Abstract: Firearms and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An example firearm includes a barrel; a bolt head which is movable along a motion path; and a locking block penetrating the bolt head and being movable in a direction substantially transverse to the motion path between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking block locks the bolt head against movement along the motion path when the locking block is in the locked position. The firearm also includes a bolt head carrier which is movable independently of the bolt head over a lost motion path and an initial path, and which is movable with the bolt head over an end path. The bolt head carrier includes at least one surface positioned to force the locking block from the locked position to the unlocked position as the bolt head carrier travels the initial path. When moving rearward, the bolt head carrier travels the lost motion path before traveling the initial path.

Abstract: Firearms employing gas pressure loading mechanisms are disclosed. An example firearm includes a central force receiving component containing a gas cylinder, and a barrel in communication with a cartridge chamber received in the force receiving component. The cartridge chamber is in communication with a gas withdrawal opening and is sized to fire cartridges having a caliber of at least 15 mm. The firearm also includes a bore in communication with the gas withdrawal opening and the gas cylinder. Further, the firearm includes a locking block having a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking block engages the central force receiving component when the locking block is in the locked position.

Abstract: Cartridge ejection mechanisms and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An illustrated example cartridge ejection mechanism includes a bolt head which has a front face to close a cartridge chamber, a first longitudinal cross-piece on a first side and a second longitudinal cross-piece on a second side. The first and second cross-pieces extend from the front face of the bolt head toward the rear of the bolt head. The cartridge ejection mechanism also includes at least two cartridge extractor hooks spring-mounted to the bolt head in opposed, facing relation to jointly extract a cartridge or cartridge case from the cartridge chamber when the bolt head moves rearward.

Abstract: Firearms having a locked breech are disclosed. An example firearm includes a barrel; a bolt head; a firing pin having a bulge; a bolt head carrier having a forward position and a rearward position; a central force receiving component receiving a rear end of the barrel and defining a plurality of recesses; and a locking bolt penetrating the bolt head. The locking bolt is movable between: (1) a locked position wherein the locking bolt engages in the recesses of the central force receiving component to thereby lock the bolt head to the central force receiving component and (2) an unlocked position wherein the bolt head is free to move with the bolt head carrier. The locking bolt is pressed by the bolt head carrier into the locked position when the bolt head carrier is in the distal position. The locking bolt defines an oblong hole which is penetrated by the firing pin.

Abstract: Locked automatic and semi-automatic firearms are disclosed. A disclosed firearm includes a barrel; a lock head that is lockable relative to the barrel; and a lock mount that is moveable relative to the lock head. The disclosed firearm further includes a spring coupling the lock mount and the lock head; and a buffer positioned relative to the spring such that the buffer is only loaded after the spring is partially compressed so that the spring and buffer combine to respond to compression with a progressive, non-linearly increasing power.

Abstract: Firearms and recoil pad devices for use with firearms are disclosed. An example recoil pad device includes a pad having a working surface which increases by more than approximately 15% when moving from a first condition in which the pad is pressed against a shooter and a second condition when the firearm is fired.

Abstract: A holding device to attach one or more accessories to a firearm is disclosed. An example holding device disclosed herein comprises a top mount to engage one or more accessories, a bottom mount to engage the firearm, a fixing bore in one of the top mount and the bottom mount, a fixing pin in the other one of the top mount and the bottom mount, the fixing pin being dimensioned to insert into the fixing bore, a slider associated with the fixing bore, and a tensioning device to move the slider to cause the top mount and the bottom mount to move toward one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a cartridge into a cartridge chamber of a firearm is provided. The apparatus includes a barrel, and a bolt assembly mounted for movement from a rear position to a forward position to advance a cartridge into the cartridge chamber. The bolt assembly includes a center axis which is not in coaxial alignment with the center axis of the barrel when the bolt assembly is in the rear position. The bolt assembly further includes a bolt head defining a percussion recess. The percussion recess is dimensioned to receive a proximal end of the cartridge with clearance to permit transverse movement of the proximal end of the cartridge relative to the percussion base. The firearm also includes a locking piece adjacent the cartridge chamber for centering the bolt head as the bolt assembly moves from the rear position toward the forward position such that the center axis of the bolt assembly is substantially coaxially aligned with the center axis of the barrel.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the relative positions of a first module and a second module on a firearm system includes an intermediate barrel adapted for mounting to the firearm system such that an axis of the intermediate barrel is fixed relative to the first module. A first adjusting cam is rotatably supported on the intermediate barrel and operatively engages the second module at an attachment point so as to displace the attachment point along a first adjustment line in response to rotation of the first adjusting cam. A second adjusting cam is rotatably supported on the intermediate barrel and is rotatable independently of the first adjusting cam. The second adjusting cam operatively engages the second module at the attachment point and is arranged to displace the attachment point along a second adjustment line in response to rotation of the second adjusting cam. The first and second adjustment lines are non-parallel to each other.

Abstract: Firearms and recoil pad devices for use with firearms are disclosed. An example recoil pad device includes a pad having a working surface which increases by more than approximately 15% when moving from a first condition in which the pad is pressed against a shooter and a second condition when the firearm is fired.

Abstract: A shoulder support element is disclosed for use in a firearm. The shoulder support element includes a shoulder support adapted to support the small arm in the firing position and a base plate removably mounted to the shoulder support such that impact forces applied to the base plate are distributed to the shoulder support.

Abstract: A bolt assembly for use in a firearm is disclosed which is movably arranged in a weapon housing and which includes a bolt carrier and a bolt head. The bolt head can be alternately inserted in at least two positions in the weapon housing to adapt the firearm to eject spent cartridge casings in a desired direction. The bolt assembly also includes an extractor which is fastened laterally on the bolt or bolt head for withdrawing a cartridge casing from a barrel of the weapon housing during return of the bolt assembly, and an ejector integrated in the bolt mechanism which removes the cartridge casing from the bolt assembly after extraction from the barrel.

Abstract: An automatic firearm with a bolt assembly which is moveable along a bolt assembly motion path between a closed position and an open position, a magazine which advances cartridges by spring force across the bolt assembly motion path into this motion path, and a lock which only allows the first cartridge of magazine to advance into the bolt assembly motion path when the bolt assembly is situated in or near its open position, is disclosed. The lock is preferably created by a plate that extends parallel to the bolt assembly motion path and is mobile in its direction of extent, is pushed between the first cartridge and the bolt assembly motion path, and holds back the cartridge until the bolt assembly has reached or almost reached its open position.

Abstract: An elastic sleeve having a longitudinal slit is positioned between a bolt head and bolt carrier. The sleeve is inserted into an annular space in the bolt carrier when the sleeve is radially compressed allowing relative movement between the bolt head and bolt carrier. The sleeve is supported between the bolt head and an end surface of the bolt carrier when the sleeve is expanded preventing relative movement between the bolt head and the bolt carrier. The periphery of the uncompressed elastic sleeve contacts the bolt carrier or bolt head to thereby effectively damp the elastic sleeve.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a firing pin to a bolt assembly of a firearm is provided and includes a bolt assembly adapted for mounting to the firearm, a firing pin mounted to the bolt assembly for reciprocating movement relative to the bolt assembly, and a retaining member releasably engaging a portion of the bolt assembly and slidably engaging a rearward portion of the firing pin. The retaining member is shiftable between an engaged position in which the retaining member is secured to the bolt assembly and a release position in which the retaining member and the firing pin are removable from the bolt assembly. The retaining member is biased against the portion of the bolt assembly when the retaining member is in the engaged position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in a firearm having a housing defining a first ejection opening and a second ejection opening. The apparatus includes first and second dust flaps mounted adjacent the first ejection opening for movement between an opened position and a closed position. The apparatus also includes a bolt assembly adapted to be selectively mounted in a first assembly position and a second assembly position for longitudinal movement within the housing. When the bolt assembly is in the first assembly position, a longitudinal movement of the bolt assembly moves the first dust flap to the opened position and, when the bolt assembly is in the second assembly position, the longitudinal movement of the bolt assembly moves the second dust flap to the opened position.

Abstract: A firing lever assembly is disclosed for use in a firearm having a housing extending in a longitudinal direction and a bolt assembly adapted for longitudinal movement within the housing. The firing lever assembly includes a carrier defining a through hole and a firing lever having a first end adapted for insertion into the carrier. A spring guide rod is sized for insertion into the carrier through hole and adapted for longitudinal movement between an extended position and a retracted position, and a recoil spring disposed about the spring guide rod. The spring guide rod in the extended position engages the firing lever to secure the first end of the firing lever in the carrier, while the spring guide rod in the retracted position is disengaged from the firing lever to allow removal of the firing lever from the carrier.