative to hold the disconnector member in an inactive position, that is, a safe position at all times unless the said extending member is in a fully forward closed and locked position of the bolt. A bolt carrier has a limited sliding relationship with the bolt which includes a bolt locking member. The carrier undergoes an initial movement before the bolt moves which operates the link member to the safe position, after which the bolt is unlocked for movement. Positive safety is provided in that the disconnector member is held inactive unless the bolt is fully closed and locked.

Abstract: A double barrel firearm provides a selector mechanism so that either barrel can be selected to be fired first. A pair of sears is provided cooperating with hammers. The trigger can actuate either sear that has been selected by the selector mechanism for firing either barrel first. The trigger actuates a connector. The connector can actuate the selected sear. Each sear has engagement with a part of the connector whereby when a sear is actuated, it will move the connector rearwardly, the connector being biased forwardly so that it will then come into a more forward position for engagement with the second sear. Even if the barrel selected to be fired first does not fire, the second barrel will be fired on the second pull of the trigger. The connector also serves as an inertia block so it has the capability of responding to inertia to be repositioned for actuating the second sear in the event the first barrel fires in response to the first pull of the trigger.

Abstract: A bolt action hand gun, that is, pistol, having its balance point over the hand. The trigger is in a forward position on the action with an improved connection between the trigger and the sear. The improved connection is such as to prevent accidental firing when the pistol is dropped on the muzzle or butt.

Abstract: An improvement in gas operated firearms having means for regulating the flow of gas from the barrel of the firearm to the piston which operates the action of the firearm. The improvement is a device which eliminates the necessity of having to change the barrels to accommodate different types of ammunition and loads. The improvement embodies a combined gas regulator and piston receiver associated with the reciprocating piston that actuates the action of the firearm. The combined gas regulator and piston receiver is reversible and in either of its positions fits in sealing relationship against the member which depends from the barrel of the gun and contains the gas orifices that deliver the gas from the barrel, to the regulator. The regulator-receiver has a bore that fits on the forearm shaft. Equally angularly spaced axial passageways are provided of partial circular configuration at the internal diameter of the regulator. An axial bore or passageway is also provided through the regulator.

Abstract: An improved gas operated firearm utilizing a metering device positioned for regulating the flow of gas from the barrel of the firearm to a piston which operates the action of the firearm. The metering device consists of a metering plug which has an annular rib where the plug is inserted into a cylinder which communicates with the piston which operates the action of the firearm. The area of the gas flow opening between the rib of the metering plug and the bore of the cylinder is thus selectable to one of the flow of gases. The metering plug may also have a plurality of flats on its surface of different dimensions and the metering plug is adjustable to selected positions for varying the degree of restriction posed to gases passing beteween the plug and the bore of the cylinder.

Abstract: A safety device for guns such as gas operated shotguns having interchangeable barrels. The barrels may be chambered for different-sized cartridges or shells, such as 23/4 inch shells or 3 inch shells. It would be unsafe to load a 3 inch shell into a barrel chambered for 23/4 inch shells. The invention is a safety block or lug which is fitted to the barrel chambered for the smaller size cartridge, the block having a position such that it is not possible to load the larger size cartridge into the gun.