Patent ID: 8899138

Claim:
A firearm comprising: a receiver defining a receiver bore extending along a longitudinal axis; a bolt carrier disposed in said receiver bore and moveable relative to said receiver along said longitudinal axis between a firing position and a rearward position; an elongated member fixed relative to said bolt carrier and extending along said longitudinal axis; a hand guard coupled to said receiver and disposed about said elongated member; and a handle assembly slideably engaging with said elongated member in said hand guard as said bolt carrier moves between said firing position and said rearward position, said handle assembly being moveable toward said receiver to define a charging motion with said handle assembly engaging said elongated member during said charging motion; said bolt carrier presenting a first surface and said handle assembly terminating at a terminal surface aligned with said first surface along said longitudinal axis, said terminal surface of said handle assembly abutting said first surface of said bolt carrier when said handle assembly is moved in said charging motion; wherein said elongated member and said handle assembly define a slot therebetween for guiding said handle assembly in said charging motion.