The present invention relates to a cartridge-in-chamber detection system for firearms which is independent in situations where the user comes into contact with metal parts of the weapon or situations where said contact does not exist, to provide a reliable indication of the presence or absence of the cartridge in the chamber, where the system comprises means to, through a supply voltage, determine the variation of the electrical capacity between two possible states of the system, when there is no cartridge in the chamber and when there is a cartridge in the chamber, making use of at least one electrode, regardless of the grip performed by the user.

New forms of suppressive gunfire decoys are provided. In some aspects, a pin-pull device may be used to program and adjust several settings of the decoy devices, activating such devices immediately before deployment. In some aspects, the pin-pull device may serve as a remote control unit. In a preferred method of deployment, the devices are thrown to a location different from that occupied by the user(s), simulating another source of gunfire, distracting and misleading an enemy, and providing the effects of suppressive fire. In some embodiments, a networked computer system(s) may be used as a remote control unit, and the decoy device may include cameras and other sensors for tactical surveillance. In still other aspects, the gunfire decoy device may be capable of locomotion, and may be self-relocating in response to certain commands, or in reaction to stimuli, to confuse the enemy regarding sources of gunfire and troop locations.

New forms of suppressive gunfire decoys are provided. In some aspects, a pin-pull device may be used to program and adjust several settings of the decoy devices, activating such devices immediately before deployment. In some aspects, the pin-pull device may serve as a remote control unit. In a preferred method of deployment, the devices are thrown to a location different from that occupied by the user(s), simulating another source of gunfire, distracting and misleading an enemy, and providing the effects of suppressive fire. In some embodiments, a networked computer system(s) may be used as a remote control unit, and the decoy device may include cameras and other sensors for tactical surveillance. In still other aspects, the gunfire decoy device may be capable of locomotion, and may be self-relocating in response to certain commands, or in reaction to stimuli, to confuse the enemy regarding sources of gunfire and troop locations.

A round counter for a firearm is provided that includes a display that provides the user with information regarding the number of rounds remaining in the magazine of the firearm. The magazine includes a round follower and a wiper extending from the follower. The wiper contacts a variable resistance sensor, such as a linear potentiometer, that is attached to a sidewall of the magazine. As the round follower and wiper move up and down within the magazine, the wiper contacts the sensor at different positions. The position of the wiper relative to the sensor corresponds to a specific linear distance indicative of the number of rounds remaining in the magazine. Information regarding this position, and consequently the number of remaining rounds is transmitted to the display.

A round counter for a firearm is provided that includes a display that provides the user with information regarding the number of rounds remaining in the magazine of the firearm. The magazine includes a round follower and a wiper extending from the follower. The wiper contacts a variable resistance sensor, such as a linear potentiometer, that is attached to a sidewall of the magazine. As the round follower and wiper move up and down within the magazine, the wiper contacts the sensor at different positions. The position of the wiper relative to the sensor corresponds to a specific linear distance indicative of the number of rounds remaining in the magazine. Information regarding this position, and consequently the number of remaining rounds is transmitted to the display.

A sensor system for a firearm is disclosed. The sensor system contains a body, a mounting facility adapted to mount the body to the firearm, a first accelerometer connected to the body operable to generate a first acceleration signal based on detected acceleration of the body, a second accelerometer connected to the body operable to generate a second acceleration signal based on detected acceleration of the body, the first accelerometer operable for detection of accelerations within a first range between a first lower limit and a first upper limit, the second accelerometer operable for detection of accelerations within a second range between a second lower limit and a second upper limit, the first lower limit being less than the second lower limit, and the first upper limit being less than the second upper limit, such that at least portions of the first range and the second range do not overlap.

A self-contained magazine intended for a firearm, including a main housing configured to receive a plurality of cartridges and having an open upper end through which the cartridges are loaded and unloaded, a follower arranged relative to the main housing and able to slide in a longitudinal axial direction along the main housing, a spring urging the follower toward the upper end so as to push the cartridges toward the upper end, a secondary housing fixed and preferably removably relative to a substantially planar lower end of the main housing, and an indicator device arranged at least partially inside the secondary housing to indicate the number of cartridges contained in the main housing.

A self-contained magazine intended for a firearm, including a main housing configured to receive a plurality of cartridges and having an open upper end through which the cartridges are loaded and unloaded, a follower arranged relative to the main housing and able to slide in a longitudinal axial direction along the main housing, a spring urging the follower toward the upper end so as to push the cartridges toward the upper end, a secondary housing fixed and preferably removably relative to a substantially planar lower end of the main housing, and an indicator device arranged at least partially inside the secondary housing to indicate the number of cartridges contained in the main housing.

The present invention is an ammunition magazine, preferably made of a reinforced polymer, utilizing a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end splay, and an ammunition indication system comprised of at least one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing. The cover features built in tools for, among other things, unloading and disassembling the magazine.

The present invention is an ammunition magazine, preferably made of a reinforced polymer, utilizing a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end splay, and an ammunition indication system comprised of at least one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing. The cover features built in tools for, among other things, unloading and disassembling the magazine.