Blank firing barrels for semiautomatic pistols and method of repetitive blank fire

Abstract

The present invention embodiments provide a barrel component with the forward under-portion of the barrel configured in various manners. For example, the configurations may include an upward displacement, or angular or radial contouring, of barrel material at the forward underside of a barrel component understation or projection. These configurations provide clearance to allow the barrel to bypass frame-mounted impediments to blank-fire, and permit proper timing and coordination of rearward barrel motion under impact of the recoiling slide and the resultant barrel drop into recoil position without interference with, or re-capture by, the reciprocating slide component. In addition, the blank-fire barrel may be configured to incorporate a laser device for marksmanship training and conducting realistic tactical training exercises.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 905,033, entitled “Blank-Firing Conversions for Semiautomatic Pistols and Method of Repetitive Blank Fire” and filed Mar. 6, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present invention embodiments generally pertain to firearms. In particular, the present invention embodiments pertain to semiautomatic breech-locked, recoil-operated pistols configured to produce reliable and repetitive blank-fire operation.[0004]2. Discussion of Related Art[0005]Conventional semiautomatic pistols designed to discharge high-pressure cartridges (e.g., 9 mm Parabellum, 0.357 SIG, 0.40 S&W, 10 mm, and 0.45ACP cartridges) typically employ a breech-locked, recoil-activated mechanism that is derived from the BROWNING and COLT / BROWNING family of firearms. In this mechanism, the pis...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Accordingly, the present invention embodiments provide a barrel component with the forward under-portion of the barrel configured in various manners. For example, the configurations may include an upward displacement, or angular or radial contouring, of barrel material at the forward underside of a barrel component understation or projection. These configurations provide clearance to allow the barrel to bypass frame-mounted impediments to blank-fire, and permit proper timing and coordination of rearward barrel motion under impact of the recoiling slide and the resultant barrel drop into recoil position without interference with, or re-capture by, the reciprocating slide component.

[0012]In addition, blank-fire operation may be enhanced to include laser targeting or laser signature capability. In particular, the blank-fire barrel may be configured to incorporate a threaded laser device. This capability is of particular value in law enforcement and military training usages, and commercial applications, where realistic firearm operation is afforded by blank-fire when laser-marking capability is available to replicate bullet point of impact. This affords both marksmanship training and the ability to conduct realistic tactical training exercises absent the inherent restrictions and dangers attendant with the use of live ammunition.

Problems solved by technology

However, certain other obstacles may persist within these types of breech-locked firearms that hinder or prevent repetitive blank-fire.

These obstacles may arise within pistol designs containing a particular disposition of the battery-indexing element of the frame.

The obstacles may further arise within pistols incorporating improvements, altered geometries or dimensional changes in frame design affecting the battery-indexing element, where the alterations often occur for the purpose of strengthening the area surrounding or abutting the battery-indexing provision.

Consequently, a barrel drop into the recoil position is impeded by the presence of forwardly extended frame material (or by a counterpart in another frame-mounted component), and blank-fire cannot be effectively achieved since the barrel cannot clear the impediment that blocks the barrel drop and the continued rearward motion of the slide.

Thus, even though the slide no longer contacts the corresponding locking element of the barrel upon discharge (e.g., as disclosed in the aforementioned Leiter patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,134)), it cannot draw the barrel immediately or sufficiently to the rear to bypass the forward areas of the frame that support and hold the barrel in battery position.

This prevents proper timing of barrel motion, drop, and clearance from the reciprocating slide.

Since the modified barrel begins motion from a state of rest while the slide has already accelerated under recoil, the barrel cannot gain sufficient velocity to exceed that of the recoiling slide and clear the forward frame abutments beneath the barrel.

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