Muzzle Device for Firearm Having a Gas Operating System

Abstract

A muzzle device for a firearm comprising a body having a barrel mounting portion and a combustion gas receiving portion, wherein the barrel mounting portion is arranged to mount the muzzle device to a muzzle end of a barrel of the firearm such the combustion gas receiving portion of the muzzle device extends distally from the muzzle end of the barrel, and wherein the combustion gas receiving portion is arranged to capture combustion gas from the barrel of the firearm and provide the combustion gas back to a receiver of the firearm through a combustion gas return tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A muzzle device for a firearm, comprising:
 a body comprising a barrel mounting portion and a combustion gas receiving portion;   the barrel mounting portion to mount the muzzle device to a muzzle end of a barrel of the firearm such that the combustion gas receiving portion of the muzzle device extends distally from the muzzle end of the barrel; and   the combustion gas receiving portion arranged to capture combustion gas from the barrel of the firearm and provide the combustion gas back to a receiver of the firearm through a combustion gas return tube.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the combustion gas receiving portion includes a combustion gas chamber and a combustion gas outlet port; and 
 the combustion gas outlet port arranged to receive combustion gas directly from the combustion gas chamber and provide the combustion gas directly to an inlet port of the combustion gas return tube. 
 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein:
 the combustion gas outlet port is arranged adjacent a rear wall of the combustion gas chamber. 
 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein:
 the combustion gas outlet port is part of a through-bore formed in the body. 
 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2  wherein:
 a distal end of the combustion gas chamber is defined by a transverse wall of the body; and 
 the transverse wall has an arcuate inner surface. 
 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein:
 the barrel of the firearm has a bore with a diameter; 
 the transverse wall defines a projectile orifice for a projectile fired by the firearm to exit the muzzle device, the projectile orifice being circular and having a diameter; and 
 the projectile orifice diameter is greater than the bore diameter in a range of 1.1 to 1.3 times the bore diameter. 
 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the combustion gas receiving portion includes a combustion gas chamber and exactly two outlets for the combustion gas; and 
 the two outlets provided by a combustion gas outlet port arranged to receive combustion gas directly from the combustion gas chamber and provide the combustion gas directly to an inlet port of the combustion gas return tube, and a projectile orifice arranged at a distal end of the body. 
 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the body comprises a main body and an end cap. 
 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein:
 the main body and the end cap are connected by a mechanical connection. 
 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein:
 the main body and the end cap are connected by threaded engagement. 
 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a retaining device which inhibits the main body and the end cap from rotating relative to one another. 
 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein:
 the retaining device comprises a end cap retaining pin mounted in the main body which is configured to be urged into a detent formed in the end cap. 
 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein:
 the end cap retaining pin is spring biased by a linear spring. 
 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the body comprises a bore to receive the combustion gas return tube. 
 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a retaining device which inhibits the body and the combustion gas return tube from separating relative to one another. 
 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein:
 the retaining device comprises a combustion gas return tube retaining pin. 
 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the barrel mounting portion is threaded. 
 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the barrel mounting portion comprises a bore to receive a distal end portion of the barrel. 
 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a retaining device which inhibits the body and the barrel from rotating relative to one another. 
 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein:
 the retaining device comprises a barrel retaining pin.