Adjustable gas key for autoloading firearm

Abstract

Aspects herein relate to a system for controlling the flow of gas to a moving parts assembly in an autoloading firearm cycled at least in part using gas produced from firing of the autoloading firearm. The system can include means for establishing fluid communication with a gas source providing the gas during at least one portion of the firearm firing cycle, a conduit of the means for establishing fluid communication including an inlet corresponding to the gas source and an outlet directing at least a portion of the gas toward the moving parts assembly, and a means for modifying the flow of gas through the conduit. Also provided are methods for making and using adjustable gas keys.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling gas flow to a moving parts assembly in an autoloading firearm cycled at least in part using gas produced from firing of the autoloading firearm, comprising:
 means for establishing fluid communication with a gas source providing the gas during at least one portion of a firing cycle of the autoloading firearm;   a conduit of the means for establishing fluid communication including an inlet corresponding to the gas source and an outlet directing at least a portion of the gas toward the moving parts assembly; and   a means for modifying the gas flow through the conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for establishing fluid communication is an upper interface of an adjustable gas key. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising an attachment means that operatively couples the adjustable gas key with the moving parts assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the means for modifying the gas flow is an adjustment aperture in fluid communication with the conduit incident to at least a portion of the conduit. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the adjustment aperture is incident to the conduit from the rear of the adjustable gas key. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the adjustment aperture receives an adjustment control. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustment aperture is threaded, and wherein the adjustment control is a screw. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising an internal recess that receives at least a portion of the adjustment control. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the moving parts assembly is a lightweight moving parts assembly. 
     
     
         10 . A method of making an adjustable gas key for an autoloading firearm, comprising:
 providing a gas key having an angled portion and an upper interface, the angled portion directs at least a portion of gas from firing the autoloading firearm toward a moving parts assembly, the upper interface maintains fluid communication with a gas source during at least a portion of a firing cycle of the autoloading firearm, wherein a continuous conduit is provided through the upper interface and angled portion; and   forming an adjustment aperture in fluid communication with the conduit incident to at least a portion of the conduit.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising arranging an adjustment control in the adjustment aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising forming an internal recess in a portion of the conduit distinct from the portion of the conduit incident to the adjustment aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising threading the adjustment aperture. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a screw in the adjustment aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the gas key is a gas key of an M-16 type rifle. 
     
     
         16 . A method of adjusting a firing characteristic of an autoloading firearm cycled at least in part using gas produced from firing of the autoloading firearm, comprising modifying a flow of gas resultant to firing of the autoloading firearm within a gas key. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein modifying the flow of gas is accomplished at least in part by restricting the flow of gas through the gas key. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein restricting the flow of gas through the gas key is accomplished at least in part by seating a screw to at least partially interrupt a conduit of the gas key. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising turning the screw to open or close the conduit of the gas key. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein modifying the flow of gas is accomplished at least in part by venting at least a portion of the gas from the gas key in a direction alternative to that of a moving parts assembly of the autoloading firearm.