Adjustable muzzle device

Abstract

Adjustable stabilizing attachments for a firearm and, more particularly, to adjustable stabilizing devices that may be attached to the muzzle end of the firearm to assist in reducing forces exerted during firing, such as lateral shift, vertical displacement, or longitudinal twisting as well as assisting in suppression of muzzle flash, reduction in recoil and/or firing noise and concomitant firing concussion are herein disclosed. The multi-position devices are useful for, inter alia, adapting a firearm's capabilities to meet the needs of firing situations presented to the user, without the need to switch to alternative devices.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A muzzle device for use with a muzzle end of a firearm barrel, the muzzle device comprising:
 a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a central passageway extending therebetween, the body being mountable to the muzzle end of the firearm barrel such that the central axis is aligned with a barrel axis defined by a bore of the firearm barrel, said body further comprising a cylindrical side wall portion extending proximally from the distal end; and   a plurality of circumferential ports provided on the distal end of the body and spaced circumferentially about the central passageway, each of the plurality of circumferential ports extending through the body along a longitudinal axis parallel to the central axis;   a plurality of radial ports communicating with the central passageway and spaced radially about the central axis, the plurality of radial ports extending radially relative to a point of the central axis, each of the plurality of radial ports further communicating with a circumferential port; and   a slidably adjustable collar positioned about and adjoining the body's cylindrical side wall portion; said collar slidably movable in a distal or proximal direction along the central axis.   
     
     
         2 . A muzzle device according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of radial ports further communicates with the cylindrical side wall portion. 
     
     
         3 . A muzzle device according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of radial ports spans a circumferential arc of between about 90 and about 270 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . A muzzle device according to  claim 3 , having a second plurality of radial ports communicating with the central passageway and spaced radially about the central axis, the second plurality of radial ports extending radially relative to a second point of the central axis, each of the plurality of radial ports further communicating with a circumferential port. 
     
     
         5 . A firearm comprising a firearm barrel and a muzzle device of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . A firearm comprising a firearm barrel and a muzzle device of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         7 . A muzzle device according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of radial ports are substantially perpendicular to the central axis. 
     
     
         8 . A muzzle device according to  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of radial ports are substantially perpendicular to the central axis. 
     
     
         9 . A muzzle device according to  claim 8 , wherein the second plurality of radial ports are substantially perpendicular to the central axis. 
     
     
         10 . A muzzle device according to  claim 2 , wherein the side wall portion further comprises parallel flats located proximal to the proximal end of the device. 
     
     
         11 . A muzzle device according to  claim 4 , wherein the side wall portion further comprises parallel flats located proximal to the proximal end of the device. 
     
     
         12 . A muzzle device according to  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the device is threaded for attaching to a firearm barrel. 
     
     
         13 . A muzzle device according to  claim 1 , wherein a spring-loaded detent is disposed within the body surface. 
     
     
         14 . A muzzle device according to  claim 13 , wherein the adjustable collar includes three longitudinally aligned holes for interchangeably mating with the spring-loaded detent. 
     
     
         15 . A muzzle device according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar includes a longitudinal slot disposed through the collar. 
     
     
         16 . A muzzle device according to  claim 15 , wherein the longitudinal slot is disposed around a set screw suitable to minimize collar rotation about the longitudinal axis of said muzzle device. 
     
     
         17 . A muzzle device according to  claim 16 , wherein the set screw is suitable for reversibly locking and unlocking the adjustable collar in one of a plurality of slidably adjustable positions of the collar. 
     
     
         18 . A firearm according to  claim 5 , wherein the firearm barrel and the muzzle device are integrated. 
     
     
         19 . A firearm according to  claim 6 , wherein the firearm barrel and the muzzle device are integrated.