Abstract: A shotgun is formed of sub-assemblies which include a lower receiver upon which a butt stock and an upper receiver are mounted. The lower receiver houses the fire control mechanism, the butt stock includes an ammunition elevator and a breech cover. Magazine tubes, ammunition cut-offs, a selector, a selector interrupter and the barrel are mounted on the upper receiver.

Abstract: A shotgun has right and left magazines from which ammunition may be fed to the action using a selector mounted on a movable fore-end chassis whose motion cycles the action. An interrupter prevents the selector from switching between magazines unless the action is in battery with the fore-end chassis fully forward toward the muzzle end of the shotgun. Respective right and left outer cut-offs on the magazines cooperate with an inner cut-off to ensure proper coordination of ammunition feed as the action is cycled by motion of the fore-end chassis. The outer cut-offs are also manually operable to permit removal of ammunition from the magazines without cycling the action.

Abstract: Fire control mechanisms for a firearm include a trigger disconnect assembly and an action lock mechanism which work together to ensure safe and reliable firearm operation. The trigger disconnect uses a spring biased disconnector pivotably mounted on the trigger to actuate the sear and release a hammer sear upon firing. The hammer sear engages a compliant interface formed by a spring which actuates the action lock to unlock the bolt after the trigger has been pulled.

Abstract: A disconnector for pistols having a trigger bar uses a body rotatably mounted on the pistol frame to permit or prevent engagement between the trigger bar and the pistol's sear. The body has a plurality of surfaces, one of which engages the trigger bar and pivots it between a safe orientation, out of alignment with the pistol's sear, and a fire orientation, aligned with the sear, when the body rotates between a safe position and a fire position. Another body surface engages the slide, the body being rotated into the safe position when the slide is out of battery. Another surface engages a grip safety and another surface engages a manual safety. Both safeties effect rotation of the body between the safe and fire positions when they are actuated.

Abstract: A disconnector for pistols having a trigger bar uses a body rotatably mounted on the pistol frame to permit or prevent engagement between the trigger bar and the pistol's sear. The body has a plurality of surfaces, one of which engages the trigger bar and pivots it between a safe orientation, out of alignment with the pistol's sear, and a fire orientation, aligned with the sear, when the body rotates between a safe position and a fire position. Another body surface engages the slide, the body being rotated into the safe position when the slide is out of battery. Another surface engages a grip safety and another surface engages a manual safety. Both safeties effect rotation of the body between the safe and fire positions when they are actuated.

Abstract: A rotary ammunition magazine for a rifle has a follower that is spring biased and rotates about an axis to move cartridges for feeding to the rifle's chamber. The follower has a rib and/or a projection on a surface facing the cartridges. The rib engages the last cartridge in a stack and directs the force from the follower in the direction of movement of the cartridges within the magazine. The projection engages the extractor groove in the last cartridge to prevent it from moving under inertial forces caused by recoil. The rib engages and prevents the last cartridge from moving down the follower. The projection and rib prevent bolt override malfunctions.

Abstract: A rotary ammunition magazine for a rifle has a follower that is spring biased and rotates about an axis to move cartridges for feeding to the rifle's chamber. The follower has a surface portion which engages the last cartridge in the stack. The surface portion has one or more characteristics including a transverse orientation angle, a longitudinal orientation angle and an arcuate shape which determine the direction of the force vector and the lengthwise load distribution on the cartridge.

Abstract: A rotary ammunition magazine for a rifle has a follower that is spring biased and rotates about an axis to move cartridges for feeding to the rifle's chamber. The follower has a surface portion which engages the last cartridge in the stack. The surface portion has one or more characteristics including a transverse orientation angle, a longitudinal orientation angle and an arcuate shape which determine the direction of the force vector and the lengthwise load distribution on the cartridge.

Abstract: A rotary ammunition magazine for a rifle has a follower that is spring biased and rotates about an axis to move cartridges for feeding to the rifle's chamber. The follower has a rib and/or a projection on a surface facing the cartridges. The rib engages the last cartridge in a stack and directs the force from the follower in the direction of movement of the cartridges within the magazine. The projection engages the extractor groove in the last cartridge to prevent it from moving under inertial forces caused by recoil. The rib engages and prevents the last cartridge from moving down the follower. The projection and rib prevent bolt override malfunctions.

Abstract: A rotary ammunition magazine for a rifle has a follower that is spring biased and rotates about an axis to move cartridges for feeding to the rifle's chamber. The follower has a surface portion which engages the last cartridge in the stack. The surface portion has one or more characteristics including a transverse orientation angle, a longitudinal orientation angle and an arcuate shape which determine the direction of the force vector and the lengthwise load distribution on the cartridge.

Abstract: A rotary ammunition magazine for a rifle has a follower that is spring biased and rotates about an axis to move cartridges for feeding to the rifle's chamber. The follower has a surface portion which engages the last cartridge in the stack. The surface portion has one or more characteristics including a transverse orientation angle, a longitudinal orientation angle and an arcuate shape which determine the direction of the force vector and the lengthwise load distribution on the cartridge.

Abstract: A rotary ammunition magazine for a rifle has a follower that is spring biased and rotates about an axis to move cartridges for feeding to the rifle's chamber. The follower has a surface portion which engages the last cartridge in the stack. The surface portion has one or more characteristics including a transverse orientation angle, a longitudinal orientation angle and an arcuate shape which determine the direction of the force vector and the lengthwise load distribution on the cartridge.

Abstract: A rotary ammunition magazine for a rifle has a follower that is spring biased and rotates about an axis to move cartridges for feeding to the rifle's chamber. The follower has a surface portion which engages the last cartridge in the stack. The surface portion has one or more characteristics including a transverse orientation angle, a longitudinal orientation angle and an arcuate shape which determine the direction of the force vector and the lengthwise load distribution on the cartridge.

Abstract: A rotary ammunition magazine for a rifle has a follower that is spring biased and rotates about an axis to move cartridges for feeding to the rifle's chamber. The follower has a rib and/or a projection on a surface facing the cartridges. The rib engages the last cartridge in a stack and directs the force from the follower in the direction of movement of the cartridges within the magazine. The projection engages the extractor groove in the last cartridge to prevent it from moving under inertial forces caused by recoil. The rib engages and prevents the last cartridge from moving down the follower. The projection and rib prevent bolt override malfunctions.