Compensation system for a firearm

A compensation system for a firearm includes a barrel having a longitudinal bore that defines a firing axis. A compensator assembly is also included and has an attaching mechanism for releasably attaching the compensator assembly adjacent a muzzle end of the barrel. A gas discharge port is formed in the compensator assembly that is not aligned with the longitudinal bore. The gas discharge port communicates with an inner bore of the compensator assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to a compensation system for a firearm, and deals more particularly with compensation system for a firearm having a compensator assembly that is selectively removable from a firearm and which may be employed without damaging the barrel of a firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a round of ammunition is fired from a firearm, handguns in particular, it is often the case that the barrel end of the firearm will ‘jump’, or kick upwards, as a result of the discharge of the round. As will be appreciated, this movement may affect the accuracy of a given shot while also making the accuracy of subsequent discharges problematic. Moreover, muscular fatigue from the jump (or ‘kick’) of the firearm, following the discharge of the firearm, is also generated.

As a consequence of firearm jump, manufacturers and hobbyists have adapted their firearms to employ a compensator, which lessens, to a certain degree, the magnitude of the jump experienced by a firearm after discharge of a round. Typically, these compensators take the form of a plurality of slots, which are milled in the barrel itself, adjacent the distal muzzle end of the firearm.

Generally, the milled, compensator slots act to vent a portion of the gases associated with the discharge of the round from the firearm. As the milled slots are typically arranged on the upper surface of the barrel, the force of the gases exiting the discharge slots tend to urge the firearm in a downward direction, thus compensating to some extend for the jump experienced by the firearm.

While successful to a certain degree, the milling of compensator discharge slots in the barrel of a firearm tend to deface the barrel itself, while also interfering somewhat with the effectiveness of the lands and grooves, if present, of any rifling that may be milled on the interior surface of the barrel. Moreover, known compensators oftentimes do not produce the most optimized performance characteristics due to the size and location of the discharge slots.

With the forgoing problems and concerns in mind, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a novel compensation assembly for a firearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compensation system for a firearm.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compensation system for a firearm that does not require the milling of discharge slots in the barrel of the firearm.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compensation system for a firearm that may be selectively removable from a firearm.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compensation system for a firearm that optimizes performance characteristics during the discharge of a round of ammunition.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compensation system for a firearm that enables compensator assemblies of differing configurations to be utilized.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compensation system for a firearm that permits for the quick and efficient interchange between compensator assemblies of differing configurations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compensation system for a firearm that effectively transfers the discharge force of a firearm.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compensation system for a firearm that effectively transfers the discharge force of a firearm to the body of the firearm.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compensation system for a firearm that counteracts the discharge force of a firearm.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compensation system for a firearm that may assist in lower production and maintenance costs.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a compensation system for a firearm includes a barrel having a longitudinal bore that defines a firing axis. A compensator assembly is also included and has an attaching mechanism for releasably attaching the compensator assembly adjacent a muzzle end of the barrel. A gas discharge port is formed in the compensator assembly that is not aligned with the longitudinal bore. The gas discharge port communicates with an inner bore of the compensator assembly.

These and other objectives of the present invention, and their preferred embodiments, shall become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings taken as a whole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1is a partially exploded, isometric view of a compensation system for a firearm having a firearm compensator assembly10, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the compensator assembly10includes a housing12, a plurality of arcuate gas discharge slots14and a mating assembly16that facilitates the mounting of the housing12onto a firearm barrel18. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the barrel18defines a firing axis F and is removably disposed with a firearm shroud20, although alternative designs, such as but not limited to fixed barrel and shroud designs, are equally contemplated by the present invention.

The shroud20may be fabricated from a material having a density substantially less than the density of the material from which the barrel18is made, for reduced firearm weight. The upper surface of the barrel shroud20is substantially flat and has an axially elongated, upwardly open, sight receiving groove38formed therein which comprises a sight positioning portion of the shroud20. The sight groove38is adapted to receive a forward sight40(shown inFIG. 8) which is pinned via pin hole41, biased, or otherwise secured in fixed position to the shroud20.

Still in reference toFIG. 1, although the gas discharge slots14have been described as being arcuate in form, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other, alternative shapes may be defined by the gas discharge slots14without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. Indeed, the gas discharge slots14need not take the form of ‘slots’ per se, instead being formed as geometric openings of any predetermined size, shape and angular inclination in accordance with the preferred design characteristics of the firearm compensator assembly10, as will be discussed in greater detail later.

FIG. 2illustrates the compensator assembly10after it has been mounted to the barrel18of the firearm. As shown inFIG. 2, and once mounted to the barrel18, the housing12enjoys a tight fitting relationship with the barrel18and the integrated shroud20, and instills thereby the advantages of the compensating gas discharge slots14without requiring any milling of these slots in the barrel18, or the shroud20, itself.

It is therefore an important aspect of the present invention that the compensator assembly10does not demand the expensive and labor-intensive milling of discharge slots in the barrel18, or the shroud20, of the firearm to which it is attached. Moreover, the selective mating of the compensator assembly10to the firearm gives a range of operational freedom not currently enjoyed by those firearms which have been adapted to include milled gas discharge slots in their barrels and/or shroud members. That is, once a firearm has been subjected to the known process of milling of the barrel or shroud, there is no effective method to return that firearm to its pre-milled condition, absent replacing the entire barrel or shroud. This stands in stark contrast to the flexibility provided by the present invention.

In addition to the compensator assembly10being selectively adaptable to the firearm upon which it is removably mounted, the structural configuration of the compensator assembly10has been designed to produce optimal performance characteristics, taking into account the issue of the reduction in muzzle velocity that is typical in firearms utilizing milled compensator assemblies.FIG. 3is a rear, isometric view of the firearm compensator assembly10that illustrates one embodiment of the present invention's structural configuration.

As shown inFIG. 3, the housing12of the compensator assembly10does not define a uniform, interior diameter. Rather, the compensator assembly10includes a plurality of concentrically aligned bore diameters, defined by a matching plurality of concentrically aligned lands21,25and29, which serve to optimize the operational performance characteristics of the compensator assembly10.

The diameter of a first bore22is the largest and is disposed to be adjacent the muzzle end of the barrel18when the compensator assembly10is mounted to the barrel18. The land21of the first bore22enjoys a substantially co-planar relationship with the forward wall of a first gas discharge slot24, formed in the upper surface of the housing12.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first gas discharge slot24is substantially centered on the longitudinal firing axis of the barrel18and enjoys the smallest arc length of any of the discharge slots14formed in the compensator assembly10.

Returning toFIG. 3, the diameter of a second bore26is smaller than that of the first bore22. The land25of the first bore22also enjoys a substantially co-planar relationship with the forward wall of a second gas discharge slot28, formed in the upper surface of the housing12. The second gas discharge slot28is substantially centered on the longitudinal firing axis of the barrel18and defines a larger arc-length than does the first gas discharge slot24.

Similarly, the diameter of a third bore30is smaller than that of both the first bore22and the second bore26. Moreover, the land29of the third bore30enjoys a substantially co-planar relationship with the forward wall of a third gas discharge slot32, formed in the upper surface of the housing12. The third gas discharge slot32is also substantially centered on the longitudinal firing axis of the barrel18and enjoys a larger arc-length than both the first gas discharge slot24and the second gas discharge slot28. A muzzle bore, or aperture,34is provided adjacent the front distal end of the compensator assembly10. A pair of mounting arms36is also provided to the housing12as part of the mating assembly16. The mounting arms36are utilized to mount the compensator assembly10to the barrel18of the firearm, as will be described in more detail later.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the lands21,25and29of the compensator assembly10are preferably formed so as to be vertically oriented and substantially perpendicular to the firing axis F. By forming the lands21,25and29in this manner, and by having each of the lands21,25and29sharing the forward wall of each of the gas discharge slots24,28and32, respectively, the present invention assuredly directs the discharged gases against the lands21,25and29, and up through the gas discharge slots24,28and32upon each discharge of the firearm. That is, the surfaces of the lands21,25and29provide impact surfaces to accept the force of the pressure wave of outwardly expanding gases upon each discharge of the firearm. In this manner, the outwardly expanding gasses will impact the surfaces of the lands21,25and29and produce thereby a counter force, such that the net recoil of the firearm is reduced.

It is also another important aspect of the present invention that the substantially co-planar relationship between the matching lands and forward wall of the gas discharge slots effectively redirects the forward-rushing gases that are discharged during the firing of the firearm. It should also be noted, however, that although the lands21,25and29of the compensator assembly10have been described as being vertically oriented and substantially perpendicular to the firing axis F, the present invention is not limited in this regard. That is, the present invention equally contemplates that the lands21,25and29may be alternatively formed at an angle to the firing axis f, without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. Such angled lands would be preferably matched to gas discharge slots having a similar angle to that of the lands themselves, thus maintaining the substantially co-planar relationship between the plane of the lands and the forward wall of the gas discharge slots. It will be readily appreciated, however, that gas discharge slots having an angle that differs from the angle of the lands is also contemplated by the present invention.

Moreover, although a compensator assembly10having three gas discharge slots14has been described in connection withFIGS. 1-3, the present invention also encompasses a compensator assembly having any number of gas discharge slots formed therein. It will also be readily appreciated that the arc-length of the discharge slots14, and their dimensional relationship to one another, may also be varied from the relationship described in connection withFIG. 3, without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.

Turning now toFIG. 4, a rear, partial cross-sectional view of the compensator assembly10is shown. As shown inFIG. 4, the first bore22, the second bore26, the third bore30and the muzzle bore34are each concentrically aligned with the firing axis F of the barrel18. Indeed, as will be appreciated, the muzzle bore34is designed to be no smaller than the inner diameter of the barrel18and, more preferably, is designed to be substantially the same diameter of the barrel18.

Turning now toFIG. 5, a top, plan view of the firearm compensator assembly10is shown. As indicated previously, the arc-lengths of the first gas discharge slot24, the second gas discharge slot28and the third gas discharge slot32are progressively larger, beginning from the back of the compensator assembly10to the front, distal end of the compensator10. Indeed,FIG. 6is a partial cross-sectional side view of the firearm compensator assembly10and also illustrates the preferred arcuate formation and differing arc-lengths of the gas discharge slots24/28/32.FIG. 6further illustrates how the lands21,25and29enjoy a substantially co-planar relationship with the forward wall the gas discharge slots24,28and32, respectively.

It is therefore another important aspect of the present invention that the gas discharge slots24/28/32are progressively larger, with smaller arc-lengths beginning from the back of the compensator assembly10to larger arc-lengths adjacent the front, while the bore diameters22/26/30are themselves formed to be progressively smaller, with larger diameters beginning from the back of the compensator assembly10to smaller diameters adjacent the front. It has been determined that this particular structural configuration provides the preferred performance characteristic for the compensator assembly10. That is, the structural configuration of the gas discharge slots24/28/32and the bore diameters22/26/30are designed to enhance the compensating effect on the jerk, or kick, of the firearm, while also maintaining the greatest possible muzzle velocity of the bullet discharged from the firearm.

As will be appreciated by consideration ofFIGS. 1-6, the present invention provides a compensator assembly10that may be removably attached to the muzzle end of a firearm. Moreover, the compensator assembly10may be employed without the need for marring the integrity of the barrel or shroud of a firearm, or the lands and grooves of the rifling inscribed in the inner surface of the barrel. As previously noted, although a compensator assembly10having three gas discharge slots formed in three matching bore diameters has been described, more or less gas discharge slots and a differing number of bore diameters may be employed, without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. Indeed, a compensator assembly having only a single inner diameter with one or more gas discharge slots is equally contemplated by the present invention.

A preferred method of mating the compensator assembly10to the barrel18and shroud20will now be explained in conjunction withFIGS. 3,7and8. Although not shown inFIG. 7, it will be readily appreciated that the frame of the firearm to which the barrel18and shroud20are to be affixed will include matching, female threads to mate with the threaded end42of the barrel18in association with the final securing of the compensator assembly10, as will be explained shortly.

Considering nowFIGS. 3,7and8in combination, it can be seen that the mounting arms36define opposing channels44, which are sized in accordance with the distal end of the barrel18. That is, each of the channels44are formed by an extended, arcuate lip46which substantially conforms to and accommodates a flange48that is formed at the distal end of the barrel18.

The mating operation begins by an operator sliding the housing12of the compensator assembly10in a direction substantially perpendicular to the firing axis of the barrel18. By sliding the housing12in the general direction of arrows M, the flange48with become loosely accommodated within the opposing channels44. The housing12and the barrel18are urged towards one another in order to move the mounting arms36into receptacles50formed in the shroud20. By doing so, a space is created in the opposing channels44such that a pair of spacers51may be slipped between the mounting arms36and the flange48. The spacers51are preferably block, metal spacers which have the effect of pulling the compensator assembly10back against the front flange48of the barrel18, as will be described in more detail later.

A special purpose barrel assembly tool, indicated generally at52, is then employed to draw the partially assembled elements, noted above, in tight contact with one another. As shown inFIG. 7, the illustrated tool52has a generally cylindrical axially elongated shank54and an integral diametrically enlarged head56of non-circular cross-section at one end. The presently preferred head56has a hexagonal cross-section substantially as shown. At its opposite or leading end of the shank54, a slightly conically tapered portion55converges in a direction away from the head56in a predetermined condition of alignment. The shank54is sized to be received within and substantially complement the muzzle bore34of the compensator assembly10, including the barrel18. The tool52further includes a plurality of spiral lands58, which are equal in number to the rifling grooves, inscribed within the inner circumference of the barrel18. The lands58project radially outwardly from the shank54and extend for some distance therealong, substantially as shown inFIG. 7.

The tool52is preferably made from a material somewhat softer than the material from which the barrel18is made, brass being the presently preferred material. A generally cylindrical sleeve60made from another material is received on the shank54adjacent the head56, substantially as shown, and defines a generally radially disposed arresting surface62facing in the direction of the leading end of the tool shank. The sleeve60is preferably made from a material softer than the material from which the tool shank54is made. In accordance with the presently preferred construction, the sleeve60is formed from a non-metallic material, such as a plastic material.

Returning toFIG. 7, the leading end of the tool52is inserted into the muzzle end of the firearm, via the muzzle bore34, and the lands58then engage the associated rifling grooves inscribed within the barrel18. When the tool52is fully inserted into the barrel18, the arresting surface62will engage with the front surface of the muzzle bore34. A torque wrench or other suitable driving tool (not shown), such as but not limited to a pneumatic nut driver or the like, is then employed to apply a predetermined torque to the hexagonal head56on the tool52. When the tool52is so rotated, the barrel18will seat itself into the body of the firearm, whereby the flange48will draw the mounting arms36further into the receptacles50and securely fix the spacers51therebetween. Upon completion of the mating operation, the tool52is removed from the muzzle bore34.

FIG. 8illustrates a cross-sectional view of the compensator assembly10as it is mated to the barrel18and shroud20. As shown inFIG. 8, the forward sight40may be inserted into the sight groove38and become secured therein via an angled groove64formed in the upper mounting arm36. The forward sight40is secured against disengagement by the compressive action of the flange48as it is drawn backwards by the rotation of the tool52, as well as from the biasing force of a sight spring57housed within the shroud20.

It will therefore be appreciated that another important aspect of the present invention lies in the compensator assembly10being mounted to the barrel18of the firearm integral with the mounting of the barrel18to the firearm itself. Moreover, it will be readily appreciated that a non-compensating assembly, such as would be exhibited if the housing12was devoid of any of the gas discharge slots14, may be alternatively mounted to the firearm should an operator so choose.

It should also be noted that the pair of spacers51may be selectively deformed prior to the barrel18being rotated into threaded engagement with the frame of the firearm. As is most clearly seen inFIG. 8, the pair of block metal spacers51may be selectively deformed under an appropriate stressing force to thereby expand and fill the annular, inscribed groove53. The deformed profile55of the spacers51as they substantially fill the opposing channels44, defined by the mounting arms36, and the inscribed groove53, is also shown inFIG. 8.

It will be readily appreciated that when the spacers51are deformed to expand and fill the opposing channels44and the inscribed groove53, the housing12of the compensator assembly10will be securely fixed to the barrel18. Moreover, the deformation and subsequent expansion of the spacers51provide a tensioning force to the barrel18, the shroud20and the compensator assembly10, such that these elements are drawn together in a manner to withstand the forces exerted during a discharge of the firearm. Thus, the compensator assembly10will be pulled back against the front flange48of the barrel18, effectively providing a mounting method and apparatus which ensures a tight fitting relationship between all integrated elements of the present invention.

FIGS. 9-11illustrate a compensation system60that includes a compensator assembly62, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Although performing similarly to the compensator assembly10discussed in conjunction withFIGS. 1-8, the compensation system60enjoys an expanded versatility, particularly with respect to the ease of assembly/disassembly, as well as providing for increased handling capability of the forces generated during discharge of the firearm.

As shown inFIG. 9, the compensation system60includes a shroud64having a series of three upper and lower relieved cuts66formed in the muzzle end thereof. The upper and lower relieved cuts66are preferably arcuate and form opposing engagement grooves for releasably accepting the compensator assembly62. The compensator assembly62itself includes a plurality of gas discharge slots68formed in the side thereof.

The gas discharge slots68perform substantially the same function as the gas discharge slots14discussed in connection withFIGS. 1-8and, moreover, the inner bore of the compensator assembly62is likewise formed to be substantially similar to the inner bore of the compensator assembly10. That is, the inner bore of the compensator assembly62also includes a plurality of concentrically aligned bore diameters, defined by a matching plurality of concentrically aligned lands, each preferably having a differing bore diameter, which serve to optimize the operational performance characteristics of the compensator assembly62.

Again similar to the compensator assembly10, the lands disposed within the compensator assembly62enjoy a substantially co-planar relationship with the forward wall of the gas discharge slots68. Moreover, the lands of the compensator assembly62are themselves preferably formed so as to be vertically oriented and substantially perpendicular to the firing axis F. By forming the lands in this manner, and by having each of the lands sharing the forward wall of each of the gas discharge slots68the compensator assembly62also assuredly directs the discharged gases against the lands and through the gas discharge slots68upon each discharge of the firearm. That is, the surfaces of the lands also provide impact surfaces to accept the force of the pressure wave of outwardly expanding gases upon each discharge of the firearm. In this manner, the outwardly expanding gasses will impact the surfaces of the lands of the compensator assembly62and produce thereby a counter force, such that the net recoil of the firearm is reduced.

It should also be noted, however, that although the lands of the compensator assembly62have been described as being vertically oriented and substantially perpendicular to the firing axis F, the present invention is not limited in this regard. That is, the present invention equally contemplates that the lands may be alternatively formed at an angle to the firing axis F, without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. Such angled lands would be preferably matched to gas discharge slots having a similar angle to that of the lands themselves, thus maintaining the substantially co-planar relationship between the plane of the lands and the forward wall of the gas discharge slots. It will be readily appreciated, however, that gas discharge slots having an angle that differs from the angle of the lands is also contemplated by the present invention.

Moreover, although a compensator assembly62having three, side gas discharge slots68has been described in connection withFIG. 9, the present invention also encompasses a compensator assembly having any number of gas discharge slots formed therein. It will also be readily appreciated that additional gas discharge ports may be formed in the compensator assembly62, in addition or as an alternative to the gas discharge slots68. Indeed, gas discharge ports may be formed in the top, upper portion of the shroud64, adjacent the location of a center raised portion70, as desired or as required to meet performance characteristics, as will be discussed in more detail later.

Returning toFIG. 9, a threaded bore72is formed in the shroud64, preferably substantially parallel to and below the firing axis F, and is adapted to receive a locking bolt74. As best seen inFIG. 10, the locking bolt74includes a threaded portion76for integrally mating with the threaded bore72, and is characterized by a raised flange78formed at approximately the midpoint thereof. The raise flange78of the locking bolt74work in conjunction with a plurality of matching, outwardly extending locking flanges80to secure the compensator assembly62to the shroud64, as will be described hereinafter.

It will be readily appreciated that the locking flanges80are formed to match and integrally mate with the upper and lower relieved cuts66after the compensator assembly has been inserted into the shroud64and suitably rotated so that the flanges80are in registration with the relieved cuts66, an orientation depicted inFIG. 9.

The primary purpose of the configuration of the flanges80and the relieved cuts is to allow for the recoil force of the outwardly expanding discharge gasses, accompanying each discharge of the firearm, to be absorbed by the shroud62and thereby producing a counter force, such that the net recoil of the firearm is reduced. As will be appreciated, the more efficient the coupling between the flanges80and the relieved cuts66, the more efficient the compensator assembly62will be in reducing the recoil forces of the firearm.

Integral, therefore, to the efficiency of the compensator assembly62is the raised flange78of the locking bolt74. As the locking bolt74is threaded into the threaded bore72, the raised flange78will engage the forward-most, lower flange80. That is, the raised flange78will selectively engage the lower flange that is most closely adjacent the muzzle end of the compensator assembly62. This compressive force, which increases as the locking bolt74is further tightened in the threaded bore72, allows the each of the flanges80to be preloaded within each of their respective relived cuts66, thus preloading the entire compensator assembly62against the body of the shroud64.

While effectively distributing a significant portion of the discharge forces against the body of the shroud64, it will also be readily appreciated by those of skill in the art that the locking bolt74does not itself bear the brunt of the these discharge forces, therefore there is no significant disengagement force acting on the locking bolt74. The present invention therefore not only effectively provides for a secure mating of the compensator assembly62to the shroud64, and thus enabling the transfer of discharge forces to the body of the shroud64, but also ensures that the compensator assembly62will remain engaged and correctly positioned even after repeated discharge of the firearm.

While a compensation system60has be described in which the compensator assembly62and the shroud64each define matching upper and lower sets of three flanges80and three relieved cuts66, the present invention is not limited in this regard. That is, the present invention equally contemplates that one or more sets of matching flanges and relieved cuts may be formed in the compensator assembly62and the shroud64, without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.

Turning now toFIG. 11, the compensation system60is shown with the compensator assembly62being disengaged from the shroud64. As can now be seen inFIG. 11, the compensator assembly62also includes a plurality of upper discharge apertures82, formed in the top portion of the compensator assembly62. As will be appreciated, when the compensator assembly62is properly oriented within the shroud64, thus positioning the flanges80within their matching relieved cuts66, the upper discharge apertures82will be in registration with similarly dimensioned gas discharge apertures84formed in the top, upper portion of the shroud64, adjacent to and on either side of the center raised portion70. As also shown byFIG. 11, the shroud64may also include a locking channel86formed adjacent the threaded bore72and extending longitudinally into in the lower, milled portion of the shroud64.

As with all other embodiments discussed in connection with the present invention, it will be readily appreciated that although six upper discharge apertures82and six gas discharge apertures84have be illustrated inFIG. 11, the present invention is not limited in this regard as any number of such apertures may alternatively be defined without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. Likewise, the matching apertures82/84may also have any size or shape in dependence upon specific performance characteristics or the like.

FIG. 12illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which the compensator assembly62includes a plurality of upper gas discharge apertures88. As shown inFIG. 12, the upper gas discharge apertures, or ports,88define substantially arcuate profiles of differing arc lengths, similar to the discharge slots14as discussed in connection withFIGS. 1-8.

Although the embodiments of the compensation system60shown inFIGS. 9-12may be useable with shrouds64which themselves define the barrel of the firearm, the present invention is not limited in this regard. As shown inFIG. 13, the shroud64may instead be designed so as to accept a barrel90having a front flange92. That is, similar to the embodiment discussed in connection withFIGS. 1-8, and as understood by one skilled in the art, the shroud64may alternatively accept the barrel90such that the flange92has an external dimension which is several thousands of an inch larger than the external diameter of the barrel90.

Preferably, the flange92is approximately 20 to 20 thousands of an inch greater in diameter than the barrel90, and approximately 30 to 40 thousands of an inch in longitudinal depth. The barrel90may then be accommodated within the shroud64with its longitudinal travel being arrested by the engagement of the flange92against the body of the shroud64, as depicted inFIG. 13. All other substantive aspects of the embodiments shown inFIGS. 9-12are otherwise consistent with the embodiment ofFIG. 13.

Indeed, the compensation systems of the present invention are equally applicable to every conceivable firearm, including handguns of all types, rifles, shotguns, semi-automatic and automatic firearms, in any caliber. In particular, the various cuts and grooves utilized in accommodating the compensator assemblies discussed herein may be alternatively formed in the shroud of a firearm, or in the barrel of a firearm, in dependence upon the specific structural design of the firearm, and without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 14illustrates another embodiment of the compensation system60in which the compensator assembly62includes a forwardly extending non-milled portion94, in accordance with specific design and performance characteristics. Likewise,FIG. 14illustrates another embodiment of the compensation system60in which the compensator assembly62may have no gas discharge ports at all. That is, the compensator assembly62shown inFIG. 15may have only gas discharge ports formed in the upper side thereof, to communicate with the gas discharge apertures88, or it may alternative have no gas discharge ports at all.

Another important aspect of the present invention therefore resides in the ability of the compensation system60to not only provide for the quick interchange between compensator assemblies having gas discharge ports of differing numbers, shapes, sizes and angular orientations, but also to accept compensator assemblies which have no gas discharge ports at all. Thus an operator may selectively determine when gas discharge ports are desired, and when they are not, and quickly alternative between these structural configurations by the simple actuation of the locking bolt74.

Moreover, firearm owners may avail themselves of advancements made in compensator designs without the need to purchase a new firearm. Still yet another benefit of the present invention is that the manufacture and production of firearms may be largely standardized such that a generic firearm/shroud/barrel prototype may accommodate several differing configurations of compensator assemblies, thus significantly reducing material and production costs.

Still yet another important benefit of the present invention is that by having easily replaceable compensator assemblies, the present invention eliminates the need to purchase a new firearm, or repair one already owned, when the compensator assembly becomes worn over time, in stark contrast to known devices. Further, the cleaning and maintenance of the compensator assembly of the present invention is streamlined, thus significantly reducing maintenance time and effort.

As will be appreciated by consideration ofFIGS. 1-15, the present invention provides a compensation system which includes a plurality of compensator assembly configurations, and which may be removably attached to the muzzle end of a firearm. Moreover, the various embodiments of the compensator assemblies may be employed without the need for destroying the integrity of the barrel of a firearm, or the lands and grooves of the rifling inscribed in the inner surface of the barrel. The present invention thus provides a compensation system having heretofore unknown benefits in discharge force allocation, as well as providing an interchange system which is quick and efficient, while not comprising the proper orientation or securing of the compensator assembly to the firearm itself.

While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various obvious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention includes all equivalent embodiments.