Abstract: A free-floating handguard for mounting onto a firearm includes a tubular polymer-based handguard body allowing passage of a barrel therethrough. The handguard body has a free-floating muzzle end and a clamping end engaging a barrel nut that secures the barrel to the firearm. A downwardly extending lobe is formed on the handguard body proximate the clamping end. The handguard body may further include either or both of a first metal insert and a second metal insert. The first metal insert may be embedded within a bottom wall of the downwardly extending lobe and releasably couple with a mounting feature on a firearm sling. The second metal insert may be embedded within the downwardly extending lobe and defines a threaded bore for receiving a threaded fastener therein. The threaded fastener and second metal insert may clamp the clamping end on the barrel nut to secure the handguard body on the firearm.

Abstract: A gas piston assembly comprises a piston apparatus having a first end and a second end. A piston bonnet has a bonnet end wall with a bonnet aperture defined therethrough and a bonnet sidewall to receive the second end of the piston apparatus therein. A piston gap is between the second end of the piston apparatus and the bonnet end wall and communicates with the bonnet aperture. An adjustable gas regulator communicates with the bonnet aperture and selectively occludes the bonnet aperture in fully open, partially open and fully closed orientations. The bonnet end wall includes a threaded bore in communication with the bonnet aperture. The gas regulator includes a threaded shaft received within the threaded bore which translates to selectively occlude the bonnet aperture. The threaded shaft includes a head portion gripped by a user while a detent engages a recess on a bottom face of the head portion.

Abstract: A gas piston assembly comprises a piston apparatus having a first end and a second end. A piston bonnet has a bonnet end wall with a bonnet aperture defined therethrough and a bonnet sidewall to receive the second end of the piston apparatus therein. A piston gap is between the second end of the piston apparatus and the bonnet end wall and communicates with the bonnet aperture. An adjustable gas regulator communicates with the bonnet aperture and selectively occludes the bonnet aperture in fully open, partially open and fully closed orientations. The bonnet end wall includes a threaded bore in communication with the bonnet aperture. The gas regulator includes a threaded shaft received within the threaded bore which translates to selectively occlude the bonnet aperture. The threaded shaft includes a head portion gripped by a user while a detent engages a recess on a bottom face of the head portion.

Abstract: A magazine adapter for use in a firearm includes a magazine adapter body configured to be bottom-fed and detachably received within a magazine well on the firearm. The magazine adapter body has a bottom panel, an upwardly extending first panel and an upwardly extending second panel defining a channel therebetween proportioned to slidably receive a magazine therein. The second panel defines a groove configured to engage a firearm magazine catch on the firearm when the magazine adapter body is received within the magazine well. The magazine adapter body may detach from the magazine well when the firearm magazine catch is actuated. The first panel includes an adapter magazine catch configured to releasably engage the magazine when the magazine is received within the magazine adapter channel. A magazine release is coupled to the adapter magazine catch. The adapter magazine catch disengages from the magazine when the magazine release is actuated.

Abstract: An upper receiver and barrel assembly includes an upper receiver, a barrel assembly and a gas piston assembly. An upper receiver housing receives a shotgun shell cartridge and the bolt carrier group includes a bolt carrier, a bolt within the bolt carrier, a firing pin and an ejector pin to expel fired shells. The barrel assembly includes a barrel, a barrel extension and a barrel nut to secure the barrel and barrel extension to the upper receiver housing. The gas piston assembly includes a piston body, a piston end cap and a piston bonnet configured to slidably receive the piston end cap therein. A piston gap is defined between the piston end cap and the bonnet end wall. The barrel defines a gas port fluidly connecting the open bore of the barrel with the piston gap. A biasing member urges the piston toward the bonnet.

Abstract: A decocking safety lever for use with an external hammer shotgun includes a safety rod selectively positionable between a safe position wherein squeezing of the trigger is prevented; a fire position wherein squeezing of the trigger fires a shotgun shell; and a decocked positioned wherein the hammer is positioned in a decocked position and unable to fire the shotgun shell.

Abstract: An upper receiver and barrel assembly includes an upper receiver, a barrel assembly and a gas piston assembly. An upper receiver housing receives a shotgun shell cartridge and the bolt carrier group includes a bolt carrier, a bolt within the bolt carrier, a firing pin and an ejector pin to expel fired shells. The barrel assembly includes a barrel, a barrel extension and a barrel nut to secure the barrel and barrel extension to the upper receiver housing. The gas piston assembly includes a piston body, a piston end cap and a piston bonnet configured to slidably receive the piston end cap therein. A piston gap is defined between the piston end cap and the bonnet end wall. The barrel defines a gas port fluidly connecting the open bore of the barrel with the piston gap. A biasing member urges the piston toward the bonnet.

Abstract: A magazine adapter for use in a firearm includes a magazine adapter body configured to be bottom-fed and detachably received within a magazine well on the firearm. The magazine adapter body has a bottom panel, an upwardly extending first panel and an upwardly extending second panel defining a channel therebetween proportioned to slidably receive a magazine therein. The second panel defines a groove configured to engage a firearm magazine catch on the firearm when the magazine adapter body is received within the magazine well. The magazine adapter body may detach from the magazine well when the firearm magazine catch is actuated. The first panel includes an adapter magazine catch configured to releasably engage the magazine when the magazine is received within the magazine adapter channel. A magazine release is coupled to the adapter magazine catch. The adapter magazine catch disengages from the magazine when the magazine release is actuated.

Abstract: A decocking safety lever for use with an external hammer shotgun includes a safety rod selectively positionable between a safe position wherein squeezing of the trigger is prevented; a fire position wherein squeezing of the trigger fires a shotgun shell; and a decocked positioned wherein the hammer is positioned in a decocked position and unable to fire the shotgun shell.

Abstract: A decocking safety lever for use with an external hammer shotgun includes a safety rod selectively positionable between a safe position wherein squeezing of the trigger is prevented; a fire position wherein squeezing of the trigger fires a shotgun shell; and a decocked positioned wherein the hammer is positioned in a decocked position and unable to fire the shotgun shell.

Abstract: A shotgun shell magazine to be received within a mil-spec magazine of an M16/AR-15 mil-spec firearm is disclosed. The magazine has an open top end defining a cavity configured to receive one or more shotgun shells. The magazine body includes a feed lip which partially occludes the open top end and a rim edge including a vertical edge strip which defines a gap in communication with the cavity. A follower having a ramped upper surface resides within the cavity. The follower is biased to direct the shotgun shells toward the open top end until the primer end of a top most shotgun shell engages the feed lip. The top most shotgun shell is angled with respect to the open top end and at least a portion of the closed end of the top most shotgun shell lies above a plane created by the open top end.

Abstract: A shotgun shell magazine to be received within a mil-spec magazine of an M16/AR-15 mil-spec firearm is disclosed. The magazine comprises a magazine body having an open top end defining a cavity configured to receive one or more shotgun shells. The magazine body includes a feed lip which partially occludes the open top end and has a length between 10% and 25% of the length of the open top end. A follower having a ramped upper surface resides within the cavity. The follower is biased to direct the shotgun shells toward the open top end until the primer end of a top most shotgun shell engages the feed lip. The top most shotgun shell is angled with respect to the open top end and at least a portion of the closed end of the top most shotgun shell lies above a plane created by the open top end.

Abstract: A shotgun shell magazine to be received within a mil-spec magazine of an M16/AR-15 mil-spec firearm is disclosed. The magazine has an open top end defining a cavity configured to receive one or more shotgun shells. The magazine body includes a feed lip which partially occludes the open top end and a rim edge including a vertical edge strip which defines a gap in communication with the cavity. A follower having a ramped upper surface resides within the cavity. The follower is biased to direct the shotgun shells toward the open top end until the primer end of a top most shotgun shell engages the feed lip. The top most shotgun shell is angled with respect to the open top end and at least a portion of the closed end of the top most shotgun shell lies above a plane created by the open top end.

Abstract: A combination metal/polymer frame is used with a pistol where the frame comprises a polymeric frame housing defining a barrel receiving portion and a stock portion. A metal stock insert is secured within the polymeric frame housing and is configured to mount a pistol fire control group on the frame. Additionally or alternatively, a metal frame insert is configured to removably reside within the polymeric frame housing. The metal frame insert defines an opening through which a round is communicated from a pistol magazine to a pistol chamber.

Abstract: A combination metal/polymer upper receiver for use in a rifle, with the upper receiver attachable to a lower receiver and to a barrel. The upper receiver comprises a polymeric upper receiver housing defining a chamber. The polymeric upper receiver housing is adapted to engage with mounting features on the lower receiver to attach a lower receiver to the upper receiver at a first connection. A metal insert is secured within the polymeric upper receiver housing and is adapted to engage the barrel. The metal insert further includes an extended member embedded within the polymeric upper receiver housing such that the extended member receives the impact from a bolt carrier group residing within the chamber. An optional metal gas tube channel is located along an upper internal surface of the polymeric upper receiver housing and extends the length of the polymeric upper receiver housing.

Abstract: A combination metal/polymer upper receiver for use in a rifle, with the upper receiver attachable to a lower receiver and to a barrel. The upper receiver comprises a polymeric upper receiver housing defining a chamber. The polymeric upper receiver housing is adapted to engage with mounting features on the lower receiver to attach a lower receiver to the upper receiver at a first connection. A metal insert is secured within the polymeric upper receiver housing and is adapted to engage the barrel. The metal insert further includes an extended member embedded within the polymeric upper receiver housing such that the extended member receives the impact from a bolt carrier group residing within the chamber. An optional metal gas tube channel is located along an upper internal surface of the polymeric upper receiver housing and extends the length of the polymeric upper receiver housing.

Abstract: An anti-walk pin assembly for securing a fire control group having a trigger, disconnector and hammer within a firearm. A lower receiver defines a fire control group receptacle for housing fire control group components. The lower receiver has trigger pin receiving openings each defining a trigger pin support surface. A trigger pin is received in the trigger pin receiving openings. The trigger and disconnector are pivotally mounted on the trigger pin. A threaded fastener engages with a threaded portion of the trigger pin support surface to restrict lateral movement of the trigger pin within the trigger pin receiving openings. Further optionally included are hammer pin receiving openings each defining a hammer pin support surface. A hammer pin is received in the hammer pin receiving openings. A threaded hammer fastener engages with a threaded portion of the hammer pin support surface to restrict lateral movement of the hammer pin.

Abstract: An anti-walk pin assembly for securing a fire control group having a trigger, disconnector and hammer within a firearm. A lower receiver defines a fire control group receptacle for housing fire control group components. The lower receiver has trigger pin receiving openings each defining a trigger pin support surface. A trigger pin is received in the trigger pin receiving openings. The trigger and disconnector are pivotally mounted on the trigger pin. A threaded fastener engages with a threaded portion of the trigger pin support surface to restrict lateral movement of the trigger pin within the trigger pin receiving openings. Further optionally included are hammer pin receiving openings each defining a hammer pin support surface. A hammer pin is received in the hammer pin receiving openings. A threaded hammer fastener engages with a threaded portion of the hammer pin support surface to restrict lateral movement of the hammer pin.

Abstract: A combination metal/polymer lower receiver for use in a rifle. The lower receiver attaches to a buttstock including a receiver extension, and an upper receiver having a bolt carrier group. The lower receiver comprises a polymeric lower receiver housing having an integral polymeric upwardly extending lobe. The polymeric receiver housing engages with mounting features on the upper receiver to attach the lower receiver to the upper receiver. A metal insert is secured within the polymeric upwardly extending lobe and engages the receiver extension. The metal insert includes insert side walls incorporated within the polymer sidewalls of the lower receiver housing such that the sidewalls are adapted to receive a takedown pin to secure the upper receiver to the lower receiver. The metal insert can further include an elevated plate for displaying component identifiers.