Cartridges and modifications for m16/ar15 rifle

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to cartridges and modifications for an M16/AR15 rifle. In one embodiment, a modified M16/AR15 rifle or carbine includes a bolt having a maximum outside diameter greater than that of a standard M16/AR15 bolt; and a bolt extractor pivoted to the bolt. The bolt and the bolt extractor are operable to: transport a cartridge from a magazine to a barrel, and eject a spent cartridge from the barrel. The rifle or carbine further includes a barrel extension configured to receive the bolt; a standard M16/AR15 upper receiver coupled to the barrel extension; a standard M16/AR15 lower receiver coupled to the upper receiver.

1 . A kit for modifying an M16 rifle, M4 carbine, or AR15 rifle or carbine, comprising:
 a bolt having a maximum outside diameter greater than that of a standard M16/M4 bolt (existing M16A1-A4 versions and M4 and M4A1 versions);   an ejector carried by the bolt;   a bolt extractor pivoted to the bolt,   wherein:
 the bolt, the ejector, and the bolt extractor operable to:
 transport a cartridge from a magazine to a barrel, and 
 eject a spent cartridge from the barrel; and 
 
   a barrel extension configured to receive the bolt.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising the barrel configured to receive the cartridge and connected to the barrel extension. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the bolt has an inside diameter greater than that of the standard M16/M4 bolt. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the barrel extension has a maximum inside diameter greater than that of a standard M16/M4 barrel extension (existing M16A1-A4 versions and M4 and M4A1 versions). 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the bolt has an outer diameter greater than that of the standard M16/M4 bolt.   
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the barrel extension has an inner diameter greater than that of the standard M16/M4 barrel extension.   
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises:
 a case head diameter greater than or equal to 0.378 inches, and   a bullet diameter greater than or equal to 0.243 inches.   
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein the case head diameter is greater than or equal to 0.425 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein the case head diameter is greater than or equal to 0.45 inches. 
     
     
         10 . A kit for modifying an M16 rifle, M4 carbine, or AR15 rifle or carbine, comprising:
 a bolt having a maximum outside diameter and an inside diameter, both of the maximum outside diameter and the inside diameter of the bolt being greater than those of a standard M16/M4 bolt (existing M16A1-A4 versions and M4 and M4A1 versions);   an ejector carried by the bolt;   a bolt extractor pivoted to the bolt,   wherein:
 the bolt, the ejector, and the bolt extractor are operable to:
 transport a cartridge from a magazine to a barrel, and 
 eject a spent cartridge from the barrel; and 
 
   a barrel extension for receiving the bolt, the barrel extension having a maximum inside diameter greater than that of a standard M16/M4 barrel extension (existing M16A1-A4 versions and M4 and M4A1 versions).   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the bolt has an outer diameter greater than that of the standard M16/M4 bolt.   
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the barrel extension has an inner diameter greater than that of the standard M16/M4 barrel extension.   
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising the barrel configured to receive the cartridge and connected to the barrel extension. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the cartridge comprises:
 a case having a case head diameter greater than 0.378 inch; and   a bullet having a diameter greater than or equal to 0.224 inch.   
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the case head diameter is greater than or equal to 0.4 inch, and   the bullet diameter is greater than or equal to 0.243 inch.   
     
     
         16 . A kit for modifying an M16 rifle, M4 carbine, or AR15 rifle or carbine, comprising:
 a bolt having a maximum outside diameter and an inside diameter, both of the maximum outside diameter and the inside diameter of the bolt being greater than those of a standard M16/M4 bolt (existing M16A1-A4 versions and M4 and M4A1 versions);   an ejector carried by the bolt;   a bolt extractor pivoted to the bolt,   wherein:
 the bolt, the ejector, and the bolt extractor are operable to:
 transport a cartridge from a magazine to a barrel, and 
 eject a spent cartridge from the barrel, and 
 
 the cartridge comprises:
 a case having a case head diameter greater than 0.378 inch; and 
 a bullet having a diameter greater than or equal to 0.224 inch; and 
 
   a barrel extension for receiving the bolt, the barrel extension having a maximum inside diameter greater than that of a standard M16/M4 barrel extension (existing M16A1-A4 versions and M4 and M4A1 versions).   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the bolt has an outer diameter greater than that of the standard M16/M4 bolt.   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the barrel extension has an inner diameter greater than that of the standard M16/M4 barrel extension.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 16 , further comprising the barrel configured to receive the cartridge and connected to the barrel extension. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)