New Firearms Design

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LJ-MosinFreak-Buck

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Here's a challenge. I want anyone who reads this, to come up with the best design possible for a pump charged semi-automatic, or full-auto for military apps, rifle or carbine that can accept M-16 (and clones) magazines and will fire the 5.56x45mm NATO round. Also, any design featuring the 7.62x51mm NATO will be accepted because these are both popular rounds issued to our troops over seas.
The pump will be part of the design to be able to charge the weapon from the shoulder without ever having to take it off and think about it. No more of the T-bar on the back of the M4, or the charging handle on the side of the AK. This makes the design a fraction more complex, but the ease of handle will overide.

It MUST be:
Pump Activated
Have an emergency back up charging system (cocking mechanism)
Accepts M-16 magazines.
Simple and easy to operate/field strip/clean
Accuracy isn't important here, but as long as it can hit 2-3" at 100 yards, it will suffice.
Modular, with ability to switch out worn parts easily with standard field gear.
Must accept various types of rail mounts, specifically the Picatinny style


Here is mine. It should have nearly the same accuracy as the M4 Carbine, but is simple and reliable enough to match the AK 47.

Fore-end, pump is visible, it takes the place as a foregrip, making a stable shooting position. At the moment, the pump is held in place by friction lock, but there will be design alterations to incorporate a button release in the foregrip.
scan0003-2.jpg

The Reciever housing is visible. Note the resemblance of the AK 47 parts along with a few features of the M-16, and another feature, the groove in the bolt, which comes from the K31 Swiss Rifle. This allows the pump to unlock the bolt out of battery for misfires and what have you. You will notice that the top of the bolt and BC assembly has a hole drilled, this will have a key style steel rod for back up charging should the pump malfunction. Yes, the trigger group looks nothing like it's M-16counterpart. I am not familiar with that weapon enough to be able to fit this into the design. Further work and re-designing will be necessary. It is gas operated.
scan0002-1.jpg

The buttstock are (supposed to be) standard M-16 stock that is mounted to hinges that folds to the right of the gun. This feature is supposed to ease mounting and dismounting, while also, on SBR versions, making it easier to conceal. There is a hollow cavity in the buttstock for a standard cleaning kit, or batteries for lights, if applicable, and other personal affects. A Cheek piece can be installed to the stock easily.
scan0001-1.jpg

This is my brainchild. I am not building this as of yet, and I plan on getting in to the manufacturing business. Please give me some criticism, and I encourage participation for yourselves.
 
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I don't think a design like that would be tactically feasible. Oftentimes grunts are down in the prone or otherwise running through entangling obstacles. You wouldn't want something to tap your pump charging handle and take the weapon out of battery. I think the "t handle" or internal charging handle is about as effective and ergonomic as an assault rifle can get for cocking operation. With it, your firing hand doesn't have to leave the pistol grip (for a right hander, or a left hander could have stag). As does your pump idea, but it's just more susceptible to outside forces.
 
You missed the point...

I stated above that AT THE MOMENT, there is a friction lock keeping the pump im place, and when the pump moves, it engages the bolt.

I have a redesigned version that has a release BUTTON on the pump/grip.
 
FTC, I'm not enough of an engineer to understand the full implications of the drawings, but... all modern pump-action shotguns and rifles lock the action closed after the chamber has been loaded, and won't allow an unlock until a release is pressed or the hammer is dropped. I realize this is exercise is for a pump actuated auto, but I would think it ought to work the same....
 
Pump to activate.

What you do is:
Gun completely empty.
Load new mag.
Press button on pump handle, and pull, like any other pump action, then push forward. There. round chambered, no more worrying about it, the gas operation will take care of the rest.

However, if you've emptied a magazine, the bolt stays open, just like the M16, and you load a new clip. (im debating whether or not it should close autmatically or have use push a button.)
 
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It will take a magazine or a clip? They are not one in the same. An M16 uses a magazine. Stripper clips charge the magazine and does not have a spring or follower.

If/when you get your 07 FFL, don't forget about registering for the ITAR ($1,750/yr). As long as you are doing R&D, you are exempt, but when you produce for sale, pony up.
 
I have yet to speak to a soldier who thinks the carry handle is a good idea, let alone even used it.
 
Whats wrong with a standard m16 charging handle? I mean was there a promblem you are trying to solve or is this just a design for a firearm that you have came up with? To me it seams a unpractical solution to a non excisting problem for a militry rifle on the other hand if you could market this for civies for a reason able price ie $400-$500 below that of a ar15 then you might sell some. Irwin
 
Yep!
Lose the carry handle.
Iron sights, other then BUS sights, are about as extinct as dinosaurs in modern combat rifles.

The other thing is, the pump friction lock must be able to withstand a sharp impact to the butt, like dropping it out of a helo, or a parachute landing, without dislodging, loading, and shooting you down.

Oh, the forearm can't move, because it is the bore-sighted optics platform for lasers, IR illuminators, etc.

Oh! And it has to be out of the way for under-barrel mounted grenade launchers.

rcmodel
 
So it's a flat top with an M16 carry handle. OK I get it now.

Curious to know why you prefer a pump cocking action to a typical charging handle or bolt.

What about having the pump come back on the last round, holding the bolt open. Insert a fresh mag, push forearm forward closing the bolt and chambering a round.
 
Insert a fresh mag, push forearm forward closing the bolt and chambering a round.
Click to expand...
Why make a two-hand operation out of what is a one-hand operation on most combat rifles? Far faster and easier to just hit a bolt release with your firing hands thumb.

Personally, I can think of no good reason to make a pump action loading sequence on a combat rifle.

The only pump/semi-auto's I can even think of have been two or three models of combat shotguns, and that was done to enable them to use less-lethal ammo that wouldn't cycle the action normally.

rcmodel
 
I have the same thoughts as you, but I'm trying to think along the lines of the OPs interest in a pump-to-chamber sequence. I don't think a pump to chamber action is a good choice, but that's his business. I'm just along for support.
 
Thanks.

Well okay. I'm not trying to replace the M series by any means, they're awesome, tried and tested firearms. I am going to tru and answer your questions.

Whats wrong with a standard m16 charging handle? I mean was there a promblem you are trying to solve or is this just a design for a firearm that you have came up with? To me it seams a unpractical solution to a non excisting problem...
Click to expand...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the M16 charging handle. It is a design I would like to see available somewhere in the near future. The reason I put the pump in is because you can keep one hand on the rifle at all times, specifically the trigger hand, like the M16. The pump comes into play like so: If by chance you have a missfire or failure to feed, you hand is already on the charging handle, where all you do is press a button on the handle to release the pump, and chamber a new round. You can do so without losing your point of aim or sight of target. This design features a friction lock on the pump. That has been scratched out in favor of a push button.

Lose the carry handle.
Iron sights, other then BUS sights, are about as extinct as dinosaurs in modern combat rifles.

The other thing is, the pump friction lock must be able to withstand a sharp impact to the butt, like dropping it out of a helo, or a parachute landing, without dislodging, loading, and shooting you down.

Oh, the forearm can't move, because it is the bore-sighted optics platform for lasers, IR illuminators, etc.

Oh! And it has to be out of the way for under-barrel mounted grenade launchers.
Click to expand...

Carry handle is detachable. It will keep it's zero. As stated before, this designs friction lock has been scrapped in favor of a push button release.

The forearm doesn't move, it's the foregrip (shaped like another pistol grip) that acts as the pump. The accessory rail is a Picatinny style rail that also holds the cary handle on. It will accept any device that will clamp onto a Picatinny rail.

The M203 'Nade launcher mount may not be added to this design, but I have a couple ideas, including canting the tube to the left or right of the gun, but I'm not sure.

Curious to know why you prefer a pump cocking action to a typical charging handle or bolt.

What about having the pump come back on the last round, holding the bolt open. Insert a fresh mag, push forearm forward closing the bolt and chambering a round.
Click to expand...

I think it'd just be easier to do it form the shoulder.

Having the pump comback on the last round would be a problem in and of its self. If the pump comes back while youre holding the rifle, keep in mind it's gas operated, then it will force your grip back and potentially cause temporary loss of balance. Hold your arms out and tell someone to force them to bend, and you'll see what I mean. The pump only engages the bolt when the pump rod is pushed against the BCA and forces the gas piston back unlocking the bolt and pushing it back.

Why make a two-hand operation out of what is a one-hand operation on most combat rifles? Far faster and easier to just hit a bolt release with your firing hands thumb.
Click to expand...

Because your hand is already on the cocking mechanism should you need to re-chamber for a FTF or FTFeed. There is a bolt release included in this gun as well. There will be a release button on the left side of the gun by the trigger so the thumb can manipulate them.

Did I answer your questions?
 
There was a stock for the mini 14 that did this. If wanted you could pump the fore grip to charge the rifle or use the normal handle on the bolt. Maybe somebody can find a pic to show what im talking about.
 
Pump activation is overly complex and introduces too many parts to the system to really make one comfortable. That and it's a solution to a problem that does not exist. Or at least, is not already solved. Pumping an action will change your point of aim, no matter how you dice it. I've used pumps before, there's no way around it. It'll change it just as much, if not more, than an G3- or FAL-style charging handle, which is what all the modern designs tend to use.
If you delete that requirement and then ask me, you get the Bushmaster ACR (trust me, that's not just laziness talking, you really do. Actually, you get something slightly worse*).
And, IMHO, the 5.56 and 7.62 combination really sucks. At least how we currently do it. If you are going to make a whole new rifle, then why not change the caliber?
*This:
TalonRiflePrinterVersionBetterTr-1.jpg
I'm not trying to replace the M series by any means
Click to expand...
Yes you are! Every good firearms designer is trying to replace what's already on the market. :D
 
I despise the darn charging handle this Idea has some potential. Rig up a conversion for existing guns and I'll buy one once you get er refined. Heck I'll even sell em for you.
 
I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade here, but the M-16 has about the most efficient charging system out there. No protrusions to the sides of the weapon, and the gun can still fire even if the handle somehow unlocks. If clearing a jam is the issue we're trying to deal with, you don't do that with the rifle shouldered in the firing position anyway.

Solution looking for a problem.
 
but the M-16 has about the most efficient charging system out there.
Click to expand...
You have to remove the rifle from your shoulder, which a lot of people don't like. If you're clearing a jam, I expect the first thing you do is cycle, pull trigger. If you fire a round, you're good to go. If you don't, you unshoulder the rifle and go through jam-clearing procedures.
 
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