Firearm recoil devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

A recoil system is deployed with a slide plug comprising a catch means along with a plug retainer comprising a catch means. The slide plug catch means and plug retainer catch means may be compatible to permit the slide plug catch means and the plug retainer catch means to interfit and hold the recoil system in a partially compressed configuration. A method comprising a step of interfitting a slide plug catch means with a plug retainer catch means to hold the recoil system in a partially compressed configuration is described.

1 . A method of installing a recoil system in a firearm or removing a recoil system from a firearm, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining a recoil system comprising
 a slide plug comprising a first catch means, 
 a guide rod having a forward end, the guide rod comprising a plug retainer disposed at the forward end, and the plug retainer comprising a second catch means that is compatible with and interfits the first catch means, and 
 a damper assembly or recoil spring, with 
 the recoil system having an assembled configuration in which the damper assembly or recoil spring exerts a forward force on the slide plug and a rearward force on the guide rod; 
   (b) with the recoil system in the assembled configuration, applying pressure to the guide rod to translate the guide rod forward with respect to the slide plug;   (c) tilting the guide rod with respect to the slide plug;   (d) partially releasing the pressure to interfit the first catch means with the second catch means;   (e) fully releasing the pressure to place the recoil system in a partially compressed configuration; and   (f) installing the recoil system in a firearm or removing the recoil system from a firearm with the recoil system in the partially compressed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . A recoil system comprising:
 a guide rod comprising a tab disposed at a forward end of the guide rod;   a reverse plug that permits tilting of the guide rod within the reverse plug and engagement of the tab with a forward end of the reverse plug; and   a damper assembly or recoil spring; with   the recoil system having a partially compressed configuration in which
 the guide rod extends through the reverse plug in a tilted orientation, 
 the tab and the forward end of the reverse plug interfit, and 
 the guide rod and damper assembly or recoil spring are captured in the reverse plug. 
   
     
     
         3 . The recoil system of  claim 2 , in which the tab is integrally formed with the plug retainer. 
     
     
         4 . The recoil system of  claim 2 , in which the reverse plug includes a forward-facing shelf or ledge, and the tab interfits beneath the shelf or ledge in the partially compressed configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The recoil system of  claim 2 , in which the reverse plug includes an edge portion, and the tab engages the edge portion in the partially compressed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The recoil system of  claim 2 , in which the tab and the forward end of the reverse plug interfit in a manner that restrains rearward translation of the guide rod relative to the reverse plug. 
     
     
         7 . The recoil system of  claim 6 , in which the interfit also restrains upward rotation of the guide rod. 
     
     
         8 . The recoil system of  claim 6 , in which the tab is received within a notch, groove, or pocket formed in the forward end of the reverse plug. 
     
     
         9 . The recoil system of  claim 6 , in which the interfit between the tab and the reverse plug includes lateral contact surfaces that resist upward tilting of the guide rod. 
     
     
         10 . The recoil system of  claim 6 , in which the tab includes a projecting lip or ridge that enters a recess or shoulder formed at the forward end of the reverse plug. 
     
     
         11 . The recoil system of  claim 10 , in which the forward end of the reverse plug includes a shelf that receives the projecting ridge. 
     
     
         12 . The recoil system of  claim 2 , in which the damper assembly includes an outer spring and an inner spring surrounding a damper tube, and the springs are compressed in the partially compressed configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The recoil system of  claim 12 , in which the damper tube includes a spring seat for the inner spring and a separate spring seat for the outer spring. 
     
     
         14 . The recoil system of  claim 2 , in which the reverse plug includes a spring seat that contacts a forward end of the damper assembly or recoil spring. 
     
     
         15 . The recoil system of  claim 14 , in which the spring seat at the reverse plug includes a beveled surface. 
     
     
         16 . The recoil system of  claim 2 , in which the guide rod includes a head disposed opposite the tab, and the damper assembly or recoil spring is disposed between the head and the reverse plug. 
     
     
         17 . The recoil system of  claim 16 , in which the head of the guide rod includes a spring face that supports a rearward end of the damper assembly or recoil spring. 
     
     
         18 . The recoil system of  claim 2 , in which the guide rod includes indexing features that align the tab rotationally with the reverse plug. 
     
     
         19 . The recoil system of  claim 2 , in which the guide rod includes a detachable head disposed opposite the tab, and the damper assembly or recoil spring is captured between the detachable head and the reverse plug. 
     
     
         20 . A recoil system for a firearm comprising:
 means for exerting a forward force on a slide plug and a rearward force on a guide rod;   means for permitting the guide rod to tilt within the slide plug; and   means for holding the guide rod and slide plug in a partially compressed configuration.