Abstract: Method of fabricating a dummy practice ammunition round to dynamically match behavior of an existing live ammunition round during manually cycling of the action, or other demonstration. A dummy practice ammunition round of identical contour is formed, having a center of gravity (mass) in the same position as on the existing live ammunition round. Weight is matched by removing or omitting material through coring into the case head of the round or by hollowing it out.

Abstract: A pen flare may be adapted for firing from a weapon having a caliber larger than a caliber of the pen flare. The adapted flare may be fired from a conventional shotgun. The adapted flare may include a pen flare with a portion having external threads and a base. The base may include an extractor rim and a through-bore with internal threads. The pen flare may be fixed in the through-bore of the base via the external and internal threads. A rear portion of the base may have an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of a front portion of the base. A cylindrical sleeve may be disposed around the front portion of the base and around the pen flare. A conventional shotgun may be reversibly converted to a compact, lighter weight shotgun with a kit. The converted shotgun may be more desirable for firing flares.

Abstract: An auto-loading firearm may obtain improved firing precision by using stored energy to cycle the firearm. The firearm may be partially cycled when the trigger is pulled. The firearm may be completely cycled only when the trigger is released. Sound suppression and/or sound reduction may be obtained by limiting the amount of gas escaping the breech during extraction as well as separating the noise of the firing event from the noise of the action cycling.