The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to a ported barrel system which compensates for muzzle rise and recoil when discharging the firearm.
When a firearm is discharged thereby releasing high velocity combustion gases forward from the muzzle end of the barrel, recoil forces are generated which act to drive the firearm in a rearward opposite direction towards the user. This creates what is sometimes referred to as “felt” recoil.
These same high velocity combustion gases also concurrently tend to drive the muzzle end of the barrel upwards, which is referred to as muzzle rise. Muzzle rise is particularly prevalent in handguns since the user grasps the hand grip in a position below the centerline of the barrel bore through which the projectile is fired. This creates a moment about the user's hand, thereby resulting in an increased tendency for the barrel to rise after each shot. Muzzle rise however still occurs with shouldered long guns. Muzzle rise adversely affects the point of aim requiring the user to expend more time and effort between shots to reacquire the target and aim the firearm back down field for the follow up shot each time the firearm is discharged.
Both of the foregoing recoil and muzzle rise effects resulting from firing the firearm and associated release of combustion gases adversely affects shooting accuracy. This is a particularly important factor in competitive shooting matches.
An improved barrel system is needed which effectively compensates for both recoil and muzzle rise while preserving a compact firearm profile and offering ease of assembly.
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide an easily assembled barrel porting system configured and operable to compensate for both recoil and muzzle rise in a compact assembly. Advantageously, the present barrel porting system utilizes an internal porting system and an external porting system formed by discrete components which interact in a manner which effectively minimizes recoil and muzzle rise.
A first feature of the barrel porting system includes a porting device which comprises an array of radially oriented gas portholes in the barrel. The porting device may be considered to form a muzzle brake. The portholes are configured and arranged proximate to the muzzle end of the barrel in one embodiment for venting the combustion gases from the barrel bore in a controlled manner for a full 360 degrees around the circumference of the barrel. This full circumferential release of gases reduces the exiting gas velocity from the muzzle end of the barrel by providing a greater cumulative open flow area for extracting and venting the gas form the barrel bore. The gas portholes may be arranged in a 360 degree array around the top, bottom, and both lateral sides of the barrel in one embodiment, or optionally an alternative detachable porting device comprising the same array of gas portholes may be removably coupled to the muzzle end of the barrel in various embodiments. In one arrangement, the gas portholes may be substantially uniformly or equally arranged and spaced apart around entire circumference of the barrel or porting device to produce uniform gas flow and less disturbance or unbalanced forces on the axially exiting projectile (e.g. bullet or slug) from the barrel, thereby advantageously resulting in better shooting accuracy.
A second feature of the barrel porting system may include an outer shroud which at least partially covers the barrel, and preferably covers at least the portion of the barrel or removable porting device coupled thereto which contains the gas portholes. The barrel and muzzle brake are nested inside the shroud which is configuration to direct and control the flow of gas from the portholes. An internal circumferentially-extending annular gas collection channel which defines a plenum is formed between the shroud and barrel or alternatively detachable porting device. The plenum is in direct fluid communication with the gas portholes for collecting combustion gases resulting from discharging the firearm. In one embodiment, the plenum may be formed by a circumferentially-extending recessed band or channel portion formed in an exterior surface of the porting device or barrel. One or multiple gas plenums may be provided in various embodiments. One or more gas discharge ports are formed in the shroud for venting the combustion gases from the collection plenum in a controlled manner to atmosphere to control and minimize muzzle rise. In one embodiment, the gases are vented transversely and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the firearm barrel. The discharge ports preferably may be formed on the upper half of the shroud to compensate for muzzle rise. The ports vent gas outward, and in some embodiments preferably in a generally upward direction.
In certain embodiments, a two-piece shroud may be provided comprising a fixed rear portion and a detachable front portion or cap. The shroud cap encircles the gas portholes of a detachable muzzle brake and includes the one or more discharge ports. Both the detachable shroud cap and muzzle brake greatly facilitate cleaning carbon deposits from each contained in the vented combustion gases which accumulate over time on surfaces exposed to the gases.
The muzzle brake feature of the barrel porting system may be either integral with the barrel being formed as a unitary structural part thereof, or a separate detachable device in fluid communication with the barrel bore. By diverting some of the combustion gases transversely from the barrel bore, the total volume of combustion gases released in the forward direction from the terminal muzzle end of the barrel along the longitudinal axis is reduced, thereby effectively decreasing the rearward recoil forces generated by discharging the firearm. The gas discharge port(s) arranged on the upper half of the shroud forms the part of the porting system which reduces muzzle rise. By discharging the vented combustion gases in a generally upwards direction from the shroud discharge port(s), the vertically acting dynamic forces associated with muzzle rise which act in an upwards direction are counterbalanced by the vertically acting downward forces by the gas jetted from the discharge port(s). The combined effect of the muzzle brake and muzzle rise features provides a smoother and controlled firing experience to the user which advantageously results in greater accuracy.
A thread-less coupling system may be provided which detachably secures the porting device such as a muzzle brake to the barrel. Unlike threaded couplings, the thread-less muzzle brake coupling system is designed to be less prone to loosening after repeated firings to preserve the integrity of the gas seals and eliminate the need to retighten the muzzle brake. In other embodiments, the muzzle brake may be threaded onto the barrel.
The present barrel porting system is adaptable and usable for handguns (e.g. revolvers and pistols) and long guns (e.g. rifles, shotguns, etc.). Accordingly, the barrel porting system is not limited in its applicability.
According to one aspect, a barrel porting system for a firearm comprises: a barrel including a longitudinal axis, a muzzle end, and an axially extending barrel bore which defines a projectile pathway; a detachable porting device removably coupled to the barrel, the porting device comprising a plurality of gas portholes in fluid communication with the barrel bore; an elongated outer shroud encircling the porting device, the shroud including at least one gas discharge port arranged to vent combustion gas from firing the firearm in an outwards direction; and an annular gas collection plenum formed between the shroud and porting device, the plenum configured to collect gas from the gas portholes and discharge the gas through the at least one discharge port in the shroud.
According to another aspect, a firearm comprising the foregoing barrel porting system comprises: a frame or receiver supporting the barrel; a trigger-actuated firing mechanism positioned in the frame or receiver, the firing mechanism including a trigger coupled to a movable striking member operable to discharge the firearm via a trigger pull; and wherein discharging the firearm causes combustion gas to flow outwards from the gas portholes into the gas collection plenum, circulate through the plenum to the at least one gas discharge port in the shroud, and then flow outwards from the at least one discharge port to atmosphere.
According to another aspect, a barrel porting system for a firearm comprises: a barrel including a longitudinal axis, a muzzle end, and an axially extending barrel bore which defines a projectile pathway; a plurality of gas portholes formed in a venting portion of the barrel in fluid communication with the barrel bore; and an outer shroud encircling at least the venting portion of the barrel, the shroud including at least one gas discharge port in fluid communication with the gas portholes of the barrel and arranged to vent combustion gas from firing the firearm in a generally upwards direction.
According to another aspect, a barrel porting system for a firearm comprises: a frame or receiver; a barrel supported by the frame or receiver and including a longitudinal axis, a muzzle end, and an axially extending barrel bore which defines a projectile pathway; a detachable porting device removably coupled to the barrel, the porting device comprising a plurality of gas portholes in fluid communication with the barrel bore; an elongated outer shroud encircling the barrel, the shroud comprising a rear shroud portion coupled to the frame or receiver and a front shroud cap detachably coupled to the rear shroud portion; the shroud cap including at least one gas discharge port arranged to vent combustion gases from firing the firearm in a generally upwards direction; and an annular gas collection channel formed between the shroud cap and porting device, the channel operable to collect gas from the gas portholes and discharge the gas through the at least one discharge port in the shroud.
According to another aspect, a method for porting gas from a firearm comprises: providing a firearm including a barrel including an axially extending barrel bore which defines a projectile pathway, and a muzzle device coupled to the barrel and in fluid communication with the barrel bore; firing the firearm; radially discharging combustion gas from the barrel bore through an array of gas portholes in the muzzle device; receiving the gas in an annular gas plenum defined by the muzzle device, the gas collection plenum extending 360 degrees around a circumference of the muzzle device; and discharging the gas from the gas collection plenum through at least one gas discharge port formed in an outer shroud surrounding the muzzle device.
The features of the exemplary (“example”) embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings where like elements are labeled similarly, and in which:
All drawings may be considered schematic and not necessarily to scale. Features numbered in some figures which appear un-numbered in others are the same unless noted otherwise. A reference to a figure by its whole number (e.g.
The features and benefits of the invention are illustrated and described herein by reference to example (“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.
As used throughout, any ranges disclosed herein are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range.
The accompanying figures depict different embodiments of the present barrel porting system, as further described herein.
Referring to
The trigger-actuated firing mechanism 25 operates to discharge the firearm in a known conventional manner. The firing mechanism may generally comprise a movable trigger 26 slideably or pivotably mounted to the frame and spring-biased striking member which may be a pivotable hammer 27 as shown operably coupled to the trigger directly or via an intermediate mechanical trigger linkage (e.g. sear, trigger bar, etc.). The hammer 27 is configured and arranged to strike a firing pin 28 slideably disposed in the frame. The firing pin has a front tip which is projectable in a forward direction when struck by the hammer to in turn strike the percussion cap on a chambered cartridge. Pulling the trigger cocks and releases the hammer to strike the firing pin and discharge the firearm. Such revolver firing mechanisms are well known in the art without further elaboration.
In the case of a conventional semi-automatic pistol (not shown) having an axially reciprocatable slide mounted on the frame in a known manner, it bears noting the mechanical linkage may be a rotatable sear. The sear is configured and operable to hold the spring-biased hammer or alternatively a spring-biased linearly movable striker in a rearward cocked and ready-to-fire position until the trigger is pulled. Pulling the trigger with a closed breech rotates the sear and releases the cocked hammer or striker to strike the firing pin. The firing pin in turn strikes a chambered cartridge and discharges the pistol. Such a pistol firing mechanism is well known in the art without further elaboration.
With reference to
In the case of a semi-automatic pistol having a conventional axially reciprocating slide mounted on the frame (not shown), the slide includes a forward facing breech face which creates a closed breech when in battery with the rear breech end of the barrel for firing the pistol, or an open breech for extracting/ejecting spent cartridge casings and loading fresh cartridges into a chamber formed at the breech end of the barrel when spaced rearward from the barrel. In other pistol embodiments such as the Ruger® Mark IV™ rimfire pistol having a barrel-receiver assembly fixedly mounted on the frame, a reciprocating bolt mounted in the receiver forms the axially reciprocating breech face which performs the forgoing functions. Either type of pistol are well known in the art without further elaboration or illustration and usable with the present barrel porting system.
Referring still to
Various arrangements of the gas portholes 33 in each circular array CA may be used. For example, the portholes 33 in each circular array CA may be circumferentially staggered in location from the portholes in each adjacent circular array (see, e.g.
When the radial gas portholes 33 are formed directly in a rifles barrel 22 in the fixed barrel porting system, the portholes preferably may be located within and directly through the longitudinally-extending rifling grooves 36 as shown in
With continuing reference to
The shroud 40 generally includes an open front end 41, open rear end 42, and a generally circumferential wall 45 circumscribing the barrel 22 and extending longitudinally between the ends along longitudinal axis LA of the firearm. Circumferential wall 45 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape or profile (see, e.g.
The shroud 40 can accommodate various accessories. As shown, the shroud 40 may be configured with a front sight mounting interface for detachably or permanently mounting a front sight 47 thereto. In one embodiment, the interface may comprise a transversely oriented full or partial dovetail slot 47a which receives a mating dovetail protrusion 47b formed on the bottom of the sight. In other embodiments, a fixed sight integrally formed with the shroud 40 may be provided. The shroud may further include accessory rails 46 (e.g. Picatinny or other) on the top and/or bottom in certain embodiments.
The barrel porting system in one embodiment further includes an enlarged circumferentially extending annular gas collection channel 37 defining a gas collection plenum 34 between barrel 22 and the shroud 40. The channel/plenum circumscribes the barrel and extends a full 360 around its exterior. In one embodiment, the channel 37 may be recessed into the exterior surface of the barrel, and may be formed by a reduced diameter intermediate portion of the barrel which defines a circumferentially-extending recessed band which defines the annular plenum 34 (see, e.g.
It bears noting that the recessed channel 37 is not merely an interface space between the barrel 22 and interior surface of shroud 40. Instead, the channel 37 which defines plenum 34 has a pronounced depth which is sufficient to collect a large volume of high pressure combustion gas extracted from the barrel bore 32 via gas portholes 33, and distribute that gas to the discharge port(s) 44 in shroud 40.
In other possible embodiments, the annular gas collection plenum 34 may instead be formed on the interior surface of the shroud 40 by providing the circumferentially-extending recessed channel in the shroud in lieu of the barrel 22. In such a construction, the barrel may have a constant diameter where the gas portholes 33 are formed. Each gas porthole 33 in this case is preferably still located so that the portholes lie adjacent to the gas collection plenum 34 for venting combustion gases directly and radially into the plenum. Accordingly, the annual gas collection plenum 34 may be formed in either the barrel or shroud with equal performance effect and benefit.
It bears noting that the combustion gas entering the gas collection plenum 34 from the barrel gas portholes 33 circulates in a circumferential direction around the entire 360 degree circumference of the barrel within the plenum. This advantageously increases the volume of gas which can be bled off of the barrel when the firearm is fired to minimize felt recoil.
To vent the gas radially from the firearm and transversely to the longitudinal axis LA to atmosphere, one or more gas discharge ports 44 are formed through the upper half of the shroud 40 above longitudinal axis LA from its interior surface to its exterior surface. In one embodiment, a plurality of discharge ports may be provided in which each port is in direct fluid communication with the annular gas collection plenum 34 (see, e.g.
In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, a pair of angularly separated discharge ports 44 may be provided in the shroud which are symmetrically arranged around a reference vertical centerline axis Cv of the barrel (see, e.g.
To facilitate assembling the barrel to the shroud, an annular barrel stop shoulder 48 may be formed on the interior surface of the shroud 40 within the longitudinal cavity which abuttingly engages a mating annular stepped shoulder 49 on the exterior surface of the barrel when the barrel is inserted rearwardly into the shroud (see, e.g.
In operation, after firing the firearm, combustion gas released by the cartridge detonation travels longitudinally down the barrel bore 32 forward to and out of the muzzle end 30 following the slug or bullet. A portion of the gas is extracted and flows radially outwards through the gas portholes 33 into annular gas collection plenum 34. Gas is ejected from the entire circumference of the barrel 22 via gas portholes 33 into the plenum. The gas circulates circumferentially 360 degrees through the plenum 34 around the barrel and flows upwards towards the upper gas discharge ports 44 in barrel shroud 40. The collected gas is discharged through the ports to atmosphere. Bleeding some of the gas off through the present barrel porting system advantageously reduces the recoil forces and “felt” recoil experienced by the user. The positioning of the gas discharge ports to eject gas in a generally upward direction further advantageously reduces muzzle rise to improve shooting accuracy, as explained above. Accordingly, the barrel porting system concurrently reduces both recoil and muzzle rise. Due to the array of gas portholes 33 which eject gas a full 360 degrees from the barrel bore within the annular gas collection plenum 34 formed between the barrel 22 and shroud 40, a greater volume of gas may be extracted comparted to conventional muzzle brake designs which improves felt recoil reduction. Directing that greater extracted volume of gas to exit the shroud 44 only through its top discharge ports 44 to atmosphere in turn improves muzzle rise reduction.
In some embodiments when firing cartridges with light powder loads which do not result in as great muzzle rise as higher caliber rounds, additional gas discharge ports may be formed in the shroud at and/or below the longitudinal axis LA in the lower half of the shroud 40 to further reduce felt recoil.
Porting Systems with Detachable Muzzle Brakes
The detachable porting device may be a muzzle brake 50 comprising a generally tubular cylindrical body in one embodiment including an open front end 51, an open rear end 52, and a longitudinally-extending internal central passageway 53 extending between and through the ends which forms a path for receiving and discharging the bullet or slug from the barrel bore. The central passageway 53 therefore has a circular cross sectional shape and is concentrically aligned with the barrel bore 32 when the muzzle brake is mounted to the muzzle end 30 of barrel 22.
The detachable muzzle brake comprises the same radial gas portholes 33 previously described herein with respect to the embodiment of
The muzzle brake 50 of the detachable barrel porting system in one embodiment further includes enlarged annular circumferentially extending gas collection channel 37 which defines gas collection plenum 34. The channel/plenum extends a full 360 degrees around the exterior and circumference of the detachable muzzle brake 50. In one embodiment, the channel 37 may be recessed into the exterior surface of the muzzle brake body and formed by a reduced diameter intermediate portion of the muzzle brake as shown (best seen in
In other possible embodiments, the gas collection channel may instead be formed on the interior surface of the shroud 40. In such a construction, each gas porthole 33 is preferably still formed in the barrel so that the portholes lie adjacent to the gas collection channel 37/plenum 34 for venting combustion gases directly and radially into the channel/plenum. The detachable muzzle brake 50 may therefore have a relatively constant outside diameter. Accordingly, the gas collection channel 37 may be formed in either the barrel or shroud with equal performance effect and benefit.
The gas discharge ports 44 in shroud 40 may be in the form of a pair of elongated longitudinal slots arranged on either side of front sight 47, similar to those shown in
In other possible configurations such as shown in the illustrated embodiment shown in
Various threaded or unthreaded coupling approaches may be used to detachable couple the separate muzzle brake 50 to the muzzle end 22 of barrel 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the muzzle brake may be threadably coupled to the barrel by providing internal threads on the rear portion of the muzzle brake which engage mating external threads on a portion of the front muzzle end 30 of the barrel (see, e.g.
There are several additional differences from the fixed barrel porting system of
The rear shroud portion 40a and/or barrel 22 may be mounted to and cantilevered from the front portion of the firearm frame 22 similar to the arrangement shown in
In some embodiments, the rear shroud portion 40a may be secured in place to the frame 21 by the threaded coupling between the muzzle brake 50 and barrel 22 when the entire shroud and muzzle brake assembly is coupled to the firearm. As shown in
The front shroud cap 40b comprises a generally tubular body in one embodiment including an open front end 58, an open rear end 59, sidewalls 60, and an axially extending longitudinal passage 61 between and through the ends for mounting the muzzle brake therein (see, e.g.
The front shroud cap 40b includes an internal annular protrusion 62 which projects radially inward into the longitudinal passage of the cap. The protrusion in turn defines an annular mounting shoulder 63 inside the longitudinal passage 61 of the cap proximate to or at its rear end (best shown in
To couple both the muzzle brake 50 and front shroud cap 40b to the firearm, the muzzle end 30 of barrel 22 includes an externally threaded front extension which rotatably engages internal threads formed inside the rear end 52 of muzzle brake.
To assemble the detachable barrel porting system to the firearm, the rear shroud portion 40a is first slid rearward over the barrel 22 until rear end 40e of shroud portion 40a abuttingly engages the front end of frame 21 (see, e.g.
As shown in
The shroud cap and muzzle brake are removed from the firearm by simply reversing the foregoing assembly process.
Referring to
It bears noting that unlike conventional muzzle brakes in which the gas vents are entirely exposed to the atmosphere, a majority of the gas portholes in the present muzzle brake portion of the barrel porting system are enclosed and shielded by the outer shroud 40 (other than the few that may be located directly beneath the gas discharge ports 44). This prevents direct release of the gases from many different radial directions as in conventional muzzle brake. Instead, the gases in the present barrel porting system are advantageously controlled and channeled to discharge only through the gas discharge ports in the outer shroud as previously described herein. This maximizes reduction of muzzle rise or lift when firing the firearm, thereby producing greater accuracy and lessening the time required to reacquire the target between shots. In addition, the affects on nearby shooters such as at a firing range or in a shooting competition are minimized by eliminating directly lateral discharge of combustion gases as in many conventional muzzle brakes.
Referring to
The front shroud cap 40b of the third embodiment may further include a rear extension 77 which is received in a forwardly open receptacle 78 of rear shroud portion 40a as best shown in
In the third embodiment, the rear shroud portion 40a is configured to be compressible. This allows the shroud portion to clampingly engage the circumference of barrel 22 for adding stability and rigidity to the assemblage to prevent rattling when the firearm is fired. Referring to
With continuing reference to
To add flexibility, the upper section 80 of rear shroud portion 40a is punctuated by a plurality of laterally open and longitudinally elongated windows 88 on each side. The windows further allow heat to be dissipated from the barrel 22 when firing the firearm and reduces the weight of rear shroud portion 40a. The windows 88 are separated from each other by narrow vertical web portions 89 which may have a longitudinal width smaller than the longitudinal width of the windows.
The rear shroud portion 40a may be formed of a suitably strong metallic or polymeric material (e.g. glass reinforced nylon or other). The design of the shroud including the foregoing windows/openings provides the desired degree of flexibility to deform the shroud and clampingly engage the barrel when the cross bolting assemblies 83 are tightened. In one embodiment, a suitable light gauge metal such as aluminum may be used for rear shroud portion 40a. It bears noting at this point that front shroud cap 40b is preferably formed of a suitable metal (e.g. steel, etc.) in the present and other embodiments described herein to better resist erosive wear resulting from the jetting combustion gases to which the cap is exposed.
In use when assembling the shroud, rear shroud portion 40a is slid over barrel 22 in the manner previously described herein. The cross bolt assemblies 83 may be in a loosened condition. Once fully rearward engaged with the frame 21, the cross bolting assemblies 83 are tightened which compresses the externally disposed heads of the sleeve nut and bolt against the lateral sides of the lower section of the rear shroud portion 40a. This causes the transition sections 87 on each lateral side of rear shroud portion 40a to deform and deflect inwards to compressively clamp the upper section 80 firmly onto and against the barrel 22. The natural resiliency and elastic memory of the rear shroud portion 40a material will attempt to spring back to its original undeformed state, thereby advantageously keeping the cross bolting assemblies 53 under tension and tightened after repeating firings of the firearm.
It bears noting that the compressive forces also serves to clamp the rear extension 77 of front shroud cap 40b into place on rear shroud portion 40a.
The detachable muzzle brake 50 in the third embodiment may have a staggered gas porthole 33 pattern as shown in
Referring to
Another noticeable difference is that the present muzzle brake is not threaded onto barrel 22 as in the previous detachable barrel embodiments. Muzzle brake 50 in the fourth embodiment is held in place by a wedge assembly comprising a wedge insert 100 received in a downwardly open wedge cavity 102 formed in the forward portion of the shroud 40. Wedge insert 100 may have a generally block-shaped body including a threaded longitudinal bore 106 which may be extend completely through the body, and an upwardly extending entrapment projection 107. A threaded cylindrical set screw 101 threadably engages the bore 106 and includes a front tooling end configure for engaging a tool, such as a hex screwdriver or key. The wedge insert is held in place inside wedge cavity 102 by a bottom closure plate 109 which may be threadably attached to the shroud 40 in one embodiment via screws 105 engaging threaded holes 104 in the bottom of the shroud. Other ways to removably attach closure plate 109 to the shroud may be used.
To assemble the muzzle brake 50 and wedge assembly to the firearm, the shroud 40 is first inserted over the barrel 22 and slid fully rearward to abuttingly engage firearm frame 21 in the manner previously described herein. Next, the muzzle brake 50 is first inserted through the open front end of the shroud 40 and fully into longitudinal cavity 45 (parallel to longitudinal axis LA) until the rear end 52 of muzzle brake abuttingly engages the radially extending annular protrusion 64 formed on the barrel. The wedge insert 100 is provided with the set screw 101 threaded completely inside the insert. Wedge insert 100 is then inserted from below shroud 40 into the forward-most portion of the wedge cavity 102. Entrapment projection 107 becomes abuttingly engaged with annular shoulder 108 formed on the inside of muzzle brake 50 which defines a forward facing bearing surface which engages the rear bearing surface on the projection (best shown in
As seen in
Once the wedge insert 100 is in place, the muzzle brake 50 cannot be axially withdrawn forward from the internal longitudinal cavity 45 of the shroud due to blocking and interference between the shroud annular retention surface and the screw. To remove the muzzle brake for cleaning which should be performed regularly as part of responsible firearm maintenance practices, the foregoing process or method steps are simply reversed. To facilitate grasping the distal end of the muzzle brake, the front end of the muzzle brake may protrude slightly forward from the shroud and its internal longitudinal cavity as shown.
To assemble the muzzle brake to the shroud after the barrel 22 already mounted on frame 21 is inserted forward into the internal longitudinal cavity 45 of the shroud 40 in the manner previously described herein, the muzzle brake 50 is inserted rearwardly through the open front end of the shroud until it abuts annular protrusion 64 on barrel 22. The front muzzle end 31 of the barrel is recessed within the shroud 40 and spaced rearwards from the front end of the shroud 40 by an axial distance suitable to preserve space within the shroud internal longitudinal cavity 45 for mounting the detachable muzzle brake 50 at least partially therein as shown.
Once the muzzle brake is fully inserted into the shroud in the foregoing manner, the set screw 120 is fully threaded into its corresponding threaded bore 122 in the shroud 40. The angled annular bearing surface of the set screw distal end and annular retention bearing surface of the muzzle brake 50 engage and slide against each other, thereby producing a wedging action which tends to force the muzzle brake rearward to a greater degree and tighten the mutually engaged surfaces. These mutually engaged surfaces form and advantageously tighten a rear gas seal between the barrel front extension (unthreaded in this embodiment) and the full diameter rear end of the muzzle brake 50. A front gas seal is formed between the full diameter front end of the muzzle brake forward These seals form a substantially gas tight coupling of the muzzle brake to the barrel and shroud.
Once the set screw 120 is in place, the muzzle brake 50 cannot be axially withdrawn forward from the internal longitudinal cavity 45 of the shroud due to blocking and interference between the shroud annular retention surface and the screw. To remove the muzzle brake for cleaning which should be performed regularly as part of responsible firearm maintenance practices, the foregoing process or method steps are simply reversed. To facilitate grasping the distal end of the muzzle brake, the front end of the muzzle brake may protrude slightly forward from the shroud and its internal longitudinal cavity as shown.
While the foregoing description and drawings represent preferred or exemplary (“example”) embodiments of the present invention, 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 as applicable described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/879,587 filed Jul. 29, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62879587 | Jul 2019 | US |