METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FIREARM SUPPRESSION

Abstract

Structural suppressors and methods for the same are disclosed herein. The structural suppressor can be part of a weapon system. The weapon system can include a barrel portion having a proximal end attached to a receiver, a distal end, and a bore extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The weapon system can include a suppressor portion attached to the barrel portion. The suppressor portion can include: an insert; a tube that can receive the insert and part of the barrel portion; and a bushing engaged with the barrel portion and applying a tensile force to the barrel portion when the insert.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/280,858, filed Jan. 20, 2016, and entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FIREARM SUPPRESSION AND GAS DISPERSION,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

A suppressor, sound suppressor, sound moderator, or silencer is a device attached to or part of the barrel of a firearm or air gun which reduces the amount of noise and visible muzzle flash generated by firing. Silencers are typically constructed of a metal cylinder with internal mechanisms to reduce the sound of firing by slowing the escaping propellant gas. While suppressors provide many benefits, further developments to suppressor design are desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to, among other things, a structural suppressor that is integral to the firearm. As such, this suppressor limits the additional length added to the barrel by use of this suppressor and provides other significant benefits including allowing creation of lighter weight and/or shorter weapons systems, consistent point of impact of projectiles, and increased safety. Further, through the size and shape of the suppressor, the suppressor has a relatively more proximal center of gravity as compared to tradition suppressor designs, which relative proximal shift of the center of gravity improves weapon handling and can increase the ability to quickly acquire a target and/or transition to a new target. In some embodiments this suppressor can further provide increased levels of suppression and/or increased levels of suppression normalized for length and/or weight added to a weapon system by the suppressor. These benefits can be achieved through the structural integration of the barrel and the suppressor tube to tension the barrel and compress the suppressor tube to thereby increase the rigidity of the barrel with minimal increase of materials.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a weapon system. The weapon system includes: a barrel portion having a proximal end attached to a receiver, a distal end, and a bore extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and a suppressor portion attached to the barrel portion and covering an internal part of the barrel portion, the suppressor portion having a proximal end and a distal end. The suppressor portion can include an insert including: a proximal end having a feature engaged with the barrel portion to affix the insert to the barrel portion and a distal end having a cap. In some embodiments, a channel extends through the insert from the proximal end to the distal end. The suppressor portion can include a tube abutting the cap and enclosing an internal portion of the insert and the internal part of the barrel portion, and the suppressor portion can include a bushing engaged with the barrel portion and together with the insert applying a tensile force to the internal part of the barrel portion.

In some embodiments, the barrel portion includes a portion having a first diameter, a first step, and a portion having a second diameter. In some embodiments, the first step separates the portion having the first diameter and the portion having the second diameter. In some embodiments, the bushing and the cap of the insert apply a compressive force to the tube, and the internal part of the barrel portion is between the distal end of the barrel portion and the first step. In some embodiments, the barrel portion includes a second threaded portion located at the distal end of the barrel portion.

In some embodiments, the insert feature engaged with the barrel portion includes a threaded portion of the insert, and in some embodiments, the threaded portion of the insert is threadingly engaged with the second threaded portion of the barrel portion. In some embodiments, the insert is monolithic. In some embodiments, the insert includes at least two baffles that together with the cap of the insert define at least two chambers. In some embodiments, the insert comprises four baffles defining four chambers. In some embodiments, at least one of the baffles together with the proximal end of the suppressor portion defines a pre-chamber. In some embodiments, at least one of the baffles contacts the tube around the perimeter of the baffle, and at least one of the baffles does not contact the tube around the perimeter of the baffle.

In some embodiments, the bushing and the tube are integral and together are a one part cover. In some embodiments, the bushing and the tube are separate and together form a two-part cover. In some embodiments, the bushing includes an elevated tab.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of suppressing a weapon system. The method includes: providing a barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a bore extending between the proximal end and the distal end, which barrel includes a portion having a first diameter, a portion having a second diameter, and a first step intermediate between the portion having the first diameter and the portion having the second diameter; inserting the barrel into a bushing so that a proximal face of the bushing abuts the first step; inserting the barrel into a tube having a proximal end and a distal end; attaching a proximal end of an insert to the distal end of the barrel, which insert includes a cap located at the distal end of the insert; and proximally advancing the insert potion relative to the distal end of the barrel to apply a tensile force to the insert and the part of the barrel extending distally from the first step.

In some embodiments, proximally advancing the insert relative to the distal end of the barrel further includes applying a compressive force to the tube. In some embodiments the compressive force is applied to the tube via the cap of the insert and the bushing abutting the first step. In some embodiments, the proximate end of the insert is attached to the distal end of the barrel via a second threaded portion located on the distal end of the barrel and a threaded portion at the proximal end of the insert. In some embodiments, the insert includes at least two baffles that together with the cap of the insert define at least two chambers. In some embodiments, at least one of the baffles together with the bushing defines a pre-chamber. In some embodiments, at least one of the baffles contacts the tube around the perimeter of the baffle, and wherein at least one of the baffles does not contact the tube around the perimeter of the baffle.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating various embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of portions of a weapon system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a barrel portion for use in the weapon system.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an insert for use in the weapon system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tube for use in the weapon system.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bushing for use in the weapon system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a weapon system are disclosed herein. The weapon system can include a structural suppressor that can include a barrel, an insert, and a cover. The weapons system can achieve greater barrel rigidity with lesser weight and lesser use of materials than achieved through current suppressors, which greater barrel rigidity can increase the accuracy of the weapon system and which lighter weight can increase the handling of the weapon system.

In some embodiments, the use of the structural suppressor can allow use of a lighter barrel contour while maintaining the same shot dispersion as a heavier profile barrel and reducing the overall weight of the system while retaining the same level of precision. As seen in many sniper or competition rifles, heavy barrel contour is the usual way of achieving a high level of precision. In this system, the structural suppressor acts as a suspension structure to enable tensioning of the barrel in order to reduce harmonic vibrations, resulting in superb precision despite the lighter contour barrel. This and the use of exotic alloys allows such as titanium and Inconel allow the opportunity to reduce the weight of the overall system between one and two pounds.

In some embodiments, use of the structural suppressor beneficially affects the center of gravity by moving the CG toward the center of the weapon, giving it an overall better balance. In traditional-type suppressors, the addition of the suppressor/attachment equipment is to the muzzle extremity of the weapon, adding a large moment of inertia.

In some embodiments, a portion of the barrel can be received within the structural suppressor. By covering a significant portion of the barrel (for example, under the handguard), thus increasing the structural suppressor's volume and allowing for use of a superior core system, the structural suppressor can result in much higher levels of suppression than traditional muzzle suppressors. Not only is the sound pressure level (“SPL”) further reduced, the frequency and duration are changed to a more pleasant sound that does not suggest the sound signature of a firearm.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of the weapon system 100 which can include, for example, a firearm such as, a rifle, a shotgun, a handgun, a machinegun, a sub-machinegun, or the like. The weapon system 100 can include a structural suppressor 102. The structural suppressor 102 can comprise a variety of shapes, sizes, and/or components and can be made from a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the structural suppressor 102 can be designed to withstand the forces, pressures, temperatures, and chemicals associated with repeated firing of a weapon system at any desired rate of fire including, for example, a high rate of fire such as at least 30 rounds per minute, at least 60 rounds per minute, at least 400 rounds per minute, at least 800 rounds per minute, at least 1200 rounds per minute, at least 1600 rounds per minute, or the like.

The structural suppressor 102 can have a proximal end 104 that can be the breach of the structural suppressor 102 and a distal end 106 that can be the muzzle of the structural suppressor 102. In some embodiments, the proximal end 104 can include, for example, a chamber to receive a bullet, and in some embodiments, the proximal end 104 can attach to another portion of the weapon system 100 such as, for example, a receiver or receiver part, a slide, a frame, a stock, or the like.

The structural suppressor 102 can further include a barrel portion 108 that can distally extend from the proximal end 104 of the structural suppressor 102 towards the distal end 106 of the structural suppressor 102. The barrel portion 108 can include a proximal end 107 that can be co-located with the proximal end 104 of the structural suppressor 102, and a distal end 109. In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 1, the proximal end 107 of the barrel portion 108 can comprise a threaded portion 111 which can, for example, engage with mating threads in a receiver to secure the barrel portion 108 to the receiver.

In some embodiments, the barrel portion 108 can be rifled according to any desired rifling technique and/or smooth bored. The barrel portion 108 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the barrel portion 108 can have a length of between 6 and 24 inches between the proximal end 107 and the distal end 109, and specifically a length between 10 and 22 inches. In some embodiments, the barrel potion 108 can be made from one or several steels used in barrel making.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of one embodiment of the barrel portion 108 is shown. As seen, the barrel portion 108 includes the proximal end 107 having the threaded portion 111, and the distal end 109 comprising one or several features configured to engage with an affix the barrel portion 108 to a suppressor portion. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, these one or several features can comprise second threaded portion 200. In some embodiments, the second threaded portion 200 can be configured to threadingly engage with portions of the structural suppressor 102, and specifically with a suppressor portion, and more specifically with an insert, both of which will be discussed in greater length below.

The barrel portion 108 further includes a bore 202 that extends through the barreled portion 108, and specifically from the proximal end 400 to the distal end 402 of the barrel portion 108. As seen in FIG. 2, the bore 202 can be rifled with rifling 204. The rifling and the bore can be created using any desired techniques or methods.

The barrel portion 108 comprises a profile defining the diameter of the barrel portion 108 with respect to a position along the length of the barrel portion 108 between the proximal end 107 and the distal end 109. In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 2, the barrel portion 108 comprises a first diameter 206, a first step 208, a second diameter 210, a second step 212, and a third diameter 214. In some embodiments, the barrel portion 108 further has a fourth diameter 216 that can be at the second threaded portion 200. In other embodiments, the barrel portion 108 does not include the second step 212 and the third diameter 214. In some embodiments, the barrel portion 108 includes an internal part 250 that distally extends from the first step 208 to the distal end 109 of the barrel portion 108.

In some embodiments, each of the second and third diameters 210, 214 are sufficient to withstand the pressures, forces, and heat of firing of the weapon system, but in some embodiments, one or both of the second and third diameters 210, 214 is insufficient to provide the barrel portion 108 adequate rigidity to maintain point of impact after mounting of a traditional suppressor to the barrel portion 108 and/or to maintain a desired level of accuracy from the barrel. In some embodiments, for example, one or both of the second and third diameters 210, 214 is such that the point of impact in a weapon system moves by at least 0.1 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches, 1 inch, 2 inches, 3 inches, and/or any other or intermediate value when shot at 100 yards after mounting a traditional suppressor to the barrel portion 108. In some embodiments, one or both of the second and third diameters 210, 214 is insufficient to provide the barrel portion 108 adequate rigidity to maintain and/or achieve a desired level of accuracy when firing the barrel portion 108. In some embodiments, for example, the change of the profile decreases the inherent accuracy of the barrel by at least 0.1 MOA, 0.2 MOA, 0.3 MOA, 0.4 MOA, 0.5 MOA, 0.75 MOA, 1 MOA, 1.5 MOA, 2 MOA, 3 MOA, and/or any other or intermediate value.

Returning again to FIG. 1, the structural suppressor 102 can further include a suppressor portion 110 that can proximally extend from the distal end 106 of the structural suppressor 102 towards the proximal end 104 of the structural suppressor 102. The suppressor portion can include a proximal end 112 and a distal end 114 that can be co-located with the distal end 106 of the structural suppressor 102.

The suppressor portion 110 of the structural suppressor 102 can connect to and/or be affixed to the barrel portion 108 of the structural suppressor 102. Specifically, and as depicted in FIG. 1, the suppressor portion 110 can connect to the barrel portion 108 at two locations. In some embodiments, for example, the distal end 109 of the barrel portion 108 can connect to the suppressor portion 110 and the proximal end 112 of the suppressor portion 112 can connect to the barrel portion 108. In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 1, these connections between the barrel portion 108 and the suppressor portion 110 can occur at separate locations. As specifically depicted, the proximal end 112 of the suppressor portion 110 can connect to the barrel portion 108 at a location intermediate between the proximal and distal ends 109, 109 of the barrel portion and the distal end 109 of the barrel portion 108 can connect to the suppressor portion 110 at a location intermediate between the proximal end 112 and the distal end 114 of the suppressor portion 110. In some embodiments, the suppressor portion 110 is affixed to the barrel portion 108 such that a bullet fired by the weapon system 100 can pass through the barrel portion 108 and through the suppressor portion 110 without impacting the suppressor portion 110.

The suppressor portion 108 can include an insert 116 that can connect and/or be attached to the distal end 109 of the barrel portion 108. The insert 116 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the insert 116 can comprise a monolithic insert 116 and in some embodiments, the insert 116 can comprise a stacked insert 116. In embodiments in which the insert 116 comprises a stacked insert 116, the stacked insert 116 can be configured to allow the transfer of tensile forces throughout the insert.

In some embodiments, the shape, size, and/or material of the insert can vary based on the application of the structural suppressor 102, and specifically the caliber or range of calibers for which the structural suppressor 102 can be used. In some embodiments, all or portions of the insert 116 can comprise a metal, a metal alloy, a polymer, a ceramic, a composite, or the like. In some embodiments, all or portions of the insert 116 can comprise a steel such as stainless steel, a nickel alloy, titanium or titanium alloy, or the like.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of one embodiment of the insert 116 is shown. The insert 116 has a proximal end 300 including at least one feature configured to engage with the distal end 109 of the barrel portion 108 to connect the insert 116 to the barrel portion 108. In some embodiments, this at least one feature can comprise a threaded portion 302 configured to receive the second threaded portion 200 of the barrel portion 108, and a distal end 304. The insert 116 can comprise a plurality of baffles 118 that can define a plurality of chambers 119. In some embodiments, the insert 116, and specifically the first baffle 118-A and the proximal end 112 of the suppressor portion 110 can define an pre-chamber 115 which can be located relatively more proximal than the distal end 109 of the barrel portion 108.

The insert 116 can include any desired number of baffles 118 and/or chambers 119. In some embodiments, the baffles 118 can be equally spaced, and in some embodiments, the baffles 118 can be non-equally spaced. Thus, as seen in FIG. 1, the spacing between a first baffle 118-A and a second baffle 118-B is greater than the spacing between the second baffle 118-B and the third baffle 118-D thereby creating a larger first chamber 119-A than a second chamber 119-B.

The baffles 118 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, one or several of the baffles 118 can have a circular cross-section perpendicular to an axis 122, and in some embodiments, one or several of the baffles 118 can have a non-circular cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis 122. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the first baffle 118-A has a non-circular cross-section and the remaining baffles 118-B, 118-C, 118-D have circular cross-sections.

The insert 116 can further include a cap 121 having a proximal face 140. The cap 121 can be located at the distal end 114 of the suppressor portion 110 and at the distal end 304 of the insert 116. The cap 121 can define a chamber 119 with one of the baffles 118 of the insert 116. As specifically shown in FIG. 1, the cap 121 can, together with the fourth baffle 118-D, define a fourth chamber 119-D. The insert can further include an internal portion 350 that distally extends from the proximal end 300 of the insert to the proximal face 140 of the cap 121.

A channel 120 can extend through the structural suppressor 102 and specifically can extend through the barrel portion 108 and through the suppressor portion 110. In some embodiments, this channel 120 can extend along the axis 122 and this channel 120 can extend through the baffles 118 and the cap 121 of the insert 116. The channel 120 can have a diameter so as to allow a bullet to pass through the suppressor portion 110 without impacting and/or contacting the suppressor portion 110 and specifically without impacting and/or contacting the insert 116.

Returning again to FIG. 1, the suppressor portion 110 can include a cover 130 that can be a one-part cover 130 or a two-part cover 130. The cover 130 can include a tube 132 and a bushing 134. In embodiments in which the cover is a one-part cover 130, the tube 132 and the bushing 134 are combined and in embodiments in which the cover 130 is a two-part cover 130, the tube 132 and the bushing 134 are separate. The tube 132 and the bushing 134 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the tube 132 and the bushing 134 can be designed and/or made from materials to withstand the forces, pressures, and temperatures of shooting.

With reference to FIG. 4, a perspective view of one embodiment of the tube 132 is shown. The tube 132 can comprise a proximal end 400, a distal end 402, and can have an internal volume 404 defined by an inner wall 406 of the tube 132. In some embodiments, the tube 132 can be sized and shaped to extend from the first step 208 of the barrel portion 108 to the cap 121 of the insert 116 when the suppressor portion 110 is attached to the barrel portion 108. In some embodiments, the tube 132 can be sized and shaped to receive portions of the insert 116 within the internal volume 404 of the tube, and specifically to receive the baffles 118 and the thereby defined chambers 119 within the internal volume 404 of the tube 132.

The internal volume 404 volume of the tube 132 and thus of the suppressor portion 110 may, for example, be between about 16 and about 32 cubic inches. For example, the volume may be about 16, about 20, about 24, about 28, or about 32 cubic inches which is approximately at least double a traditional muzzle-type suppressor volume of 15 cubic inches or less. With any of these volumes the outer diameter of the suppressor portion 110 may be less than 2 inches. For example, the outer diameter may be less than 1 ⅞ inches, less than 1 ¾ inches, less than 1 ⅝ inches, or less than 1 ½ inches.

In some embodiments, some of the baffles 118 can be sized and shaped to seal with the inner wall 406 of the tube 132, and in some embodiments, some of the baffles 118 do not seal with the inner wall 406 of the tube 132. Specifically, in the embodiments depicted herein, the first baffle 118-A has a non-circular cross-section and does not seal with the inner wall 406 of the tube 132, thereby allow the proximal passage of expanding gas from the firing of a bullet past the first baffle 118-A. In contrast, the baffles 118-B, 118-C, 118-D have a circular cross-section that does seal with the inner wall 406 of the tube 132.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of one embodiment of the bushing 134 is shown. The bushing 134 includes a proximal face 500 and a distal face 502. The bushing further includes a first exterior diameter 504, an elevated tab 505 surrounded by a flange 503 defined by a second exterior diameter 506, and an aperture 507 having an interior diameter 508. In some embodiments, the first exterior diameter 504 corresponds to the exterior diameter 510 of the tube 132 and the second exterior diameter 506 corresponds to an interior diameter 512 of the tube 132 such that the elevated tab 505 can be received within the tube 132. In some embodiments, the interior diameter 508 of the bushing 134 is larger than one or both of the second diameter 210 and the third diameter 214 of the barrel portion 108 such that the bushing 134 can slide over the part of the barrel portion having the second diameter 210 or the third diameter 214 until the bushing 134 abuts against the first step 208.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the assembly of the suppressor structure 202 can include the placement of the bushing 134 on the barrel 108 and/or the inserting the barrel 108 into the bushing 134 such that the barrel portion 108 is received within the aperture 507 of the bushing 134 and the proximal face 500 of the bushing 134 abuts the first step 208. The tube 132 can be proximally slid along the barrel portion 108 and/or the barrel 108 can be inserted into the tube 132 until the proximal end 400 of the tube 132 receives the elevated tab 505 within the internal volume 404 of the tube 132 and the proximal end 400 of the tube 132 abuts the flange 503 surrounding the elevated tab 505. In some embodiments, this can result in the placement of the internal portion 250 of the barrel 108 within the internal volume 404 of the tube 132.

The insert 116 can then be proximally advanced through the internal volume 404 of the tube 132 and attached to the barrel 108. In some embodiments, this can result in the placement of the internal portion 350 of the insert 116 within the internal volume 404 of the tube 132. In some embodiments this can include advancing the insert 116, and specifically the internal portion 350 of the insert 116, proximally through the internal volume 404 of the tube 132 until the threaded portion 302 of the insert 116 engages with the second threaded portion 200 of the barrel portion 108. The insert 116 can be proximally advances such as by, for example, tightening the threaded portion 302 of the insert on the second threaded portion 200 of the barrel portion 108, thereby compressing the tube 132 between the bushing 132 and the cap 121 of the insert 116 and thereby applying a tensile for the internal portion 350 of the insert and the internal portion 250 of the barrel 108. In some embodiments, this compressive force can be adequate to seal the bushing 134 to both the barrel portion 108 and the tube 132 and to seal the tub 132 to the cap 121 of the insert to thereby seal the internal volume 404 of the tube 132. In some embodiments, the only ingress and egress to the sealed internal volume 404 of the tube 132 is via the bore 202 of the barrel portion 108 and the channel 120 extending through the baffles 118 and the cap 121 of the insert.

In some embodiments, the generation of compressive forces in the tube 132 can correspond to the generation of tensile forces in the barrel portion 108, and particularly in the part of the barrel portion 108 distally extending from the first step 208. Further, the connection the assembly of the suppressor structure 102 as discussed above and as depicted in FIG. 1 can result in the suppressor portion 102 increasing the rigidity of the barrel portion 108 contained within the internal volume 404 of the tube 132. In some embodiments, this enhanced rigidity can be equal to and/or greater than the rigidity of the barrel portion 108 having the first diameter 206.

In some embodiments, the insert 116 can be tightened on the second threaded portion 200 until, for example, desired tensile and/or compressive forces are generated. In some embodiments, this can be determined by tightening the insert 116 on the second threaded portion 200 until a desired torque is reached. In some embodiments, the suppressor portion 110 can be sealed by, for example, welding the bushing 134 to the barrel 108 and/or to the tube 132 and/or welding the tube 132 to the insert 116.

In the foregoing specification, the invention is described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited thereto. Various features and aspects of the above-described invention can be used individually or jointly. Further, the invention can be utilized in any number of environments and applications beyond those described herein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the specification. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be recognized that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” as used herein, are specifically intended to be read as open-ended terms of art.

Claims

1. A weapon system comprising:

a barrel portion comprising a proximal end attached to a receiver, a distal end, and a bore extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

a suppressor portion attached to the barrel portion and covering an internal part of the barrel portion, the suppressor portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the suppressor portion comprising: an insert comprising: a proximal end having a feature engaged with the barrel portion to affix the insert to the barrel portion; and a distal end comprising a cap, wherein a channel extends through the insert from the proximal end to the distal end; a tube abutting the cap and enclosing an internal portion of the insert and the internal part of the barrel portion; and a bushing engaged with the barrel portion and together with the insert applying a tensile force to the internal part of the barrel portion.

2. The weapon system of claim 1, wherein the barrel portion comprises a portion having a first diameter, a first step, and a portion having a second diameter, wherein the first step separates the portion having the first diameter and the portion having the second diameter.

3. The weapon system of claim 2, wherein the bushing and the cap of the insert apply a compressive force to the tube, and wherein the internal part of the barrel portion is between the distal end of the barrel portion and the first step.

4. The weapon system of claim 3, wherein the barrel portion comprises a second threaded portion located at the distal end of the barrel portion.

5. The weapon system of claim 4, wherein the insert feature engaged with the barrel portion comprises a threaded portion of the insert, and wherein the threaded portion of the insert is threadingly engaged with the second threaded portion of the barrel portion.

6. The weapon system of claim 5, wherein the insert is monolithic.

7. The weapon system of claim 6, wherein the insert comprises at least two baffles that together with the cap of the insert define at least two chambers.

8. The weapon system of claim 7, wherein the insert comprises four baffles defining four chambers.

9. The weapon system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the baffles together with the proximal end of the suppressor portion defines a pre-chamber.

10. The weapon system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the baffles contacts the tube around the perimeter of the baffle, and wherein at least one of the baffles does not contact the tube around the perimeter of the baffle.

11. The weapon system of claim 10, wherein the bushing and the tube are integral and together are a one part cover.

12. The weapon system of claim 10, wherein the bushing and the tube are separate and together form a two-part cover.

13. The weapon system of claim 10, wherein the bushing comprises an elevated tab.

14. A method of suppressing a weapon system, the method comprising:

providing a barrel comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a bore extending between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the barrel comprises a portion having a first diameter, a portion having a second diameter, and a first step intermediate between the portion having the first diameter and the portion having the second diameter;

inserting the barrel into a bushing so that a proximal face of the bushing abuts the first step;

inserting the barrel into a tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

attaching a proximal end of an insert to the distal end of the barrel, wherein the insert comprises a cap located at the distal end of the insert; and

proximally advancing the insert potion relative to the distal end of the barrel to apply a tensile force to the insert and the part of the barrel extending distally from the first step.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein proximally advancing the insert relative to the distal end of the barrel further comprises applying a compressive force to the tube.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the compressive force is applied to the tube via the cap of the insert and the bushing abutting the first step.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the proximate end of the insert is attached to the distal end of the barrel via a second threaded portion located on the distal end of the barrel and a threaded portion at the proximal end of the insert.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the insert comprises at least two baffles that together with the cap of the insert define at least two chambers.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of the baffles together with the bushing defines a pre-chamber.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of the baffles contacts the tube around the perimeter of the baffle, and wherein at least one of the baffles does not contact the tube around the perimeter of the baffle.