Apparatus and method to reduce muzzle rise in a firearm

Abstract

A firearm having reduced muzzle rise is disclosed. The firearm includes a barrel having a breech end, an opposing muzzle end, and a bore defining a barrel centerline which, when extended in a longitudinal direction, defines a barrel axis. The firearm further includes a magazine tube disposed above the barrel, a receiver defining a lower opening to receive the barrel, and an upper opening to receive the magazine tube. The firearm further includes a stock defining a body support surface where the stock braces against a user's body. The barrel axis passes through the body support surface of the stock.

1 . A firearm having reduced muzzle rise, comprising:
 a barrel having a breech end, an opposing muzzle end, and a bore defining a barrel centerline which, when extended in a longitudinal direction, defines a barrel axis;   a stock defining a body support surface where the stock braces against a user's body;   a receiver operatively coupled to the stock and the barrel, the receiver defining a lower opening aligned with the barrel axis to receive the barrel, the receiver configured to at least partially house a shell pusher assembly for use in guiding a new round downwards into the barrel;   a fore stock configured to provide a grip area for a user's off-hand, the fore stock defining an internal cavity extending parallel with the barrel axis;   wherein the barrel axis passes through the body support surface of the stock; and   wherein the barrel is positioned substantially within the internal cavity of the fore stock portion.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm according to  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the receiver includes a top-loading port to load shot shells into the magazine tube, and a side face of the receiver includes a shell ejection port to eject spent cartridges. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm according to  claim 1 , further comprising a magazine tube, the receiver further defining an upper opening, the magazine tube aligned with the upper opening and secured to the receiver. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm according to  claim 3 , further comprising a sighting system mounted above the magazine tube. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm according to  claim 4 , wherein the sighting system is thermally isolated from the heat of the barrel. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrel is fully encased within the internal cavity of the fore stock portion. 
     
     
         7 . A method for reducing muzzle rise in a firearm, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a stock defining a body support surface;   operatively coupling a receiver to the stock;   operatively coupling a barrel to the receiver, the barrel defining a centerline extending along an axis;   aligning the barrel axis with the body support surface of the stock; and   positioning a magazine tube atop the barrel.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising the step of positioning a sighting system atop the magazine tube. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising the step of configuring a shell pusher assembly to drop a new round from the magazine tube downwards into the receiver.