Barrel assembly and attachment system

Abstract

A receiver and barrel assembly is provided. The barrel is readily removed from the receiver. Additionally, the head space of the assembly is readily adjusted. These features provide improved manufacturability and customized use of the rifle.

1 . A split receiver for use in a barrel assembly, comprising: 
 a substantially cylindrical body having an aft end and a fore end, the body having an axial bore extending from the aft end to the fore end, and a slot extending from the fore end toward the aft end of the body; and    a clamping screw aligned radially with the slot.    
   
   
       2 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping screw is positioned to tighten in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slot.  
   
   
       3 . The receiver of  claim 1 , further comprising a barrel set screw proximate the fore end of the receiver, the barrel set screw being positioned to tighten in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial bore of the receiver.  
   
   
       4 . The receiver of  claim 3 , wherein the barrel set screw has a cone point.  
   
   
       5 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the slot has an open width of from about 0.025 to about 0.060 in.  
   
   
       6 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the slot has a length of from about 0.50 to about 1.5 in.  
   
   
       7 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the slot extends to a magazine chamber formed in the receiver, thereby forming an overall clamping length of from about 2 to about 4 inches.  
   
   
       8 . A barrel attachment system for a firearm comprising: 
 a receiver having a fore end and an axial bore therethrough;    a barrel including a mating portion dimensioned to be received in the axial bore; and    a clamping screw positioned proximate the fore end of the receiver.    
   
   
       9 . The barrel attachment system of  claim 8 , wherein the receiver includes a slot substantially aligned radially with the clamping screw.  
   
   
       10 . The barrel attachment system of  claim 9 , wherein the slot extends from the fore end toward the aft end.  
   
   
       11 . The barrel attachment system of  claim 9 , wherein the clamping screw is positioned so that it tightens in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slot.  
   
   
       12 . A firearm comprising: 
 a receiver having a fore end, an aft end, an axial bore therethrough, and a slot extending from the fore end towards the aft end;    a barrel including a mating portion having a breach face, the mating portion slidably received within the axial bore; and    a securing means positioned at the fore end of the receiver and substantially aligned radially with the slot,    wherein the securing means permits the barrel to be secured at a desired position within the receiver to achieve a desired head space.    
   
   
       13 . The firearm of  claim 12 , wherein the securing means comprises a clamping screw that tightens in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial bore.  
   
   
       14 . The firearm of  claim 12 , wherein the securing means comprises a clamping screw positioned proximate the fore end of the receiver and substantially perpendicularly aligned with the slot, whereby the clamping screw tightened against the barrel forms a taper in the receiver against the mating portion of the barrel.  
   
   
       15 . The firearm of  claim 12 , further comprising a bolt assembly dimensioned to be received in the axial bore at the aft end of the receiver, the bolt assembly including a bolt face, wherein a minimum head space is defined by engaging the breach face of the barrel with the bolt face.  
   
   
       16 . A method of assembling a receiver and barrel, comprising: 
 providing a receiver having an axial bore therethrough and a slot having an open width;    inserting a mating portion of a barrel into the axial bore; and    tightening a securing means substantially radially aligned with the slot,    wherein tightening the securing means decreases the open width of the slot and deforms the receiver toward and against the barrel.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the mating portion of the barrel is inserted into the axial bore to an extent needed to achieve a desired head space.