Extruded firearm buffer tube

Abstract

A lightweight, corrosion and abrasion resistant magnesium firearm buffer tube assembly, configured to lighten or otherwise reduce the overall weight of AR-10 rifles, AR-15 rifles, M-16 rifles, and variants thereof. The buffer tube assembly including a buffer tube and an endcap. The buffer tube constructed of a magnesium alloy and can have a distal end, a proximal end, and a tubular wall defining a tubular throughbore traversing axially through the buffer tube between the distal end and the proximal end. The endcap positioned at a proximal end of the buffer tube, thereby providing a buffer spring operating surface sufficient to resists reciprocation forces during operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm buffer tube assembly, comprising:
 a magnesium alloy buffer tube having a distal end, a proximal end and a tubular wall defining a tubular throughbore traversing axially through the buffer tube between the distal end and the proximal end; and   an endcap positioned at a proximal end of the buffer tube, thereby providing a buffer spring operating surface sufficient to resist reciprocation forces during operation.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm buffer tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the endcap is constructed of a magnesium alloy. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm buffer tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the endcap is welded to the buffer tube. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm buffer tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the endcap is press fit into the tubular throughbore, so as to have an interference fit with the tubular wall. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm buffer tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the endcap is threadably coupled to the buffer tube. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm buffer tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the endcap is injection molded into the buffer tube, such that a portion of the endcap extends through an aperture defined in the tubular wall, thereby inhibiting axial movement of the endcap. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm buffer tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the endcap is formed by bending a proximal portion of the tubular wall at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the buffer tube to provide the buffer spring operating surface. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm buffer tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the endcap defines a throughbore aperture configured to enable venting of gas in the tubular throughbore during operation. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm buffer tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least portions of the firearm buffer tube assembly include an anodized surface coating configured to impart improved abrasion resistance and increased surface lubricity. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm buffer tube assembly of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of micro-sized industrial diamond particles, nano-sized industrial garnet particles, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, microsized Teflon™ spheres and/or molybdenum disulfide are integrated into the anodized surface coating. 
     
     
         11 . A method of constructing a firearm buffer tube assembly, comprising:
 extruding a magnesium alloy buffer tube having a distal end, a proximal end and a tubular wall defining a raised rail portion extending along an a longitudinal axis of the buffer tube, and a tubular throughbore traversing axially through the buffer tube between the distal end and the proximal end;   removing a portion of the raised rail portion in proximity to the distal end of the buffer tube;   defining external threads in proximity to the distal portion of the buffer tube;   blocking a portion of the tubular throughbore in proximity to the proximal end of the buffer tube via an endcap, thereby providing a buffer spring operating surface sufficient to resist reciprocation forces during operation.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the endcap is constructed of a magnesium alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising welding the endcap to the buffer tube. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising press fitting the endcap into the tubular throughbore, so as to create an interference fit with the tubular wall. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising threadably coupling the endcap to the buffer tube. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising injection molding the endcap into the buffer tube, such that a portion of the endcap extends through an aperture defined in the tubular wall, thereby inhibiting axial movement of the endcap. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising forming the endcap by bending a proximal portion of the tubular wall at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the buffer tube to provide the buffer spring operating surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising defining a throughbore aperture in the endcap configured to enable venting of gas in the tubular throughbore during operation. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing an anodized surface coating over at least a portion of the firearm buffer tube assembly configured to impart improved abrasion resistance and increased surface lubricity. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of micro-sized industrial diamond particles, nano-sized industrial garnet particles, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, microsized Teflon™ spheres and/or molybdenum disulfide are integrated into the anodized surface coating.