Embodiments of an obturator are provided herein. In some embodiments, an obturator includes an annular body having an inner surface configured to interface with a projectile, an outer surface configured to interface with a gun bore, and geometric features disposed in the annular body to create regions of localized stress and strain upon discharge from a weapon.

This invention relates to less-lethal munitions. More particularly, the invention relates to a wad and a less-lethal round of ammunition adapted for use with a conventional firearm, which less-lethal shell enables the firearm to propel less-lethal projectiles therefrom. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a wad operatively received within an ammunition casing, the wad comprising a substantially disc-shaped base; and a plurality of tabs extending from the base defining a receiving zone therebetween, with at least some of the tabs provided with an inwardly projecting formation for urging against a projectile operatively received within the receiving zone.

A self-separating sabot-projectile assembly with a positive engaging attachment to eliminate rotational slippage between the sabot and projectile. The torque transmitting interface between the sabot and projectile consists of a geometric shaped depression in the rearward end surface of the projectile which mates with a matched projection of the sabot. The sabot projection is hollowed out to allow the charge pressure to aid in the engagement of the sabot and projectile.

Disclosed herein is sabot for a sub-caliber projectile comprising a plurality of petals, such that a slip mechanism can be incorporated between the sabot petals and the pusher mechanism to decrease or prevent the sabot from rotating in a rifled gun bore, or the petals themselves can be separated into forward petals and aft petals, with only the aft petals rotating along with the gun rifle. When separate forward petals and aft petals are used, the torque transferred to the forward petals is greatly reduced, thus decreasing the angular rotation of the forward petals with the intent of preventing the forward petals from rotating. The slip mechanism has slip plates with low-coefficient of friction surfaces configured to contact adjacent slip plates prior to and during launch. As assembly, a system, and corresponding methods also are disclosed.

A break open rifle and bolt action rifle having a barrel extension with a breech end for receiving a propellant charge, a muzzle end with an extended attachment structure for receiving a complementary attachment structure of a barrel, and a chamber disposed within and through the barrel extension having a first diameter at a first end and a narrowing portion adjacent a second end opposite the first end, the narrowing portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, wherein the first diameter of the chamber is sized to receive the propellant charge therein, and the second diameter of the narrowing portion is sized to prevent the propellant charge from being further inserted past the narrowing portion, and to prevent a projectile from being inserted through the chamber from the barrel muzzle end. A bolt action configuration having dual diameter non-rotating bolt with an extractor and ejector mechanism for removing a propellant charge.

An aeromechanically stable sabot system that includes a center of gravity that is placed forward of an aerodynamic center of the aeromechanically stable sabot system when in steady-state flight. By placing the center of gravity forwards of the aerodynamic center, the sabot system exhibits positive longitudinal and directional stability. To illustrate, the sabot system and/or portions thereof will return to stable flight after being disturbed in pitch (vertically or about a transverse horizontal axis) or yaw (side to side or about a vertical axis) when traveling horizontally.

A separate-loading firearm uses a battery-powered electric resistance heating element to ignite a propellant charge. Both ignition reliability and ballistic reproducibility are enhanced when a first portion of the propellant charge is consistently and firmly packed into a cavity formed in a rear surface of a bullet. This first portion may be sealed in the cavity by a membrane. A second portion of the propellant charge is packed within a firing chamber so that it abuts both the heating element and the first portion of the propellant charge.

A separate-loading firearm uses a battery-powered electric resistance heating element to ignite a propellant charge. Both ignition reliability and ballistic reproducibility are enhanced when a first portion of the propellant charge is consistently and firmly packed into a cavity formed in a rear surface of a bullet. This first portion may be sealed in the cavity by a membrane. A second portion of the propellant charge is packed within a firing chamber so that it abuts both the heating element and the first portion of the propellant charge.

A separate-loading firearm uses a battery-powered electric resistance heating element to ignite a propellant charge. Both ignition reliability and ballistic reproducibility are enhanced when a first portion of the propellant charge is consistently and firmly packed into a cavity formed in a rear surface of a bullet. This first portion may be sealed in the cavity by a membrane. A second portion of the propellant charge is packed within a firing chamber so that it abuts both the heating element and the first portion of the propellant charge.

A separate-loading firearm uses a battery-powered electric resistance heating element to ignite a propellant charge. Both ignition reliability and ballistic reproducibility are enhanced when a first portion of the propellant charge is consistently and firmly packed into a cavity formed in a rear surface of a bullet. This first portion may be sealed in the cavity by a membrane. A second portion of the propellant charge is packed within a firing chamber so that it abuts both the heating element and the first portion of the propellant charge.