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.

An improved bolt and bolt carrier with integral gas key having an extension nozzle threadedly secured and pinned to the gas key for use with a direct gas operated firearm is provided. The extension nozzle is designed to receive a portion of the host firearms gas operating system. The firing pin retaining pin is oriented so as to expose its widest profile to the firing pins annular flange, increasing its service life. The bolt has a plurality of lugs extending from its forward end and an extractor recess. The extractor recess is constructed to accommodate an enlarged extractor claw while not undercutting the bolt lugs adjacent thereto. The extractor engages approximately 57% more of a seated ammunition cartridges rim as compared to some prior art AR15/M16 type extractors used with automatic firearms chambered in 6.8SPC. The result is an improved bolt and bolt carrier which provides for increased operational reliability.

An improved bolt and bolt carrier with integral gas key having an extension nozzle threadedly secured and pinned to the gas key for use with a direct gas operated firearm is provided. The extension nozzle is designed to receive a portion of the host firearms gas operating system. The firing pin retaining pin is oriented so as to expose its widest profile to the firing pins annular flange, increasing its service life. The bolt has a plurality of lugs extending from its forward end and an extractor recess. The extractor recess is constructed to accommodate an enlarged extractor claw while not undercutting the bolt lugs adjacent thereto. The extractor engages approximately 57% more of a seated ammunition cartridges rim as compared to some prior art AR15/M16 type extractors used with automatic firearms chambered in 6.8SPC. The result is an improved bolt and bolt carrier which provides for increased operational reliability.

A bolt carrier for gas impingement rifles equipped with a sound suppressor mechanism. The bolt carrier is configured to tortuously direct gas to a gas exhaust pocket and into a magazine well of the gas impingement rifle, thereby lessening ejection port light signature and significantly reducing the peak noise in the vicinity of the firer's ears. The gas exhaust pocket of the bolt carrier also improves the operator air quality and reduces bolt lug and chamber fouling associated with the other devices that have attempted to address the noise problem.

A bolt carrier for gas impingement rifles equipped with a sound suppressor mechanism. The bolt carrier is configured to tortuously direct gas to a gas exhaust pocket and into a magazine well of the gas impingement rifle, thereby lessening ejection port light signature and significantly reducing the peak noise in the vicinity of the firer's ears. The gas exhaust pocket of the bolt carrier also improves the operator air quality and reduces bolt lug and chamber fouling associated with the other devices that have attempted to address the noise problem.

A rotating bolt firearm may be configured to fire a .308 cartridge. However, the firearm may have a reduced weight in comparison to standard .308 rifles. The firearm may have many components typically used in a .223 rifle. The firearm may include a barrel extension with an extractor gap, which allows a .308 bolt to fit within a .223 sized barrel extension. The firearm may comprise an elongated magazine well in comparison to a .223 mil-spec rifle. The firearm may weigh less than 6.8 pounds with a 16-inch barrel, or less than 6.3 pounds with a 10.5 inch barrel.

A rotating bolt firearm may be configured to fire a .308 cartridge. However, the firearm may have a reduced weight in comparison to standard .308 rifles. The firearm may have many components typically used in a .223 rifle. The firearm may include a barrel extension with an extractor gap, which allows a .308 bolt to fit within a .223 sized barrel extension. The firearm may comprise an elongated magazine well in comparison to a .223 mil-spec rifle. The firearm may weigh less than 6.8 pounds with a 16-inch barrel, or less than 6.3 pounds with a 10.5 inch barrel.

A multi-caliber bolt assembly includes a bolt body, a bolt face, an extractor, a case guide, and a resilient element. The extractor is movably coupled to the bolt body. The extractor is designed to engage and retain a rim of the cartridge casing. The case guide is movably coupled to the bolt body opposite the extractor. The case guide is designed to engage the cartridge casing. The resilient element is coupled to the extractor and the case guide. The resilient element is designed to exert a force to move the extractor and the case guide together to engage and hold the cartridge casing against the bolt face when the extractor and the case guide are moved apart against the force by insertion of the cartridge casing between the extractor and the case guide regardless of the size of the cartridge casing.

A multi-caliber bolt assembly includes a bolt body, a bolt face, an extractor, a case guide, and a resilient element. The extractor is movably coupled to the bolt body. The extractor is designed to engage and retain a rim of the cartridge casing. The case guide is movably coupled to the bolt body opposite the extractor. The case guide is designed to engage the cartridge casing. The resilient element is coupled to the extractor and the case guide. The resilient element is designed to exert a force to move the extractor and the case guide together to engage and hold the cartridge casing against the bolt face when the extractor and the case guide are moved apart against the force by insertion of the cartridge casing between the extractor and the case guide regardless of the size of the cartridge casing.

An improved bolt and bolt carrier with integral gas key having an extension nozzle threadedly secured and pinned to the gas key for use with a direct gas operated firearm is provided. The extension nozzle is designed to receive a portion of the host firearms gas operating system. The firing pin retaining pin is oriented so as to expose its widest profile to the firing pins annular flange, increasing its service life. The bolt has a plurality of lugs extending from its forward end and an extractor recess. The extractor recess is constructed to accommodate an enlarged extractor claw while not undercutting the bolt lugs adjacent thereto. The extractor engages approximately 57% more of a seated ammunition cartridges rim as compared to some prior art AR15/M16 type extractors used with automatic firearms chambered in 6.8 SPC. The result is an improved bolt and bolt carrier which provides for increased operational reliability.