Noveske rifleworks extreme duty machine gun barrel

Abstract

An improved method for producing barrels which need to operate at temperatures exceeding 800 degrees for prolonged periods of time. The method described is ideally suited for barrels which are a part of a crew served weapons, belt feed systems or other fully automatic weapons. My method has limited effect on the accuracy potential of the barrel produced and therefore should not be excluded from use on shoulder fired weapons and precision rifles.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 60 / 899,784, filed Feb. 5, 2007 by the present inventor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of Invention[0003]This invention generally relates to firearms, specifically to manufacturing processes for strengthening firearm barrels to withstand temperatures exceeding 800 degrees Fahrenheit during the course of an extending firing schedule.[0004]2. Prior Art[0005]Barrels for firearms are traditionally manufactured from various allows of steel. Lining barrels with various foreign materials in order to provide resistance to corrosion, increased velocity and long service life has been a routine practice for small arms during the past 100 years.[0006]416 stainless steel has been used to prevent corrosion but is generally not as well suited for use as a firearm barrel as compared to the 4140 and 4150 chrome molly steel. 4140 and 4150 are very popular for use in military small arms such as ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a new method for improving the performance of gun barrels. It involves a composite hardening of the barrel, which includes an initial hardening to HRC 50-55 after the chambering and machining process are complete. The method also includes a simple but meaningful liquid salt dip nitride surface conversion which tempered the barrel steel and leave a black oxide surface layer which is highly resistant to corrosion. The interior and exterior of the barrel are being oxidized through the process of a liquid salt dip while being heat treated to a HRC 68-72. This method creates a core barrel hardness of HRC 50-55 and a diffusion layer about 15,000 deep on the interior surface of the barrel which is HRC 68-72. This diffusion layer will extend the life of the barrel as compared to popular coatings such as chrome lining. The method is superior to coatings because it is actually changing the property of the barrel steel and is not limited to what types of steel may be processed.

Problems solved by technology

416 stainless steel has been used to prevent corrosion but is generally not as well suited for use as a firearm barrel as compared to the 4140 and 4150 chrome molly steel.

During the United States involvement in Vietnam barrel bore rusting caused weapon malfunctions.

Further the small, high pressure projectile which the M16 fired eroded the chamber of the barrel rapidly.

Chrome lined barrels present several problems.

First it is very difficult to apply the chrome evenly for large production runs.

As a result accuracy of the host weapon suffers.

Chrome lining does not allow the barrel to operate at temperatures over 800 degrees for any prolonged period of time.

Unfortunately the resins used in the construction are not suitable for sustained high rates of fire.

Eventually due to high heat the resin will break down rendering the barrel unusable.

Firearm barrels which are exposed to temperatures exceeding 800 degrees for a prolonged time will loose temper quickly eroding the barrel chamber.

This results in the firearm malfunctioning.

The coating described is limited to protecting the chamber and rifling of the barrel.

When a firearm is being operated for prolong periods of time at high temperatures the temper of the barrels its self is the primary problem to over come.

Until now, many attempts have been made to improve barrel performance with insufficient success.

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