The invention relates to a method for producing cases, in which a case sleeve is formed from thin sheets, forming at least one element over an insert, a form or a cavity reproducing the conicity, the shoulder and the mouth that are characteristic of the case. The invention also relates to a product produced by the method, such as an ammunition case.

A fully automated, integrated, end-to-end synchronized and compact manufacturing system produces polymer or metal case ammunition. Manufacturing stations support case assembly, sealing (gluing/welding), final product inspection, cartridge packaging or binning, and loading. Station modularity facilitates rapid changeover to accommodate ammunition of differing calibers. Sensors and apparatus may be provided to place a manufacturing cell in a wait state until all components or materials are received in a preferred orientation for proper assembly. The system may join and use multipart cases, each including a lower portion with a head end attached thereto and at least one upper portion having a necked-down transition to the open top end. Elevator feeders, vibratory bowl feeders, and robotic pick-and-place feeders may be used to deliver components for assembly.

A fully automated, integrated, end-to-end synchronized and compact manufacturing system produces polymer or metal case ammunition. Manufacturing stations support case assembly, sealing (gluing/welding), final product inspection, cartridge packaging or binning, and loading. Station modularity facilitates rapid changeover to accommodate ammunition of differing calibers. Sensors and apparatus may be provided to place a manufacturing cell in a wait state until all components or materials are received in a preferred orientation for proper assembly. The system may join and use multipart cases, each including a lower portion with a head end attached thereto and at least one upper portion having a necked-down transition to the open top end. Elevator feeders, vibratory bowl feeders, and robotic pick-and-place feeders may be used to deliver components for assembly.

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.

The present invention provides a polymer nose for a polymeric ammunition cartridge having a generally cylindrical neck having a projectile aperture at a first end, a shoulder comprising a shoulder top connected to the generally cylindrical neck opposite a shoulder bottom, a nose junction positioned around the shoulder bottom, a skirt connected circumferentially about the nose junction to extend away from the shoulder bottom, wherein the nose junction and the skirt are adapted to mate to a base junction in a cartridge.

A casing for use in a cartridge for a firearm comprises a sleeve portion and a base portion, where the base has cannelure comprised of curving surfaces. In a casing embodiment, a sleeve has cylindrical portion with a mouth for holding a bullet and an opposing end radially-running bulkhead. A nipple extends from the bulkhead and into a passageway of the base, thereby securing the sleeve to the base. The sleeve bulkhead preferably has at least one circumferential wave and contacts a distal end surface of the base, which may be planar or conical. The cannelure is characterized by a continuously curving groove bottom, a maximum groove depth diameter that is 60 to 80 percent of the base outside diameter, and a volume that is 20 to 43 percent of the volume of a like base which has no cannelure.

A casing for use in a cartridge for a firearm comprises a sleeve portion and a base portion, where the base has cannelure comprised of curving surfaces. In a casing embodiment, a sleeve has cylindrical portion with a mouth for holding a bullet and an opposing end radially-running bulkhead. A nipple extends from the bulkhead and into a passageway of the base, thereby securing the sleeve to the base. The sleeve bulkhead preferably has at least one circumferential wave and contacts a distal end surface of the base, which may be planar or conical. The cannelure is characterized by a continuously curving groove bottom, a maximum groove depth diameter that is 60 to 80 percent of the base outside diameter, and a volume that is 20 to 43 percent of the volume of a like base which has no cannelure.

A cartridge casing comprises a casing tube having a first end and a head cap. The first end of the casing tube abuts and is joined with the head cap such that an orifice in the first end of the casing tube is aligned with a passage in the head cap to define a flash passage. The head cap and casing tube are held together by a deformable member.

A cartridge casing comprises a casing tube and a head cap. The casing tube bounds at least part of the head cap. The head cap is being fixed relative to the tube by a welding process.