Abstract: A muzzle brake for use with a firearm such as a muzzle-loading firearm, and including at least one access port in the muzzle brake that is large enough (for example at least about 0.5? or more minimum dimension) for access by a user's fingertip to remove a cleaning patch from the muzzle brake. One or more vent ports that are relatively smaller than the access port may also be provided in the muzzle brake.

Abstract: A firearm having a threaded barrel-receiver connection, with a threaded receiver opening for cooperative engagement with a threaded barrel. The receiver is also compatible with a clamping system for engagement of an unthreaded barrel, so that threaded and unthreaded barrels may be used interchangeably. The threads of the receiver may have a flat crested thread profile for sliding engagement upon installation of an unthreaded barrel.

Abstract: An open ignition breech plug for a muzzle-loading firearm. The open ignition breech plug includes an internal body portion for removable installation into the breech end of a barrel of the muzzle-loader, and an external body portion comprising a gripping surface, a nipple for receiving an ignition source such as a percussion cap, and at least one open portion of the external body portion for external visibility of the nipple and a percussion cap mounted thereon. The nipple can be integrally formed with the external body portion or removably mounted thereto.

Abstract: An open ignition breech plug for a muzzle-loading firearm. The open ignition breech plug includes an internal body portion for removable installation into the breech end of a barrel of the muzzle-loader, and an external body portion comprising a gripping surface, a nipple for receiving an ignition source such as a percussion cap, and at least one open portion of the external body portion for external visibility of the nipple and a percussion cap mounted thereon. The nipple can be integrally formed with the external body portion or removably mounted thereto.

Abstract: A dart gun for medicating or tranquilizing animals, which includes a barrel and a breech plug, the barrel including a bore defining a longitudinal axis extending from a muzzle end to a breech end, and the breech end including a breech plug chamber and a notch. The breech plug is removably engageable with the breech plug chamber and includes a plug member, an extractor, and a baffle member. The extractor provides convenient loading, firing and ejecting of a blank firing cartridge that is used to fire the dart from the barrel. The baffle rod provides for muffling the sound of the explosion of the blank firing cartridge, and reduces the amount of heat and flames that are exposed to the dart when firing the blank firing cartridge.

Abstract: A system and method for mounting a telescopic sight or “scope” to a firearm. The system is convertible or universal, in that it includes interchangeable mounting plate inserts allowing the mounting plate to be installed onto two or more different types of firearms having differing mounting hole configurations.