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 retaining mechanism which may be launched to capture an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or the like. A projectile deploys dampener arms to stop projectile penetration into the target while forward retention arms deploy to prevent a backward removal from the target. The firmly embedded mechanism might feature tracking means or destruction means, or the target may be pulled away by the tether to be evaluated for information.

A firearm barrel has an elongated body defining a bore and defining a bore axis, the body defining a breech end and an opposed muzzle end, a chamber defined in the breech end and contiguous with the bore; the bore having an interior surface having a plurality of alternating lands and grooves, the grooves being surfaces separated from the bore axis by first radius, the lands being surfaces separated from the bore axis by second radius less than the first radius and the lands and grooves being straight elements parallel to the bore axis, such that no spin is imparted to a projectile propelled down the bore. The lands and grooves may extend from the chamber to the muzzle end. The bore may have a constant cross-sectional profile along its length.

A firearm barrel has an elongated body defining a bore and defining a bore axis, the body defining a breech end and an opposed muzzle end, a chamber defined in the breech end and contiguous with the bore; the bore having an interior surface having a plurality of alternating lands and grooves, the grooves being surfaces separated from the bore axis by first radius, the lands being surfaces separated from the bore axis by second radius less than the first radius and the lands and grooves being straight elements parallel to the bore axis, such that no spin is imparted to a projectile propelled down the bore. The lands and grooves may extend from the chamber to the muzzle end. The bore may have a constant cross-sectional profile along its length.

A firearm barrel has an elongated body defining a bore and defining a bore axis, the body defining a breech end and an opposed muzzle end, a chamber defined in the breech end and contiguous with the bore; the bore having an interior surface having a plurality of alternating lands and grooves, the grooves being surfaces separated from the bore axis by first radius, the lands being surfaces separated from the bore axis by second radius less than the first radius and the lands and grooves being straight elements parallel to the bore axis, such that no spin is imparted to a projectile propelled down the bore. The lands and grooves may extend from the chamber to the muzzle end. The bore may have a constant cross-sectional profile along its length.

A firearm cartridge has a case defining an interior chamber and having a case mouth, an elongated projectile having a forward end and a rear end, a sabot assembly having an exterior sized to be closely received in the case mouth, and defining an interior passage adapted to closely receive the projectile, and the projectile including a stabilizer at the rear end. The stabilizer may include fins. The projectile may include a circumferential groove at an intermediate portion between the forward end and rear end. The sabot assembly includes a mating feature adapted to engage the circumferential groove to limit axial motion of the projectile with respect to the sabot assembly. The projectile may define a plurality of circumferential grooves. The sabot assembly may include a plurality of mating features adapted to engage the circumferential grooves. The sabot assembly may include a plurality of elements arranged about the projectile.

Sabots and riders are described herein that have high torsional stiffness, providing for utility in high-speed projectiles. The sabots include multiple petals with a closed configuration comprising polymer or metal containing composites. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.

Accessories may be mounted using a quick-detachable multi-purpose accessory mounting platform. The platform may include one or more clamps to receive an object, such as a firearm. The platform also may include at least one recessed mounting pad, at least one rear shelf, and other surfaces to provide different mounting points for accessories.

A fin-stabilized sub-caliber projectile adapted to be fired from a rifled barrel, the projectile having a penetrator with a tail fin assembly, a sabot arranged on the penetrator and having at least two sabot segments circumferentially joined to one another that are separated from one another after leaving the barrel by centrifugal forces acting on the projectile during firing. The sabot includes a main body and a front guide flange that is adapted to be supported on an inner wall of the barrel and a rear guide flange arranged at an axial distance. A connecting section of the sabot is arranged between the front guide flange and the rear guide flange and has a smaller outer diameter than the front guide flange or the rear guide flange. The sabot and the penetrator are joined together in a positive manner in a region of the rear guide flange.

Stepped sabots for projectiles are provided. One sabot includes a cylindrical tubular body and at least one stepped surface within the cylindrical tubular body. The stepped surface is configured for engaging at least one complementary surface on a projectile and the stepped surface forms a progressively narrower inner diameter of the cylindrical tubular body.