Abstract: The present invention is a projectile launching system having an independently operable gas powered less-lethal launcher, which is capable of firing projectiles containing either incapacitating, debilitating, or marking agents for use during those situations when lethal force would be an inappropriate response. The gas powered launcher is ergonomically designed and comprises a receiver housing and receiver that are detachable from a stand-alone stock so that it can be attached to a mounting bracket located underneath the barrel of a rifle and, therefore, integrated with such rifle in order to provide both a lethal and a less-lethal capability for the user. One of the ergonomic features of the receiver is that it is designed to releasably carry a compressed gas container in a way that presents a favorable profile and a convenient and efficient trigger location, even after attachment of the receiver to the barrel of a rifle.

Abstract: A method for lining a gun barrel with a material selected to reduce the rate of erosion and corrosion from the rounds of ammunition fired through it includes the steps of forming a rod of the lining material, hammer -forging a barrel blank to the rod, and then drilling out a bore in the rod. The liner extends from the muzzle end of the barrel almost to the chamber end but stops short to abut a step formed in the barrel just forward of the chamber. The chamber is machined, reamed, and chrome-plated. Preferably measures are taken, such as by applying pressure to the rod during forging, to assure that the rod is placed in full engagement with the step and held in full engagement with the step in order to avoid the formation of a gap between the liner and the step.

Abstract: The present invention is a projectile launching system having an independently operable gas powered less-lethal launcher, which is capable of firing projectiles containing either incapacitating, debilitating, or marking agents for use during those situations when lethal force would be an inappropriate response. The gas powered launcher is ergonomically designed and comprises a receiver housing and receiver that are detachable from a stand-alone stock so that it can be attached to a mounting bracket located underneath the barrel of a rifle and, therefore, integrated with such rifle in order to provide both a lethal and a less-lethal capability for the user. One of the ergonomic features of the receiver is that it is designed to releasably carry a compressed gas container in a way that presents a favorable profile and a convenient and efficient trigger location, even after attachment of the receiver to the barrel of a rifle.

Abstract: A trigger safety for a pistol includes a laterally slidable plug incorporated into the trigger that, when slid laterally to extend beyond the confines of the trigger, will prevent rearward movement of the trigger by the plug's interference with the pistol frame. A spring internal to the trigger, imparts a force on plug to retain it positioned in either the safety position or the fire position and resist movement. The plug can be reversed for left-handed users so that the pistol can be placed in a “safe” or a “fire” position with the trigger finger of either hand.

Abstract: A speedloader for a shotgun having a tubular magazine includes an integral pulley system to minimize handle travel in delivering a plurality of cartridges into the magazine. The speedloader comprises a frame with a channel therethrough dimensioned to receive a plurality of cartridges. The frame carries a handle on an exterior longitudinal track and, inside, a pusher that travels from the first end of the frame to the second end of the frame in response to movement of the handle, thereby expelling the cartridges from the speedloader and injecting them into the magazine. The pulley system translates movement of the handle to movement of the pusher and reduces the distance the handle needs to be moved to move the pusher the full distance to reload the shotgun.

Abstract: A buttstock formed with a single piece of molded synthetic materials and contains two slots so that the rifle may be carried using a sling in multiple positions. The buttstock is designed to have the same size and occupy the same exterior envelop as a standard M-16 rifle buttstock but with far fewer parts and lower weight but without compromising strength. The buttstock comprises a buttplate, a shoulder, and a flange all held in spaced relationship with and integral with a panel. Two slots are formed in the panel near the buttstock, one parallel to the shoulder and the other parallel to the flange. Each slot is dimensioned to receive a sling.

Abstract: A fire control system for a semiautomatic, double action only pistol includes a sear carried by a biased sear arm. As in other pistols, the sear engages a striker to load it against a striker spring until it is released to fire a chambered round. In the present invention, the sear arm is biased so that it urges the sear forward and upward, against the rearward movement of the sear as a result of the pulling of a trigger operating through a trigger arm, and restores the sear after release of the striker. The sear arm is biased by a spring system comprising two torsion springs. One torsion spring operates against the sear block to urge the sear arm in an upward direction; the other torsion spring, pivotally supporting the sear, operates on it to urge it forward. The sear and the striker lie in the same plane.

Abstract: A device for holding two ammunition magazines in spaced relations so that either can be inserted into the magazine well of an M-16 rifle, an M-4 carbine, or an M-249 machine gun without interference with the operation of the weapon from the remaining magazine. The device comprises a shell and a centerpiece. The shell holds the two magazines in a tapered or "V" shaped arrangement, and the centerpiece, acting in combination with the shell, secures the magazines in place. The device is made of a light-weight corrosion and chemical resistant polymer. In an alternative embodiment, the magazines are held in an approximately parallel position within the shell.

Abstract: A fire control system for a semiautomatic, double-action only pistol includes a sear carried at the free end of a cantilevered spring. As in other pistols, the sear engages a striker to load it against a striker spring until it is released to fire a chambered round. In the present invention, the cantilevered spring urges the sear forward and upward, against the rearward movement of the sear as a result of the pulling of a trigger operating through a trigger arm, and restores the sear after release of the striker. The cantilevered spring is preferably a spring with a torsion spring on each end. One torsion spring operates against the frame to cantilever the spring body; the other torsion spring, supporting the sear, operates on it to urge it forward. The sear and the striker lay in the same plane.

Abstract: A magazine for a semiautomatic handgun is provided which includes a butt plate being slidably secured to the bottom thereof by side walls having slots which engage flanges on the lower edge of the magazine tube. A floor plate which serves as a seat for the magazine spring has a tang disposed on its leading edge which interfits with a slot disposed on the forward edge of the magazine tube and which serves to secure the leading edge therein. The floor plate also includes a lug which is biased by the magazine spring to interfit with a hole in the butt plate to prevent the butt plate from being slidably removed from the magazine tube.

Abstract: A frame plug or closure member which is fitted into a cavity of a handgrip of a handgun is used to provide added reenforcement and to extend the handgrip. The plug has a tapered, semi-circular shaped base which is integrally connected to one end of a flexible flat, elongated member which has a foot at the other end thereof. The curvature of the base matches the curvature of the lower edge of the handgrip to provide a natural extension to the handgrip. The plug has a spine integrally connected to both the base and flexible elongated member so as to provide stiffness thereto. The handgrip has a plug cavity and an adjacent gun magazine cavity which open to the lower edge or butt thereof. The two cavities are separated by an internal wall having a through opening. The frame plug is fitted into the plug cavity until the foot reaches the opening at which time the foot snap fits into the opening thus securing the frame plug to the handgrip.

Abstract: An integral grip for the handle of a handgun frame is molded from a resilient, flexible, synthetic plastic material. The grip is of generally U-shaped configuration including a curved rear wall and two spaced opposed sidewall portions. The sidewall portions are biased inwardly from the rear wall portion to their outer edges and are also of tapered cross-section diminishing from the rear wall to the outer edges thereof. The material, its distribution and inward bias of the sidewall portions are such that when fitted onto the handle of the handgun frame, the grip will be in tensioned, clamping relation thereon. An undercut rib is disposed on the inner surface of each sidewall portion adjacent the outer edge thereof for interlocking with a recessed edge portion of the handle. Adjacent the lower end of its rear wall portion, the grip includes a boss with a bore therethrough. The handle, itself, includes two laterally-spaced arms which also include bores aligned with the bore of the boss.

Abstract: Disclosed is a grip assembly having a pair of side grips and a heel grip. Each side grip has a plurality of inwardly directed projections arranged to conform to the outline of an opening in the frame. Forwardmost projections of the side grips are undercut to lock the forward edges of the side grips to the frame in final assembly. The remaining projections bear against the margin of the frame opening to prevent shifting movement of the side grips in a plane parallel to the plane containing the handgun. The side grips also carry undercut inwardly directed projections adjacent their rear edges. The heel grip includes a leaf spring, the opposite lateral ends of which engage the undercut rear projections of the side grips in final assembly to lock the rear edges of the side grips against movement laterally outwardly of said frame. The heel grip is secured to the frame by a pin inserted through the frame and heel grip adjacent the lower end of the heel grip.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elongated, generally cylindrical, firing pin for a revolver, the firing pin having first and second end sections separated by an intermediate section. The first section terminates in a chisel tip for impacting a cartridge casing. The chiselled tip is characterized by bevelled sides and a bevelled bottom terminating in an asymmetrical tip end face. The firing pin is axially slidable in a bushing non-rotatably mounted in the revolver frame by a transverse bushing pin. A keyway system cooperates between the intermediate section of the firing pin and the bushing to preclude rotational movement of the firing pin relative to the bushing.