Patent ID: 7398614

Claim:
An apparatus for firing ammunition, the ammunition comprising a cartridge case and a projectile, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a barrel immovably affixed to said frame and having: an axis; and a muzzle end and a breech end defining a breech end surface; a cartridge container, movable axially in relation to said barrel, for receiving therein at least a portion of the cartridge case, said cartridge container having a working surface; a stand member, immovable in relation to said frame, comprising a stand pressure surface; and wherein during firing of the ammunition, a chamber is defined in part by said breech end surface, said working surface, and said stand pressure surface; and wherein during firing of the ammunition, gases expand in said chamber to move the projectile forward to exit said muzzle end and to move said cartridge case and cartridge container axially backward in a direction substantially opposite the direction of projectile movement; and further wherein during firing, gas pressure in said chamber applies oppositely directed net axial forces upon said apparatus, cartridge case, and projectile.