This invention concerns muzzle loading firearms.
Muzzle loading firearms, especially long guns such as muskets and rifles, enjoy increasing popularity as sporting arms for hunting and target shooting. Muzzle loaders, with their single shot and slow burning black powder (or modern equivalents) present exceptional challenges to prove the skill of marksmen on the target range or in the field stalking game.
With the increasing popularity of muzzle loaders there comes a concomitant increase in exposure of individuals to the noise of discharge. There are various advantages to suppressing the discharge noise of muzzle loading firearms, for example, to mitigate hearing loss to shooters as well as to make shooting more comfortable. This invention provides both a device and a method that solves challenges inherent to adapting sound suppression technology to traditional muzzle loading firearms.
One aspect of the invention concerns a barrel for a firearm. In one example embodiment the barrel comprises a tube having a muzzle end and an opposite end. A sound suppressor is attached to the muzzle end of the tube. The sound suppressor is permanently attached to the muzzle end of the tube in this example embodiment.
By way of example of a permanent attachment, the sound suppressor may be attached to the muzzle end of the tube by welding, brazing or adhesive bonding. The tube may have a smooth bore or a rifled bore for example. In a particular example embodiment of a barrel, the opposite end of the tube is closed. By way of example, the opposite end of the tube comprises a fitting closing off the opposite end. By way of further example, the fitting threadedly engages the tube and is adapted to receive a primer charge.
In an example embodiment of the invention the sound suppressor comprises a container surrounding a plurality of baffles.
The invention further encompasses a kit for loading the barrel. In a specific example embodiment, the kit includes a guide tube removably positionable within the sound suppressor. The guide tube extends between an open end of the sound suppressor to the muzzle end of the tube comprising the barrel. In another example, the guide tube has a length sized to extend from the muzzle end of the tube and project outwardly from the open end of the sound suppressor. In a further example embodiment, at least a portion of the guide tube has an outer diameter sized to fit within a bore of the tube comprising the barrel. In a particular example, a funnel is positioned on an end of the guide tube.
The invention also encompasses a muzzle loading firearm. In one example embodiment, the firearm comprises a stock. A trigger assembly is mounted on the stock for discharging the firearm. A barrel is mounted on the stock. By way of example the barrel comprises a tube having a closed end cooperating with the trigger assembly and a muzzle end oppositely disposed. A sound suppressor is mounted on the muzzle end of the tube. The sound suppressor is permanently attached the muzzle end of the tube in an example embodiment.
By way of example of a permanent attachment, the sound suppressor may be attached to the muzzle end of the tube by welding, brazing or adhesive bonding. The tube may have a smooth bore or a rifled bore for example. By way of example, the closed end of the tube comprises a fitting attached to the tube. By way of further example, the fitting threadedly engages the tube and is adapted to receive a primer charge.
In an example embodiment of the invention the sound suppressor comprises a container surrounding a plurality of baffles.
The invention further encompasses a kit for loading the barrel. In a specific example embodiment, the kit includes a guide tube removably positionable within the sound suppressor. The guide tube extends between an open end of the sound suppressor to the muzzle end of the tube comprising the barrel. In another example, the guide tube has a length sized to extend from the muzzle end of the tube and project outwardly from the open end of the sound suppressor. In a further example embodiment, at least a portion of the guide tube has an outer diameter sized to fit within a bore of the tube comprising the barrel. In a particular example, a funnel is positioned on an end of the guide tube.
A method of loading a muzzle loading firearm having a sound suppressor attached to a muzzle end of a barrel is also contemplated. One example method comprises:
transferring a projectile through the guide tube into the barrel.
By way of example the method further comprises removing the guide tube from the sound suppressor. In a particular example, transferring the projectile comprises ramming the projectile through the guide tube and into the barrel. A further example comprises transferring a wad through the guide tube and into the barrel. By way of example, transferring the wad comprises ramming the wad through the guide tube and into the barrel.
In a particular example, positioning the guide tube within the sound suppressor comprises fitting a portion of the guide tube within the muzzle end of the barrel. A further example comprises positioning the guide tube within the sound suppressor so that a portion of the guide tube extends outwardly from the sound suppressor.
A sound suppressor 32 is attached to the muzzle end 28 of tube 24. In this example the sound suppressor 32 comprises a container 34 surrounding a plurality of baffles 36. Sound suppressor 32 is attached to the muzzle end 28 of tube 24 via a permanent attachment 38 between the container 34 and the tube 24. Examples of permanent attachments 38 include welding, brazing and adhesive bonding using, for example, an epoxy. It is understood that other forms of attachment between the suppressor and the tube are also feasible, such as a threaded attachment or a quick release attachment.
In the example firearm shown in
With the sound suppressor 32 attached to the muzzle end 28 of tube 24, additional measures are taken to ensure the proper loading of the propellant charge 50 and the projectile 52. Loading is accomplished using a guide tube 54, as shown in
As shown in
A method for loading a sound suppressed muzzle loading firearm is illustrated in the flow chart of
Suppressed muzzle loading firearms are expected to provide advantageous shooting for both target sports and hunting by providing a firearm that can be reliably charged with powder and projectile using a kit including the guide tube according to the example method disclosed herein.