Special Purpose Slugs For Use In Ammunition

Abstract

A slug for a firearm cartridge made of plastic. Alternative embodiments have a flat leading end or a stair-stepped leading end. Additional embodiments have a metal insert or a combination of metal and plastic portions. The length and diameter of the slugs vary depending on the caliber of the firearm. A preferred embodiment is made from acetal resin (polyoxymethylene).

It is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A firearm cartridge having an acetal resin (polyoxymethylene) slug. 
     
     
         2 . The firearm cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the material used for the slug is Dekin® 150E BK 602. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the slug is 0.452 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the slug is 1.2 inches in length. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the slug has a flat leading edge. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the slug has a flat trailing edge. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the slug is 0.8 inches in length. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the slug has a diameter sufficient for at least one of a 0.44 magnum firearm, 45 caliber firearm, a 500 magnum firearm, and a .357 firearm. 
     
     
         9 . A slug for use with a firearm comprising:
 (a) a slug made of acetal resin (polyoxymethylene);   (b) the slug having a length of about 1.2 inches; and   (c) the slug having a diameter of about 0.452 inches.   
     
     
         10 . The slug of  claim 9  wherein the material used for the slug is Delrin® 150E BK 602. 
     
     
         11 . The slug of  claim 9  wherein the slug has a flat leading edge. 
     
     
         12 . The slug of  claim 9  wherein the slug has a flat trailing edge. 
     
     
         13 . The firearm cartridge of  claim 9  wherein the slug has a diameter sufficient for at least one of a 0.44 magnum firearm, a 45 caliber firearm, a 500 magnum firearm, and a .357 firearm. 
     
     
         14 . A slug for use with a firearm comprising:
 (a) a slug made of plastic material;   (b) the slug having a length suitable for a cartridge fitting in a firearm;   (c) the slug having a diameter suitable for a cartridge fitting in a firearm;   
     
     
         15 . The slug of  claim 14  wherein the slug is made from Delrin® 150E BK 602. 
     
     
         16 . The slug of  claim 14  wherein the slug has a length of 1.2 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The slug of  claim 14  wherein has a diameter of 0.452 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The slug of  claim 14  wherein the slug has a flat leading edge and a flat trailing edge. 
     
     
         19 . The slug of  claim 14  wherein the slug has a length of 0.80 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The firearm cartridge of  claim 14  wherein the slug has a diameter sufficient for at least one of a 0.44 magnum firearm, 45 caliber firearm, a 500 magnum firearm, and a .357 firearm. 
     
     
         21 . A slug for use with a firearm comprising:
 (a) a plastic slug, the slug having a central longitudinal hole and a length and diameter suitable for fitting in a firearm;   (b) an insert slug made of metal, the insert slug placed in the hole in the plastic slug;   
     
     
         22 . The slug of  claim 21  wherein a leading end of the insert slug is flush with a leading end of the plastic slug. 
     
     
         23 . The slug of  claim 21  wherein the plastic slug is made of Delrin® 150E BK 602. 
     
     
         24 . The slug of  claim 21  wherein the insert slug is made of copper. 
     
     
         25 . The slug of  claim 21  wherein a leading end of the insert slug extends forward from the slug. 
     
     
         26 . The slug of  claim 25  wherein the plastic slug is dislodged from the insert slug when the plastic slug exits a barrel of the firearm. 
     
     
         27 . The slug of  claim 21  wherein the plastic slug has a flat leading end. 
     
     
         28 . The slug of  claim 21  wherein the insert slug has a flat leading end. 
     
     
         29 . The slug of  claim 21  wherein the plastic slug is 1 inch in length and the insert slug is ½ inch in length. 
     
     
         30 . The slug of  claim 21  wherein the insert slug has a 0.25 inch diameter. 
     
     
         31 . A slug for use with a firearm comprising: a slug made of plastic, the slug having a base and a leading end opposite the base, the leading end having a first step and a second step. 
     
     
         32 . The slug of  claim 31  wherein the slug is made of acetal resin (polyoxymethylene). 
     
     
         33 . The slug of  claim 31  wherein the slug is made of Delrin® acetal resin(polyoxymethylene). 
     
     
         34 . The slug of  claim 31  wherein the base of the slug is 0.5 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         35 . The slug of  claim 31  wherein the first and second steps are formed by a lathe. 
     
     
         36 . The slug of  claim 31  wherein the slug is formed by injection molding. 
     
     
         37 . The slug of  claim 31  wherein the first step is 0.1 inches high and 0.4 inches in diameter, the second step is 0.3 inches in diameter and 0.1 inches high, and the overall length of the slug is 1.2 inches. 
     
     
         38 . The slug of  claim 31  wherein first step is 0.2 inches high and 0.4 inches in diameter, the second step is 0.2 inches high and 0.3 inches in diameter, and the overall length of the slug is 1.4 inches. 
     
     
         39 . The slug of  claim 31  wherein the slug forms a central longitudinal hole. 
     
     
         40 . The slug of  claim 39  wherein an insert slug is placed in the central longitudinal hole. 
     
     
         41 . The slug of  claim 31  wherein the slug is encased in a cartridge. 
     
     
         42 . A slug for use with a firearm comprising:
 (a) a plastic portion,   (b) a metal portion made of at least one of steel, copper, lead, or brass, and   wherein the plastic portion and the metal portion of the slug are adhered to one another by at least one of (i) temporarily applying pressure to the combined materials, (ii) holding devices formed in the plastic and metal portions of the slug, and (iii) enlarging or angling portions of the interface between the metal and the plastic to assist in adhering one to the other.   
     
     
         43 . The slug of  claim 42  wherein the plastic portion is made of Delrin® 150E BK 602 or some other suitable plastic material. 
     
     
         44 . The slug of  claim 42  wherein the metal portion of the slug has a “T” shape, the “T” shaped slug having a longitudinal portion having a longitudinal axis extending from a leading end of the slug to a trailing end of the slug and portion perpendicular to the longitudinal portion of the “T” at the trailing end of the slug, and the plastic surrounds the longitudinal portion of the “T” shaped metal portion of the slug. 
     
     
         45 . The slug of  claim 44  wherein the perpendicular portion of the “T” varies in thickness in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         46 . The slug of  claim 44  wherein a leading end of the longitudinal end of the “T” is notched. 
     
     
         47 . The slug of  claim 44  wherein the plastic portion has a spring-like configuration. 
     
     
         48 . The slug of  claim 42  wherein the plastic portion of the slug contains pointed or weak connection between the metal and plastic portions of the slug. 
     
     
         49 . The slug of  claim 42  wherein the plastic portion and the metal portion of the slug are retained together by holding devices. 
     
     
         50 . The slug of  claim 42  wherein a part of at least one of the plastic portion and the metal portion and in the shape of a ball. 
     
     
         51 . The slug of  claim 42  wherein the plastic portion is generally “C” shaped. 
     
     
         52 . The slug of  claim 42  wherein the metal portion of the slug is partially contained in a cartridge and a plastic sheath surrounds the slug and a portion of the cartridge.