An externally-operated weapon has a direct current servo motor that provides motive force to drive the weapon operating group at an average rate of fire. Within a single cycle, the weapon operating group is driven at rates greater than and less than the average rate of fire, while the overall rate for a single cycle is maintained at the average rate of fire. Some benefits of servo motor control include reduced power consumption, increased bolt dwell time, expansion of the weapon's battlefield role from one to many roles, and increased accuracy and shot-to-shot precision while firing from an open bolt position.

A toy projectile launcher having a storage belt, a launch barrel, a cocking slide, an air piston assembly that includes an air nozzle and an air piston barrel, and a housing is disclosed. The storage belt contains projectile holders that are adapted to hold a projectile, such as a foam dart. The cocking slide can be moved forward and backward. When the cocking slide is moved backward, the air piston barrel moves backward and the air nozzle is retracted from a projectile holder, providing clearance for advancing a next projectile holder into a firing position. When the cocking slide is moved forward, the next projectile holder is advanced into the firing position and the air nozzle pushes on the next projectile holder to form an airtight seal between the launch barrel and air piston assembly.

A toy projectile launcher having a storage belt, a launch barrel, a cocking slide, an air piston assembly that includes an air nozzle and an air piston barrel, and a housing is disclosed. The storage belt contains projectile holders that are adapted to hold a projectile, such as a foam dart. The cocking slide can be moved forward and backward. When the cocking slide is moved backward, the air piston barrel moves backward and the air nozzle is retracted from a projectile holder, providing clearance for advancing a next projectile holder into a firing position. When the cocking slide is moved forward, the next projectile holder is advanced into the firing position and the air nozzle pushes on the next projectile holder to form an airtight seal between the launch barrel and air piston assembly.

A machine gun comprising a gun housing; a rotor assembly positioned within the gun housing; a barrel cluster including a plurality of barrels extending forward from the rotor assembly; one or more vents providing a path for expulsion away from the rotor assembly of gases emanating from a cartridge chambered in one of the plurality of barrels; and one or more of a rotor lock mechanism, a feed mechanism, a delinking and transfer mechanism, a searing mechanism, a drive system, a self-contained hardware barrel clamp, a threaded adapter barrel clamp, integrated mounts, and/or multiple feed inlet locations.

A machine gun comprising a gun housing; a rotor assembly positioned within the gun housing; a barrel cluster including a plurality of barrels extending forward from the rotor assembly; one or more vents providing a path for expulsion away from the rotor assembly of gases emanating from a cartridge chambered in one of the plurality of barrels; and one or more of a rotor lock mechanism, a feed mechanism, a delinking and transfer mechanism, a searing mechanism, a drive system, a self-contained hardware barrel clamp, a threaded adapter barrel clamp, integrated mounts, and/or multiple feed inlet locations.

A machine gun comprising a gun housing; a rotor assembly positioned within the gun housing; a barrel cluster including a plurality of barrels extending forward from the rotor assembly; one or more vents providing a path for expulsion away from the rotor assembly of gases emanating from a cartridge chambered in one of the plurality of barrels; and one or more of a rotor lock mechanism, a feed mechanism, a delinking and transfer mechanism, a searing mechanism, a drive system, a self-contained hardware barrel clamp, a threaded adapter barrel clamp, integrated mounts, and/or multiple feed inlet locations.

A machine gun comprising a gun housing; a rotor assembly positioned within the gun housing; a barrel cluster including a plurality of barrels extending forward from the rotor assembly; one or more vents providing a path for expulsion away from the rotor assembly of gases emanating from a cartridge chambered in one of the plurality of barrels; and one or more of a rotor lock mechanism, a feed mechanism, a delinking and transfer mechanism, a searing mechanism, a drive system, a self-contained hardware barrel clamp, a threaded adapter barrel clamp, integrated mounts, and/or multiple feed inlet locations.