MATCHED MUZZLE BRAKE-WEIGHT SYSTEM FOR FIREARMS

Abstract

A matched muzzle brake and weight system mountable on a firearm barrel is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the muzzle brake and weight are configured to have the same predetermined weight and center of gravity so that the point of aim of the firearm remains substantially unchanged when a user deploys either the muzzle brake or weight. The system permits convenient interchangeability between the muzzle brake and weight without the need for re-sighting the firearm thereby maintaining accuracy. In some embodiments, the centers of gravity of the muzzle brake and weight are located at the same position with respect to a common reference point defined by the barrel. A method for using the system is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/569,565 filed Dec. 12, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to firearms, and more particularly to a muzzle brake and weight system for firearms including rifles.

Muzzle brakes or recoil compensators counter both the recoil effects and unwanted rising of the barrel upon firing a firearm by laterally and radially venting, combustion gases from the barrel in addition to axially through the forward open muzzle end of the barrel. This provides greater shot-to-shot accuracy for the marksman, which is essential particularly in the context of competitive shooting when using rifles to shoot targets at long distances where a slight deviation in point of aim typically results in large inaccuracies at the target end.

Muzzle brakes are typically attached via a threaded or other type connection to the muzzle end of the barrel. To compensate for the added weight and effect on the balance and center of gravity or mass of the barrel with the muzzle brake in place, the user may make appropriate adjustments in the sighting system of the rifle to recalibrate and improve accuracy.

In some instances, a user may elect not to use the muzzle brake which are known to increase noise and concussive effects on the shooter and others nearby. When the muzzle brake is removed, the user must now make adjustments to re-sight the rifle to compensate for the reduction in weight and effect on the balance or center of gravity or mass of the barrel to regain accuracy.

An improved muzzle brake system for allowing a user to shoot with either the brake mounted or dismounted without having to re-sight the firearm each time when changing operating modes is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A matched muzzle brake-weight system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a muzzle brake and a muzzle weight. Both components are interchangeable and releasably mountable to the muzzle end of a firearm barrel. The muzzle brake and weight are each precisely configured, dimensioned, and weighted to have the same weight and center of gravity or mass, thereby allowing the interchangeable use of either component without having to adjust and re-sight the firearm for accuracy.

In one embodiment, a matched muzzle brake and weight system for a firearm barrel defining a longitudinal axis is provided. The system includes a muzzle weight configured for mounting on a distal muzzle end of the firearm barrel, the muzzle weight having a weight and a generally cylindrical body defining a first axial passageway configured for a bullet or slug to pass through; and a muzzle brake configured for mounting on the distal muzzle end of the firearm barrel, the muzzle brake having a weight and a generally cylindrical body defining a second axial passageway configured for a bullet or slug to pass through, the muzzle brake including a plurality of radially oriented venting holes in fluid communication with the second axial passageway for venting combustion gases. The muzzle weight and muzzle brake each have a respective center of gravity located at an identical point in three dimensions with respect to the firearm barrel to maintain a uniform point of aim for the firearm when either the muzzle weight or brake are interchangeably mounted on the firearm barrel. In certain embodiments, the muzzle brake and muzzle weight have an identical predetermined weight.

In one embodiment, a matched muzzle brake and weight system for interchangeable mounting on a firearm barrel having a bore and defining a longitudinal axis is provided. The system includes an elongated muzzle weight configured for mounting on a distal muzzle end of the firearm barrel, the muzzle weight having a center of gravity and cylindrical body defining a first axial passageway coaxially aligned with the bore of the firearm barrel when the muzzle weight is mounted on the barrel; and an elongated muzzle brake configured for mounting, on the distal muzzle end of the firearm barrel, the muzzle brake having a center of gravity and cylindrical body defining a second axial passageway coaxially aligned with the bore of the firearm barrel when the muzzle brake is mounted on the barrel, the muzzle brake including a plurality of radially oriented venting holes in fluid communication with the second axial passageway for venting combustion gases. When either the muzzle weight or muzzle is mounted on the firearm barrel, their respective centers of gravity are located at a same axial position with respect to a common axial reference point defined by the firearm barrel to maintain a consistent point of aim for the firearm when either the muzzle weight or muzzle brake are interchangeably mounted on the barrel.

A method for using a matched muzzle brake and weight system for a firearm is provided. The method includes: mounting the muzzle brake having a cylindrical body and first center of gravity on a muzzle end of a firearm barrel having a bore, the muzzle brake including a plurality of radially oriented venting holes; coaxially aligning a first axial passageway defined by the muzzle brake with the bore of the firearm barrel; locating the first center of gravity of the muzzle brake at a first axial distance measured from a common reference point defined by the firearm barrel; removing the muzzle brake from the barrel; mounting the muzzle weight having a cylindrical body and a second center of gravity on a muzzle end of a firearm barrel; coaxially aligning a second axial passageway defined by the muzzle weight with the bore of the firearm barrel; and locating the second center of gravity of the muzzle weight at the same first axial distance measured from the common reference point defined by the firearm barrel. A consistent point of aim for the firearm is maintained when either the muzzle weight or muzzle brake are interchangeably mounted on the barrel. In one, the method further includes the steps of coaxially aligning the first center of gravity of the muzzle brake with a longitudinal axis defining b the bore of the firearm barrel after mounting the muzzle brake on the muzzle end of a firearm barrel; and coaxially aligning the second center of gravity of the muzzle weight with the longitudinal axis defined by the bore of the firearm barrel after mounting the muzzle weight on the muzzle end of a firearm barrel. The muzzle weight may alternatively be mounted first on the muzzle end of the firearm barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings where like elements are labeled similarly, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a matched muzzle brake and weight system according to the present disclosure installed on a firearm barrel;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof with the cross section of the brake being taken along Line A-A in FIG. 2 and the cross-section of the weight being taken along Line B-B in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the muzzle brake of the foregoing system;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the muzzle weight of the foregoing system;

FIG. 6A is an additional top plan view of the foregoing muzzle brake;

FIG. 6B is a side elevation view of the foregoing muzzle brake;

FIG. 6C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the foregoing muzzle brake taken along line 6C-6C in FIG. 6B;

FIG. 6D is a transverse cross-sectional side view of the foregoing muzzle brake taken along line 6D-6D in FIG. 6B;

FIG. 6E is a transverse cross-sectional side view of the foregoing muzzle brake taken along line 6E-6E in FIG. 6B;

FIG. 6F is a rear end view of the foregoing muzzle brake;

FIG. 7A is an additional top plan view of the foregoing muzzle weight;

FIG. 7B is a side elevation view of the foregoing muzzle weight;

FIG. 7C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the foregoing muzzle weight taken along line 7C-7C in FIG. 7B;

FIG. 7D is a rear end view of the foregoing muzzle weight;

FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the muzzle brake taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the muzzle weight taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the muzzle brake of FIG. 4 shown installed on a rifle.

All drawings are schematic and not necessarily to scale.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The features and benefits of the invention are illustrated and described herein by reference to exemplary embodiments. This description of exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Accordingly, the disclosure expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features.

An exemplary embodiment of a combined and matched muzzle brake-weight system will now be described for convenience with initial reference and without limitation to FIGS. 1-9. A firearm 8 having a barrel 10, which may be a rifle barrel 10 in some embodiments as shown in FIG. 10, includes a rifled bore 14 and a threaded distal muzzle end 12 configured for threadably and rotatably mounting a muzzle weight 20 or a muzzle brake 30. Distal muzzle end 12 of barrel 10 may be stepped-down in diameter in some embodiments as shown.

Muzzle weight 20 and muzzle brake 30 each may be considered to define a longitudinal axis LA and transverse axis TA oriented 90 degrees thereto as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Longitudinal axis LA defines an axial or longitudinal direction and transverse axis TA defines a lateral or radial direction. When the brake or weight are mounted on the firearm barrel, these two reference axes coincide with the longitudinal axis LA and transverse axis TA defined by the barrel for convenience of description herein.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1-3, 5, and 7, muzzle weight 20 has a generally cylindrical or tubular elongated body 22 defining sidewalls 22a, a proximal end 21, a distal end 23, and an axial passageway 24 extending between the ends. Passageway 24 extends completely through body 22 and is concentrically aligned with axial bore 14 of barrel 10 when mounted thereon as shown to allow a bullet or slug to pass completely through the muzzle weight 20 and outwards from distal end 23. Muzzle weight 20 includes an internally threaded portion 26 disposed in passageway 24 which mates with complementary-configured externally threaded distal muzzle end 12 of barrel 10. In some embodiments, muzzle weight 20 may include a pair of opposing flats 25 in the form of substantially planar flat surfaces on diametrically opposed sides of the weight 20. Flats 25 are configured for engaging complementary-configured tool surfaces (e.g. wrench, pliers, etc.) to facilitate rotatably mounting and dismounting muzzle weight 20 from barrel 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, 4, and 6, muzzle brake 30 has a generally cylindrical or tubular elongated body 32 defining sidewalls 32a, a proximal end 31, a distal end 33, and an axial passageway 34 extending between the ends. Passageway 34 extends completely through body 32 and is concentrically aligned with axial bore 14 of barrel 10 when mounted thereon as shown to allow a bullet or slug to pass completely through the muzzle brake 30 and outwards from distal end 33. Muzzle brake 30 includes an internally threaded portion 36 disposed in passageway 34 which mates with complementary-configured threaded distal muzzle end 12 of barrel 10. In some embodiments, muzzle brake 30 may include a pair of opposing flats 35 in the form of substantially planar flat surfaces on diametrically opposed sides of the brake 30, similarly to muzzle weight 20.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3, 4, and 6, muzzle brake 30 further includes a plurality of venting holes 38 for discharging and exhausting combustion gases outwards from the brake. In one embodiment, as shown, the venting holes 38 may have a circular cross-sectional shape or configuration. Venting holes 38 are disposed circumferentially around and pass through the body 32 of the muzzle brake 30. In some embodiments, venting holes 38 extend in a radial direction outwards from axial passageway 34 and are in fluid communication with the passageway for forming a gas flow path through the sidewalls of the muzzle brake body 32 to the exterior. The venting holes 38 may be oriented perpendicular (i.e. at approximately a 90 degree angle) to the longitudinal axis LA of the muzzle brake 30, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. In other embodiments, the venting holes may be disposed at other angles greater than or less than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis LA. A plurality of venting holes 38 may be provided that are disposed at a combination of different angles.

With reference to FIG. 6, each venting hole 38 may be considered to define a central hole axis 39 which passes through the centerline of the hole (see, e.g. cross-sections in FIGS. 6D and 6E). In some embodiments, venting holes 38 may be configured and arranged so that the each hole axis 39 is aligned with a corresponding transverse axis TA of the muzzle brake 30 passing through the hole and intersecting the longitudinal axis LA at the convergence of the axes LA and TA (see, e.g. FIG. 8). In other embodiments, each hole axis 39 may be radially off from the transverse axis TA by an offset distance 37 (see, e.g. cross-sections in FIGS. 6D and 6E). In one representative example, without limitation, the offset distance may be about +/−0.020 inches. Combustion gases exiting these offset venting holes 38 will create a rotational force or torque on the muzzle brake 30 acting in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA of the brake that will tend to tighten the threaded engagement between the muzzle brake and barrel 10. Preferably, the offset direction is selected in consideration of the threading direction used (i.e. left-handed or right-handed) such that the torque effect acts in the same rotational direction as used to tighten the threaded muzzle brake 30 onto the barrel 10. Each time the rifle is discharged, the muzzle brake will retain a tight connection and not unthread.

The venting holes 38 are axially spaced apart along the longitudinal axis LA preferably in annular groups of holes spaced circumferentially around the sidewalls 32a of the muzzle brake 30, as shown in FIGS. 6A-C. In the embodiment shown, there are five annular groups of venting holes 38 shown; however, more or less groups may be provided. Each venting hole 38 within in an annular group of venting holes may be angularly offset from an adjacent venting hole in the same group (located at the same axial point along the longitudinal axis LA.). As shown in FIGS. 6D-E, each venting hole in the groups depicted are angularly disposed at an angle A1 from the next adjacent venting hole as measured between each hole access 37. In one embodiment, without limitation, angle A1 may be about 60 degrees. Other angles A1 greater or less than 60 degrees may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the venting holes 38 between adjacent annular groups of venting holes as shown in FIGS. 6A-C may be located in a staggered arrangement such that the venting holes in one group (e.g. group closest to end 33 in FIG. 6A) are circumferentially offset from venting holes in the next adjacent group (e.g. second group in from end 33 to the left of the end group). Accordingly, the venting holes in one group will not be axially aligned with the venting holes in the next adjacent group as shown. This arrangement maximizes the amount of material disposed between each venting hole 38 to maximize the mechanical strength of the muzzle brake 30. Other suitable arrangements of venting holes 38, however, may be provided.

The muzzle weight 20 and muzzle brake 30 may be made of any suitable material used in the art for such applications. In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, for example, the weight and brake may be made of 416 stainless steel.. The weight and brake may be made of the same or different materials. Preferably, in the embodiments disclosed herein, the weight 20 and brake 30 should be made of a material or lined with a material capable of sustaining combustion forces from detonating a cartridge since these components form the end portion of the bullet pathway as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the muzzle weight 20 and muzzle brake 30 are cooperatively designed to have substantially the same predetermined weight or mass and substantially the same three-dimensional location of the center of gravity COG. In this manner, a precisely matched set of a muzzle weight and brake beneficially is provided that allows the user to interchangeably use either component without changing and adversely affecting the point of aim and accuracy of the firearm. Advantageously, this eliminates the need for the user to readjust the sighting and point of aim of the firearm each time when either the muzzle brake or weight is used.

In one illustrative example, without limitation, the weight or mass and center of gravity COG for the muzzle weight 20 and brake 30 may be 1.36 oz. located at an axial distance CL measured along the longitudinal axis LA of approximately 0.86 inches from a common axial reference point Ra such as proximal ends 21, 31 of the weight and brake, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In a radial direction transverse to the longitudinal axis LA along the transverse axis TA, the centers of gravity COG of the muzzle weight 20 and brake 30 in this exemplary embodiment preferably is concentrically aligned and coaxial with the longitudinal axis LA of the firearm barrel 10 (and muzzle weight 20 and brake 30) falling on the longitudinal axis LA located at the geometric center of each component (best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) due to the fact that the weight and brake are configured symmetrically about the longitudinal axis LA. Accordingly, the radial distance CR of the COG of the weight 20 and brake 30 in this embodiment is essentially zero inches since radially the COG falls directly on the longitudinal axis LA as shown in FIGS. 4-5 and 8-9. Longitudinal axis LA therefore may be considered to define a common radial reference point Rr for measuring and locating the center of gravity COG radially for the muzzle weight 20 and brake 30.

In the embodiment described above and shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the proximal ends 21, 31 of muzzle weight 20 and brake 30 respectively will fall and be disposed at the same location on distal muzzle end 12 of barrel 10 when either the weight 20 or brake 30 are mounted to the barrel (see, e.g. FIG. 3). Therefore, the proximal ends 21, 31 coincide with and may further be considered to define a common axial reference point Rr on the distal muzzle end 12 of the barrel 10 from which the center of gravity COG may be axially measured, as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the terminal muzzle end surface 9 of barrel 10 may alternatively be used to define a common axial reference point Rr′ for measuring a distance CL to the center of gravity COG of the barrel weight 20 and brake 30 (see FIG. 3). The exact location of reference point Rr from which to axially measure and locate the center of gravity COG may be defined at any suitable location on barrel 10 so long as the same reference point is used for both the muzzle weight 20 and brake 30 measurements. In preferred embodiments, it is desirable that the location of center of gravity COG be the same in three dimensions for both the weight 20 and brake 30 with respect to an axial and radial position so as not to adversely affect the point of aim when interchanging the weight and brake.

The weight or mass and center of gravity COG for both the muzzle weight 20 and brake 30 may be balanced and matched by mutually configuring each component to adjust the various design parameters such as the length L1/L2, inner diameters D1/D2 and outer diameters D3/D4, and transverse wall thickness through the sidewalls of the weight 20 and brake 30 (measure between diameters D1/D2 and D3/D4 respectively), and the number, diameter, and placement of venting holes 38 for the brake (see, e.g. FIGS. 6A-F, 7A-D, 8, and 9). In the exemplary embodiments described and shown herein, the muzzle weight 20 and muzzle brake 30 may have substantially the same outside diameter of 0.70 inches and substantially same length of 1.650 inches (see FIGS. 6 and 7). This provides a consistent appearance to the user regardless of whether the muzzle weight or brake is presently being used. The center of gravity COG and weights are balanced by adjusting the thickness of the sidewalls 22a and 32a measured between the inner surfaces of the passageways 24, 34 and outer surfaces of the bodies 22 and 32. As shown in cross sections (FIGS. 6D-E) and end views of FIGS. 6F, 7D, 8, and 9, in contrast to the muzzle weight 20, the muzzle brake 30 has a larger sidewall 32a thickness and corresponding smaller inside diameter D2; the smallest diameter of which is 0.328 inches where the venting holes 38 are located in one representative non-limiting example for illustration. The venting holes 38 remove material and mass from the muzzle brake 30, so that a greater wall thickness is needed to balance the mass or weight of the muzzle weight 20. The muzzle weight 20 correspondingly has a smaller sidewall 22a thickness and corresponding larger inside diameter D1; the smallest diameter being 0.438 inches measured at the distal end 23 portion and 0.550 measured in the central portion of the muzzle weight body 22 in one representative non-limiting example for illustration.

In other possible embodiments, the length and/or outside diameters of muzzle weight 20 and brake 30 may be different so long as the location of the center of gravity COG remains at the same axial and radial position with respect to reference points Ra and Rr (i.e. axial distance CL and radial distance CR, shown in FIGS. 4-5 and 8-9) when either component is mounted on barrel 10 of the firearm 8. This will ensure that the point of balance and aim does not change when interchanging the muzzle weight and brake.

It will be appreciated that it is well within the ambit of one skilled in the art, using conventional engineering design techniques and computer-aided modeling, to balance the weights and achieve the same center of gravity of the muzzle weight 20 and muzzle brake 30 without undue experimentation. In other possible embodiments, the muzzle brake and weight may have different lengths or diameters to achieve a matched set. In yet further embodiments, the muzzle brake and weight may be constructed of different materials having different densities to achieve a balance and same center of gravity.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a rifle 8 usable with the matched muzzle weight and brake system disclosed herein. Muzzle brake 30 is shown mounted on the distal muzzle end 12 of barrel 10. As discussed elsewhere herein, the distal muzzle end 12 provides a common axial reference point Ra for measuring and determining a common location for the center of gravity COG of both the muzzle brake 30 and weight 20 depending on which of these components happens to be mounted on the end of the rifle barrel 10. Rifle 8 further shows a stock having a forestock or forward portion 11 supporting the barrel 10 and a rear butt portion 13. A firing control mechanism such as the bolt action mechanism 15 in one possible embodiment is also depicted including a moveable bolt configured for loading/ejecting cartridges into the chamber and a trigger mechanism for discharging, the rifle as are all well known to those skilled in the art. It will be appreciated that the muzzle weight and brake system disclosed herein is useable with any type firearm, including other rifles or pistols and is not limited in application to the firearm embodiments disclosed herein.

An exemplary method for using the muzzle brake and weight system described herein is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) mounting the muzzle brake 30 on a distal muzzle end 12 of the firearm barrel 10, the muzzle brake having a predetermined weight and center of gravity COG at a location measured from a common reference point Ra on the brake or barrel; (2) removing the muzzle brake from the barrel; and (3) mounting the muzzle weight 20 on the muzzle end of the barrel, the muzzle weight having a predetermined weight and center of gravity COG at a location measured from the common reference point Ra that is identical in location to the center of gravity of the muzzle brake. In other embodiments, the muzzle weight may be mounted first.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope and range of equivalents of the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof In addition, numerous variations in the methods/processes disclosed herein may be made. One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the embodiments may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the disclosure, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles described herein. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the disclosure, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents.

Claims

1. A matched muzzle brake and weight system for a firearm barrel defining a longitudinal axis, the system comprising:

a muzzle weight configured for mounting on a distal muzzle end of the firearm barrel, the muzzle weight having a weight and a generally cylindrical body defining a first axial passageway configured for a bullet Or slug to pass through; and

a muzzle brake configured for mounting on the distal muzzle end of the firearm barrel, the muzzle brake having a weight and a generally cylindrical body defining a second axial passageway configured for a bullet or slug to pass through, the muzzle brake including a plurality of radially oriented venting holes in fluid communication with the second axial passageway for venting combustion gases;

wherein the muzzle weight and muzzle brake each have a respective center of gravity located at an identical point m three dimensions with respect to the firearm barrel to maintain a uniform point of aim for the firearm when either the muzzle weight or brake are interchangeably mounted on the firearm barrel.

2. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 1, wherein the muzzle brake and muzzle weight have an identical predetermined weight.

3. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 1, wherein the muzzle weight and muzzle brake have the same length.

4. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 1, wherein the firearm barrel defines a common axial reference point, the centers of gravity of the muzzle brake and muzzle weight each being at a same axial distance measured from the common axial reference point.

5. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 4, wherein when either the muzzle brake or muzzle weight are mounted on the firearm barrel, the centers of gravity of the muzzle brake and muzzle weight are each coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the firearm barrel.

6. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 5, wherein the muzzle brake and muzzle weight have an outside diameter that is the same.

7. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 6, wherein the muzzle weight has a smaller wall thickness than the muzzle brake.

8. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 1, wherein the muzzle brake and muzzle weight are each rotatably mountable on the distal muzzle end of the firearm barrel.

9. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 8, wherein the muzzle brake and muzzle weight include a pair of opposing flats configured to engaged by a tool for mounting the muzzle brake and muzzle weight on the firearm barrel.

10. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 1, wherein the firearm is a rifle.

11. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 1, wherein the firearm barrel includes a rifled bore, the first and second axial passageways being coaxially aligned with the rifle bore when the muzzle brake or muzzle weight are mounted on the firearm barrel.

12. A matched muzzle brake and weight system for interchangeable mounting on a firearm barrel having a bore and defining a longitudinal axis, the system comprising:

an elongated muzzle weight configured for mounting on a distal muzzle end of the firearm barrel, the muzzle weight having a center of gravity and cylindrical body defining a first axial passageway coaxially aligned with the bore of the firearm barrel when the muzzle weight is mounted on the barrel; and

an elongated muzzle brake configured for mounting on the distal muzzle end of the firearm barrel, the muzzle brake having a center of gravity and cylindrical body defining a second axial passageway coaxially aligned with the bore of the firearm barrel when the muzzle brake is mounted on the barrel, the muzzle brake including a plurality of radially oriented venting holes in fluid communication with the second axial passageway for venting combustion gases;

wherein when either the muzzle weight or muzzle is mounted on the firearm barrel, their respective centers of gravity are located at a same axial position with respect to a common axial reference point defined by the firearm barrel to maintain a consistent point of aim for the firearm when either the muzzle weight or muzzle brake are interchangeably mounted on the barrel.

13. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 12, wherein when either the muzzle brake or muzzle weight are mounted on the firearm barrel, the centers of gravity of the muzzle brake and muzzle weight are each coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the firearm barrel.

14. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 12, wherein the muzzle brake and muzzle weight each have a weight that is substantially the same.

15. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 14, wherein the muzzle weight and muzzle brake each have a predetermined length that is substantially the same.

16. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 15, wherein the muzzle brake and muzzle weight each have an outside diameter that is substantially the same.

17. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 16, wherein the muzzle brake and muzzle weight each have a sidewall thickness, the sidewall thickness of the muzzle brake being larger than the sidewall thickness of the muzzle weight to provide substantially the same weight of the muzzle brake and muzzle weight.

18. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 12, wherein the muzzle brake is mounted on the muzzle end of the barrel via a threaded engagement.

19. The muzzle brake and weight system of claim 18, wherein at least some of the venting holes each define a central hole axis that is offset by a distance from a transverse axis defined, by the muzzle brake that intersects the longitudinal axis of the muzzle brake and passes through the at least some of the venting holes to tighten the threaded engagement upon discharging the firearm.

20. A method for using a matched muzzle brake and weight system for a firearm, the method comprising:

mounting, the muzzle brake having a cylindrical body and first center of gravity on a muzzle end of a firearm barrel having a bore, the muzzle brake including a plurality of radially oriented venting holes;

coaxially aligning a first axial passageway defined by the muzzle brake with the bore of the firearm barrel;

locating the first center of gravity of the muzzle brake at a first axial distance measured from a common reference point defined by the firearm barrel;

removing the muzzle brake from the barrel;

mounting the muzzle weight having a cylindrical body and a second center of gravity on a muzzle end of a firearm barrel;

coaxially aligning a second axial passageway defined by the muzzle weight with the bore of the firearm barrel; and

locating the second center of gravity of the muzzle weight at the same first axial distance measured from the common reference point defined by the firearm barrel;

wherein a consistent point of aim for the firearm is maintained when either the muzzle weight or muzzle brake are interchangeably mounted on the barrel.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

coaxially aligning, the first center of gravity of the muzzle brake with a longitudinal axis defining by the bore of the firearm barrel after mounting the muzzle brake on the muzzle end of a firearm barrel; and

and coaxially aligning the second center of gravity of the muzzle weight with the longitudinal axis defined by the bore of the firearm barrel after mounting the muzzle weight on the muzzle end of a firearm barrel.