Patent ID: 7089866

Claim:
A projectile for a small arms weapon having a muzzle, the projectile having a casing and stabilizing fins, said stabilizing fins being pivotally mounted upon said casing and spring biased outwardly of the casing, for automatic deployment after leaving the muzzle; wherein the casing is disposed within a cartridge having a sleeve surrounding the casing and stabilizing fins, the sleeve restraining said stabilizing fins in an undeployed position; the cartridge also containing a propellant charge intended, when detonated, to propel the projectile out of the sleeve and the muzzle; wherein shielding means is provided to shield at least one of said stabilizing fins and their pivotal mountings, at least in part, from the detonation of said propellant, said shielding means comprising a substantially discoidal shield member disposed coaxially with the casing, between the projectile and the propellant charge, and having a diameter substantially equal to that of the casing; and wherein said shielding means is attached to the projectile and remains attached thereto after the projectile leaves the muzzle.