Abstract: A guide pin for a connector assembly includes a guide pin body extending along a pin axis. The guide pin body has a stem extending between a root and a tip. The root has threads configured to be threadably coupled to a support frame of the connector assembly and the tip has a lead-in to guide the guide pin body into a mounting block. The stem has slots extending parallel to the pin axis from the tip to an intermediate position along the guide pin body remote from the tip. The slots are configured to receive ribs of a driver tool used to rotate the guide pin body to threadably couple the root to the support frame.

Abstract: A firearm is provided that includes a receiver, a stock, an elongated barrel and a muzzle. The barrel extends from the receiver to the muzzle and has a rectangular internal bore extending from the receiver to the muzzle. The internal bore has two short sides and two long sides. A plurality of teeth extends along one of the short sides within the internal bore. A disk-shaped bullet fitting within the internal bore may be fired from the firearm. A bullet case having a rectangular orifice is provided to chamber the disk-shaped bullet for propulsion through the rectangular internal bore of the firearm.

Abstract: A firearm is provided that includes a receiver, a stock, an elongated barrel and a muzzle. The barrel extends from the receiver to the muzzle and has a rectangular internal bore extending from the receiver to the muzzle. The internal bore has two short sides and two long sides. A plurality of teeth extends along one of the short sides within the internal bore. A disk-shaped bullet fitting within the internal bore may be fired from the firearm. A bullet case having a rectangular orifice is provided to chamber the disk-shaped bullet for propulsion through the rectangular internal bore of the firearm.

Abstract: To permit ease and efficiency for the extraction of spent cartridge cases from the cartridge chamber of a firearm barrel within a wide range of temperature conditions, the internal tapered surface of the body region of a cartridge chamber is prepared by establishing circumferentially spaced longitudinal straight or curved regions of the internal surface finish to create an internal cartridge chamber geometry having gradually tapered spaced longitudinally relieved linear or spiral areas having longitudinal linear or spiral lands between each of the relieved areas. The circumferentially spaced lands develop controlled impedance to rearward cartridge case movement on cartridge firing to effectively protect the bolt and extractor mechanisms of the firearm against early failure.

Abstract: A method of producing autofrettage in a tubular component provides a tubular workpiece having an inner diameter and an outer diameter and provides at least two rollers having a displacement from one another in an axial direction with respect to the workpiece. The method places the workpiece on a mandrel such that the inner diameter is adjacent to the mandrel. The method also compresses the outer diameter of the workpiece with the rollers at a temperature below a recrystallization temperature of the workpiece using a combination of axial and radial forces so that the mandrel contacts the inner diameter and imparts a compressive hoop stress to the inner diameter of the workpiece.

Abstract: A firearm is provided that includes a receiver, a stock, an elongated barrel and a muzzle. The barrel extends from the receiver to the muzzle and has a rectangular internal bore extending from the receiver to the muzzle. The internal bore has two short sides and two long sides. A plurality of teeth extends along one of the short sides within the internal bore. The internal bore has an interior barrel surface that is a high friction surface.

Abstract: Provided is a barrel insert for use with a barrel containing a plurality of axially stacked projectiles. The barrel insert has a proximal and a distal end, the distal end adapted to engage a proximally disposed projectile disposed in the barrel. The barrel insert also defines an expansion volume for propellant gases for launching the proximally disposed projectile at a predetermined velocity.

Abstract: A firearm is provided that includes a receiver, a stock, an elongated barrel and a muzzle. The barrel extends from the receiver to the muzzle and has a rectangular internal bore extending from the receiver to the muzzle. The internal bore has two short sides and two long sides. A plurality of teeth extends along one of the short sides within the internal bore. A disk-shaped bullet fitting within the internal bore may be fired from the firearm. A bullet case having a rectangular orifice is provided to chamber the disk-shaped bullet for propulsion through the rectangular internal bore of the firearm.

Abstract: A rifle barrel for a gas-operated rifle includes a metallic liner with a longitudinal bore and a transverse gas port through the liner to the bore intermediate along a length of the liner. A thermally conductive sleeve circumscribes the liner substantially along the length of the liner. A composite wrap circumscribes the sleeve substantially along a length of the sleeve. The composite wrap is separated from the gas port.

Abstract: A method of producing a superalloy gun barrel includes providing a tubular workpiece made of a cobalt-based superalloy material, the workpiece having at least about 30% by weight of fcc phase and having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The method further includes placing the workpiece on a mandrel such that the inner diameter is adjacent to the mandrel and compressing the outer diameter of the workpiece at a temperature below a recrystallization temperature of the workpiece using a combination of axial and radial forces so that the mandrel contacts the inner diameter and imparts a compressive hoop stress to the inner diameter of the workpiece.

Abstract: A rifling angle calculating method according to the present invention expands a rifling angle by combining a Fourier function and a polynomial function to take only the advantages of the two functions, and thus boundary conditions at the start and end points of the rifling angle may be faithfully satisfied, and an optimum rifling angle for minimizing the maximum rifling force may be calculated.

Abstract: A friction preventing apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The apparatus includes: a first object; a second object spaced apart from the first object and facing the first object; and a plurality of charged nanoparticles provided on a surface of one of the first and second objects, such that the nanoparticles are disposed between the first object and the second object. A potential difference is formed between the first and second objects. The nanoparticles may be positively charged and may adhere to the first object, and the first object has a potential lower than a potential of the second object. The nanoparticles may be negatively charged and may adhere to the second object, and the second object has a potential higher than a potential of the first object.

Abstract: A method for reducing the weight of a silencer without compromising durability. By reducing the silencer housing wall thickness weight is removed from the silencer module. Areas on the housing where material is removed are primarily selected based on the internal pressure generated in a given chamber of the silencer. Further, removal of external material is selected based on the baffle arrangement. Individual chamber pressure is influenced by the muzzle pressure of the host firearm and the baffle style and baffle orientation within the silencer being used.

Abstract: An inventive process is provided for creating residual compressive stress at a surface of a structure without resort to custom mandrels and dangerous high-pressure fluids. The inventive process yields autofrettage of a structure such as a tube, gun barrel and the like, the structure having an outer surface and an inner surface.

Abstract: An extreme duty machine gun barrel has body having a central bore. The rear opening of the body includes a chamber formed to receive a cartridge. The body has a surface layer covering all surfaces of the body. The body has a diffusion layer extending below the surface layer into an underlying material of the body. The central bore may have rifling defined by lands and grooves formed in the bore. An interior portion of the body may have a hardness of at least 50 HRC and not greater than 55 HRC after the surface layer and diffusion layer are created on the body. The surface layer and diffusion layer may be created by subjecting the body to a ferritic nitrocarburizing treatment followed by an oxy nitrocarburizing treatment. The nitrocarburizing treatments may be repeated. The body may be AISI H13 grade tool steel.

Abstract: A method of producing a cobalt-based tubular product includes forming a cobalt or cobalt alloy tubular workpiece having at least about 30% by weight of fcc phase and subjecting the workpiece to at least about a 20% wall reduction at a temperature below a recrystallization temperature of the workpiece using a metal forming process. The metal forming process may include radial forging, rotary swaging, pilgering and/or flowforming. A gun barrel includes a tubular component made of a cobalt-based superalloy material. The component has at least about 25% by weight of hcp phase with basal planes radially oriented perpendicular to an inner diameter of the component.

Abstract: A launcher adapter provides a versatile arrangement for using available launchers, e.g., standalone grenade launchers, to accommodate a variety of rounds, and can reduce the need for multiple launchers. The launcher adapter can include a durable, reusable adapter body configured to be loaded into a launcher. The adapter body can include a front portion with a charge end and charge end opening, a rear portion with a base end that includes a base end opening configured to receive a shell of a preselected type and an annular peripheral rim configured to engage the rear end of the launcher breech to prevent the adapter body from sliding out of the front end of the launcher when the adapter is loaded into the launcher, and a central bore extending through the adapter body along the longitudinal axis thereof, the central bore connecting the charge end opening and the base end opening.

Abstract: A rigid composite structure has a bore formed in a metallic material and a super hard interior segment or segments disposed within the bore. Each segment may be lined adjacent to one another and held under compression within the bore. The segments may be made of super hard materials such as natural diamond, synthetic diamond, polycrystalline diamond, single crystalline diamond, cubic boron nitrate or other superhard composite materials which exhibit low thermal expansion rates and are generally chemically inert. The resultant rigid composite structure may possess higher tolerances to high pressures and high temperatures.

Abstract: A boomerang-shaped projectile, ammunition cartridge including the projectile, and a weapon barrel through which the projectile is fired.

Abstract: A gun barrel with a gun barrel liner and a breech ring, which are joined with each other by a bayonet thread. A continuous cavity is left between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring that are located axially behind them or in front of them. A locking segment is inserted in at least one of the cavities that is formed in the installed gun barrel liner between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring to prevent unintentional detachment of the gun barrel liner from the breech ring. The locking segment can completely fill the corresponding cavity.

Abstract: This invention encompasses articles, compositions, and methods that provide enhanced corrosion resistance and wear resistance to firearms, firearm components, and firearm accessories. In one aspect, for example, a substrate comprising a firearm component is coated with a first layer of a corrosion-resistant material such as a first metal, followed by a second thin film layer of an abrasion-resistant material such as a second metal, a ceramic material such as a metal nitride, diamond-like carbon material, or other materials.

Abstract: An inventive process is provided for creating residual compressive stress at a surface of a structure without resort to custom mandrels and dangerous high-pressure fluids. The inventive process yields autofrettage of a structure such as a tube, gun barrel and the like, the structure having an outer surface and an inner surface.

Abstract: A firearm barrel having barrel flutes on the outer surface of the barrel where the barrel flutes are undercut relative to an outward radial vector from the center of the barrel at an arcuate radial distance that exceeds the arcuate radial distance of an undercut produced by a straight walled flute cutter such that the barrel flutes are hyper-undercut.

Abstract: A rigid composite structure includes a tubular body made from a metallic material and having a first bore formed therein along a longitudinal axis, and one or more segments formed from a super hard material disposed within the first bore. Each segment has a hole formed in the center thereof, and the segments may be positioned end-to-end and adjacent to one another to align the center holes about the longitudinal axis and form a second bore. The segments can be held under compression within the first bore of the tubular body. The segments may be made of super hard materials such as natural diamond, synthetic diamond, polycrystalline diamond, single crystalline 10 diamond, cubic boron nitrate or other superhard composite materials which exhibit low thermal expansion rates and are generally chemically inert. The resultant rigid composite structure may possess higher tolerances to high pressures and high temperatures within the second bore.

Abstract: A finless mortar tube made of a superalloy includes, seriatim, a breech end, a beginning taper point, an ending taper point, a lower clamp region, an upper clamp region, and a muzzle end. The nominal wall thickness of the tube is constant from forward of the breech end to the beginning taper point and the nominal wall thickness of the tube decreases from the beginning taper point to the ending taper point. The mortar tube is capable of a substantial increase in the rate of fire compared to conventional mortar tubes.

Abstract: A composite barrel for a firearm and method for forming by forging. The barrel includes at least two materials joined together by forging. In a preferred embodiment, at least one material is preferably lighter in weight than the other material. The barrel may include an inner tube and an outer sleeve. The inner tube defines a bore that provides a bullet path and in one embodiment may be made of steel or alloys thereof. The outer sleeve surrounds the inner tube and in some embodiments may be made of aluminum, titanium, or alloys of either thereof. The tube preferably includes an exterior surface containing recessed areas therein for receiving material displaced from the outer sleeve by the forging process. The preferred barrel forming method generally may include inserting the tube into the sleeve, striking an outer surface of the sleeve, and deforming the sleeve to force material to flow into the recessed exterior surface of the tube to bond the tube and sleeve together.

Abstract: A weapon having a barrel or launch tube and a projectile preloaded therein. An element prevents accidental firing of the projectile if the weapon becomes overheated.

Abstract: An inventive process is provided for creating residual compressive stress at a surface of a structure without resort to custom mandrels and dangerous high-pressure fluids. The inventive process yields autofrettage of a structure such as a tube, gun barrel and the like, the structure having an outer surface and an inner surface.

Abstract: A method of producing a cobalt-based tubular product includes forming a cobalt or cobalt alloy tubular workpiece having at least about 30% by weight of fcc phase and subjecting the workpiece to at least about a 20% wall reduction at a temperature below a recrystallization temperature of the workpiece using a metal forming process. The metal forming process may include radial forging, rotary swaging, pilgering and/or flowforming. A gun barrel includes a tubular component made of a cobalt-based superalloy material. The component has at least about 25% by weight of hcp phase with basal planes radially oriented perpendicular to an inner diameter of the component.

Abstract: A modular barrel assembly for firearms that includes a breech section formed from a high-strength material and a barrel section. the barrel section generally is formed separately from the breech section and can be formed from a different, lighter-weight material. Once formed, the barrel and breech sections are attached together to form the complete barrel assembly.

Abstract: A method for making a gun barrel for soft projectiles includes providing a mandrel for the bore of the barrel. The mandrel is inserted into a barrel base that can be connected in use to the receiver of a soft-projectile gun. The connected barrel base and mandrel are inserted into a tube. A resin, preferably reinforced, is poured into the space between the inside of the tube and the mandrel. The barrel base, mandrel and tube are surrounded by a pressure chamber. A vacuum is applied to the pressure chamber to de-gas the resin. Then a positive pressure is applied to the pressure chamber to force the tube against the mandrel and resin to form the desired barrel. The mandrel may have rifling impressions. The tube may have a mold shape for forming an ornamental design in the outside of the barrel. Barrels made by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for setting a protective coating on the inner wall of a tube includes providing a cylindrical sleeve, then setting on the outer surface of the sleeve a layer of a thermo fusible material, then machining the sleeve to provide it with an external diameter corresponding to the tube internal diameter, positioning the sleeve in the tube, and finally soldering the sleeve on the tube by applying heat.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing double barrel shotgun barrels, including the steps of providing an elongated metal stock material having a first end and a second end, forming two index holes in both the first end and the second end of the material, forming a first and second bore hole through the material, and then profiling the material into a desired gun barrel profile. 16. Double barrel shotgun barrels formed from a single piece of elongated solid metal stock material according to the process of the invention are also taught.

Abstract: A body of iron, steel or other such ferrous material is protected from thermochemical erosion by a layer of an iron nitride having a relatively low nitrogen content. The atomic percentage of nitrogen in the iron nitride layer is no greater than 20%, and in specific embodiments is in the range of 10-15%. The nitride layer may have a layer of a refractory material deposited thereatop. Some refractory materials include metals such as chromium. The invention has specific utility for protecting gun barrels, turbines, internal combustion engines, drilling equipment, machine tools, aerospace systems and chemical reactors which are exposed to extreme conditions of temperature and pressure. Specifically disclosed is a gun barrel which incorporates the invention.

Abstract: A gun barrel with a gun barrel liner and a breech ring, which are joined with each other by a bayonet thread. A continuous cavity is left between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring that are located axially behind them or in front of them. A locking segment is inserted in at least one of the cavities that is formed in the installed gun barrel liner between adjacent bayonet ridges of the gun barrel liner and the bayonet ridges of the breech ring to prevent unintentional detachment of the gun barrel liner from the breech ring. The locking segment can completely fill the corresponding cavity.

Abstract: An electrical energy-insulating, preferably ceramic, insert (15) which is fitted in a barrel (2) is adapted in order to prevent electrical energy transmission (16) from an electric igniter (3) to a barrel body on firing of an ammunition unit (11) which can be initiated with the electric igniter (3). The insert is arranged in a position for firing of the ammunition unit. By means of the invention, a simple solution is obtained to the problem of electrical energy transmission by virtue of the fact that other measures do not have to be taken, for example the cases of the ammunition units do not have to be adapted by complicated and cost-increasing measures.

Abstract: An inventive process is provided for creating residual compressive stress at a surface of a structure without resort to custom mandrels and dangerous high-pressure fluids. The inventive process yields autofrettage of a structure such as a tube, gun barrel and the like, the structure having an outer surface and an inner surface.

Abstract: A method for lubricating gun barrel bores comprises burnishing dry lubricating ceramic particulate into the metal surface of the bore such that the particles of particulate substantially fill grain boundaries in the metal. The burnishing of the particulate may be done manually or mechanically. Mechanically burnishing the particulate includes firing particulate-coated ammunition projectiles or other ammunition-firing pieces coated with particulate.

Abstract: A firearm barrel includes an elongate metal insert member and a rigid sleeve surrounding the insert member along a majority of the length of the insert member. A casing is formed around at least a portion of the sleeve, preferably by injection molding. Breech and muzzle portions of the barrel may be fitted against the sleeve and are preferably tightly connected by the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for the section-wise autofrettage of gun barrels (22) by a hydraulic pressure generated inside the barrel. The apparatus (1, 1?, 1?) comprises a mandrel-shaped insert (2, 2?, 2?) inserted into the barrel (22) from the breech opening. A first sealing device (3) is disposed at one end of the insert (2, 2?, 2?), and has a seal packet (5) disposed on a seal seat (4) of the insert (2, 2?, 2?). The seal seat (4) is limited at the front by a threaded sleeve (7) screwed onto the insert (2, 2?, 2?), and an annular intermediate part (8) adjoining the threaded sleeve (7) at the rear. The seal packet (5) includes at least one O-ring (10) held by a shoulder (9) of the mandrel-shaped insert (2, 2?, 2?), and a high-pressure seal (15) formed by two partial rings (13, 14) that are connected to one another by a conical contact surface (16).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a monobloc gun barrel by calculating an optimal residual stress profile and then applying tailored autofrettage mandrels which are mechanically pressed down the bore of a large caliber barrel, the mandrel size optimized to create a residual stress distribution on the interior of the bore within the design constraints imposed by the worst-case heat flux scenario.

Abstract: A method for lining a gun barrel with a material selected to reduce the rate of erosion and corrosion from the rounds of ammunition fired through it includes the steps of forming a rod of the lining material, hammer -forging a barrel blank to the rod, and then drilling out a bore in the rod. The liner extends from the muzzle end of the barrel almost to the chamber end but stops short to abut a step formed in the barrel just forward of the chamber. The chamber is machined, reamed, and chrome-plated. Preferably measures are taken, such as by applying pressure to the rod during forging, to assure that the rod is placed in full engagement with the step and held in full engagement with the step in order to avoid the formation of a gap between the liner and the step.

Abstract: The method for producing tubes for heavy guns employs a heat-treatable steel, consisting in wt.-% of 0.20 to 0.50% carbon, max. 1.0% silicon, max. 1.0% manganese, max. 0.03% phosphorus, max. 0.03% sulfur, max. 0.1% aluminum, max. 4% nickel, max. 2% chromium, max. 1% molybdenum, max. 0.5% vanadium, and the remainder of iron and the customary impurities. Forgings of open-smelted cast ingots are pre-worked on a lathe on the outside. The solid blanks obtained in this way are hardened and tempered, only subsequently drilled and then finished.