Abstract: Unidirectional transparent projectile penetration resistant panels and bidirectional opaque projectile penetration resistant assemblies and systems and methods of forming and mounting the same relative to underlying support structures.

Abstract: A fast utility access device (FUAD) is provided that includes one or more casings, each of the one or more casings collectively defining a bore, and a core of a highly exothermic composition contained in the bore and surrounded by a thermally insulating inner liner, the highly exothermic composition ignitable to create a post-ignition temperature of between 500° C. and 4000° C. A method is also provided for breaching a target and includes contacting the inventive access device with a breaching target substrate, thermally coupling at least one reaction initiator to the highly exothermic composition, triggering the at least one reaction initiator thereby igniting the highly exothermic composition, and allowing the highly exothermic composition to achieve a post-ignition temperature sufficient to melt the breaching target substrate, forming a hole therethrough.

Abstract: Provided is a trigger mechanism having a trigger member is pivotally supported by a housing and having a forwardly extending finger portion and an actuation blade portion and a sear fixed in position relative to each other. A hammer pivotally supported inside the housing has a tooth and a disconnector has hook portion. A safety selector movable between safe and fire positions has a first surface that confronts the finger portion to block pivotal movement of the trigger member when in the safe position and a recess that receives the finger portion and allows movement of the trigger member when in the fire position. When the trigger member is pulled, cycling of the firearm action pivots the hammer to engage the tooth with the hook portion and hold the hammer until the trigger member is released to allow the sear to engage the hammer as the hook releases the tooth.

Abstract: A flash hider is configured to reduce a firearm's visible signature. The flash hider extends along a central axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end defines a central opening to an expanding central volume of a first flash hider portion. One or more outer volumes are located radially outside of the central volume and can be part of first and/or second flash hider portions. When the outer volumes are part of the first flash hider portion, the outer volumes can communicate with the central volume. Optionally, a second flash hider portion includes one or more gas passageways located radially outside of the central volume. For example, gas passageways are interspersed circumferentially with outer volumes of the first flash hider portion, where the gas passageways are isolated from first flash hider portion and receive gas flows via vent openings in the outer wall.

Abstract: A color marker projectile, which is intended as a non-lethal projectile to mark a hit with color, is located in the projectile itself and is poured over the target on impact. The projectile is launched from a conversion kit (new barrel and bolt) of a real weapon. The color marker projectile includes a front part, a rear part, an inserted element and a color filler. The front part is formed as a semicircular cylindrical part with vertical ribs. The inserted element is positioned to complete the concluded cylindrical part of the front part. The color filler and the inserted element are positioned on the inside of the front part. The color filler is located at the contact point between the front part and the rear part.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a firearm stock or arm brace with an adjustable length of pull. The stock or arm brace can include a body and lower stock, where the body includes a buffer tube receiving aperture and the lower stock includes a hollow cavity with a plunger and two concentric springs therein. One or more buttons can be affixed to sides of the plunger in the hollow cavity that can be used to depress the plunger against the force of one or both of the springs. One of the two springs may be shorter than the other and have a greater spring constant than the longer spring. Depressing the plunger against the taller spring may allow a user to adjust the length of pull while greater pressure and engagement of the second spring allows the stock or arm brace to be removed from a buffer tube or receiver extension.

Abstract: An overmolded/through-molded firearm magazine including at least some of one or more wall portions defining a magazine core, wherein the magazine core extends from a substantially open top portion to a substantially open bottom portion and at least partially defines a core cavity; at least one core aperture/recess formed through a portion of one or more of the one or more wall portions; and an overmolded body formed atop at least a portion of an exterior surface of the magazine core, wherein at least a portion of the overmolded body extends at least partially through the at least one core aperture/recess, forming a through-core protrusion.

Abstract: A rifle cartridge with a bullet has desirable penetration capabilities and controlled separation of components upon terminal impact. In embodiments of the invention, the bullet comprises a forward component, a lead core, and a copper jacket. The lead jacket having a leading edge portion that extends to the cylindrical mid portion. The forward component may have a forward pointed ogive portion, a cylindrical mid portion, a mid ogive portion, and a pair of cylindrical portions separated by an annular groove. The jacket having a cannelure at the annular groove and the casing upper lip crimped into the cannelure.

Abstract: An advanced gas piston operating system for Armalite Rifle (AR) and Armalite Rifle variants. The advanced gas piston system may include a barrel having a gas port formed through the barrel wall, a gas block assembly, a gas piston assembly, and upper receiver assembly, a sending block, rack and gear assembly, and a bolt carrier assembly with an attached rack. In such a system, a portion of the combustion gases from a fired projectile travel through a gas port in the barrel into a gas block assembly which drives a piston forward which compresses a main spring on an attached rod. The opposite end of the rod is attached to a sending block rack and gear assembly with the gear rotatably engaged with the teeth of another rack that is attached to the bolt carrier assembly. As the gas piston assembly moves forward, the bolt carrier assembly moves rearward until the main spring is fully compressed. Decompression of the main spring returns bolt carrier assembly forward loading the next round into the chamber.

Abstract: An ammunition press for manufacturing or reloading ammunition cartridges. The ammunition press includes an adjustable shell holder for holding ammunition shells (sometimes called cases) of various sizes. A catch tray is provided for collecting spent primers or other debris. According to a user's preference, the ammunition press can be customized to provide an over-center actuated configuration or a non-over-center actuated configuration. A light is integrated with the press for illuminating the shell holder. Components of the press and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A trigger assembly is disclosed. The trigger assembly includes a trigger shoe having a top surface, a brace coupled to the trigger shoe, a joint coupled to the brace, a trigger bar coupled to the brace, a trigger hood coupled to the top surface of the trigger shoe and the joint, and a track disposed between the trigger hood and the trigger shoe, wherein the trigger shoe is configured to move along the track.

Abstract: Shockwave suppression is accomplished by channeling a shockwave from a shockwave source, such as a firearm, into a suppression device along a propagation path, and within the suppression device, deflecting a portion of the shockwave away from the firing axis, and channeling the deflected portion through a feedback path and back to a region behind the deflected shockwave. The suppression device can be formed from one more chambers arranged within an outer wall and including baffles and inner wall sections.

Abstract: A muzzle brake has a first forward sloping wall and a second forward sloping wall located between a rear wall and a front wall, the first and second forward sloping walls each being disposed at an angle of from about 50 degrees to about 70 degrees relative to the length axis of the muzzle brake; and a top wall and an opposite bottom wall extending parallel to the length axis of the muzzle brake. A first open-sided blast chamber is defined between the rear wall, the first forward sloping wall and the top and bottom walls; a second open-sided blast chamber is defined between the first forward sloping wall, the second forward sloping wall, and the top and bottom walls; and a third open-sided blast chamber is defined between the second forward sloping wall, the front wall, and the top and bottom walls.

Abstract: A rear sight is provided for use on a firearm. The rear sight includes a changeable and removable rear sight notch insert. The rear sight further includes a rear sight blade having a cavity configured to receive the changeable, removable rear sight notch insert. The changeable, removable rear sight notch insert includes one or more tabs to facilitate insertion or removal of the rear sight notch insert into or out of the cavity. The rear sight notch inserts are variable in notch width, notch depth, and notch shape.

Abstract: An assembly (10) includes a forward unit (12) including a mounting portion (16) for mounting thereon a firearm, the forward unit (12) defining a projectile shooting axis (20), and a rearward unit (14) coupled to the forward unit (12). The rearward unit (14) includes a retractable buttstock (24) that has a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position the rearward unit (14) is pivotable with respect to the forward unit (12) about a pivot axis (26) which is tilted relative to the projectile shooting axis (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a firearm shooting with an open breech and comprising a detent mechanism with a hammer block (5) that can block the forward movement of movable parts (2), a trigger (10) that can lift the hammer block (5) when the movable parts (2) move backwards, an action bar (12) that actuates the hammer block (5) and the trigger (10) when shooting is triggered and stopped, and a finger piece (13) linked to the action bar (12) by a disconnector (11) that can shift from a position in which the finger piece (13) is mechanically coupled to the action bar (12) to a position in which the finger piece (13) is mechanically uncoupled from the action bar (12), the action bar (12) shifting from a shooting position to a rest position when the disconnector (11) shifts from its coupling position to its uncoupling position so as to prevent the following shot from being fired if the finger piece (13) is maintained in the shooting position.

Abstract: A muzzle device for a firearm may include an additively manufactured body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a central bore extending from the first end to the second end. The body may include a lattice of triply periodic minimal surfaces that define an interconnected network of channels extending through the body such that gases produced by the firearm may flow in a random pattern from the central bore through the interconnected network of channels to cool the gases.

Abstract: An armor plate and method of making an armor plate is provided having the steps of: suspending a carbon fiber weave within a mold; heating aluminum 6061 or 7075 alloy to a molten state; pouring the molten aluminum into the mold having ceramic particulates in the range of 1 to 60 percent by volume of the molten aluminum and in the range of 3-44 microns in diameter; cooling the resultant matrixed aluminum to ambient temperature; and laminating at least two layers of ballistic fiber to the matrixed aluminum.

Abstract: A firearm includes a frame, a barrel, a slide, and a recoil spring assembly. The barrel is coupled to the frame. The slide is coupled to the frame and is movable relative to the frame along a recoil axis. The recoil spring assembly is coupled to the frame and to the slide. The recoil spring assembly is retained within the slide and is situated between the barrel and the slide. The recoil spring assembly biases the slide to a fully forward position relative to the frame. The recoil spring assembly transfers a recoil force from the slide to the frame.

Abstract: A flip-top table has a tabletop attached to a frame through a pivoting assembly. The tabletop is made from a ballistic-resistant material allowing it to be used as a ballistic shield when it rotates from its horizontal working position to a vertical shielding position. A front modesty panel is also ballistic-resistant and is mounted between the front legs of the frame. A lift speed restrictor is connected between the tabletop and the frame which prevents the user from lifting the tabletop too quickly which could topple the table, and it includes a biasing mechanism that provides a lifting force and helps to hold the tabletop in the shielding position. The table also includes visual indicators that readily indicate to persons around the table that the table can be converted into a ballistic shield. Casters allow one or more tables to be quickly moved and repositioned into a defensive arrangement.