The invention relates to a cartridge of a firearm, to a cartridge chamber, to a combination of a breech and a cartridge chamber of such a firearm, and to a firearm, specifically according to the independent claims.
The invention relates to a novel cartridge, particularly an intermediate rifle cartridge or particularly a rimless rifle cartridge having a centerfire primer, specially conceived and optimized for handguns and support weapons for military and police operations in an urban environment, and for using subsonic and supersonic ammunition. Intermediate rifle cartridges have dimensions between those of cartridges for pistols and cartridges for rifles, enabling the discharge of controllable single and automatic fire from handguns while having sufficient range and projectile energy for the purpose. The engineering design had the objective of achieving maximum potential internal and external ballistic performance parameters.
One of the well-known, most reliable up to now, and most tried and tested designs for combat in an urban environment is the 7.62 mm×39 (M43) cartridge with the associated handgun systems. The most well-known handgun systems for firing said cartridge include the Automat Kalashnikov 47 assault rifle (AK-47).
The AK-47 system with 7.62 mm×39 (M43) caliber has presented the greatest potential threat to western states and NATO for over 75 years. Reasons for this include global spread, low purchase price, and the relatively small external dimensions and the low weight of the weapon system and cartridge, resulting in comparatively low shooter fatigue. The effectiveness of said cartridge can be considered sufficient for the application scenarios indicated above. The 7.62 mm×39 (M43) cartridge is a design presented in 1943 in the USSR, having been developed in the 1930s in Germany (Genschow company, Karlsruhe-Berlin) for the M35 assault rifle system from the Vollmer company in Biberach.
Military small arms of 7.62 mm×51 caliber can also fire projectiles in the subsonic and supersonic range. Said weapons, however, are suitable at most as support weapons in conjunction with highly dynamic operational tactics, due to the significantly higher weight of small arms and munitions.
In comparison with weapons systems for short cartridges (e.g., AK-47), the longer breech time (duration of automatic loading), in combination with greater shooter fatigue due to the more severe recoil characteristic, impedes rapid and precise shot sequences.
Finally, the interior volume of the case of the 7.62 mm×51 caliber is not optimally designed for subsonic ammunition, due to the relatively large cartridge case, potentially leading to mechanical problems with the weapon and loss of precision.
The object of the present invention is therefore to disclose a cartridge of a firearm able to eliminate the user-oriented gap in capability, particularly for operations in an urban environment, between the known 7.62 mm×39 (M43) and 7.62 mm×51 cartridges on the basis of an intermediate rifle cartridge. Superiority in the supersonic range relative to all comparable cartridges relevant to military and police (such as 5.56 mm×45 and 7.62 mm×35 cartridges) under otherwise identical conditions can thus be produced at typical combat range in an urban environment. In particular, a cartridge chamber, a combination of a breech and cartridge chamber of such a firearm, and a firearm capable of firing the cartridge according to the invention are disclosed, and unilateral backward compatibility with cartridges of caliber 7.62 mm×39 (M43) is also ensured.
The (length) data according to the present invention is presented in millimeters [mm] and in inches [″] in parentheses.
The object is achieved by an inventive cartridge of a firearm, comprising a cartridge case implemented in the manner of a bottleneck case for receiving a projectile, wherein the cartridge case has an overall length (L3) between 37.50 mm (1.4764″) and 40.50mm (1.5945″), preferably between 38.50 mm (1.5157″) and 39.50 mm (1.5551″), particularly preferably 39.00 mm (1.5354″), and the length of the case neck of the cartridge—case neck length (L3-L2)—is selected such that the ratio of the diameter (G1) of the projectile (8) to the case neck length (L3-L2) of the cartridge case is between 1.19 and 1.36, preferably between 1.26 and 1.36, and particularly preferably between 1.26 and 1.27. Said ratio is thus a quotient of the projectile diameter (G1) and the case neck length (L3-L2).
The case neck length is the difference between the value L3 (overall length of the cartridge case) and the value L2 (length of the case up to the transition from shoulder to neck).
The length of the case neck, that is, the case neck length (L3-L2) may thereby be between 5.81 mm (0.2287″) and 6.61 mm (0.2602″).
The average maximum permissible gas pressure (Pmax) for the Commission Internationale Permanente (C.I.P.) is defined as up to 4400 bar (638176 psi), representing the maximum value according to C.I.P. The average maximum permissible gas pressure (Pmax) for the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute (SAAMI) field is defined as 5515 bar (80000 psi). Said high gas pressures lead to a substantial increase in the ballistic power and the thermal efficiency in comparison with existing intermediate rifle cartridges.
The cartridge according to the invention may be a rimless rifle cartridge having a centerfire primer. Said cartridge comprises a case bottom having an extractor groove, and a case body connected thereto, wherein the case body transitions via a shoulder cone into a case neck for receiving the projectile.
When reference is made to dimensions according to the invention, such as L1, L2, L3, G1 of the cartridge or of the cartridge chamber, etc., or to known cartridges, then dimensions, sizes, tolerances, measuring runs, and terms used according to the typical rules of the aforementioned Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms (C.I.P.) are meant. The angle of the shoulder cone is typically indicated according to the present invention as a half angle, as per the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute (SAMMI). In the figures (
The cartridge according to the invention may thereby:
The cartridge length L6 is preferably between 55.00 mm (2.165″) and 57.00 mm (2.244″), preferably between 55.70 mm (2.1929″) and 56.30 mm (2.2165″), particularly preferably 56.00 mm (2.2047″). The cartridge chamber according to the invention ensures that cartridges of caliber 7.62 mm×39 (M43) can be fired in addition to the cartridge according to the invention and the projectiles can be fired with above-average high precision. The high precision capability is achieved by a projectile transition of the cartridge chamber designed for greater precision from a current perspective.
The diameter of the projectile is advantageously between 7.85 mm (0.309″) and 7.92mm (0.312″), preferably exactly 7.92 mm (0.312″), and the diameter (H1) of the case neck is preferably 8.60 mm (0.3386″).
The length L2 from the bottom to the transition from shoulder cone to case neck may preferably be between 31.69 mm (1.2476″) and 33.89 mm (1.3343″), preferably between 32.29 mm (1.2713″) and 33.29 mm (1.3106″), particularly preferably 32.79 mm (1.2909″).
A shoulder cone may preferably be connected to the case neck and in turn transition into a case body of the cartridge case, wherein the case body connects to an extractor groove of the cartridge at the case bottom and is preferably implemented having a conical taper in the direction from the extractor groove toward the shoulder cone, such that the case body has a diameter (P1) of 11.35 mm (0.4469″) at the connection to the extractor groove and a diameter (P2) between 10.07 mm (0.3965″) and 11.350 mm (0.4469″), preferably between 10.45 mm (0.4114″) and 11.00 mm (0.4331″), particularly preferably 10.773 mm (0.4241″) at the connection to the shoulder cone.
Said feature also achieves unilateral backward compatibility with the 7.62 mm×39(M43) cartridge. Such a cartridge can thereby also be fired in a cartridge chamber provided for the cartridge according to the invention or in a firearm comprising such a cartridge chamber.
The preferred diameter P2 of 10.773 mm (0.4241″) results in an approximately 7% greater case volume than that of the 7.62 mm×39 (M43) cartridge.
The cartridge comprises a primer. Said primer is preferably a Boxer centerfire primer or Berdan primer.
According to one embodiment of the cartridge, a radius of 1.50 mm (0.0591″) is provided at the transition from the case body to the shoulder cone (r1min) and a radius (r2) of 1.50 mm (0.0591″) is provided at the transition from the shoulder cone to the case neck.
The shoulder cone can be implemented having a conical taper toward the case neck and comprises a half angle of 20° to 42.5°, preferably between 20° and 30°, particularly preferably 25°.
The present invention further relates to a cartridge chamber of a firearm, wherein the cartridge chamber has a cartridge space comprising a case neck to which a shoulder cone connects and in turn transitions into the case body, wherein the cartridge chamber is implemented complementarily for receiving the 7.62 mm×39 (M43) cartridge in addition to the cartridge according to the invention.
The ratio according to the invention of the projectile diameter G1 to the case neck length (L3-L2) of the cartridge may also be used with respect to the cartridge chamber implemented as a complement to the cartridge: here the difference is taken between the length L3, that is, the length of the cartridge chamber up to the diameter H2, and the length L2, that is, the length of the cartridge chamber up to the diameter H1. Said difference between L3 and L2 may thereby be selected such that the ratio of the diameter of the projectile transition (G1; diameter at the start of the transition of the rifling of the cartridge chamber) to said difference L3-L2 is between 1.13 and 1.27,preferably 1.19. The length L3 of the cartridge chamber up to the diameter H2 may thereby be between 37.80 mm (1.4882″) and 40.80 mm (1.6063″), preferably between 38.50 mm (1.5157″) and 40.00 mm (1.5748″), preferably between 39.00 mm (1.5354″) and 39.50 mm (1.5551″), particularly preferably 39.30 mm (1.5472″), and the diameter G1 of the projectile transition may be 7.95 mm (0.313″). Said ratio leads to the advantages according to the invention already described with respect to the cartridge.
The cartridge chamber is thereby implemented having shoulder contact, so that the shoulder cone of the cartridge according to the invention in the cartridge chamber contacts the complementary shoulder cone of the cartridge chamber.
The diameter (H1) of the case neck may be 8.64 mm (0.3402″), and the cartridge chamber may preferably have a radius (r1max) of 1.00 mm (0.0394″) at the transition from the case body to the shoulder cone (α) and a radius (r2) of 2.00 mm (0.0787″) at the transition from the shoulder cone to the case neck. In combination with the further design features of the cartridge chamber, as described above with respect to the corresponding radii of the shoulder cone on the cartridge, not only the cartridge according to the invention but also cartridges of caliber 7.62 mm×39 (M43) can be fired by means of the cartridge chamber according to the invention.
The invention further relates to a combination of a breech and a cartridge chamber of a firearm, comprising a cartridge chamber according to the invention, wherein the cartridge chamber is implemented complementarily such that the maximum breech clearance (Fe), that is, the spacing between the casebottom of the cartridge and the closed breech of the firearm, is between 0.00 mm (0.00″) and 0.15 mm (0.006″) for a cartridge implemented according to the invention and introduced into the cartridge chamber. The breech clearance may thus be 0.10 mm (0.004″) for the cartridge according to the invention and 0.15 mm (0.006″) for the cartridge of caliber 7.62 mm×39 (M43).
The present invention further relates to a firearm comprising a cartridge chamber according to the invention or a combination according to the invention of breech and cartridge chamber. The firearm may thereby be a handgun, a small arm, such as a sidearm, a submachine gun, or a machine gun.
The invention, together with the description of a preferred embodiment example, is depicted in greater detail below using the figures.
Shown are:
One potential, preferred embodiment (best practice embodiment) of the cartridge according to the invention (maximum dimensions), as shown in
The dimension of the powder chamber diameter at the transition from case body to extractor groove (P1) is 11.35 mm (0.447″) and the diameter at the transition from shoulder cone to case neck (P2) is 10.773 mm (0.424″).
The dimensions of the shoulder cone are defined as follows: The shoulder angle (α) has a half angle of 25°. The length to the apex of the shoulder angle (S) is 42.007 mm (1.654″). A radius (r1min) of 1.50 mm (0.059″) is provided at the transition from the case body to the shoulder cone and a radius (r2) of 1.50 mm (0.059″) is provided at the transition from the shoulder cone to the case neck.
Setting the dimensions of the case in the range of functional design limits enables a maximal volume of propellant powder, lower powder column, more uniform combustion of the propellant powder, and thus maximally designed internal and external ballistic performance.
The projectile diameter at the case mouth (G1) is 7.92 mm (0.312″). The length to the land caliber (L3+G) is 47.30 mm (1.862″).
One potential, preferred embodiment (best practice embodiment) of the cartridge chamber according to the invention (minimum dimensions), as shown in
The half angle of the shoulder cone (α) is 25 degrees. The length to the apex of the shoulder cone (S) is 41.907 mm (1.65″). The radius of the transition at the end of diameter P2 (r1 max) is 1.00 mm (0.039″), and at the transition from the shoulder cone to the case neck (r2) the radius is 2.00 mm (0.0787″).
Said radii of the cartridge chamber (r1max and r2) are specially designed so that maximum reliability is ensured, depending on the different radii (r1max and r2) of each of the cartridges. When the 7.62 mm×39 (M43) cartridge is fired from the cartridge chamber according to the invention, the precisely defined breech clearance, in addition to the other design features, is formed by the radii r2 of each of the cartridges (cartridge according to the invention and 7.62 mm×39 (M43) cartridge) and of the cartridge chamber according to the invention.
The diameter at the start of the transition of the rifling (G1) is 7.95 mm (0.313″) and at the distance H2 and F (G) is 8.301 mm (0.327″). The angle of the transition between H2 and G1 (α1) is 90°. The distance between H2 and G1 (h) is 0.34 mm (0.013″). The length between the cylindrical transition plus the neck bevel (s) is 2.00 mm (0.079″). The half angle of the slope at the transition of the rifling (i) is 1.5°.
The bore diameter of the barrel (F) is 7.62 mm (0.300″) and the groove diameter of the barrel (Z) is 7.92 mm (0.312″).
The maximum breech clearance (Fe) of the cartridge according to the invention in the cartridge chamber according to the invention is defined as 0.10 mm (0.004″).
The breech clearance of 0.10 mm (0.004″) is the maximum permissible breach clearance for centerfire rifle cartridges having a maximum permissible average gas pressure (Pmax) of greater than 3800 bar (55115 psi) according to C.I.P. When the 7.62 mm×39 (M43) cartridge is loaded into the cartridge chamber according to the invention, the maximum breech clearance (Fe) is the legally defined maximum breech clearance (Fe) of 0.15 mm (0.006″), permissible for centerfire rifle cartridges at a maximum permissible average gas pressure (Pmax) of up to 3800 bar (55115 psi). The design of the different respective maximum breech clearances for the cartridges according to the invention and the 7.62 mm×39 (M43) cartridge is unique and contributes to the maximal functional reliability of the firearm, even under adverse conditions.
The breech clearance (Fe), that is, the spacing between the case bottom of the cartridge and the closed breech of the firearm, is between 0.00 mm (0.00″) and 0.15 mm (0.006″) according to the invention.
Furthermore,
From the bottom depiction and Detail F, it is evident that the 7.62 mm×39 (M43) cartridge also can be loaded into and fired from the cartridge chamber according to the invention while maintaining the precisely defined breech clearance of 0.15 mm (0.006″) here. This is particularly due to the contractive design for backward compatibility according to the invention.
The cartridge according to the invention is superior to the known cartridges indicated above due to the significantly higher effectiveness thereof in the ultrasonic range, in conjunction with the unilateral backward compatibility of the associated cartridge chamber with the 7.62 mm×39 (M43) cartridge subject to the common maximum performance parameters and the capability to fire projectiles in the subsonic range. The previously present gap in capability can thus be closed by the subject-matter according to the invention. The cartridge according to the invention and a firearm according to the invention having the cartridge chamber according to the invention enable better staying power and survivability with a significant increase in operational tactical options, and contribute to surviving complex and extreme firefights of the highest intensity in operations in the urban environment.
1 Cartridge
2 Case bottom
3 Extractor groove
4 Case body
5 Shoulder cone
6 Case neck
7 Case mouth
8 Projectile
9 Cartridge space
10 Cartridge chamber
11 Breech
12 Firearm
L1 Length to shoulder cone
L2 Length to transition shoulder cone/case neck
L3 Case length
L6 Cartridge length/overall length
R Rim height
R1 Rim diameter
E1 Diameter of extractor groove
E Case bottom height
f Length of rim bevel
β Bevel angle on rim
δ Bevel angle of extractor groove
P1 Diameter at transition case body/extractor groove
P2 Diameter at transition shoulder cone/case neck
α Angle of shoulder cone
S Length to apex of shoulder cone angle
r1min Shoulder radius
r2 Neck radius
H1 Diameter at transition shoulder cone/neck
H2 Diameter at case mouth
G1 Projectile diameter at case mouth
L1 Length of the cartridge chamber up to diameter P2
L2 Length of the cartridge chamber up to diameter H1
L3 Length of the cartridge chamber up to diameter H2
R Distance from breech block to rear edge of the barrel
R1 Diameter of the breech block
E Distance from breech block to inlet of the cartridge chamber
P1 Diameter at inlet of the cartridge chamber or at distance E
P2 Diameter at the start of the shoulder cone at distance L1
α Angle of shoulder cone
S Length to apex of shoulder cone
r1max Radius of transition at end of diameter P2
r2 Radius of transition at case neck
H1 Diameter at start of case neck at distance L2
H2 Diameter at distance L3
G1 Diameter at start of transition of rifling
G Distance between H2 and F
i Half angle of slope at transition of rifling
F Bore diameter of the barrel
Z Groove diameter of the barrel
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2021 006 113.6 | Oct 2021 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2022/078671 | 10/14/2022 | WO |