Patent Publication Number: US-10788286-B2

Title: Protective shroud for firearms with external reciprocating mechanisms

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/513,108 filed on May 31, 2017, and entitled “PROTECTIVE SHROUDING DEVICE FOR FIREARMS WITH RECIPROCATING MECHANISMS,” which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to firearms accessories, and more specifically to novel after-market and/or original-equipment-manufacturer firearms, devices, apparatuses, accessories and components. 
     Background 
     Extremely Close-Quarters Armed Combatives (ECQAC) is a relatively young field of study which explores strategies, tactics and techniques for defending one&#39;s self against deadly-force attacks initiated from an extremely close range. ECQAC is a rapidly evolving discipline that has experienced the development, evolution and decline of several theories. Current best-practices are based on the presumption that effective ECQAC techniques must include both “hand-to-hand” and armed counteroffensive methods. 
     In real-world examples, the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan have involved a high incidence of close-quarter engagements in and around densely spaced urban structures. Additionally, military, police and intelligence personnel are often engaged in counter-terror and anti-crime operations, which tend to involve close-quarters engagements. Also of note, state-level training requirements to obtain concealed-carry weapons permits can often be grossly inadequate to appropriately handle ECQAC scenarios. 
     The net effect of these factors is that many warfighters, law enforcement/security personnel, and civilians are in need of improved ECQAC equipment to implement best-practices in training. Such training and equipment is not only designed to improve the armed individual&#39;s personal survivability, but also to minimize risk to innocent bystanders, ensure the most stringent rules of engagement and self-defense laws can be followed, and mitigate unjustified injuries or loss of life. Additionally, effective ECQAC equipment and technique must provide for the probability that violent attackers, whose actions may warrant the potential use of deadly-force, will likely come in physical contact with their intended-victim(s) and any weapons their intended-victim(s) may be carrying, such as a firearm. 
     Notably, the present invention may address numerous issues and scenarios related to firearms with external reciprocating mechanisms. For instance, such a reciprocating mechanism may be moved “out-of-battery” by an attacker (e.g., when an attacker grabs or an object or body part comes in contact with the reciprocating mechanism), resulting in a firearm that is inoperable. In another example, a firearm may malfunction when the reciprocating mechanism is grabbed or contacted by an object or person by preventing the firearm from completely cycling, resulting in an inoperable firearm when a shot is fired. In yet another example, reciprocating mechanisms may be fouled by debris or other obstructions that enter or interfere with critical areas of the firearm (e.g., ejection port, extractor, levers, and so forth). In addition to issues related to reciprocating mechanisms, various other issues may also be addressed by the present invention. For instance, taking one or more shots with a firearm in a stressful situation can be dangerous to bystanders, as recoil and poorly distributed weight on a firearm can reduce an individual&#39;s control of the firearm. 
     Therefore, a need exists in the field for novel after-market and/or original-equipment-manufacturer devices, features, extensions, apparatuses, accessories and integral components capable of protecting and sustaining the functionality of firearms with external reciprocating mechanisms. The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     At least some embodiments described herein relate to a shroud that is configured to connect to or be an integral part of a firearm having an external reciprocating mechanism. The shroud may be further configured to prevent such a reciprocating mechanism from moving out-of-battery (other than during normal cycling), or otherwise restrict the reciprocating mechanism from cycling completely, thus causing the firearm to malfunction. For example, the shroud may include one or more of a hood portion, a faceplate portion, a floorplate portion and other additional fitments and features. Notably, these components may be configured to permanently or temporarily connect to or disconnect from each other or any part of the firearm or be an integral part of the firearm&#39;s original production. In some embodiments, the hood portion and/or the faceplate portion may extend beyond a muzzle of the firearm. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of a shroud and cooperating firearm. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates an example of a shroud comprising a hood. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates an example shroud, without a faceplate, connected to a cooperating firearm. 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates another example shroud without a faceplate connected to a cooperating firearm. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another example of a hood portion of a shroud with an access feature. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another example of a hood portion of a shroud with a fitment. 
         FIGS. 5A through 5H  illustrate various examples of faceplate portions of a shroud as an individual component. 
         FIGS. 6A through 6C  illustrate various examples of floorplate portions of a shroud as an individual component. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example of a shroud comprising a hood portion, a faceplate portion, and a floorplate portion. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates an example of a shroud comprising a hood portion and a faceplate portion. 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates an example of a shroud comprising a hood portion and a faceplate portion connected to a cooperating firearm. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a shroud comprising a hood portion and a floorplate portion. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates an example of a shroud where a hood portion and a floorplate portion are integrated and can accept a faceplate. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates an example of a faceplate portion that is integrated with a floorplate portion, which could be mounted to a hood portion similar to that shown in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  and the like. 
         FIG. 10C  illustrates an exploded view of a shroud comprising a hood portion, a faceplate portion, and a floorplate portion as separate components. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a shroud with a weapon enhancement feature. 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates an example of a shroud comprising a hood portion and a faceplate portion connected to a cooperating firearm having a reciprocating mechanism in a forward position. 
         FIG. 12B  illustrates an example of a shroud comprising a hood portion and a faceplate portion connected to a cooperating firearm having a reciprocating mechanism in a rearward position. 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  each illustrate a side view of an example shroud connected to a cooperating firearm, showing one way an accessory (i.e., a light) may be attached to the firearm. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an example of an extended shroud comprising a hood portion, a faceplate portion, and a floorplate portion coupled to a firearm. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates another example of an extended shroud comprising a hood portion and a faceplate portion connected to a cooperating firearm with no fitments. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an example of an extended shroud having a fitment connected to the shroud. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an example of an extended shroud having a fitment connected to the reciprocating mechanism of a firearm. 
         FIGS. 18A and 18B  illustrate examples of different two-handed grips that are possible on a firearm having a connected shroud. 
         FIG. 19A  illustrates an example shroud comprising a one-piece hood portion and a faceplate portion and having a mechanism for quickly releasing a shroud from a cooperating firearm. 
         FIG. 19B  illustrates an example shroud comprising a two-piece hood portion and a faceplate portion and having a mechanism for quickly releasing the greater portion of the shroud from the lesser portion of the shroud and a cooperating firearm. 
         FIG. 20A  illustrates an exploded side view of an example shroud comprising a two-piece hood portion and a faceplate portion and having a mechanism for quickly releasing a shroud from a cooperating firearm. 
         FIG. 20B  illustrates a rear view of an example shroud comprising a two-piece hood portion and a faceplate portion and having a mechanism for quickly releasing a shroud from a cooperating firearm. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments described herein relate to a shroud configured to connect to a firearm having a reciprocating mechanism. The shroud may be further configured to prevent the reciprocating mechanism of a firearm from moving out-of-battery (other than when cycling normally) or otherwise be restricted from cycling completely, thus causing the firearm to malfunction. For example, the shroud may include one or more of a hood portion, a faceplate portion, a floorplate portion and/or other fitments. In some embodiments, the hood portion and/or the faceplate portion may extend beyond a muzzle of the firearm. 
     A shroud that can be coupled to a firearm or integrated within the firearm and may address numerous issues and scenarios related to reciprocating mechanisms of firearms. For instance, the shroud may prevent a reciprocating mechanism of a firearm from being moved out-of-battery (i.e., resulting in an inability to fire the firearm) or otherwise restricting the firearm from cycling completely in numerous scenarios. In at least one embodiment, a shroud may prevent an attacker from grabbing the reciprocating mechanism in such a way that causes the reciprocating mechanism to move out-of-battery or prevents it from cycling completely. In at least one additional or alternative embodiment, a shroud may prevent a reciprocating mechanism from being fouled by debris or other obstructions that enter or interfere with critical areas of the firearm (e.g., ejection port, extractor, levers, and so forth). In at least one additional or alternative embodiment, a shroud may prevent a reciprocating mechanism from moving out-of-battery or prevent it from cycling completely when the firearm is pressed against a person or object. In at least one additional or alternative embodiment, such shrouds may also beneficially distribute weight on a firearm to provide stability over the perceived recoil created when firing the firearm. Additionally, in at least one additional or alternative embodiment, a shroud may provide the porting and braking mechanisms used in compensators. As used herein, a compensator refers to a category of firearm accessories that direct the gas that exits a firearm&#39;s barrel in such a way that it reduces the amount of perceived recoil. Within conventional firearms, compensators have typically been directly attached to the firearm&#39;s barrel or reciprocating mechanism. Moreover, a shroud may provide additional ways to hold, grip and manipulate the firearm, which may improve shooting accuracy. A shroud may also provide additional weapon features that are separate from firing a firearm, including features that may be effective when using the firearm for impacting, piercing, cutting, slicing, gouging, scraping, electrical stunning and/or chemical spraying, and so forth. Furthermore, a shroud may provide ways to eliminate an attacker&#39;s grasp on a firearm by having methods of quickly detaching a shroud from a firearm being grasped by an attacker. 
     Some introductory discussion relating to issues related to the use of firearms will first be discussed. Then various shrouds and how they may be coupled to firearms for improving a firearm&#39;s utility and effectiveness will be described with respect to  FIGS. 1-20B . 
     Many of the primary issues addressed by the present invention relate to preventing the disruption of how a firearm&#39;s reciprocating mechanism must cycle for the firearm to function properly. A reciprocating mechanism allows a firearm to chamber a round of ammunition, cock the firing mechanism, stage the trigger, allow the trigger to be released, fire the round, extract and eject the spent round from the firearm, and chamber another round in preparation to repeat the cycle. However, as further described herein, if the normal cycle of a firearm&#39;s reciprocating mechanism is disturbed, the firearm will malfunction. The reciprocating mechanism&#39;s cycle can be disturbed in a variety of ways, to include the following: i) an attacker could grab the reciprocating mechanism, ii) the operator could inadvertently hold the firearm incorrectly, iii) the firearm could come into contact with an object, structure or body part, iv) the reciprocating mechanism could be fouled by dirt, debris, clothing, and/or other obstructions that enter or interfere with critical areas of the firearm (e.g., an ejection port, an extractor and/or other openings, levers, and so forth), etc. 
     In all these scenarios, and others, the firearm can malfunction either because the firearm&#39;s reciprocating mechanism is moved out-of-battery or because it is prevented from completing its normal cycle. Such malfunctions may prevent the firearm from firing at all or may cause a malfunction at the time the firearm is fired. In yet another example, an intended-victim may inadvertently press the firearm against an attacker, resulting in the reciprocating mechanism moving out-of-battery (i.e., again preventing the firearm from firing). In still another example, an intended-victim may inadvertently place a body part(s) (e.g., a finger) on a reciprocating mechanism of the firearm, thus causing a malfunction of the firearm, as the reciprocating mechanism is restricted from completing its cycle. In yet another example, the reciprocating mechanism of the firearm can come in contact with clothing, structures, barriers and other objects that cause the firearm to malfunction, as the reciprocating mechanism is restricted from completing its cycle or is out-of-battery. In still another example, firearms with reciprocating mechanisms can be fouled by debris. 
     In addition, the present invention may also address a number of other issues related to a firearm&#39;s utility and effectiveness. For instance, an attacker, who is extremely close, may be able to harm and/or disarm an individual with a firearm. Through the novel features of the present invention, an individual having a firearm with the present invention may have the ability to use improved gripping, aiming, shooting, impacting, piercing, cutting, slicing, gouging, scraping, electrical stunning, and/or chemical spraying features and techniques, thus potentially giving the firearm&#39;s operator a significant advantage over his or her attacker, as further described herein. In scenarios where the firearm operator&#39;s best alternative is to get distance from an attacker, a shroud may provide ways to eliminate an attacker&#39;s grasp on a firearm by having methods of quickly detaching a shroud from a firearm being grasped by an attacker. 
     Furthermore, violent attacks, which legally and morally may warrant the use of potential deadly-force create extremely difficult situations for the intended-victim and/or intervening party (i.e., law enforcement officers, security guards, etc.). Controlling a firearm in these types of situations is complicated by the effects of stress, surprise, fear and the resulting release of adrenalin caused by these effects. Even well-trained and experienced shooters can find it difficult to control the influences that are exerted on and created by the firearm such as compromised sight alignment, trigger control and recoil management. The present invention mitigates the degradation of control over these factors by providing alternative ways to grip, aim, control and fire a firearm with a reciprocating mechanism. In one example, a shroud provides a firearm&#39;s operator with a greater ability to maintain possession and control of the firearm during a struggle, while defending himself or herself with hand-to-hand techniques that don&#39;t necessarily involve shooting. In another example, a shroud provides additional surfaces that may be gripped by the firearm&#39;s operator. These surfaces provide greater control and leverage of a firearm by allowing the firearm operator to use larger muscle groups, when small muscle control is compromised by higher than normal levels of adrenalin. This may improve a firearm operator&#39;s ability to aim accurately, manipulate the trigger properly and manage recoil adequately. Furthermore, the recoil effect may be minimized through the improved distribution of weight provided by a shroud, as further described herein. 
     Additionally, properly locating non-reciprocating, ballasting weight on a firearm may aid in dampening a firearm&#39;s perceived recoil, thus improving the operator&#39;s control of a firearm when firing one or more times. A shroud may also provide the porting and braking mechanisms used in compensators. This increased control over a firearm during an attack can reduce the likelihood of an errant shot. The complex shooting environments military, law enforcement, and civilian personnel are often forced to operate in frequently involve the presence of innocent bystanders. Any ability to improve a firearm operator&#39;s control in these situations can only serve to improve the safety of such bystanders. 
     In yet another example, encounters that have the potential to require deadly-force can be complicated by “reactive escalation” syndrome. Reactive escalation syndrome occurs when a confrontational chain of events between two or more parties begin with borderline actions (i.e., actions that could potentially be interpreted as either justifying or not justifying the use of deadly-force). In scenarios where the only method of defense is using a firearm in its traditional capacity, actions lead to increasingly aggressive reactions until a situation that might have deescalated to a non-deadly-force encounter becomes a de facto deadly-force level event. Notably, when the only option for using a firearm is to shoot, the likelihood of reactive escalation is more likely. As such, a firearm that includes alternative types of weapons (e.g., via impacting, piercing, cutting, slicing, gouging, scraping, electrical stunning, chemical spraying, and so forth) may reduce a likelihood of reactive escalation. 
     Accordingly, new shrouds, apparatuses, accessories and components for protecting and sustaining the functionality and enhancing the utility of firearms with reciprocating mechanisms are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be implemented and/or utilized without all of these specific details, but in some cases may only comprise one or more of the illustrated components. 
     For instance,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a firearm  100  having a reciprocating mechanism  101 , an ejection port  102 , an extractor  103 , and mounting surfaces  104 , a trigger  105 , a trigger guard  106 , a muzzle  107 , and rear sight  108 . Notably, while a particular type of firearm  100  is shown herein, virtually any type of firearm having a reciprocating mechanism may be utilized to practice the principles described herein. As shown,  FIG. 1  also includes a shroud  110  that, when coupled to the firearm  100 , is configured to allow the firearm&#39;s reciprocating mechanism to move freely throughout an entire cycle of the reciprocating mechanism. More specifically, the shroud may at least partially cover the reciprocating mechanism  101 , such that an attacker of an operator of the firearm may have less surface area with which to impede the progress of the reciprocating mechanism throughout the reciprocating mechanism&#39;s cycle. 
     As illustrated, the shroud  110  includes a hood  111 , faceplate  112 , and floorplate  113 . The hood  111  may be particularly important for protecting the reciprocating mechanism from various impediments to completing the reciprocating mechanism&#39;s cycle. In particular, the hood  111  allows the reciprocating mechanism  101  of the firearm  100  to move freely throughout an entire cycle of the reciprocating mechanism by providing a protective barrier that surrounds all or part of the reciprocating mechanism and any attachments thereto. In an example, the hood  111  may be at least partially responsible for preventing an attacker from grabbing the reciprocating mechanism of the firearm, thus causing the reciprocating mechanism from moving out-of-battery or otherwise restricting the firearm from cycling completely. Notably, the hood  111  may be an integral part of the firearm  100  or coupled to the firearm  100  at any of a variety of mounting positions  104  and/or connection points, including but not limited to a frame  120 , stock, chassis, barrels, barrel extensions, guide rods, rails, housings, threadings, accessory interfaces, and so forth of the firearm  100 . In addition, the hood  111  may be coupled to any other applicable firearm accessory, bracket, support, fixture, and so forth that is temporarily or permanently and directly or indirectly attached to the firearm  100  (or held by or directly/indirectly connected to an operator of the firearm). 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate various embodiments of hoods (e.g., the hood  111 ) that can be attached to the firearm  100 . For instance,  FIG. 2A  depicts a perspective view of the hood  211 A having attachment features  216  that may be used to attach the hood  211 A to the mounting surfaces  104  of the firearm  100 , as further described herein.  FIG. 2B  illustrates a hood  211 B that has been coupled to the firearm  200  and extends from a location at, or near, the muzzle  207  of the firearm  200  to a location at, or near, the rear sight  208  of the firearm  200 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , the hood  211 B may be at least partially open to allow an individual to grip a portion of the reciprocating mechanism  201  in order to cock the firearm  200 . Notably, in other embodiments, the hood  211 B may be more or less open, subject to additional fitments which may be added to the firearm  200  and to facilitate cocking. In addition, the extended hood  211 B has an opening to allow for ejecting shells via the ejection port  102 . Notably, while a particular design that includes the hood extending from the area at or near the muzzle of the firearm to the area at or near the rear sight  208  of the firearm  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 2B , virtually any design that includes the hood extending back from the area at or near the muzzle of the firearm and allows for both gripping a portion of the reciprocating mechanism  201  or an attachment to the reciprocating mechanism  201  which can be used to cock the firearm  200  and allows for ejecting shells may be utilized. 
       FIG. 2C  illustrates yet another embodiment of a hood (i.e., hood  211 C). As illustrated, the hood  211 C is attached to the firearm  200  and extends past the muzzle  207  of the firearm. In such embodiments, the hood  211 C may prevent an operator from inadvertently pressing the firearm against an object (e.g., an attacker), resulting in the reciprocating mechanism moving out-of-battery (i.e., preventing the firearm from firing). In other words, the hood  211 C extending past the muzzle  207  may prevent the reciprocating mechanism  201  of the firearm  100  from moving out-of-battery even when no faceplate is coupled to the hood  211 C and the firearm is pressed against another object near the muzzle. In some embodiments, the hood  211 C may extend beyond the muzzle  207  within a range of 0.01 mm to 35.00 cm. 
     Notably, however, a faceplate (i.e,  112  of  FIG. 1 ) may also be used for the same purpose (i.e., preventing an operator of the firearm from inadvertently pressing the firearm against a person or object, resulting in the reciprocating mechanism moving out-of-battery), as further described herein. In particular, a faceplate (i.e,  112  of  FIG. 1 ) may extend past the muzzle to perform the same function as the hood  211 C that extends past the muzzle. Returning to  FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the faceplate  112  may extend from a position near or in front of the muzzle  107  to any position behind the muzzle  107  along the reciprocating mechanism  101  such that the faceplate  112  wraps at least partially around the reciprocating mechanism  101  to function similarly to a hood  111 . Accordingly, in such embodiments, a hood portion  111  may connect another hood portion  111  or a faceplate portion  112  of a shroud and may be relatively short and extend only to the other portion of a shroud  110 . 
     While the features of the hood  111 , the hood  211 A, the hood  211 B, and the hood  211 C are each shown separately, any combination of the features described herein may be used together. For instance, a hood that extends from a location forward of the muzzle  207  (e.g., the hood  211 C) to a furthermost back portion of the firearm  200  (e.g., the hood  211 B) may be utilized when practicing the principles described herein. 
     In addition, a hood may be configured to provide various features that allow accessories to be attached to the hood/shroud and would perhaps otherwise be included on a surface of the firearm  200  without the hood or shroud. Notably, such accessories may be proprietary to a hood/shroud or may be accessories which may otherwise be directly or indirectly attached to a firearm (e.g., the firearm  200 ). In an example,  FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of a hood  311  having a first access feature  318 A, a second access feature  318 B, and the attachment features  316 . In another example,  FIG. 4  illustrates a hood  411  having a fitment  419 . In particular,  FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of the hood  411 , the fitment  419  that comprises a front sight (which would normally be attached directly to the firearm) and attachment features  416 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the shroud  110  also includes the faceplate  112 . As briefly described, the faceplate  112  may prevent an operator from inadvertently pressing the firearm against a person or object (e.g., clothing, a door frame, an attacker, etc.), resulting in the reciprocating mechanism moving out-of-battery (i.e., preventing the firearm from firing) or preventing it from cycling completely (i.e., resulting in the firearm malfunctioning). In other words, the hood  111  and/or the faceplate  112  extending past the muzzle  107  may prevent the reciprocating mechanism  101  of the firearm  100  from moving out-of-battery even when the firearm  100  coupled to a cooperating shroud  110  is in contact with another person or object near the muzzle  107 . Additionally, the hood  111  and/or the faceplate  112  covering all or part of the reciprocating mechanism  101  of the firearm  100  may prevent the reciprocating mechanism  101  of the firearm  100  from not cycling completely even when the firearm  100  coupled to a cooperating shroud  110  is in contact with a person or object near the other surfaces of the reciprocating mechanism  101 . Notably, the total or partial encapsulating effects of the hood  111  and/or the faceplate  112  make it possible for operators to hold, grip and manipulate the firearm  100  in ways that were previously not possible and have led to the development of techniques which can provide law enforcement, security, military, civilian personnel and the like with significantly higher odds of surviving extremely close-quarters attacks. 
     Faceplates described herein may be permanent or interchangeable and comprise various designs, features, and/or element(s) for either aesthetic (e.g., designs, reliefs, etchings, three-dimensional sculptings, and so forth) and/or functional purposes. More specifically, the outward-facing surfaces of a faceplate may be textured, profiled, elevated and/or relieved to include features, and/or attachments that improve impacting, piercing, cutting, slicing, gouging, scraping, electrical stunning and/or chemical spraying capabilities of a firearm. For instance,  FIGS. 5A through 5F  depict perspective views showing six examples of various aesthetic and/or functional design features that may be used with respect to a faceplate (e.g., faceplate  512 A through faceplate  512 F).  FIG. 5G  depicts a perspective view of the rear of one example of a faceplate showing an attachment feature  516  which can be used to couple a shroud to a mounting surface (e.g., the mounting surfaces  204  of  FIG. 2B ) on a firearm  200 . One will appreciate, however, that this is only an example of a means to attach a shroud and/or a faceplate to a firearm. In additional or alternative embodiment, a number of different or additional means for attachment may be used. 
     Faceplates described herein (e.g., faceplate  112  of  FIG. 1  and faceplates  512 A through  512 H of  FIGS. 5 a    through  5 H) may also include one or more openings through which one or more projectiles may pass in any combination (i.e., bullets, shot pellets, wads, slugs and so forth). Notably, the muzzle opening  117  (with respect to  FIG. 1 ) or muzzle opening  517  (with respect to  FIGS. 5A through 5H ), may vary in size. In one example, the muzzle opening  117  or  517  may be comprised to accommodate various components of ammunition. In another example, the muzzle openings  117  of  FIG. 1 and 517  of  FIGS. 5A through 5H  may be comprised to accommodate various accessories (e.g., compensators), features of a firearm (e.g., barrel threadings) and/or other components. In yet another example, the muzzle opening  117  or  517  may be comprised to accommodate additional functionality which is integral to a faceplate (e.g., muzzle brake features, flash suppressor features, recoil compensator features, sound suppressor features, and the like.) In other words, faceplates  512 (A-H) may have integrated features and functionality of other firearm components and accessories, such as muzzle brakes, flash suppressors, recoil compensators, sound suppressors and the like. 
     Additionally, faceplates may be coupled to a firearm (or other portions of a shroud, such as a hood) using a variety of mounting positions and/or connection points, including but not limited to a frame, stock, chassis, barrels, barrel extensions, guide rods, rails, housings, threadings, accessory interfaces, and so forth of the firearm  100  or other firearm accessories, brackets, and/or other fixtures that are temporarily or permanently and directly or indirectly attached to the firearm  100  (or held by or directly/indirectly connected to an operator of the firearm). The ability to couple the faceplate either directly or indirectly to the frame (i.e., mounting surfaces other than the barrel or reciprocating mechanism) provides additional recoil management capabilities (i.e., functionality of muzzle brakes, compensators, ported barrels, and the like). When a firearm fires, gases are expelled from the firearm&#39;s muzzle  107 . These gases impact may against one or more features on the faceplate  112  (i.e., the rear of the faceplate, other rear facing surfaces, such as ports and/or compensator slots  524 H of  FIG. 5H  and may redirect gases, and thereby may reduce the perceived recoil. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the shroud  110  also includes the floorplate  113 . The floorplate  113  may be permanent or interchangeable and comprise various designs, features, and/or element(s) for either aesthetic (e.g., designs, reliefs, etchings, three-dimensional sculptings, and so forth) and/or functional purposes. For instance, outward-facing surfaces of a floorplate  113  may be textured, profiled, elevated and/or relieved to include features and/or attachments that improve impacting, piercing, cutting, slicing, gouging, scraping, electrical stunning, and/or chemical spraying capabilities of the floorplate  113  and/or the firearm  100  to which the floorplate is attached. In more specific examples,  FIGS. 6A through 6C  depict perspective views showing three examples of aesthetic and/or functional design features of floorplates (i.e., floorplate  613 A through floorplate  613 C). 
     Additionally, floorplates  113  may be coupled to a firearm  100  (or other portions of a shroud, such as a hood or faceplate) using a variety of mounting positions and/or connection points, including but not limited to a frame, stock, chassis, barrels, barrel extensions, guide rods, rails, housings, threadings, accessory interfaces, and so forth of the firearm, or other firearm accessories, brackets, or fixtures that are temporarily or permanently and directly or indirectly attached to the firearm (or held by or directly or indirectly connected to an operator of the firearm). Some embodiments of a floorplate  113  may be configured to accommodate or adjust the mounting of devices, apparatuses, accessories and/or other attachments for the firearm  100 . 
     While the hoods, faceplates, floorplates, and other components of the device may be described or shown herein as single or multiple elements, those skilled in the art will understand that such components may be unitarily formed alone or in combination with other components, or may comprise assemblies of multiple subcomponents, or may be integral features of firearm created during its original manufacturing while being collectively referred to as an individual component of a shroud or firearm. 
     Notably, the hood  111 , the faceplate  112 , and/or the floorplate  113  may be connected to each other by any individual or combination of joinery profiles, such as tongue-and-groove, dovetail, mortise-and-tenon, lap, splined, and so forth. In some embodiments, the hood  111 , the faceplate  112 , and/or the floorplate  113  may also be fastened together using any combination of pins, screws, bolts, cams, welds, threadings, bonding agents, adhesives and so forth (i.e., collectively referred to herein as fasteners  114 ). Accordingly, any individual or combination of pins, screws, bolts, cams, welds, joints, threadings, bonding agents, adhesives and the like may be used to connect any components of, subassemblies of, or the entirety of the shroud to a firearm or of the firearm itself. Additionally, hoods, faceplates and/or floorplates may be molded, cast, forged, stamped, milled, extruded, or otherwise unitarily formed together (i.e., integrated) as subassemblies or as one component. 
     In other embodiments, the hood  111 , the faceplate  112 , and/or the floorplate  113  may not be directly coupled together. For instance, each of the hood  111 , the faceplate  112 , and/or the floorplate  113  may be individually coupled to the firearm  100  or integrated into its original manufacturing. Accordingly, the hood  111 , the faceplate  112 , and the floorplate  113  may be individually or collectively coupled either directly or indirectly to the firearm. In particular, the hood  111 , the faceplate  112 , and the floorplate  113  may be coupled to any combination of accessories, brackets, or other supports of the firearm  100  (i.e., collectively referred to herein as mounting surfaces  104 ). The mounting surfaces  104  may be temporarily or permanently and directly or indirectly coupled to the firearm  100  or a feature of the firearm  100 . 
     Features and/or surfaces used to connect the shroud  110  to the mounting surfaces  104  may include, but are not limited to, fastener apertures  115 , contours, reliefs, wedges, threadings, press fit surfaces, clamping elements, trigger pins, retaining pins and/or the like (i.e., collectively referred to herein as attachment features  116 ). Notably, the mounting surfaces  104  of the firearm, as well as any fastener apertures  115  of the shroud  110  may be threaded or unthreaded. In some embodiments, modifications to the firearm may be required to engage the attachment feature(s)  116  to the mounting surface(s)  104 . In other embodiments, existing features of the firearm may be used to engage the attachment features  116  to the mounting surfaces  104 , such that modifications to the firearm are unnecessary. In yet other embodiments, a shroud may be connected to a previously non-existent feature of a firearm. For instance, a newly drilled or tapped hole may be created for attached a shroud to a firearm. Notably, regardless of the mechanisms used for coupling the shroud  110  to the firearm  100 , the shroud may be configured to allow the firearm&#39;s reciprocating mechanism  101  to move freely throughout the reciprocating mechanism&#39;s entire cycle even when the shroud is grabbed, pushed against an object (e.g., an attacker), or otherwise manipulated (e.g., by an operator of the firearm, by an attacker, and so forth). 
       FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of an assembled shroud  710  that is not connected to a firearm (e.g., the firearm  100 ). As illustrated, the assembled shroud  710  includes hood  711 , faceplate  712 , floorplate  713 , fasteners  714 , fastener apertures  715 , and attachment features  716 . In some embodiments, the floorplate  713  may extend from the faceplate  712  to a trigger guard (e.g., the trigger guard  106  of the firearm  100  of  FIG. 1 ) of a firearm to which the shroud  710  has been coupled. In other embodiments, the floorplate  713  may cover less than an entirety of a distance between the faceplate  712  and a trigger guard of a firearm to which the shroud  710  is attached. For instance, a floorplate may extend from the faceplate  712  to a location before reaching the trigger guard  106  (i.e., the floorplate is not connected to and/or does not contact the trigger guard, in such embodiments). 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate an assembled shroud  810 A without a floorplate (e.g., the floorplate  113  of  FIG. 1 ). In particular,  FIG. 8A  illustrates a top perspective view of the assembled shroud  810 A without a floorplate (e.g., the floorplate  113  of  FIG. 1 ) when not coupled to a firearm. As shown, the assembled shroud  810 A includes the hood  811 , faceplate  812 , fasteners  814 , fastener apertures  815 , and attachment features  816 .  FIG. 8B  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the assembled shroud  810 A without a floor plate when coupled to the firearm  800  and shows additional attachment features  816 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a shroud  910  without a faceplate, wherein the shroud  910  comprises the hood  911 , the floorplate  913 , and the attachment features  916 . 
     As briefly described, one or more of a hood, faceplate, and floorplate may be formed as one piece (i.e., forming an integrated shroud). For instance,  FIG. 10A  depicts a perspective view of a floorplate  1013 A that is unitarily formed with a hood  1011 A. In another example,  FIG. 10B  depicts a perspective view of an example of a floorplate  1013 B unitarily formed with a faceplate  1012 B. In yet another example,  FIG. 10C  depicts a perspective view of an example of a hood  1011 C, a faceplate  1012 C, and a floorplate  1013 C that are each a separate component/assembly. Other embodiments of a floorplate (e.g., the floorplate  113 ) may be comprised differently. For instance, a floorplate may be included as part of a shroud, as further described herein. Accordingly, a shroud, as described herein, may include any combination of a hood, a faceplate, a floorplate and other features and fitments. In a specific example, a shroud may comprise a hood without a faceplate or a floorplate. In another example, a shroud may comprise a hood and a faceplate without having a floorplate. In yet another example, a shroud may comprise a hood and a floorplate without having a faceplate. 
     Regardless of the particular design of a shroud (e.g., whether the shroud has a faceplate, whether the shroud has a floorplate, and so forth), the shroud may provide a structure whereon design features, fitments and/or additional elements can be added that enhance a firearm&#39;s traditional utility, and alternatively, its utility as an impacting, piercing, cutting, slicing, gouging, scraping, electrical stunning and/or chemical spraying type of weapon. For instance,  FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a shroud  1110  that includes a hood  1111 , a weapon enhancement feature  1120 , and the attachment features  1116 . Such enhancements (e.g., weapon enhancement feature  1120 ) to any components of a shroud (e.g., the hood  1011 C, the faceplate  1012 C, the floorplate  1013 C of  FIG. 10C ) may be bored, textured, profiled, elevated, relieved, and so forth. 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates a perspective view of a shroud  1210  installed on a firearm  1200  having a reciprocating mechanism  1201  in a forward position and a fitment  1219 . Additionally, as illustrated, the shroud  1210  includes a hood  1211 , a faceplate  1212 , a weapon enhancement feature  1220 , and an access feature  1218  that allows the fitment  1219  of the firearm  1200  to move in various positions corresponding to a cycle of the reciprocating mechanism  1201 . 
     For instance,  FIG. 12B  illustrates a perspective view of the shroud  1210  installed on the firearm  1200  when the reciprocating mechanism  1201  is in a rearward position. Accordingly, the shroud  1210  allows the reciprocating mechanism  1201  of the firearm  1200  to move freely throughout an entire cycle of the reciprocating mechanism  1201  by providing a protective barrier that surrounds all or part of the reciprocating mechanism and any attachments thereto (e.g., “red-dot” sights, charging handles, quick release levers, and so forth). Using a shroud in this way reduces the possibility of the reciprocating mechanism  1201  and any attachments thereto being contacted by objects, structures, body parts, and so forth that might cause the reciprocating mechanism  1201  to move out-of-battery (i.e., other than through its normal cycling) or restrict the complete cycling of the reciprocating mechanism  1201  in any way. 
     Notably, various embodiments of shrouds, as described herein, may vary in the amount of protection they provide to a firearm&#39;s reciprocating mechanism  1201 , based on an intended purpose and/or use of the firearm  1200 . For instance, in some embodiments, the shroud  1210  may be shorter, offer less coverage to the reciprocating mechanism  1201 , and/or have one or more openings (e.g., the access feature  1218 ) because the intended purpose and/or use of the firearm  1200  prioritizes size, weight and/or other features of the firearm  1200 . In other embodiments, a shroud  1210  may be longer, offer more coverage to the reciprocating mechanism  1201 , and/or have fewer openings (e.g., the access feature  1218 ) because the intended purpose and/or use of the firearm  1200  prioritizes protecting the firearm&#39;s ability to function (i.e., more fully ensuring that the reciprocating mechanism is not impeded from completing an entire cycle) over other considerations. 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  each illustrate a side view of a shroud installed on a cooperating firearm and a cooperating accessory (i.e., a light  1304 ). For instance, FIG.  13 A includes a firearm  1300  having a reciprocating mechanism  1301 , an extractor  1303 , and an ejection port  1302 , as well as a one example of a cooperating shroud  1310 A that includes a hood  1311  and an access feature  1318  that is configured such that the light  1304  may be coupled to the firearm  1300  concurrently with the shroud  1310 . Notably, the shroud  1310 A is relatively short, such that the shroud  1310 A does not cover the ejection port  1302  of the firearm  1300  when the reciprocating mechanism  1301  is in a forward position. Additionally, the shroud  1310 A includes a weapon enhancement feature  1320 . 
     As illustrated,  FIG. 13B  also includes a firearm  1300  having a reciprocating mechanism  1301 , an extractor  1303 , with another example of a cooperating shroud  1310 B that includes a hood  1311  and an access feature  1318  that is configured such that the light  1304  is coupled to the firearm concurrently with the shroud  1310 B. In this example, the shroud  1310 B is longer than the shroud  1310 A, such that the shroud  1310 B covers the ejection port of the firearm  1300  when the reciprocating mechanism  1301  of the firearm  1300  is in a forward position. 
     In some embodiments, the hood  1311  (or any hood described herein) may also include features that extend and/or widen the bottom of the hood to allow an accessory (e.g., the light  1304 ) to be attached to the firearm concurrently with the shroud but does not require one or more access features (e.g., the access feature  1318 ). Accordingly, the access feature  1318  may comprise a feature of the firearm  1300 , such that either or both of a shroud (e.g., the shroud  1310 A, the shroud  1310 B, and so forth) and an accessory (e.g., the light  1304 ) may be connected to the firearm  1300 . As further described herein, a shroud (e.g., the shroud  1310 A, the shroud  1310 B, and so forth) may include access features  1318  that allow accessories to be coupled to the shroud (e.g., the shroud  1310 A, the shroud  1310 B, and so forth). 
       FIG. 14  depicts a side view of a shroud  1410  installed on a cooperating firearm  1400 . As shown, the shroud  1410  includes a hood  1411 , a faceplate  1412 , a floorplate  1413 , and a weapon enhancement feature  1420 . Notably, the hood  1411  of the shroud  1410  covers the ejection port of the firearm  1400 . Additionally, the floorplate  1413  is shown as extending from the faceplate  1412  to a location that is before the trigger guard  1406 , such that the floorplate  1413  does not touch and/or is not connected to the trigger guard  1406 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a firearm  1500  having a reciprocating mechanism  1501 , as well as a cooperating shroud  1510  that includes a hood  1511  and a faceplate  1512 . Notably, the shroud  1510  is relatively long on each side of the firearm  1500  and has a top portion of the shroud  1510  extending to the furthermost back portion of the firearm  1500 . Additionally, the shroud  1510  covers the ejection port (when the reciprocating mechanism is in the forward position). In some embodiments, hoods  1511  that cover areas of a firearm  1500  to the rear of the ejection port  1302  (with respect to  FIG. 13A ) of a firearm  1500 , may include an access feature that allows ammunition components to be ejected from the firearm  1500 . Accordingly,  FIGS. 2B, 2C, 8B, 12A, 13A, 13B, 14, 15  and so forth illustrate examples of shrouds installed on cooperating firearms with the reciprocating mechanism in the forward position. These embodiments show, among other things, shrouds with hoods of varying lengths, illustrating some comparative differences in the amount of protective coverage which can be provided by different shrouds. Notably, while particular examples are described with respect to the figures herein, virtually unlimited lengths and types of shrouds may be created and utilized by one of skill in the art by practicing the principles described herein. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a firearm  1600  having a reciprocating mechanism  1601 , as well as a cooperating shroud  1610  that includes a hood  1611  and a faceplate  1612 . Similar to the shroud  1510  of  FIG. 15 , the shroud  1610  is relatively long on each side of the firearm  1600  and has a top portion of the shroud  1610  extending to a furthermost back portion of the firearm  1600 . Additionally, the shroud  1610  may include an attachment mechanism (not shown) that allows for attaching one or more fitments (e.g., a sight). In particular,  FIG. 16  illustrates a sight  1621  (e.g., a “red-dot” sight) that has been attached to the shroud  1610 . Accordingly, any of the shrouds described herein may include one or more attachment mechanisms that allow for coupling one or more fitments. In other embodiments, any of the shrouds described herein may include one or more features built into (e.g., molded, extruded, milled, welded, peened, etc.) the shroud, as part of the shroud. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a firearm  1700 , as well as a cooperating shroud  1710  that includes a hood  1711  and a faceplate  1712 . Unlike the shroud  1610  of  FIG. 16 , the shroud  1710  is shorter on top portion of the firearm  1700 . In this embodiment, the fitment  1721  (e.g., a “red-dot” sight) is coupled to the firearm&#39;s reciprocating mechanism  1701 . A separate fitment  1722 , is attached to the shroud  1710  to prevent a person, or object from moving the reciprocating mechanism  1701  out-of-battery or preventing it from cycling completely by coming in contact with the sight  1721 . As shown, the fitment  1722  (i.e., a frame-like protrusion) protects the reciprocating mechanism  1701 , but also allows for use of the sight  1721 . This is just one example of a fitment  1722  that may be attached to a shroud  1710  to provide protection to the reciprocating mechanism  1701  or any fitments  1721  attached to the reciprocating mechanism  1701 . The fitment  1722  may be integrated with the shroud  1710  (i.e., the fitment and shroud forming a single component) or may detachable from the shroud. 
       FIGS. 18A and 18B  each illustrate a different example of an alternative two-handed grip of a firearm  1800  having a cooperating shroud  1810 . As shown, a “firing” hand  1830  is gripping the firearm  1800  at a lower frame (i.e., the pistol grip)  1809  of the firearm  1800  (i.e., the hand being positioned as it traditionally is to operate the trigger  1805 ). Additionally,  FIGS. 18A and 18B  show the operator&#39;s support hand  1840  gripping the shroud. Such grips, are afforded by the shroud  1810  and allow an operator of the firearm  1800  to better control recoil, improve his/her ability to aim accurately, increase the rate at which he/she can fire effectively, improve his/her ability to retain control of the firearm during a scuffle with an attacker and maintain a more defensive body structure to fend off attacks from an attacker. As a result of the shroud&#39;s unique features and functionality, an operator of the firearm  1800 , with a shroud  1810 , has a higher chance of surviving a potentially lethal attack by combining sustainable and controlled rapid fire with certain martial arts type “hand-to-hand” techniques. Moreover, this gives the operator the option of using less-lethal defensive techniques, rather than having only one option of firing the firearm  1800 . 
       FIGS. 19A and 19B  illustrate different example embodiments of shrouds  1910 A and  1910 B, respectively, that include mechanisms  1923 A and  1923 B for quickly releasing all or part of a shroud connected to a firearm (e.g., the firearm  1900 ). In particular,  FIG. 19A  illustrates a shroud  1910 A with a one-piece hood portion  1911 A coupled to a cooperating firearm  1900  having a reciprocating mechanism  1901 . As illustrated, the shroud  1910 A of  FIG. 19A  includes a quick release mechanism  1923 A that includes a spring-loaded lever which, when rotated such that the flat surface  1927  of the quick release mechanism is moved away from the cooperating surface of the shroud, the entire shroud  1910 A can be quickly released from a firearm  1900 .  FIG. 19A  implies that certain other mounting surfaces  104  of  FIG. 1  and fasteners  114  of  FIG. 1  would not be used in such an embodiment 
     Whereas  FIG. 19A  illustrates the shroud  1910 A having a one-piece hood  1911 A,  FIG. 19B  illustrates another embodiment of a shroud  1910 B having a quick release mechanism  1923 B. Notably, the shroud  1910 B, as illustrated in  19 B, may comprise two or more distinct portions that are shown as being connected to each other (e.g., via a button, lever, cam, and so forth). In such embodiments, the quick release mechanism  1923 B may allow for disconnecting a first portion  1925 B of the shroud  1910 B from a second portion  1926 B of the shroud  1910 B, thus separating a portion  1925 B of the shroud  1910 B being grabbed by an attacker from the firearm  1900 . Accordingly, shrouds as described herein may comprise one or more parts (e.g., the first portion  1925 B with a “male” connector part  1935 B and the second portion  1926 B with a “female” receiver part  1936 B) in conjunction with a quick release mechanism (e.g., the quick release mechanism  1923 B. Again, while only a single example of a shroud  1910 B having two distinct portions in conjunction with a quick release mechanism  1923 B is illustrated, virtually unlimited types of multi-portion shrouds having a quick release mechanism would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Notably, such quick release mechanisms (i.e.,  1923 A and  1923 B) may be particularly beneficial if an attacker is grabbing an individual&#39;s firearm  1900  with a shroud  1910 A,  1910 B or some other shroud with similar functionality attached to it. In such circumstances, the quick release mechanisms  1923 A and  1923 B may allow the firearm operator to quickly separate the shroud from the firearm (e.g., via a button, lever, cam, and so forth) allowing the operator to create distance from an attacker and better engage an attacker with the freed firearm  1900 . 
       FIGS. 20A and 20B  illustrate a more specific example embodiment of a shroud  2010  that includes two distinct shroud portions and a quick release mechanism for quickly releasing the shroud  2010  from a firearm (e.g., the firearm  100 ). As illustrated,  FIG. 20A  illustrates a shroud  2010  having a first portion  2030 , a second portion  2040 , a connection portion  2032 , and a quick release mechanism  2023 . As illustrated by arrow  2050 , the first portion  2030  and the second portion  2040  of the shroud  2010  may be coupled to each other (as well as to a firearm). In particular,  FIG. 20B  illustrates a receiving portion  2042  within the second portion  2040  that is configured to receive the connection portion  2032  of the first portion  2030 . The quick release mechanism  2032  is configured to allow for quick release of the first portion  2030  from the second portion  2040 , and ultimately, to allow for quick release/removal of the shroud  2010  from a connected firearm. Accordingly, shrouds as described herein may comprise two distinct parts (e.g., the first portion  2030  and the second portion  2040 ) in conjunction with a quick release mechanism (e.g., the quick release mechanism  2023 ) that allow for quickly releasing a shroud from a connected firearm. Again, while only a single shroud having two distinct portions in conjunction with a quick release mechanism is illustrated, virtually unlimited types of two-portion shrouds having a quick release mechanism would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Materials for the elements, components, and assemblies described herein may include, but are not limited to, steels, metal alloys, aluminums, fiberglass, graphite, hard composites, and so forth for various embodiments generally intended for use with “live” firearms (i.e., firearms generally used for military, law enforcement, security, personal defense, sport, competition shooting, recreational shooting, and so forth). Additionally, materials used for practicing the principles described herein may be configured to beneficially distribute weight on a firearm to provide stability over the perceived recoil created when firing the firearm. Notably, other materials for the elements, components, and assemblies described herein may include, but are not limited to, wood, rubber, foam, soft composites, and so forth for various embodiments intended for use with “inert” firearms (i.e., firearms generally used for training, practice, gaming, playing, and so forth). Furthermore, a shroud may be an integral part of a firearm frame or chassis as a part of the firearm&#39;s design during its original manufacturing. As such, a shroud may be physically integrated into the actual physical firearm. 
     Turning now to holsters, holsters are generally designed and created to fit a specific make and model of firearm, with or without certain accessories (e.g., one holster may be particularly designed for a GLOCK® 19 with a SUREFIRE® 300X light, another holster may be particularly designed for a SMITH &amp; WESSON® M&amp;P® 9 with no light, and so forth). However, the external geometry and design of the shrouds described herein allows multiple firearm makes and models to be secured by the same holster. In particular, utilizing a shroud as described herein may allow for maintaining the same geometry and design even when the shroud is used with various different types of firearms, thus allowing use of a single holster design for a variety of different types of firearms when using the shroud. 
     Moreover, the geometry and design features of the shrouds described herein may provide additional surface area for connecting to a holster, thus offer improved retention capabilities in holsters designed for the shrouds. Firearms coupled to shrouds described herein may utilize holsters of varying retention levels. For instance, level 1 holsters (i.e., friction), level 2 holsters (i.e., friction plus a mechanical release), and level 3 holsters (i.e., friction plus a mechanical release and an exterior cover) may be utilized when practicing the principles described herein. Improved retention in holsters designed to receive the geometry of a firearm with a shroud may better prevent individuals other than the firearm operator from accessing a firearm from such a holster and provide additional safety to operators when carrying and deploying firearms with a shroud. Furthermore, a shroud with a compatible holster maintains the firearm operator&#39;s ability to conceal a firearm in cases where that is desired and allows for fast and easy access to the firearm. 
     Accordingly, a shroud that can be coupled to a firearm may address numerous issues and scenarios related to firearms with reciprocating mechanisms. For instance, the shroud may prevent a reciprocating mechanism of a firearm from being moved out-of-battery (i.e., resulting in an inability to fire the firearm) or otherwise restricting the firearm from cycling completely in numerous scenarios. In an example, a shroud may prevent an attacker from grabbing the reciprocating mechanism in such a way that causes the reciprocating mechanism to move out-of-battery or become unable to complete its cycle. In another example, a shroud may prevent a reciprocating mechanism from being fouled by debris or other obstructions that might enter or interfere with critical areas of the firearm (e.g., ejection port, extractor, levers, and so forth). In yet another example, a shroud may prevent a reciprocating mechanism from moving out-of-battery when a muzzle of the firearm is pressed against an object. In addition, such shrouds may also beneficially distribute weight on a firearm to provide stability in response to perceived recoil created in response to firing the firearm. 
     Moreover, a shroud may add weapon features that are separate from firing a firearm, including features that may be effective when using the firearm for impacting, piercing, cutting, slicing, gouging, scraping, electrical stunning and/or chemical spraying, and so forth. A firearm having a coupled shroud may also be utilized with a variety of two-handed grip that allows for additional control. Similarly, the shrouds described herein may be configured to reduce the amount of perceived recoil associated with firing the firearm by redirecting gases exiting the firearm when it is fired. Quick release mechanisms may also be included with any shroud, such that the shroud may be easily and quickly separated from a firearm. Holsters may also be created where one holster specifically designed to retain the geometry of a shroud can be used in conjunction with a wide variety of firearms with a shroud as described herein. Furthermore, a shroud may also provide additional surface area and ultimately better retention of a firearm when it is being carried in a holster. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the described features or acts described above, or the order of the acts described above. Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.