US20170307314A1

US20170307314A1 - Modified break-action firearm

Info

Publication number: US20170307314A1
Application number: US15/491,620
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Serbu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-04-25
Filing date: 2017-04-19
Publication date: 2017-10-26

Abstract

A break-action firearm for high caliber ammunition is described. In some arrangements, the firearm is a rifle. The higher caliber ammunition may be, for example, fifty caliber ammunition. The firearm includes a barrel that is hingedly coupled to a lower portion of the firearm. A latching mechanism secures the barrel in a firing position and releases the barrel from the firing position. The barrel includes a screw-on breech cap that is threadedly coupled to the end of the barrel. The breech cap includes a firing pin. When an ammunition cartridge is loaded into the barrel, the screw-on breech cap is installed, and the barrel is secured in the firing position, a user can pull a trigger that causes a firing hammer to hit the firing pin thereby firing the ammunition cartridge.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/326,995, entitled “Modified Break-Action Firearm” and filed Apr. 25, 2016. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference and for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to break-action firearms.

BACKGROUND

Break-action firearms are firearms in which the barrel is hingedly attached to the lower portion of the firearm (e.g., the portion of the firearm having the firing mechanism, the breech face, the trigger, the grip, etc.). The barrel can rotate away (“break” away) from the lower portion to allow for the loading and unloading of ammunition cartridges. A hinge and latch mechanism is used to secure the barrel to the lower portion during firing of the firearm. The break-action loading and unloading mechanisms can be found in shotguns, rifles, and pistols.
Many existing break-action firearms are not suitable for the high pressures and forces generated by high caliber ammunition, such as fifty caliber ammunition and larger caliber ammunition. The higher pressures and forces associated with high caliber ammunition can overstress the hinge and latch mechanism, which may render the firearm inoperable. Existing modifications of break-action firearms to accommodate high caliber ammunition cause the hinge and latch mechanism to be more robust, which causes a significant increase in weight of the firearm. Additionally, to account for the larger size of the high caliber ammunition, the hinge pivot point must be moved farther away from the breech face, which places the hinge and latch mechanism under even greater stress. Excessive displacement between the barrel and breech leads to problems with extraction and can lead to case head separation of a cartridge. Notwithstanding the stress and strain factors, at a certain point the sheer size simply makes a traditional break-action mechanism unwieldy for use with high caliber ammunition.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment relates to a firearm. The firearm includes a lower portion having a grip, a trigger, and a firing hammer. The firearm includes a barrel having a breech end and a muzzle end. The barrel is hingedly coupled to the lower portion such that the barrel is rotatable between a ready-to-fire position, in which the breech end is adjacent to the lower portion, and a non-firing position, in which the breech end is displaced from the lower portion. The firearm further includes a screw-on breech cap threadedly coupled to the breech end of the barrel. The screw-on breech cap has a firing pin.
Another example embodiment relates to a firearm. The firearm includes a lower portion having a grip, a trigger, and a firing hammer. The firearm includes a barrel having a breech end and a muzzle end. The barrel is coupled to the lower portion such that the barrel is slidable between a ready-to-fire position, in which the breech end is adjacent to the lower portion, and a non-firing position, in which the breech end is displaced from the lower portion. The firearm further includes a screw-on breech cap threadedly coupled to the breech end of the barrel. The screw-on breech cap has a firing pin.
A further example embodiment relates to a firearm. The firearm includes a lower portion having a grip, a trigger, and a firing hammer. The firearm includes a barrel having a breech end and a muzzle end. The barrel is coupled to the lower portion such that the barrel is rotatable and slidable between a ready-to-fire position, in which the breech end is adjacent to the lower portion, and a non-firing position, in which the breech end is displaced from the lower portion. The firearm further includes a screw-on breech cap threadedly coupled to the breech end of the barrel. The screw-on breech cap has a firing pin such that the firing pin cannot be struck by the firing hammer when the barrel is in in the non-firing position.
Another example embodiment relates to a firearm. The firearm includes a lower portion having a grip, a trigger, and a firing hammer. The firearm includes a barrel having a breech end and a muzzle end. The barrel is coupled to the lower portion such that the barrel is rotatable between a ready-to-fire position, in which the breech end is adjacent to the lower portion, and a non-firing position, in which the breech end is displaced from the lower portion. The firearm further includes a breech having a breech body and a sliding plate slidably received within the breech body. The sliding plate is hingedly coupled to the lower portion such that, when the barrel rotates between the ready-to-fire position and the non-firing position, the sliding plate slides with respect to the breech body.
These and other features, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a firearm according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a back view of the firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the firearm of FIG. 1 taken along section A-A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the firearm of FIG. 1 having the barrel rotated away from the lower portion.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows a back view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 shows a front view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 8 taken along section B-B of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 shows a side view of the firearm of FIG. 1 having the barrel rotated away from the lower portion and having the screw-on breech cap removed from the barrel.

FIG. 16 shows a top view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows a bottom view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 shows a back view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 shows a front view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 15 taken along section C-C of FIG. 16.

FIG. 21 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the firearm of FIG. 1 in the position of FIG. 15.

FIG. 22 shows a side view of a firearm according to another example embodiment.

FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the firearm of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of the firearm of FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the figures generally, a break-action firearm is described. In some arrangements, the firearm is a rifle. In some arrangements, the firearm is structured to fire high caliber ammunition. The high caliber ammunition may be, for example, fifty caliber ammunition. In other arrangements, the firearm is structured to fire lower caliber ammunition (e.g., ammunition that is of a lower caliber than fifty caliber ammunition). The firearm includes a barrel that is hingedly coupled to a lower portion of the firearm. A latching mechanism secures the barrel in a firing position and releases the barrel from the firing position. The barrel includes a screw-on breech cap that is threadedly coupled to the breech end of the barrel. The breech cap includes a firing pin. When an ammunition cartridge is loaded into the barrel, the screw-on breech cap is installed, and the barrel is secured in the firing position, a user can pull a trigger that causes a firing hammer to hit the firing pin thereby firing the ammunition cartridge.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, views of a firearm 100 are shown according to an example embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a side view of the firearm; FIG. 2 shows a top view of the firearm 100; FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the firearm 100; FIG. 4 shows a back view of the firearm 100; FIG. 5 shows a front view of the firearm 100; FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the firearm 100 taken along section A-A of FIG. 2; and FIG. 7 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the firearm 100. In FIGS. 1-6, the firearm 100 is shown in the loaded and ready-to-fire position. The firearm 100 generally includes a barrel assembly 102, a lower portion 104, and a stock 106. The barrel assembly 102 includes a barrel having a breech end adjacent to the lower portion 104 and a muzzle end opposite the breech end (where a fired bullet leaves the barrel assembly 102). In some arrangements, the barrel assembly 102 includes additional components, such as a handguard, a forend, sights, and the like. The lower portion 104 includes a grip 108, a trigger 110, and a firing hammer 112 (shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7). The firing hammer 112 is biased into the firing position (shown in FIG. 7). The firing hammer 112 can be pulled away from the barrel assembly 102 and into a cocked position. When a user of the firearm 100 pulls the trigger 110, if the firing hammer 112 is in the cocked position, the firing hammer 112 will return to the firing position of FIG. 7.
As shown in FIG. 7, the barrel assembly 102 includes a screw-on breech cap 114. The screw-on breech cap 114 is threadedly coupled to the breech end of the barrel assembly 102 (the rear of the barrel assembly 102). The screw-on breech cap 114 includes a firing pin 116. The firing pin 116 is coupled to the screw-on breech cap 114. During firing of the firearm 100, the firing pin 116 is configured to be struck by the firing hammer 112 such that a tip 118 of the firing pin 116 extends through the screw-on breech cap 114 and strikes the rear of an ammunition cartridge 120 loaded into the barrel assembly 102.
The barrel assembly 102 is hingedly coupled to a support 122 of the lower portion 104 via a pin 124. A spring loaded latch 126 secures a locking lug 128 of the barrel assembly 102 in the ready-to-fire position (shown in FIGS. 1 through 7). In the ready-to-fire position, the breech end of the barrel assembly 102 is adjacent to the lower portion 104. The locking lug 128 is positioned near the breech end of the barrel assembly 102. The spring loaded latch 126 includes a locking detent 130 that is received in a lug detent 132 to secure the barrel assembly 102 in the ready-to-fire position. When a user of the firearm 100 presses the spring loaded latch 126, the locking detent 130 is rotated out of the lug detent 132 such that the barrel assembly 102 can be rotated away from the lower portion 104 about the pin 124 into a non-firing position in which the breech end of the barrel assembly 102 is not adjacent to or touching the lower portion 104 (e.g., as shown below in FIGS. 8 through 14). When the barrel assembly 102 is secured to the lower portion 104, as shown in FIG. 7, the screw-on breech cap 114 and the breech end of the barrel assembly 102 are received in barrel seat 134. The loading and unloading of the firearm 100 are described in further detail below.
Referring to FIGS. 8 through 14, views of the firearm 100 having the barrel assembly 102 rotated away from the lower portion 104 are shown. Specifically, FIG. 8 shows a side view of the firearm; FIG. 9 shows a top view of the firearm 100; FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the firearm 100; FIG. 11 shows a back view of the firearm 100; FIG. 12 shows a front view of the firearm 100; FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the firearm 100 taken along section B-B of FIG. 9; and FIG. 14 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the firearm 100. As shown in FIGS. 8 through 14, the breech end of the barrel assembly 102 is rotated away from the lower portion 104 about the pin 124 into a non-firing position (or conversely, the lower portion 104 is rotated away from the centerline of the barrel assembly 102). In the non-firing position, the breech end of the barrel assembly 102 is displaced from the lower portion 104. As shown in FIGS. 8 through 14, the barrel assembly 102 rotates (breaks) away from the lower portion 104 in a vertical manner (along the plane defined by section B-B or A-A; about the y-axis in a standard three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system having an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, each of which are perpendicular to each other, wherein the x-axis is defined by the length of the barrel assembly 102). In an alternate arrangement, the barrel assembly 102 is rotated away from the lower portion 104 in a horizontal manner (perpendicular to the manner shown in FIGS. 8 through 14; about the z axis in the standard three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system described above). The screw-on breech cap 114 rotates with the barrel assembly 102. By rotating the barrel assembly 102, the screw-on breech cap 114 is exposed (displaced from the barrel seat 134) for removal from the barrel assembly 102 (e.g., to load or unload the firearm). The firing pin 116 is displaced from the firing hammer 112 when the barrel assembly 102 is rotated to the non-firing position so that the firing pin 116 cannot be impacted by the firing hammer 112 (shown best in FIG. 14) when the barrel assembly 102 is in the non-firing position. In an alternate arrangement, the barrel assembly 102 breaks away from the lower portion 104 through a sliding type action. In a further arrangement, the barrel assembly 102 breaks away from the lower portion 104 through a combination sliding and pivoting type action. In each of the above-described alternate break actions, the barrel assembly 102 can be fixed in place with respect to the lower portion 104 by moving the barrel assembly 102 back towards the lower portion 104 to engage the spring loaded latch 126 or other type of latch. It should be understood that, in certain embodiments, the firearm 100 includes a latch that is different than the spring loaded latch 126 illustrated in FIGS. 8-14. For example, some embodiments utilize a spring loaded latch that is engaged via a sliding action. In other embodiments, the firearm 100 includes a spring loaded detent that engages a complimentary feature to fix the barrel assembly 102 in place with respect to the lower portion 104.
Referring to FIGS. 15 through 21, views of the firearm 100 having the barrel assembly 102 rotated away from the lower portion 104 and the screw-on breech cap 114 removed from the barrel assembly 102 are shown. Specifically, FIG. 15 shows a side view of the firearm; FIG. 16 shows a top view of the firearm 100; FIG. 17 shows a bottom view of the firearm 100; FIG. 18 shows a back view of the firearm 100; FIG. 19 shows a front view of the firearm 100; FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional view of the firearm 100 taken along section C-C of FIG. 16; and FIG. 21 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the firearm 100. The screw-on breech cap 114 can be removed from the barrel assembly 102 by unscrewing the screw-on breech cap 114 from the breech end of the barrel assembly 102. In an alternative arrangement, the screw-on breech cap 114 is threadedly coupled to a barrel extension or another device coupled to the barrel assembly 102. In various embodiments, the screw-on breech cap 114, the barrel assembly 102, and/or the barrel extension includes interrupted threads. When the screw-on breech cap 114 is removed, the cartridge 120 (or casing remaining after firing the cartridge 120) can be removed, and a new cartridge can be loaded into the barrel assembly 102. In some arrangements, the screw-on breech cap 114 includes an extraction mechanism that pulls the cartridge 120 (or casing) out of the barrel assembly 102 as the screw-on breech cap 114 is removed from the barrel assembly 102. The screw-on breech cap 114 can be threadedly secured to the barrel assembly 102, and the barrel assembly 102 can be rotated back into the ready-to-fire position of FIGS. 1 through 7 to fire the loaded cartridge 120.
In some arrangements, the screw-on breech cap 114 is substituted for a bolt, a sliding plate (e.g., as described below with respect to FIGS. 22 through 24), a falling block, or any other barrel breech locking mechanism that can be manipulated after the barrel assembly 102 is rotated away from the lower portion 104 (once the action is “broken”). In such arrangements, the breech locking mechanism may include a lever or other mechanical device that allows the user to manipulate the breech locking mechanism (e.g., to load and unload the cartridge 120). In some arrangements, the screw-on breech cap 114 or alternative barrel breech locking mechanism includes wrench flats, holes, other protrusions, and/or cavities to aid in removal of the screw-on breech cap 114 or alternative barrel breech locking mechanism by a tool or by the user's fingers.
In some arrangements, the barrel assembly 102 is fitted with an upper receiver assembly 136. The upper receiver assembly 136 may be a custom upper receiver assembly or an upper receiver assembly from an existing firearm, such as an AR-15 or the like. The upper receiver assembly 136 provides a coupling surface for accessories, such as sights, lasers, bipods, and the like.
Referring to FIGS. 22 through 24, views of a firearm 2200 are shown according to another example embodiment. FIG. 22 shows a side view of the firearm 2200; FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the firearm 2200; and FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of the firearm 2200. The firearm 2200 is similar to the firearm 100 of FIGS. 1 through 21. The firearm 2200 generally includes a barrel assembly 2202, a lower portion 2204, and a stock 2206. The barrel assembly 2202 includes a barrel having a breech end adjacent to the lower portion 2204 and a muzzle end opposite the breech end (where a fired bullet leaves the barrel assembly 2202). In some arrangements, the barrel assembly 2202 includes additional components, such as a handguard, a forend, sights, and the like. The lower portion 2204 includes a grip 2208, a trigger (not shown), and a firing hammer 2210 (shown best in FIG. 24). When a user of the firearm 2200 pulls the trigger, if the firing hammer 2210 is in the cocked position, the firing hammer 2210 will move to the firing position in a similar manner as described above with respect to the firearm 100.
The firearm 2200 differs from the firearm 100 primarily in that the screw-on breech cap 114 of the firearm 100 is replaced with a breech 2212 in the firearm 2200. The breech 2212 is coupled to the breech end of the barrel assembly 2202. The breech includes a breech body 2214 and a sliding plate 2216. The sliding plate 2216 is received in a slot in the breech body 2214. The barrel assembly 2202 is hingedly coupled to the lower portion 2204 through a first hinge 2218. The sliding plate 2216 is hingedly coupled to the lower portion 2204 through a second hinge 2220. In some arrangements, the second hinge 2220 is a linkage system that includes a link that is hingedly coupled to both the lower portion 2204 and the sliding plate 2216. Accordingly, when the barrel assembly 2202 rotates away from the lower portion 2204 about the first hinge 2218 (to the non-firing position in a similar manner as described above with respect to the firearm 100), the sliding plate 2216 slides with respect to the breech body 2214 to an open position, thereby providing access to an opening 2222 in the breech body 2214 to load a cartridge 120 or remove the cartridge 120 (or casing after firing the cartridge 120). When the barrel assembly 2202 rotates towards the lower portion 2204 about the first hinge 2218 (to the ready-to-fire position in a similar manner as described above with respect to the firearm 100), the sliding plate 2216 slides with respect to the breech body 2214 to a closed position so as to substantially close off the opening 2222 in the breech body 2214 thereby securing a loaded cartridge 120 in the barrel assembly 2202. In some embodiments, the firearm 2200 includes an extraction mechanism (not shown) structured to pull an ammunition cartridge from the barrel upon the sliding plate 2216 being slid to the open position.
In some embodiments, the sliding plate 2216 is not hingedly to the lower portion 2204 through the second hinge 2220. Instead, in such embodiments, the firearm 2200 includes a lever (not shown) operatively coupled to the sliding plate 2216. The sliding plate 2216 can be slidably actuated between the open position and the closed position by a user via the lever.
It should be noted that any use of the term “example” herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The terms “coupled” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “lower,” “upper,” “front,” “back,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other example embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various example embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Additionally, features from particular embodiments may be combined with features from other embodiments as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various example embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A firearm comprising:

a lower portion having a grip, a trigger, and a firing hammer;

a barrel having a breech end and a muzzle end, the barrel hingedly coupled to the lower portion such that the barrel is rotatable between a ready-to-fire position in which the breech end is adjacent to the lower portion, and a non-firing position in which the breech end is displaced from the lower portion; and

a screw-on breech cap threadedly coupled to the breech end of the barrel, the screw-on breech cap including a firing pin.

2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the screw-on breech cap rotates with the barrel when the barrel is rotated to the non-firing position so as to expose the screw-on breech cap for removal from the barrel.

3. The firearm of claim 2, wherein the firing pin of the screw-on breach cap is displaced from the firing hammer when the barrel is rotated to the non-firing position such that the firing pin cannot be struck by the firing hammer when the barrel is in the non-firing position

4. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the lower portion includes a spring loaded latch configured to secure a locking lug of the barrel when the barrel is in the ready-to-fire position.

5. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the barrel is structured to receive a fifty caliber ammunition cartridge.

6. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the screw-on breech cap includes wrench flats or protrusions structured to assist with removal of the screw-on breech cap from the breech end of the barrel.

7. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the screw-on breech cap further includes an extraction mechanism structured to pull an ammunition cartridge from the barrel upon removal of the screw-on breech cap from the barrel.

8. The firearm of claim 1, wherein a length of the barrel defines an x-axis when the barrel is in the ready-to-fire position, wherein a y-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis, and a z-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis.

9. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the barrel rotates with respect to the lower portion about the y-axis.

10. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the barrel rotates with respect to the lower portion about the z-axis.

11. The firearm of claim 1, further comprising an upper receiver assembly coupled to the barrel.

12. A firearm comprising:

a lower portion having a grip, a trigger, and a firing hammer;

a barrel having a breech end and a muzzle end, the barrel coupled to the lower portion such that the barrel is slidable between a ready-to-fire position in which the breech end is adjacent to the lower portion, and a non-firing position in which the breech end is displaced from the lower portion; and

13. The firearm of claim 12, wherein the screw-on breech cap slides with the barrel when the barrel is slid to the non-firing position so as to expose the screw-on breech cap for removal from the barrel.

14. The firearm of claim 13, wherein the firing pin of the screw-on breach cap is displaced from the firing hammer when the barrel is slid to the non-firing position such that the firing pin cannot be struck by the firing hammer when the barrel is in the non-firing position.

15. The firearm of claim 12, wherein the screw-on breech cap further includes an extraction mechanism structured to pull an ammunition cartridge from the barrel upon removal of the screw-on breech cap from the barrel.

16. A firearm comprising:

a lower portion having a grip, a trigger, and a firing hammer;

a barrel having a breech end and a muzzle end, the barrel coupled to the lower portion such that the barrel is slidable and rotatable between a ready-to-fire position in which the breech end is adjacent to the lower portion, and a non-firing position in which the breech end is displaced from the lower portion; and

a screw-on breech cap threadedly coupled to the breech end of the barrel, the screw-on breech cap including a firing pin such that the firing pin cannot be struck by the firing hammer when the barrel is in in the non-firing position.

17. A firearm comprising:

a lower portion having a grip, a trigger, and a firing hammer;

a breech having a breech body and a sliding plate slidably received within the breech body, the sliding plate hingedly coupled to the lower portion such that, when the barrel rotates between the ready-to-fire position and the non-firing position, the sliding plate slides with respect to the breech body.

18. The firearm of claim 17, further comprising a link hingedly coupling the sliding plate and the lower portion, the link structured to slide the sliding plate to a closed position when the barrel is rotated to the ready-to-fire position.

19. The firearm of claim 18, wherein the link is further structured to slide the sliding plate to an open position when the barrel is rotated to the non-firing position.

20. The firearm of claim 19, further comprising an extraction mechanism structured to pull an ammunition cartridge from the barrel upon the sliding plate being slid to the open position.