Multi-Part Buffer Tubes, Methods of Manufacturing the Same, and Firearms Including the Same

Abstract

Multi-part buffer tubes, methods of manufacturing the same, and firearms including the same are disclosed. In embodiments the multi-part buffer tube includes a cap, and a body that includes a tube. The tube may include a wall with an outward facing side, an inward facing side, a first end, and a second end. The inward facing side of the wall may define a cavity for receiving a buffer and a buffer spring for a firearm. The cap that is coupled to the body in any suitable manner For example, at least a portion of the cap may be disposed within a channel formed in the inward facing side of the tube, e.g., proximate the first end of the wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-part buffer tube for a firearm, comprising:
 a body comprising a tube, the tube comprising a wall with an outward facing side, an inward facing side, a first end, and a second end; and   a cap coupled to the tube by way of deformation to form an interference fit joint;   wherein:   the inward facing side of the wall defines a cavity for receiving a buffer and a buffer spring; and   at least a portion of the cap is disposed within a channel formed in the inward facing side proximate the first end of the wall.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-part buffer tube of  claim 1 , further comprising a lip between the channel and the first end; wherein:
 the lip has an inner diameter ID 1 ;   the channel has an inner diameter ID 2 ; and   ID 2 >ID 1 .   
     
     
         3 . The multi-part buffer tube of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the cap comprises a first cap part and a second cap part; and   at least a portion of the second cap part is disposed within the channel.   
     
     
         4 . The multi-part buffer tube of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first cap part has an outer diameter OD 3 ;   the second cap part has an outer diameter OD 4 ; and   OD 4 >OD 3 .   
     
     
         5 . The multi-part buffer tube of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first cap part is positioned proximate the lip; and   OD 3  equals or is about equal to ID 1 .   
     
     
         6 . The multi-part buffer tube of  claim 3 , wherein the cap portion further comprises a cap groove between the first cap part and the second cap part. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-part buffer tube of  claim 4 , wherein the cap portion further comprises a cap groove between the first cap part and the second cap part. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-part buffer tube of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the cap portion comprises a first cap side facing away from the cavity and a second cap side facing towards the cavity; and   the second cap side comprises at least one stepped cap structure.   
     
     
         9 . The multi-part buffer tube of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the cap portion comprises a first cap side facing away from the cavity and a second cap side facing towards the cavity; and   the first cap is coplanar or substantially coplanar with the first end.   
     
     
         10 . The multi-part buffer tube of  claim 1 , further comprising threads formed on the outward facing side of the wall proximate the second end;
 wherein:   the first end has an outer diameter OD 1 ;   the threads have an outer diameter OD 2 ; and   OD 2 >OD 1 .   
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a multi-part buffer tube for a firearm, comprising:
 providing a body comprising a tube, the tube comprising a wall with an outward facing side, an inward facing side, a first end, a second end, and a channel formed in the inward facing side proximate the first end, the inward facing side defining a cavity for receiving a buffer and a buffer spring of a firearm;   providing a cap; and   coupling the cap to the tube within the cavity by way of deformation to form an interference fit joint.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein coupling the cap to the tube comprises deforming the cap such that at least a part of the cap is disposed within the channel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 providing the cap comprises providing a cap comprising a first cap part, and a second cap part, the first cap part having first outer diameter and the second cap part having a second outer diameter; and   following said coupling, at least a portion of the second cap part has a third outer diameter that is greater than the second outer diameter.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first outer diameter equals or is about equal to the second outer diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the tube further comprises a lip between the channel and the first end;   the lip has a first inner diameter; and   the channel has a second inner diameter than is greater than the first inner diameter.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein coupling the cap to the tube comprises compressing the cap. 
     
     
         17 . A firearm, comprising a lower receiver, an upper receiver, and a multi-part buffer tube, the multi-part buffer tube comprising:
 a body comprising a tube, the tube comprising a wall with an outward facing side, an inward facing side, a first end, and a second end; and   a cap coupled to the tube by way of deformation to form an interference fit joint;   
       wherein:
 the inward facing side of the wall defines a cavity for receiving a buffer and a buffer spring; and 
 at least a portion of the cap is disposed within a channel formed in the inward facing side proximate the first end of the wall. 
 
     
     
         18 . The firearm of  claim 17 , wherein the multi-part buffer tube further comprises a lip between the channel and the first end; wherein:
 the lip has an inner diameter ID 1 ;   the channel has an inner diameter ID 2 ; and   ID 2 >ID 1 .   
     
     
         19 . The firearm of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the cap comprises a first cap part and a second cap part; and   at least a portion of the second cap part is disposed within the channel.   
     
     
         20 . The firearm of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the first cap part has an outer diameter OD 3 ;   the second cap part has an outer diameter OD 4 ; and   OD 4 >OD 3 .   
     
     
         21 . The firearm of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the first cap part is positioned proximate the lip; and   OD 3  equals or is about equal to ID 1 .   
     
     
         22 . The firearm of  claim 19 , wherein the cap portion further comprises a cap groove between the first cap part and the second cap part. 
     
     
         23 . The firearm of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the cap portion comprises a first cap side facing away from the cavity and a second cap side facing towards the cavity; and   the second cap side comprises at least one stepped cap structure.   
     
     
         24 . The firearm of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the cap portion comprises a first cap side facing away from the cavity and a second cap side facing towards the cavity; and   the first cap is coplanar or substantially coplanar with the first end.   
     
     
         25 . The firearm of  claim 17 , further comprising threads formed on the outward facing side of the wall proximate the second end;
 wherein:   the first end has an outer diameter OD 1 ;   the threads have an outer diameter OD 2 ; and   OD 2 >OD 1 .   
     
     
         26 . The multi-part buffer tube of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the cap is deformed into the channel to form the interference fit joint. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the cap is deformed into the channel to form the interference fit joint. 
     
     
         28 . The multi-part buffer tube of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the cap is deformed into the channel to form the interference fit joint.