Abstract: A barrel for use in a firearm optimized to fire subsonic ammunition with high precision. The barrel groove diameter being within 0.0003 inch of the nominal bullet diameter and the barrel has at least 8 rifled grooves. Each of the plurality of rifling grooves has a sidewall formed from the bore diameter to the groove diameter, wherein the sidewalls formed are substantially parallel and the depth of each of the rifling grooves is shallow. The bullet is obturated as the bullet is forced down the bore. The plurality of shallow barrel grooves forming a plurality of raised lands upon the bullet. The obturated bullet having at least 50% lands formed around the circumference of the bullet body. The buffeting effect upon the bullet in flight by a transition shock wave upon the raised bullet lands is reduced by the plurality of bullet lands and the reduced height of each of the plurality of bullet lands.

Abstract: A barrel for use in a firearm optimized to fire subsonic ammunition with high precision. The barrel groove diameter being within .0003 inch of the nominal bullet diameter and the barrel has at least 8 rifled grooves. Each of the plurality of rifling grooves has a sidewall formed from the bore diameter to the groove diameter, wherein the sidewalls formed are substantially parallel and the depth of each of the rifling grooves is shallow. The bullet is obturated as the bullet is forced down the bore. The plurality of shallow barrel grooves forming a plurality of raised lands upon the bullet. The obturated bullet having at least 50% lands formed around the circumference of the bullet body. The buffeting effect upon the bullet in flight by a transition shock wave upon the raised bullet lands is reduced by the plurality of bullet lands and the reduced height of each of the plurality of bullet lands.

Abstract: A handguard system of a firearm includes a barrel nut, a handguard, and an adjustable barrel nut locking mechanism. The barrel nut is configured to secure a barrel to the firearm. The handguard includes a pathway, which extends transversely across the handguard. The pathway is configured to receive the adjustable barrel nut locking mechanism. The adjustable barrel nut locking mechanism includes a first wedge member, a second wedge member, and a biasing member. The biasing member is configured to connect the first wedge member to the second wedge member. The biasing member is further configured to incrementally bias the first wedge member toward the second wedge member when the biasing member is actuated. As a result, the first wedge member and the second wedge member are tightened about the barrel nut within the handguard.