Abstract: An improved semi-automatic shotgun of the type contains a magazine tube (8) around which is provided a cylinder (9) whose interior part communicates with an interior part of a barrel (2) of the invention. In this cylinder (9) and around the magazine tube (8), a piston (10) can be shifted by propulsion gases. The piston cooperates with a sleeve (12) provided with a rod (13) which can act upon the whole of the moving parts (14) on the one hand, and a control or pressure control valve (11) on the other hand is situated in the piston block (10).

Abstract: A safety system for firearms is provided for a firearm of the type in which a hammer is urged into a cocked position and then actuated by a trigger. The safety system includes a thumb safety which is movably mounted on the hammer. The thumb safety and the hammer comprise a hammer assembly, which has a firing configuration in which it is configured to strike the firing pin. When the hammer assembly is in its safe configuration, the thumb safety precludes the hammer from actuating.

Abstract: A rack and pinion system for a lever action firearm provides the rack element as a floating gear and includes a cam lever extension of the lever member. The cam lever extension applies rearward force directly to the bolt body and compresses a spring between the lever member and the rack element. After the bolt breaks free from the locking lugs, force is applied to the rack element by the lever member through the spring, whereby to complete the rearward movement of the bolt.

Abstract: A bolt assembly for a firearm is constructed with three locking lugs, one of which is oriented down in unlocked condition as it is withdrawn past the magazine of the firearm. The body of the bolt is of reduced diameter with respect to the bolt head which carries the locking lugs. A cartridge depressor is mounted in association with the bolt body to effectively increase the diameter of the bolt body in the vicinity of the magazine to that of the bolt head.

Abstract: The forearm of a pump shotgun is mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to the magazine tube through a coupling system which prevents twisting of the forearm. A coupling system includes grooves in the exterior sidewall of the magazine tube and detents on the exterior sidewall of the forearm mount tube in registration with the grooves.

Abstract: An electronic set trigger is mounted in association with the mechanical firing mechanism of a rifle. The rifle may be fired in normal fashion through the normal mechanical linkage associated with a trigger lever. When a set trigger is desired, the electronic set trigger is activated by depressing a switch which activates a charging circuit to charge a capacitor carried within the firearm. The capacitor is discharged by pressing a switch associated with the trigger lever thereby discharging a capacitor through a solenoid coil associated with a reciprocating core mechanically linked to the trigger lever.

Abstract: A box magazine follower system is constructed with spring struts pivotally connected at an intersection to form an "X" configuration. A magazine follower is supported by the upper ends of the struts to move vertically within the magazine box while maintaining an approximately horizontal orientation.

Abstract: An automatic pistol is constructed with a more or less conventional frame and more or less conventional barrel detachably mounted to the frame. The frame and barrel have interfitting portions in cooperative engagement to support the barrel in longitudinal alignment on the frame. The frame is provided with a seating surface for the bottom of the barrel, an abutment surface against which the breech end of the barrel abuts, and a well, forward of the abutment surface, into which a barrel block loosely fits. The barrel block is attached to depend from the barrel. A longitudinal bore through the barrel block partially registers with a corresponding threaded bore through the frame forward of the barrel block. The forward opening of the bore in the barrel block is countersunk, and the axis of this bore is slightly above the axis of the threaded bore with respect to the axis of the barrel.