Apparatus and methods for a muzzle brake

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are provided for an attachment for firearms to prevent or suppress sound, muzzle flash, and muzzle climb. The attachment includes a suppressor for inhibiting muzzle flash and a muzzle brake coupled to the suppressor for counteracting muzzle climb. The suppressor includes a distal end that receives a retaining ring to couple the muzzle brake with the suppressor. The distal end includes exterior threads and a tapered interior surface to seal with a beveled exterior surface of the muzzle brake. The exterior threads engage with interior threads of the retaining ring whereby the beveled surface may be brought into contact with the tapered interior surface of the distal end. The retaining ring includes a narrow portion configured to engage a lip on the exterior of the muzzle brake whereby the muzzle brake may be tightly coupled with the distal end of the suppressor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attachment to be coupled to a muzzle end of a barrel of a firearm, the attachment comprising:
 a suppressor for reducing or eliminating muzzle flash; and   a muzzle brake coupled to the suppressor for reducing or eliminating muzzle climb.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of the suppressor comprises a retaining mechanism adapted to couple the suppressor to the muzzle end of the barrel. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment of  claim 2 , wherein the proximal end includes threads configured to engage with similar threads disposed on the barrel, whereby the suppressor may be threaded onto the barrel. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the suppressor includes a distal end that is adapted to receive a retaining ring configured to couple the muzzle brake with the suppressor. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment of  claim 4 , wherein the distal end comprises a cylindrical member having exterior threads and a tapered interior surface configured to establish a substantially airtight seal with a beveled exterior surface of the muzzle brake. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment of  claim 5 , wherein the exterior threads are configured to engage with interior threads comprising the retaining ring whereby the beveled surface may be brought into contact with the tapered interior surface of the distal end. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment of  claim 6 , wherein the retaining ring includes a narrow portion having an interior diameter configured to engage a lip disposed on the exterior of the muzzle brake whereby the muzzle brake may be tightly coupled with the distal end upon tightening the retaining ring onto the exterior threads of the distal end. 
     
     
         8 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the muzzle brake comprises a generally cylindrical body having an open proximal end and a central bore disposed at a distal end. 
     
     
         9 . The attachment of  claim 8 , wherein the central bore is adapted to provide an exit to a projectile, or a bullet, fired from the firearm. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment of  claim 8 , wherein an interior of the muzzle brake defines a pressure chamber that is configured to receive high pressure discharged gases when the firearm is fired. 
     
     
         11 . The attachment of  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of directional ports formed in the cylindrical body connect the pressure chamber to an exterior of the muzzle brake. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of directional ports are configured to vent a portion of the high pressure discharged gases in a manner that directionally counters upward and sideward movement of the barrel during operating the firearm. 
     
     
         13 . A method for reducing or eliminating muzzle flash and muzzle climb during the operation of a firearm, comprising:
 configuring a suppressor to be coupled to a muzzle end of a barrel of the firearm; and   configuring a muzzle brake to be coupled to the suppressor.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein configuring the suppressor includes adapting a distal end of the suppressor to receive a retaining ring for coupling the muzzle brake with the suppressor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein adapting the distal end includes forming a cylindrical member that includes exterior threads and a tapered interior surface configured to establish a substantially airtight seal with a beveled exterior surface of the muzzle brake. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein adapting the distal end includes configuring the exterior threads to engage with interior threads comprising the retaining ring whereby the beveled surface may be brought into contact with the tapered interior surface of the distal end. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein configuring the suppressor includes forming a narrow portion of the retaining ring having an interior diameter configured to engage a lip disposed on the exterior of the muzzle brake whereby the muzzle brake may be tightly coupled with the distal end upon tightening the retaining ring onto the exterior threads of the distal end. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein configuring the muzzle brake includes configuring a beveled exterior surface to establish a substantially airtight seal with a tapered interior surface of the suppressor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein configuring the muzzle brake includes disposing a lip on the exterior of the muzzle brake whereby the muzzle brake may be tightly coupled with the suppressor upon tightening a retaining ring onto exterior threads disposed on a distal end of the suppressor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein configuring the muzzle brake includes forming a plurality of directional ports to vent a portion of high pressure discharged gases in a manner that directionally counters upward and sideward movement of the barrel during operating the firearm.