Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for use in a semiautomatic firearm, including a barrel and a takedown lever. A rear portion of the barrel includes a follower lug and a rear lug extending from an underside of the rear portion. The follower lug further includes a follower notch. A pin of the takedown lever includes a notch with a vertical face configured to contact a vertical face of the follower notch when the firearm is in the locked position. The rear lug is configured to be supported by a portion of a locking block of the firearm prior to firing and during a portion of the recoil period. The modifications to the barrel assembly result in increased dwell time and accuracy of the firearm.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for use in a semiautomatic firearm, including a barrel and a takedown lever. A rear portion of the barrel includes a follower lug and a rear lug extending from an underside of the rear portion. A pin of the takedown lever includes a notch with a vertical face configured to contact a vertical face of the follower notch when the firearm is in the locked position. The rear lug is configured to be supported by a portion of a locking block of the firearm prior to firing and during a portion of the recoil period. A fitting pad extending downward from a rear lug of the barrel can be adjusted to provide a customized fit of the barrel to a frame of the firearm. The modifications to the barrel assembly result in increased dwell time and accuracy of the firearm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for containing discharge from a holstered firearm are described. The system may include a bullet containment device (BCD) with a rectangular backing plate coupled to a firearm holster, a U-shaped housing having a base, two sides, and a top opening, a front plate coupled to housing such that the housing is interposed between the front plate and the backing plate, an upper shelf coupled to and normal to the housing sides, whereby the upper shelf, front plate, housing, and backing plate form an interior cavity generally in line with a bore axis of the firearm when the apparatus is coupled to the holster and the firearm is fully seated in the holster, whereby a bullet fired from the firearm while seated in the holster is confined to the interior cavity, and a lower shelf coupled to and generally normal to the housing sides.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for use in a semiautomatic firearm, including a barrel and a takedown lever. A rear portion of the barrel includes a follower lug and a rear lug extending from an underside of the rear portion. A pin of the takedown lever includes a notch with a vertical face configured to contact a vertical face of the follower notch when the firearm is in the locked position. The rear lug is configured to be supported by a portion of a locking block of the firearm prior to firing and during a portion of the recoil period. A fitting pad extending downward from a rear lug of the barrel can be adjusted to provide a customized fit of the barrel to a frame of the firearm. The modifications to the barrel assembly result in increased dwell time and accuracy of the firearm.

Abstract: An extractor for a firearm and method of using the same are provided. The extractor comprises a bullet casing edge including a substantially straight portion and a tab portion situated below and extending from the substantially straight portion. The substantially straight portion is configured to engage the casing and enable it to travel vertically along the substantially straight portion while maintaining engagement therewith. The tab portion is configured to engage the casing and to inhibit it from traveling downward along the casing engagement edge below the tab portion.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for use in a semiautomatic firearm, including a barrel and a takedown lever. A rear portion of the barrel includes a follower lug and a rear lug extending from an underside of the rear portion. A pin of the takedown lever includes a notch with a vertical face configured to contact a vertical face of the follower notch when the firearm is in the locked position. The rear lug is configured to be supported by a portion of a locking block of the firearm prior to firing and during a portion of the recoil period. A fitting pad extending downward from a rear lug of the barrel can be adjusted to provide a customized fit of the barrel to a frame of the firearm. The modifications to the barrel assembly result in increased dwell time and accuracy of the firearm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in facilitating force-on-force (FOF) training. Specifically, an impact marking vest (IMV) for use in registering a ballistic impact event upon a three-dimensional target surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in facilitating force-on-force (FOF) training. Specifically, an impact marking vest (IMV) for use in registering a ballistic impact event upon a three-dimensional target surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in facilitating force-on-force (FOF) training. Specifically, an impact marking vest (IMV) for use in registering a ballistic impact event upon a three-dimensional target surface.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for use in a semiautomatic firearm, including a barrel and a takedown lever. A rear portion of the barrel includes a follower lug and a rear lug extending from an underside of the rear portion. The follower lug further includes a follower notch. A pin of the takedown lever includes a notch with a vertical face configured to contact a vertical face of the follower notch when the firearm is in the locked position. The rear lug is configured to be supported by a portion of a locking block of the firearm prior to firing and during a portion of the recoil period. The modifications to the barrel assembly result in increased dwell time and accuracy of the firearm.

Abstract: An extractor for a firearm and method of using the same are provided. The extractor comprises a bullet casing edge including a substantially straight portion and a tab portion situated below and extending from the substantially straight portion. The substantially straight portion is configured to engage the casing and enable it to travel vertically along the substantially straight portion while maintaining engagement therewith. The tab portion is configured to engage the casing and to inhibit it from traveling downward along the casing engagement edge below the tab portion.

Abstract: An ammunition magazine base pad retaining plate is provided with a protrusion including a shaft portion, a flange portion having a lager cross sectional diameter than the shaft portion, and a longitudinal slot to allow lateral compression. When attached to a magazine base pad in a magazine assembly, the configuration of the base pad retaining plate eliminates the possibility that the base pad retaining plate will disengage from the base pad resulting in catastrophic disassembly of the ammunition magazine.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for use in a semiautomatic firearm, including a barrel and a takedown lever. A rear portion of the barrel includes a follower lug and a rear lug extending from an underside of the rear portion. The follower lug further includes a follower notch. A pin of the takedown lever includes a notch with a vertical face configured to contact a vertical face of the follower notch when the firearm is in the locked position. The rear lug is configured to be supported by a portion of a locking block of the firearm prior to firing and during a portion of the recoil period. The modifications to the barrel assembly result in increased dwell time and accuracy of the firearm.

Abstract: A firing mechanism for a firearm is provided for reducing maximum trigger pull weight attributable to a sear and for reducing trigger pre-travel and over-travel distances. By this, the likelihood of sear flutter phenomena is greatly reduced while also decreasing or maintaining maximum trigger pull weight. Also, hand movement during firing is reduced helping to increase accuracy.

Abstract: A reset apparatus for use in a firearm, comprising: a compression spring; a biasing member has a first end and a distal end wherein the compression spring is attached proximate to the first end of the biasing member; a notch disposed on the biasing member for cooperation with a trigger bar, wherein the trigger bar comprises a longitudinal axis defined by a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion is mechanically cooperated with a firearm trigger; and wherein the compression spring communicates a force through the biasing member and onto the trigger bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trigger bar.

Abstract: An extractor for a firearm and method of using the same are provided. The extractor comprises a bullet casing edge including a substantially straight portion and a tab portion situated below and extending from the substantially straight portion. The substantially straight portion is configured to engage the casing and enable it to travel vertically along the substantially straight portion while maintaining engagement therewith. The tab portion is configured to engage the casing and to inhibit it from traveling downward along the casing engagement edge below the tab portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in facilitating force-on-force (FOF) training. Specifically, an impact marking vest (IMV) for use in registering a ballistic impact event upon a three-dimensional target surface.

Abstract: A firing mechanism for a firearm is provided for reducing maximum trigger pull weight attributable to a sear and for reducing trigger pre-travel and over-travel distances. By this, the likelihood of sear flutter phenomena is greatly reduced while also decreasing or maintaining maximum trigger pull weight. Also, hand movement during firing is reduced helping to increase accuracy.

Abstract: A firing mechanism for a firearm is provided for reducing maximum trigger pull weight attributable to a sear and for reducing trigger pre-travel and over-travel distances. By this, the likelihood of sear flutter phenomena is greatly reduced while also decreasing or maintaining maximum trigger pull weight. Also, hand movement during firing is reduced helping to increase accuracy.