Abstract: Methods and apparatus to lock a dust cover in a firearm housing are disclosed. An example firearm disclosed herein comprises a housing constructed substantially from non-magnetic material and defining an opening; a dust cover to cover the opening in the housing, the dust cover being pivotable between an open position and a closed position; and a magnetic lock to secure the dust cover in the closed position.

Abstract: A shoulder support element is disclosed for use in a firearm. The shoulder support element includes a shoulder support adapted to support the small arm in the firing position and a base plate removably mounted to the shoulder support such that impact forces applied to the base plate are distributed to the shoulder support.

Abstract: An automatic firearm with a bolt assembly which is moveable along a bolt assembly motion path between a closed position and an open position, a magazine which advances cartridges by spring force across the bolt assembly motion path into this motion path, and a lock which only allows the first cartridge of magazine to advance into the bolt assembly motion path when the bolt assembly is situated in or near its open position, is disclosed. The lock is preferably created by a plate that extends parallel to the bolt assembly motion path and is mobile in its direction of extent, is pushed between the first cartridge and the bolt assembly motion path, and holds back the cartridge until the bolt assembly has reached or almost reached its open position.

Abstract: A lightweight weapon housing system is disclosed for a self-loading firearm. The weapon housing includes an outer and an inner housing. A wall structure in the weapon housing reinforces the magazine chamber and transmits the transverse forces arising in the magazine into an inner housing, which suffers any resulting deformation and which can be exchanged in a simple manner should deformation result.

Abstract: An automatic firearm with a bolt assembly which is moveable along a bolt assembly motion path between a closed position and an open position, a magazine which advances cartridges by spring force across the bolt assembly motion path into this motion path, and a lock which only allows the first cartridge of magazine to advance into the bolt assembly motion path when the bolt assembly is situated in or near its open position, is disclosed. The lock is preferably created by a plate that extends parallel to the bolt assembly motion path and is mobile in its direction of extent, is pushed between the first cartridge and the bolt assembly motion path, and holds back the cartridge until the bolt assembly has reached or almost reached its open position.

Abstract: A lightweight weapon housing system is disclosed for a self-loading firearm. The weapon housing includes an outer and an inner housing. A wall structure in the weapon housing reinforces the magazine chamber and transmits the transverse forces arising in the magazine into an inner housing, which suffers any resulting deformation and which can be exchanged in a simple manner should deformation result.

Abstract: A shoulder support element is disclosed for use in a firearm. The shoulder support element includes a shoulder support adapted to support the small arm in the firing position and a base plate removably mounted to the shoulder support such that impact forces applied to the base plate are distributed to the shoulder support.

Abstract: A housing for use with a firearm is provided. The housing includes a first housing section sized for receiving a barrel, and a second housing section coupled proximally to the first housing section for receiving a breechblock mechanism. The first housing section has a top external surface. The second housing section has a forward portion which is offset from the first housing section and which includes a forward surface defining an opening sized for receiving a connecting element operatively connecting a lever disposed adjacent the top external surface outside the first housing section and the breechblock within the second housing section. The connecting element moves perpendicularly to the opening and not, as in prior art housings, along it, so that the previously required longitudinal slit, which severely weakened the structure of prior art housings, is avoided.