Abstract: An electronic trigger system with safety mechanism for firearms includes a trigger unit comprising an electromagnetic actuator operably coupled to the firing mechanism and a programmable trigger mechanism microcontroller. The actuator is changeable between a non-powered unactuated position and powered actuated firing position via pulling both an outer trigger and inner safety trigger of the trigger unit. The actuator is operably interfaced with a movable firing component of the firing mechanism operable to discharge the firearm. In a blocking position of the safety trigger, the safety trigger is configured to block outer trigger movement which prevents energizing and actuating the electromagnetic actuator thereby preventing the firearm from discharging.

Abstract: A barrel porting system for a firearm in one embodiment includes a barrel defining an axially extending barrel bore, a porting device coupled to the barrel and including a plurality of gas portholes in fluid communication with the barrel bore, and an outer shroud encircling at least the porting device. The shroud includes at least one gas discharge port arranged to vent combustion gas from firing the firearm in an outwards direction. An annular gas collection plenum formed between the shroud and porting device is configured to collect gas from the gas portholes and discharge the gas through the at least one discharge port in the shroud. In one implementation, the plenum is formed by a recessed channel in the muzzle device which extends around the entire circumference of the device. Various threaded and unthreaded coupling methods may be used to secure the muzzle device to the barrel.

Abstract: A barrel porting system for a firearm in one embodiment includes a barrel defining an axially extending barrel bore, a porting device coupled to the barrel and including a plurality of gas portholes in fluid communication with the barrel bore, and an outer shroud encircling at least the porting device. The shroud includes at least one gas discharge port arranged to vent combustion gas from firing the firearm in an outwards direction. An annular gas collection plenum formed between the shroud and porting device is configured to collect gas from the gas portholes and discharge the gas through the at least one discharge port in the shroud. In one implementation, the plenum is formed by a recessed channel in the muzzle device which extends around the entire circumference of the device. Various threaded and unthreaded coupling methods may be used to secure the muzzle device to the barrel.

Abstract: An improved firearm. The improved firearm includes a barreled action; a stock; and a support located between the barreled action and the stock. In one preferred embodiment, the support includes a center support rail and a pair of side rails located parallel to the center support rail.

Abstract: A shell loading system for a firearm in one embodiment includes a barrel, receiver, reciprocating slide and bolt assembly, tubular magazine, tilting carrier operable to receive and feed shells from the magazine into the action, a spring-biased carrier latch laterally moveable to engage the carrier, and a pawl pivotably mounted on the carrier. A carrier latch disconnect is movable between an unblocking and blocking position that prevents engagement of the carrier latch with carrier. To prevent bouncing of the carrier after firing a shot, a first detent feature on carrier assembly automatically engages a second detent feature in the receiver as the carrier returns downward from an upward position when the action is cycled by discharging the firearm. The detent features automatically disengage when the slide moves rearward to permit normal operation of the carrier when cycling the action.

Abstract: An improved firearm. The improved firearm includes a barreled action; a stock; and a support located between the barreled action and the stock. In one preferred embodiment, the support includes a center support rail and a pair of side rails located parallel to the center support rail.

Abstract: An improved firearm. The improved firearm includes a barreled action; a stock; and a support located between the barreled action and the stock. In one preferred embodiment, the support includes a center support rail and a pair of side rails located parallel to the center support rail. In another preferred embodiment of the inventions, the firearm also includes a harmonic tuner assembly for the barrel.

Abstract: A shell loading system for a firearm in one embodiment includes a barrel, receiver, reciprocating slide and bolt assembly, tubular magazine, tilting carrier operable to receive and feed shells from the magazine into the action, a spring-biased carrier latch laterally moveable to engage the carrier, and a pawl pivotably mounted on the carrier. A carrier latch disconnect is movable between an unblocking and blocking position that prevents engagement of the carrier latch with carrier. To prevent bouncing of the carrier after firing a shot, a first detent feature on carrier assembly automatically engages a second detent feature in the receiver as the carrier returns downward from an upward position when the action is cycled by discharging the firearm. The detent features automatically disengage when the slide moves rearward to permit normal operation of the carrier when cycling the action.

Abstract: A firearm with safety mechanism in one embodiment comprises a receiver, a trigger-actuated firing mechanism with movable trigger operable to discharge the firearm, and a safety mechanism configured to arrest the firing mechanism. The safety mechanism is movable between a first position preventing movement of the trigger and a second position allowing movement of the trigger for discharging the firearm. In one embodiment, an elongated stock bolt attaches a buttstock to the receiver. The stock bolt passes through a portion of the safety mechanism to engage the receiver. This allows an operating button of the safety to be ergonomically mounted on a top surface of the firearm above the stock bolt. In one implementation, the firing and safety mechanisms may each be operably mounted in a fire control module disposed in the receiver and removable therefrom as a separate self-supported unit.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for a firearm in one embodiment includes an outer magazine housing configured for attachment to a firearm and a magazine removably insertable into the housing. The magazine includes an axially extending internal cavity configured to hold a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship. In one embodiment, the magazine has an elongated tubular body. A shell catch lever is slideably mounted on the magazine for linear and pivoting movement in one arrangement. The shell catch lever retains a shell in the magazine in a first lateral position and releases the shell from the magazine in a second lateral position. The shell catch lever operates to retain and release shells from the magazine when either removed from or positioned in the magazine housing for loading the firearm.

Abstract: A firearm with safety mechanism in one embodiment comprises a receiver, a trigger-actuated firing mechanism with movable trigger operable to discharge the firearm, and a safety mechanism configured to arrest the firing mechanism. The safety mechanism is movable between a first position preventing movement of the trigger and a second position allowing movement of the trigger for discharging the firearm. In one embodiment, an elongated stock bolt attaches a buttstock to the receiver. The stock bolt passes through a portion of the safety mechanism to engage the receiver. This allows an operating button of the safety to be ergonomically mounted on a top surface of the firearm above the stock bolt. In one implementation, the firing and safety mechanisms may each be operably mounted in a fire control module disposed in the receiver and removable therefrom as a separate self-supported unit.

Abstract: A modular buttstock system for firearms includes user replaceable and interchangeable buttstock modules. The modules include a comb portion and butt portion which may be provided in a variety of configurations, sizes, and materials. The modules and firearm buttstock each include complementary configured mounting portions and a mounting system designed to provide interchangeable and removable attachment of the modules to the buttstock. In some non-limiting embodiments, the buttstock and modules may be formed of synthetic materials.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for a firearm in One embodiment includes an outer magazine housing configured for attachment to a firearm and a magazine removably insertable into the housing. The magazine includes an axially extending internal cavity configured to hold a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship. In one embodiment, the magazine has an elongated tubular body. A shell catch lever is slideably mounted on the magazine for linear and pivoting movement in one arrangement. The shell catch lever retains a shell in the magazine in a first lateral position and releases the shell from the magazine in a second lateral position. The shell catch lever operates to retain and release shells from the magazine when either removed from or positioned in the magazine housing for loading the firearm.

Abstract: A bolt handle assembly for a firearm is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bolt handle assembly includes a bolt having an internal channel and a laterally extending slot, a bolt handle including a mounting tang insertable through the slot and having a locking aperture positioned in the internal channel, a firing pin striker slidably disposed in the internal channel, and a locking member mounted on the firing pin striker. The locking member is insertable through the locking aperture of the bolt handle and is configured for engaging the mounting tang of the bolt to removably secure the bolt handle to the bolt. The locking member is rotatable between locked and unlocked positions to secure and release the bolt handle from the bolt. A method for mounting the bolt handle to the bolt is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the firearm is a bolt-action rifle.

Abstract: A stock bedding system for a firearm is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stock bedding system includes a stock having a pair of bearing surfaces that are configured and arranged to mutually engage a mating pair of bearing surfaces formed on the barrel-receiver assembly. At least one of the four bearing surfaces has a predetermined convex surface profile which causes the barrel-receiver assembly to roll in an angular direction away from one lateral side of the stock towards the opposite lateral side when the barrel-receiver assembly is mounted to the stock. The convex surface profile acts to tighten the engagement between the opposing bearing surfaces of the barrel-receiver assembly and stock providing a secure and vibration resistant mounting. In one embodiment, the convex-shaped bearing surface is defined by a pillar lug mounted in the stock which engages a mating substantially flat bearing surface formed on the barrel-receiver assembly.

Abstract: A modular buttstock system for firearms includes user replaceable and interchangeable buttstock modules. The modules include a comb portion and butt portion which ma be provided in a variety of configurations, sizes, and materials. The modules and firearm buttstock each include complementary configured mourning portions and a mounting system designed to provide interchangeable and removable attachment of the modules to the buttstock. In some non-limiting embodiments, the buttstock and modules may be formed of synthetic materials.

Abstract: A stock bedding system for a firearm is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stock bedding system includes a stock having a pair of bearing surfaces that are configured and arranged to mutually engage a mating pair of bearing surfaces formed on the barrel-receiver assembly. At least one of the four bearing surfaces has a predetermined convex surface profile which causes the barrel-receiver assembly to roll in an angular direction away from one lateral side of the stock towards the opposite lateral side when the barrel-receiver assembly is mourned to the stock. The convex surface profile acts to tighten the engagement between the opposing bearing surfaces of the barrel-receiver assembly and stock providing a secure and vibration resistant mounting. In one embodiment, the convex-shaped bearing surface is defined by a pillar lug mounted in the stock which engages a mating substantially fiat bearing surface formed on the barrel-receiver assembly.

Abstract: A bolt handle assembly for a firearm is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bolt handle assembly includes a bolt having an internal channel and a laterally extending slot, a bolt handle including a mounting tang insertable through the slot and having a locking aperture positioned in the internal channel, a firing pin striker slidably disposed in the internal channel, and a locking member mounted on the firing pin striker. The locking member is insertable through the locking aperture of the bolt handle and is configured for engaging the mounting tang of the bolt to removably secure the bolt handle to the bolt. The locking member is rotatable between locked and unlocked positions to secure and release the bolt handle from the bolt. A method for mounting the bolt handle to the bolt is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the firearm is a bolt-action rifle.

Abstract: An improved firearm having a low creep, safety trigger. The firearm includes a frame, a barrel attached to the frame, a firing mechanism, a step having an adjustable step height, an over travel stop, and a sear and step trigger assembly with a secondary sear block. The secondary sear block is selectively movable between a first blocking position and a second non-blocking position.