Pistol barrel system and method

• US 8,701,326 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2012
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sturm Ruger & Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sturm Ruger & Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Zonshine, Amir
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin P
• Application Number:
  US13/443,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20130145669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 42/760.1, 42/761, 42/77, 42/78, 89/140.5, 89/147
• US Class Current: 42/77
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/10 Insert barrels, i.e. barrels for firing reduced calibre ammunition and being mounted within the normal barrels
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/482 using continuous threads on the barrel
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/488 Mountings specially adapted for pistols or revolvers

Abstract

An interchangeable barrel system and related method for a pistol includes a barrel insert having an anti-rotation protrusion and a receiver having a complementary configured socket configured for receiving the protrusion. An embodiment of a barrel insert includes a chamber for holding a cartridge and a locking mechanism configured for releasably securing the barrel insert to the receiver. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a threaded engagement between the barrel insert and receiver. The system allows barrel inserts of different calibers, configurations, and materials to be swapped with the receiver, and vice-versa.

Claims

1. An interchangeable barrel system for a pistol comprising:

an elongated barrel insert including a rear portion defining a chamber configured for holding a cartridge, and a forward muzzle portion having a bore defining a longitudinal axis and bullet pathway;

an elongated receiver fixedly mounted to a grip frame, the receiver remaining stationary during firing of the pistol, the receiver defining an internal cavity configured for axial insertion of the forward muzzle portion of the barrel insert into the receiver;

an anti-rotation device configured for preventing rotation of the barrel insert with respect to the receiver;

a locking member configured for releasably engaging the barrel insert to secure the barrel insert to the receiver, wherein locking member includes a forwardly protruding threaded extension for attaching an accessory; and

a finishing cap configured for mounting on the threaded extension and a spring lock washer disposed between the finishing cap and locking member;

wherein the barrel insert includes a threaded locking ring disposed on the forward muzzle portion of the barrel insert that is configured to engage a complementary configured internally-threaded portion of the locking member to releasably secure the barrel insert in the receiver.

2. The barrel system of claim 1, wherein the anti-rotation device comprises an anti-rotation protrusion formed on the barrel insert and a complementary configured socket formed in the cavity of the receiver, the protrusion being axially insertable into the socket.

3. The barrel system of claim 2, wherein the anti-rotation protrusion is rectilinear shaped and the socket has a corresponding rectilinear configuration.

4. The barrel system of claim 2, wherein the locking member comprises a barrel cap that threadably engages the barrel insert to releasably secure the barrel insert, to the receiver.

5. The barrel system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is made of a metal having a first density and the barrel insert is made of a metal having a second density greater than the first density.

6. The barrel system of claim 5, wherein the barrel insert is comprised of steel and the receiver is comprised of aluminum or titanium.

7. The barrel system of claim 1, wherein when the barrel insert is mounted in the cavity of the receiver, an annular gap is formed between the forward muzzle portion of the barrel insert and the receiver.

8. The barrel system of claim 1, wherein the locking member is a disc-shaped barrel cap being sized for at least partial insertion through an open front end of the receiver into the cavity.

9. An interchangeable barrel system for a pistol comprising:

an elongated barrel insert including a rear chamber block defining a chamber configured for holding a cartridge, a front muzzle end, and a forward muzzle portion extending between the muzzle end and the chamber block, the muzzle portion having a bore defining a longitudinal axis and a bullet pathway;

an elongated receiver fixedly mounted to a grip frame, the receiver remaining stationary during firing of the pistol, the receiver defining an internal cavity aligned with the longitudinal axis and extending from a rear end to a forward end of the receiver, the muzzle portion of the barrel insert being insertable into and substantially disposed in the cavity;

an anti-rotation device configured for preventing rotation of the barrel insert with respect to the receiver; and

a locking member threadably engaging the barrel insert and securing the barrel insert in the receiver;

wherein the locking member is a barrel cap that threadably engages the forward muzzle portion of the barrel insert through an open front end of the receiver, and rotating the barrel cap axially draws the barrel insert forward; and

wherein rotating the barrel cap tightens engagement between a forward facing surface of the barrel insert and rear facing surface of the receiver.

10. The barrel system of claim 9, wherein the front muzzle end of the barrel insert is insertable through a rear opening of the receiver into the internal cavity.

11. The barrel system of claim 9, wherein the anti-rotation device comprises a rectilinear shaped protrusion formed on the barrel insert and a complementary configured socket formed in the cavity of the receiver, the protrusion being axially insertable into the socket, wherein when the protrusion is seated in the socket, rotation of the barrel insert is prevented.

12. The barrel system of claim 11, wherein the barrel insert includes a threaded locking ring disposed on the forward muzzle portion of the barrel insert that is configured to engage a complementary configured internally-threaded portion of the locking member to releasably secure the barrel insert in the receiver.

13. A method for assembling a barrel system for a pistol, the method comprising:

providing an elongated barrel insert including a rear portion defining a chamber configured for holding a cartridge, a front muzzle end, and a forward muzzle portion having a bore defining a longitudinal axis and bullet pathway;

axially inserting the barrel insert into a receiver;

axially engaging an anti-rotation protrusion on the barrel insert with a complementary configured socket in the receiver, the protrusion preventing relative rotation between the barrel insert and the receiver; and

locking the barrel insert into the receiver;

wherein the locking step includes threadably engaging as barrel cap with the forward muzzle portion of the barrel insert through an open front end of the receiver, and axially drawing the barrel insert forward by rotating the barrel cap;

wherein rotating the barrel cap tightens engagement between a forward facing surface of the barrel insert and rear facing surface of the receiver.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the inserting step is performed by axially inserting the front muzzle end of the barrel insert through a rear opening of the receiver into an internal cavity disposed inside the receiver.

15. A method for assembling a barrel system for a pistol, the method comprising:

providing an barrel insert including a rear portion defining a chamber configured for holding a cartridge, a front muzzle end, and a forward muzzle portion having a bore defining a longitudinal axis and bullet pathsway;

axially inserting the barrel insert into a receiver;

axially engaging an anti-rotation protrusion on the barrel insert with a complementary configured socket in the receiver, the protrusion preventing relative rotation between the barrel insert and the receiver;

locking the barrel insert into the receiver, wherein the locking step includes threadably engaging a barrel cap with the forward muzzle portion of the barrel insert through an open front end of the receiver, and axially drawing the barrel insert forward by rotating the barrel cap; and

threadably engaging a finishing cap with the barrel cap.