Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a locked machine gun that includes a casing, a barrel, a locking breech mechanism, an abutment and a quick change attachment. The locking breech mechanism has at least one locking body. The abutment holds the locking body or locking bodies of the locked breech mechanism. The quick-change attachment is used to facilitate the removal of the barrel and insertion and attachment of a new barrel. A first part of the abutment remains on the casing when the barrel is being changed, and a second part of the abutment is firmly connected to the barrel. The quick-change attachment is equipped to bring about a separation between the first part of the abutment remaining with the casing and the barrel with the second part. Also, the second part of the abutment has a curved section which controls the engagement of the breech mechanism in the abutment when the breech mechanism closes.

Abstract: Gas bleed assemblies for use with firearms are described. An example gas bleed assembly for use with a firearm having a barrel includes a gas cylinder that defines at least one gas outlet to be fluidly coupled to a bore of a barrel. The gas cylinder is substantially fixed relative to the barrel. Additionally the example gas bleed assembly includes a holding fixture that is substantially fixed relative to a housing having a front edge. The holding fixture interacts with the at least one gas outlet. A temperature induced variation of geometry of the barrel changes a position of the gas cylinder relative to the holding fixture and wherein a pressure acting within the gas cylinder is associated with the position of the at least one gas outlet relative to the holding fixture.

Abstract: Practice barrels for use with practice cartridges are described herein. An example practice device for use with self-loading grenade launchers includes a practice barrel having a practice cartridge chamber to receive a practice cartridge. A live cartridge does not correspond to the practice cartridge chamber. Additionally, the live cartridge is unable to be properly positioned within the practice barrel to prevent ignition of the live cartridge. Further, the practice cartridge chamber is cushioned to substantially absorb a breech energy to substantially prevent damage to the practice barrel.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of firearms and firearm assemblies. In one example, a firearm assembly for use in a firearm including a breech block, includes safety equipment; a slide stop, wherein the slide stop is adjustable between an arresting position that locks the breech block and a position that does not lock the breech block; and a safety element adjustable relative to the slide stop between a neutral position and secured position, wherein in the secured position if the breech block exerts an operating force on the safety element and the safety element engages the safety equipment, the safety element fixes the slide stop in its arresting position.

Abstract: Gas bleed assemblies for use with firearms are described. An example gas bleed assembly for use with a firearm having a barrel includes a gas cylinder that defines at least one gas outlet to be fluidly coupled to a bore of a barrel. The gas cylinder is substantially fixed relative to the barrel. Additionally the example gas bleed assembly includes a holding fixture that is substantially fixed relative to a housing having a front edge. The holding fixture interacts with the at least one gas outlet. A temperature induced variation of geometry of the barrel changes a position of the gas cylinder relative to the holding fixture and wherein a pressure acting within the gas cylinder is associated with the position of the at least one gas outlet relative to the holding fixture.

Abstract: Machine guns having detachable barrels and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An illustrated example firearm includes a housing; a removable barrel; a latch to releasably secure the barrel in the housing, the latch having a released state and a secured state; and a carrying handle movable between a rest position and a carry position. The carrying handle cooperates with the latch such that the latch can only be moved into the released state to permit removal of the barrel when the carrying handle is at least substantially in the carry position.

Abstract: Machine guns having detachable barrels and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An illustrated example firearm includes a housing; a removable barrel; a latch to releasably secure the barrel in the housing, the latch having a released state and a secured state; and a carrying handle movable between a rest position and a carry position. The carrying handle cooperates with the latch such that the latch can only be moved into the released state to permit removal of the barrel when the carrying handle is at least substantially in the carry position.

Abstract: Firing pins and breechblocks for firearms are disclosed. An example firing pin includes an elongated, generally cylindrical firing pin shaft. The shaft has at least one thickened guide section. The firing pin also includes a non-tapered end having a point. The non-tapered end comprises at least a portion of one of the at least one guide sections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to secure a safety catch in a jammed position are disclosed. A disclosed firearm includes a housing; a mounting bracket carried by the housing; and a cocking slide slidably engaging the mounting bracket external to the housing. The cocking slide is engageable with the safety catch in order to move the safety catch against the force of a closing spring and into a cocked position. In the event of a jam, the cocking slide is engageable with the safety catch in order to lock the safety catch in a jammed position between the fired position and the cocked position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-loading grenade launcher with a cartridge belt feed which conveys a cartridge with pawls engaging in the cartridge belt of a cartridge belt. An inertia bolt runs forward along a path from a release position against the cartridge chamber under the force of springs and is fitted so as to slide the cartridge conveyed from the cartridge belt by the pawls into the cartridge chamber during this forward movement. A control system coupled to the inertia bolt and the slides converts the forward and recoil movement of the bolt into the transverse alternating movement of the slides. A firing device comprises a firing pin, tensioned by a percussion spring. A housing secured to the cartridge chamber extends along the bolt path and partially surrounds it, the longitudinal axis of which continues the central axis of the cartridge chamber.

Abstract: In a self-loading grenade thrower, the components or cartridges (1, 1') of which are enclosed in each instance by an annular belt member (7), each belt member (7) is provided with bulges (15, 17) lying opposite one another, which are traversed in each case by an opening (11, 11'). The adjacent openings (11, 11') of the two belt members (7) are joined articulately with one another by a connecting member (9) which traverses these openings and has on both ends an enlarged or thickened portion (23, 25) which retains its belt member. To the openings (11, 11') of the two bulges (15, 17) there are assigned two rest paths (13, 13') which are open toward an edge of the belt member (7) and the width of which is such that the connecting member (9) can be released from the opening (11) under gentle bending open or flexing of the corresponding rest path (13) by the axial, mutual shifting of two adjacent cartridges (11, 11"11'"), regardless of the direction.

Abstract: A shoulder arm, such as a rifle, having a breech member which can be swivelled about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the barrel for loading the breech member contains a firing chamber which is in alignment with the barrel in is firing position and which is closed to the rear. The shoulder arm has an arrangement for swivelling the breech member out of the firing position and into a loading position, in which said firing chamber is accessible for the introduction of a cartridge. The breech member is designed as a roller which can be swivelled about its longitudinal axis and which is arranged in a cylindrical hole in a member which is fixedly attached to the barrel and whose wall directly closes the firing chamber when it is located in the firing position. The wall is retained in its respective position by means of the arrangement for swivelling the breech member.