Composite recoil absorber insert for firearm stock

Abstract

Composite recoil-absorbing stocks for firearms are disclosed. One stock has a rigid body that has an internal cavity. A compressible insert may be positioned in the rigid body with an elongated front end that is narrower than a broadened rear end. The front end is positioned in a narrowed front end of the internal cavity, and the rear end is positioned in a wider rear end of the cavity. When the firearm recoils, the compressible insert can be positioned between the shooter and the rest of the firearm and can therefore dampen and absorb recoil forces. The positioning and size of the rigid body and compressible insert help prevent bending and buckling of the compressible insert, thereby limiting the effect that the compression of the insert has on aiming and accuracy of the shot. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A recoil-absorbing stock for a firearm, the stock comprising:
 a rigid body, the rigid body having a fore end, a butt end, and an internal cavity, the fore end being attachable to a barrel and receiver assembly of a firearm, the internal cavity having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end having a forward inner wall, the rearward end having a rearward inner wall, the forward inner wall of the forward end being narrower than the rearward inner wall of the rearward end;   a compressible insert comprising a front end and a rear end, the front end having an elongated shape positioned within the forward inner wall of the forward end of the internal cavity, the rear end having a broadened shape positioned within the rearward inner wall of the rearward end of the internal cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The stock of  claim 1 , wherein the rear end of the compressible insert extends out of the internal cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The stock of  claim 1 , wherein the internal cavity has a tapered funnel shape. 
     
     
         4 . The stock of  claim 1 , wherein the internal cavity has a butt end opening, wherein the rear end of the compressible insert is wider than the butt end opening. 
     
     
         5 . The stock of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining member attached to the front end of the compressible insert, the retaining member attaching the front end of the compressible insert to a surface of the internal cavity of the rigid body. 
     
     
         6 . The stock of  claim 1 , wherein the rear end of the compressible insert comprises a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from an outer surface of the rear end. 
     
     
         7 . The stock of  claim 1 , wherein the rear end of the compressible insert comprises a forward-facing surface, the forward-facing surface being longitudinally spaced away from the rigid body. 
     
     
         8 . The stock of  claim 1 , wherein the rear end of the compressible insert comprises a radially-facing surface, the radially-facing surface being radially spaced from the internal cavity of the rigid body. 
     
     
         9 . A recoil-absorbing stock for a firearm, the stock comprising:
 a rigid body, the rigid body having a forward end, a rearward end, and an internal void, the rearward end having a rear opening providing access to the internal void;   a compressible insert having a front end and a rear end, the front end being positioned within the internal void, the rear end extending outward from the rear opening, the compressible insert comprising an elastically compressible material, the elastically compressible material being longitudinally compressible relative to the rigid body upon recoil of the firearm.   
     
     
         10 . The stock of  claim 9 , further comprising a retaining member attached to the front end of the compressible insert and a wall of the internal void, the retaining member being more rigid than the compressible insert. 
     
     
         11 . The stock of  claim 9 , wherein a radially-facing outer surface of the compressible insert is substantially smooth. 
     
     
         12 . The stock of  claim 9 , wherein the compressible insert comprises a plurality of radially-extending ridges in contact with a wall of the internal void. 
     
     
         13 . The stock of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of radially-extending ridges contact the rear opening. 
     
     
         14 . The stock of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of radially-extending ridges compress upon recoil of the firearm. 
     
     
         15 . The stock of  claim 9 , further comprising a pad attached to the rear end of the compressible insert. 
     
     
         16 . A method of absorbing recoil in a firearm, the method comprising:
 providing a firearm having a barrel, a receiver assembly, a stock having an internal cavity, and a shock absorber having an elongated portion extending into the internal cavity, wherein a portion of an outer surface of the shock absorber is spaced away from a wall of the internal cavity;   supporting a rear end of the shock absorber;   causing the firearm to recoil in a rearward direction;   compressing the shock absorber within the internal cavity to absorb at least a portion of the recoil with the shock absorber, wherein the shock absorber longitudinally shortens, laterally widens, and comes into contact with the wall of internal cavity.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein causing the firearm to recoil comprises firing the firearm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the wall of the internal cavity is a rearward-facing wall. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the wall of the internal cavity is a radially-facing wall. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the shock absorber longitudinally shortens into contact with a wall of the stock that is external to the internal cavity.