Designing a New Rifle Platform

[beag_nut]

I was a mechanical/manufacturing engineer, for thirty years, also. I have three patents, through the companies I worked for.
A patent will cost about $5000.00, bottom line. You do NOT need a working prototype. That went out ages ago. You DO need to do a lot of research. One is supposed to quote "prior art" when describing a patent. In that way you prove that your design is different and better than anything which came before. A copyright will only cover drawings, literature, and songwriting.
Google sketchup is entirely satisfactory. AutoCad costs about $7000.00, AutoCad Lite costs about $1800.00. Neither of the latter two is needed.
I suggest you try to contact a reputable patent attorney, after you have refined your design. There may be consultants, who retired from active practice, who can help for reduced fees. In any case, create a solid contract to protect your rights. You don't need a working model to show, but you probably need it for yourself to prove its workability.
If you don't understand or can't afford some of these concepts, it might be better to find a close, trusted friend who does and will work on your behalf.
Good luck.

 

[mortablunt]

Make a semiauto only because it's a crime to make a new civilian full auto. Also, get a patent lawyer, because patent violation is easy to do and a real headache. Now if it's just a personal special gun not for production and profit, then you don't need a patent.

 

[MistWolf]

Not only. In computer lingo for exmple a platform is "the basic technology of a computer system's hardware and software that defines how a computer is operated". In that sense it applies such as when we say the "AR platform" which includes ARs in a wide variety of configurations and calibers. Political platform is another use of the term that differs.

I learned a long time ago that computer geeks and politicians do not have a very good grasp on how things really are.

In the world of arms, the gun itself is not a platform. It is a weapon. What supports the operation of the weapon is the platform. Helicopters, tanks, vehicles etc., are weapon's platforms

 

[TrickyDick]

I appreciate the input, but like I said before. Im going to have it machined from different machine shops, assemble it, with trial & error from there. I understand the restrictions of the auto mode, so i'm going to have to develop 2 different trigger systems to combat this issue. I also thought about replacing the full auto with a "Double-tap" feature. but Im sure this too will cause problems. anywho, i'll first develop the semi, then the other 2 into a selective fire mode. Quite honestly, I don't really care if it's produced or not, as long as I have 1, I'm happy. But if people like it and want it, I'll go from there.

 

[JTW Jr.]

I applaud you for going forth with it.

I am a huge fan of anything NFA, but just curious , should this come to fruition in FA or " Dbl tap" ( which would still be considered FA ), who is your market ?

Earlier you mentioned " Its just another platform people can turn to in lieu of Ar's AK's, FAL's etc" , but of course being post 86, the people that could purchase a full auto or select fire is limited ( dealers , LE , MIL ).

I so wish those stupid laws didn't exist, so that you would have less hurdles to overcome.

 

[dprice3844444]

International Traffic in Arms Regulations 2011
http://pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/itar_official.html

http://pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/documents/official_itar/ITAR_Part_122.pdf

it says international,not if you manufacture for usa sales only

 

[MistWolf]

If you want to build a machinegun, please consult with the BATF. You MUST hold a certain type of license to do so, regardless if you build the weapon entirely in house or farm it out to other shops

 

[Zak Smith]

You might want to read column 2 of the first page you quoted a little closer.

 

[TrickyDick]

I suppose I'll hold off manufacturing the FA mode, but still have it designed to have on hand. I'll just stick with semi/bolt for now and go from there.

 

[TrickyDick]

I downloaded google sketch up today, I'll see if that works.