Injection molded gun barrel assembly

Abstract

A gun barrel assembly includes an outer casing, an inner liner and a tubular breech insert, all of which extend longitudinally from a muzzle end to a breech end. The casing is composed of a polymeric material or resin matrix material filled with carbon fibers and the liner is composed of a metal material. A muzzle end portion of the insert is disposed within the breech end portion of the casing bore. One or more structures on the breech insert muzzle end portion are interlocked with the casing breech end portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gun barrel assembly comprising:
 an outer casing longitudinally extending from a muzzle end to a breech end, the outer casing being composed of a polymeric material or resin matrix material filled with carbon fibers, the casing defining an axial bore extending from the muzzle end to the breech end, the casing having a muzzle end portion and a breech end portion;   an inner liner longitudinally extending from a muzzle end to a breech end, the liner being disposed within the casing bore, the liner being composed of a metal material and defining a bore having a rifled inner surface; and   a tubular breech insert longitudinally extending from a muzzle end to a breech end, the breech insert having a muzzle end portion disposed within the breech end portion of the casing bore, the breech insert muzzle end portion including at least one structure interlocked with the casing breech end portion.   
     
     
         2 . The gun barrel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the gun barrel assembly does not include a muzzle cap. 
     
     
         3 . The gun barrel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the at least one structure on the breech insert muzzle end portion is encased in the material of the casing breech end portion. 
     
     
         4 . The gun barrel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the breech insert is adapted to interface with a receiver of a firearm. 
     
     
         5 . The gun barrel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the muzzle end portion of the casing extends longitudinally past the muzzle end of the liner, whereby the liner is recessed from the muzzle end of the casing. 
     
     
         6 . A gun barrel assembly comprising:
 an outer casing longitudinally extending from a muzzle end to a breech end, the outer casing being composed of a polymeric material or resin matrix material filled with carbon fibers, the casing defining an axial bore extending from the muzzle end to the breech end, the casing having a muzzle end portion and a breech end portion;   an inner liner longitudinally extending from a muzzle end to a breech end, the liner being disposed within the casing bore, the liner being composed of a metal material and defining a bore having a rifled inner surface; and   a tubular breech insert longitudinally extending from a muzzle end to a breech end, the breech insert having a muzzle end portion disposed within the breech end portion of the casing bore, the breech insert muzzle end portion including at least one structure encased in the material of the casing breech end portion.   
     
     
         7 . The gun barrel assembly of  claim 6  wherein the gun barrel assembly does not include a muzzle cap. 
     
     
         8 . The gun barrel assembly of  claim 6  wherein the breech insert is adapted to interface with a receiver of a firearm. 
     
     
         9 . The gun barrel assembly of  claim 6  wherein the muzzle end portion of the casing extends longitudinally past the muzzle end of the liner, whereby the liner is recessed from the muzzle end of the casing. 
     
     
         10 . A gun barrel assembly comprising:
 an outer casing longitudinally extending from a muzzle end to a breech end, the outer casing being composed of a polymeric material or resin matrix material filled with carbon fibers, the casing defining an axial bore extending from the muzzle end to the breech end, the casing having a muzzle end portion and a breech end portion;   an inner liner longitudinally extending from a muzzle end to a breech end, the liner being disposed within the casing bore, the liner being composed of a metal material and defining a bore having a rifled inner surface; and   a tubular breech insert longitudinally extending from a muzzle end to a breech end, the breech insert having a muzzle end portion disposed within the breech end portion of the casing bore, the breech insert muzzle end portion including at least one structure encased in the material of the casing breech end portion;   wherein the muzzle end portion of the casing extends longitudinally past the muzzle end of the liner, whereby the liner is recessed from the muzzle end of the casing.   
     
     
         11 . The gun barrel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the gun barrel assembly does not include a muzzle cap. 
     
     
         12 . The gun barrel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the breech insert is adapted to interface with a receiver of a firearm.