Firearm barrel retaining system

Abstract

A barrel retaining system for a firearm includes a firearm receiver having a barrel nut coupled thereto and a barrel assembly, which in one embodiment may include a barrel with a barrel extension coupled thereto. The barrel extension includes a plurality of barrel locking lugs that rotatably engage corresponding locking elements disposed on the barrel nut. The barrel extension may further include a flange that may engage one end of the locking elements of the barrel nut and the barrel locking lugs may engage an opposite end of the locking elements to wedge the locking elements therebetween for securing the barrel extension to the barrel nut. The firearm may be an autoloading rifle in some embodiments.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention generally relates to firearms, and more particularly to barrel retaining mechanisms for semi-automatic and automatic firearms.[0002]Various arrangements are known to secure the barrel of a firearm to the receiver or frame. One known basic barrel retaining system used is to form a simple threaded connection between the breech end of the barrel and the receiver or frame. Other arrangements have been employed, however, on semi-automatic / automatic auto-loading rifles like the military and law enforcement versions of the M4-type and M16-type carbines, and semi-automatic counterparts such as AR-15 type carbines. The extreme operating conditions of rapid-fire automatic weapons results in rapid wearing down of rifling in the bore of the barrel, thereby requiring periodic replacement of the barrel sometimes during the exigencies of combat. In addition, it is sometimes be desirable to swap out barrel configurations and / or lengths dependin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a firearm with a quick-change barrel retaining system that allows for easy swapping of barrels without tools. The barrel retaining system includes a barrel extension with locking lugs that secure the barrel to the firearm in a unique way. The barrel extension is rotatable between unlocked and locked positions, and a barrel nut is attached to the receiver that includes splines that engage the locking lugs on the barrel extension. The barrel extension is secured to the firearm when inserted into the barrel nut and rotated into the locked position. The barrel retaining system also includes a releasable dual locking mechanism to further enhance the tightness and reliability of the coupling between the barrel and firearm. The system reduces vibration and rattling when the firearm is discharged and allows for quick and easy replacement of barrels without the need for tools.

Problems solved by technology

The extreme operating conditions of rapid-fire automatic weapons results in rapid wearing down of rifling in the bore of the barrel, thereby requiring periodic replacement of the barrel sometimes during the exigencies of combat.

The foregoing combination barrel nut / barrel flange retaining system does not lend itself to rapid barrel swapping and makes it cumbersome to exchange barrels under field conditions.

The barrels of the foregoing rifles also become extremely hot during rapid fire automatic mode or semi-automatic mode and are difficult to handle directly with unprotected hands.

In summary, the barrel exchange process with the conventional barrel nut arrangement is cumbersome and time consuming, and not well suited for rapid barrel swapping particularly under combat conditions.

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