Handgun Compensator

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/359,344, filed on Jul. 26, 2023, and titled HANDGUN COMPENSATOR, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/369,794 titled HANDGUN COMPENSATOR, and filed on Jul. 29, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The present disclosure relates generally to handguns and more specifically to a compensator attachment for a handgun.

A muzzle brake or recoil compensator is a type of muzzle device for a firearm that is designed to reduce muzzle rise or “muzzle flip” by redirecting a portion of propellant gases leaving the barrel. Some compensators can be attached to the barrel, such as threading the device onto a handgun barrel or rifle barrel. Other compensators are integral to the barrel, such as when the barrel defines ports along the length of the barrel to vent gases. Whether using an attachment or ports in the barrel, the burst of propellant gases is directed upward to counter recoil forces that tend to make the muzzle rise upon shooting the firearm. A recoil compensator or simply “compensator” may be used on a handgun with the advantage of enabling the shooter to more quickly realign sights on a target for the next shot.

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a compensator attachment for a handgun barrel. In one example, the compensator can be secured to the distal end of the barrel using fasteners, such as taper pins or cam pins, installed through the compensator after threading the compensator onto the barrel. Also disclosed is a slide assembly including the compensator as well as a firearm including the compensator or slide assembly.

The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been selected principally for readability and instructional purposes and not to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

The figures depict various embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. Numerous variations, configurations, and other embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed discussion.

Disclosed is a compensator for a semiautomatic handgun. In one example, the compensator is configured to attach to the distal end portion of a barrel and can be secured using fasteners. For example, the compensator can threadably engage a threaded portion of the barrel or can use a slip fit over a threaded or non-threaded end portion of a barrel. The compensator can be secured to the barrel using one or more taper pins or threaded pins that extend through the compensator and engage the barrel, such as a flat or recess in the sides of the barrel. The use of taper pins or similar fastener provide a mechanical stop that prevents rotation of the compensator after the compensator is threaded onto the barrel.

In one embodiment, the compensator extends beyond the end of the barrel and has one or more ports positioned to direct a portion of propellant gases upward through the port(s) to counter act recoil forces that typically cause muzzle rise. For example, a port in the upper wall of the compensator directs gases upward and forward. The port is positioned distally of the distal end of the barrel. In other embodiments, the compensator defines two or more ports spaced laterally and/or axially.

The top wall of the compensator optionally defines a dovetail slot for attachment of a front sight. In one such embodiment, the front sight is effectively fixed to the barrel by being attached to the compensator and therefore does not cycle rearward and forward with the slide. When the front sight is attached to the compensator, rather than the slide, the front sight can be positioned further forward, resulting in an increased sight radius compared to a sight attached to a slide that terminates at the end of the barrel.

Existing handgun compensators can be threaded onto the threaded end of a handgun barrel. Despite tightening the compensator during installation, a combination of recoil forces, vibration, and thermal expansion cycles can loosen the engagement between the compensator and the barrel, resulting in rotation or loss of the compensator. When the front sight is mounted to the compensator, even slight rotation of the compensator can result in changes in the sight alignment that result in the shooter missing the target. Accordingly, it would be desirable to improve mounting techniques for a compensator for a handgun. Despite updates and development to handgun compensators, numerous non-trivial challenges remain.

To address these needs and others, the present disclosure is directed to a handgun compensator that utilizes a combination of threaded engagement and fasteners, such as a screw or taper pin, to prevent rotation of the compensator. Numerous variations and embodiments will be apparent in light of the present disclosure.

illustrate a handgun compensatorin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.is a front perspective view,is a front view,is a side view, andis a perspective view showing a longitudinal section. These figures are discussed concurrently below.

The compensatorhas an upper portionthat is configured to install over the distal end of a handgun barrel. The upper portionis generally configured to have the same profile as the handgun slide, such as appearing as an extension of the slide. In one such embodiment, the upper portion of the compensator mimics the handgun slide by having a geometry and other features consistent with those of the handgun slide. In one example, the upper portion has a top wall, side walls,depending downward from the top wall, and a bottom wall. The upper portioncan have a cuboid shape, such as a rectangular, trapezoidal, or oval cross-sectional shape, for example. A distal wallconnects to the other walls,,,and defines the distal end of the compensatoras well as an open region at the end of the barrel that directs a portion of propellant gases through a port in the top wall.

In the example of, each of side walls,includes a substantially vertical section,and a sloped section,that slopes linearly downward and outward from the top wallto the respective vertical section,. As shown, the upper portionis configured to simulate an extension of the handgun slide of the handgun with which the compensatoris intended to be used. However, having the same or similar appearance as the handgun slide is not required; more generally, any one or more of the walls of the upper portion can have a planar geometry, an arcuate geometry, a folded geometry (e.g., having multiple planar sections), a complex geometry (e.g., faceted), or a combination of these features.

The top wallincludes a generally planar portionthat extends along the bore axis. In some embodiments, the top wallmay also include a sloped portionthat extends downward and forward from the planar portionto the distal wall. In some embodiments, the sloped portionof the top walljoins the planar portionat or in front of the end of the handgun's barrel. When present, the sloped portioncan define an angle β with the bore axisfrom 5 to 45°, including 10-35°, 10-20°, 15-30°, 20-30°, or about 20°, for example.

In this example, the sloped portiondefines one or more portspositioned and configured to vent a portion of propellant gases from the barrel. In the example of, the sloped portiondefines a single portthat extends laterally between (and substantially extending to) the sloped sections,of side walls,. Note that porthas a width that is greater than the diameter of a projectile openingin the distal walland that is also greater than the diameter of the barrel openinglocated proximally of the projectile openingin an intermediate wall. In other embodiments, the port can have a size or diameter that is smaller than the projectile opening. For example, the portcan be one or more bores formed in the top of the compensator.

Between the barrel openingand the projectile openingthe compensatordefines an open volumepositioned axially between the distal walland the intermediate wall, and positioned laterally between side walls,. As can be seen, for example, in, the volumepermits gas expansion laterally and vertically prior to exiting through the projectile openingand port.

The compensatordefines one or more fastener openings, each configured and positioned for a taper pin or other fastener to be installed. Part of the fastener openingcan be threaded in some embodiments. In one example, the fastener is a taper pin, where the taper pin engages an outer surface of the barrel, as discussed in more detail below. In one embodiment, the top walldefines two fastener openingson opposite sides of the barrel, each of which is positioned so that a fastener installed through the respective fastener openingengages the outer surface of the barrel, such as a flat or recess. As shown in, for example, each fastener openingintersects the respective side wall,along an inside of the compensator. As such, each side wall,defines a pocketto receive part (e.g., a shaft) of the taper pin. When installed, the taper pin can engage the barrel and the sidewall/along the pocketto result in a mechanical stop that prevents rotation of the compensator on the barrel. The fastener opening(s)can be positioned axially so that each taper pin, when installed, alternately or additionally creates a binding condition with the threadsin the barrel opening. For example, as the fastener is installed, it forces the compensatorto shift slightly axially to bind the threads. At the same time, the fastener binds between the barrel and pocket, fixing the compensatorto the barrel and preventing rotation.

In this example, each fastener openingextends vertically through the top wall(e.g., perpendicular to the bore axis) when the bore axisis horizontal. In other embodiments, the fastener opening(s)can extend at some other angle through the top wall(or other wall). For example, fastener openingscan extend through the top wallin a downward and laterally outward direction. In yet other embodiments, each fastener openingextends laterally through one of the side walls/. Numerous variations and embodiments will be apparent in light of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, part of the fastener openingis threaded. For example, the portion of the fastener openingthrough the top wallis threaded, while the remainder of the fastener openingis configured to receive a smooth taper or straight shaft on the fastener. In another example, the bottom of the pocketis threaded, such as for a fastener having a threaded tip.

Optionally, the top walldefines a dovetail slotextending crosswise to the bore axis, the dovetail slotconfigured for attachment of a front sight. The top walloptionally can further define one or more threaded bores (not shown) for securing the front sight in the dovetail slot.

The projectile openingis the distal opening of a through-borethat extends through the upper portionalong a bore axis. The through-boreis configured for passage of a projectile and propellant gases when the gun is fired. At least part of the through-boreis sized to receive the distal end portion of the handgun barrel. Part of the through-borecan include threadsfor threadably engaging a threaded barrel. As shown in the sectional view of, for example, the through-boreincludes projectile opening, barrel opening(threaded in this example), and one or more additional diameterslocated proximally of the threaded barrel opening. In some embodiments, each additional diameteris greater than the diameter of the barrel openingand corresponds to a portion of the barrel of greater diameter. In other embodiments, the barrel openingis a smooth bore configured for a slip fit over a smooth or threaded barrel.

In some embodiments, the compensatorhas a lower portionattached to and positioned below the upper portion. In some embodiments, the lower portionsimulates a spring box of the handgun slide, or an extension thereof, such as having a reduced width compared to the upper portion. The lower portioncan be hollow in some embodiments.

is a rear perspective view showing a slide assemblyin a partially disassembled state, where the slide assemblyincludes a compensator, one or more fasteners, a handgun slide, and a threaded barrel. When the barrelis installed in the slide, the distal end portionof the barrelextends beyond the end of the slide. The distal end portionincludes a threaded portionand region of greater diameterbehind the threaded portion. Lateral sides of the distal end portiondefine recesses or flats. Each flatis positioned behind the threaded portionand is configured to engage a fastener, such as a taper pin. In other embodiments, the flatscan be forward of the threaded portion.

The compensatorcan be configured as discussed above with reference to. As seen here, the compensatorincludes fastener openingsand corresponding pocketsalong the inside of the compensator. In this example, each fastener openingis threaded through part of all of its length through the top wall, so as to threadably engage a fastenerhaving a threaded head and having a smooth (non-threaded) shaft. The compensatordefines a threaded barrel opening(not visible) that threadably engages the threaded portionof the barrel. After threading the compensatoronto the barrel, fastenerscan be installed into fastener openingsto fix the rotational position of the compensatorby creating a mechanical stop between the barreland the compensator.

illustrates a front perspective view of a distal end portion of a handgun slideand a compensatorinstalled on the barrel. Fastenersare recessed into the top wallof the compensator. The distal endof the barrelis substantially flush with the barrel openingin the intermediate wall. In this example, the compensatorhas a geometry and appearance that is consistent with that of the handgun slide, thereby simulating an extension of the slide.

illustrates a perspective view of a fastenerandillustrates a cross-sectional view of a fastener, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In these examples, the fastenerincludes a headand a shaft. The headis threaded. The shaftis smooth (i.e., non-threaded) and includes a tapered sectionbetween a straight sectionand the head. In this example, the shaftfurther includes a straight sectionbetween the tapered sectionand the head. The headdefines a recessconfigured for turning and/or advancing the fastenerinto the fastener opening. The recesscan have a shape of a star, a hexagon, a plus, a slot, a triangle, a square, or other suitable geometry. In these examples, the tapered sectionis positioned to engage the barrel. In other embodiments, the shaftcan be tapered along a majority portion or along its entire length. In yet other embodiments, the tip of the shaftis threaded. For example, threads on the tip have an outer thread diameter that is equal to or smaller than the adjacent portion of the shaft. As will be appreciated, a straight section of the fastener may deviate slightly from being perfectly cylindrical, but the straight section is straight within manufacturing tolerances. Numerous variations and embodiments will be apparent in light of the present disclosure.

illustrates a top and rear perspective view showing part of a slide assemblywith a compensatorattached to the handgun barrelat the distal end of the slide, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.illustrates a top view showing a portion of the slide assemblyof. In this example, the compensatoris illustrated as transparent to more clearly show the relative positions of the compensator, fasteners, and barrel. The fasteners, configured as taper pins with threaded heads in this example, extend vertically through the top wallof the compensatorand engage respective flatsin the opposite sides of the distal end portionof the barrel. Note that the portis positioned distally of the end of the barrel. As shown in, the vast majority of the portis within a 60° angle α that intersects the crown of the barrel.

illustrates a front perspective view of a slide assemblyin an assembled form, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.illustrates an exploded, side perspective view of the slide assemblyof. The slide assemblyincludes a handgun slidefor a semiautomatic handgun. The slideincludes a rear sightand optionally includes a cover plateand associated recessfor mounting optics. At the distal end of the slideis a spring box or receptaclefor a recoil spring(s)and a spring guide.

The barrelis configured to be received in the slidewith the distal end portionprotruding beyond the distal endof the slide. As discussed above, the distal end portionof the barrelincludes a threaded portionwith recessesdefined on opposite lateral sides of the barrelfor engaging respective taper pins. A front sightcan be mounted to the compensatorvia the dovetail slot. As can be seen in, the portis positioned distally of the barrel, which terminates at the intermediate wall.

illustrate top and rear perspective views of a compensatorinstalled on a firearm barrelwith fastenersin an unlocked position. In this example, each fasteneris configured as a cam and has an eccentric cross-sectional shape. In this example, the headof each fasteneris configured as a lever. In other embodiments, the headof the fastenerdefines a recess with a shape of a slot, a plus, a star, a square, a triangle, or other shape suitable for engagement by a tool as needed to rotate the fastener.

illustrate top and partial cross-sectional views showing the compensator, fasteners, and barrelof, respectively. In, the fasteners are in the unlocked position and the smaller radius of the fasteneradjacent the barrelresults in the fastenernot engaging the barrel. When the fastenersare rotated to the locked position, such as shown in, the fastenersengage the respective flaton the sides of the barrel. Note also that each fasteneralso engages the compensatoralong the fastener opening, resulting in a mechanical stop that prevents the compensatorfrom rotation about the barrel.

Referring now to, a methodof installing a compensator onto a handgun barrel is illustrated. Methodmay begin with providinga barrel for a semiautomatic handgun, the barrel including a distal end portion with a threaded portion and defining flats on opposite sides of the distal end portion. Method also includes providinga compensator defining a barrel opening coaxially aligned with a projectile opening, the barrel opening threaded for installation on the barrel. The compensator further defines fastener openings through a wall of the compensator and one or more ports positioned to vent a portion of propellant gases from the barrel upon firing the handgun. In one example, the fastener openings extend through the top wall of the compensator. In some embodiments, the fastener openings are threaded.

Methodalso includes providingfasteners configured for installation in the fastener openings. In some embodiments, the fasteners are provided with a tapered portion. In some embodiments, the fasteners are provided with a head portion and a shaft portion, where the shaft portion can be straight or tapered along all or part of the shaft portion. In some embodiments, the head portion and/or a distal end portion of the shaft includes threads.

Methodproceeds with threadingthe compensator onto the distal end portion of the handgun barrel and installingthe fasteners into the fastener openings so that each of the fasteners contacts an outside of the barrel. In embodiments where the fasteners have threads and part of the fastener openings are threaded, installingthe fasteners includes rotating the fasteners to threadably engage the threads on the fasteners with the threaded portion of the fastener openings. For example, when the head portion is threaded, the smooth shaft is inserted into the fastener opening, followed by using a tool (as needed) to advance and turn the fastener to thread the fastener head into the threaded portion of the fastener opening.

In another embodiment where the fasteners are configured as a cam pin having an eccentric cross-sectional shape, each fastener is installed into the fastener opening in an unlocked position so that the fastener does not engage or minimally engages the barrel. After the fastener is installed, the fasteners can be rotated to a locked position so that each fastener engages the barrel, thereby locking the compensator to the barrel and preventing rotation of the compensator with respect to the barrel.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments, from which numerous permutations and configurations will be apparent.

Example 1 is a recoil compensator for a semiautomatic handgun. The compensator includes a compensator body extending along a bore axis and defining a through-opening along the bore axis. The compensator body has a top wall, a bottom wall, side walls extending downward from the top wall to the bottom wall, and a distal wall connected to the top wall, the bottom wall, and the side walls, where the distal wall defines a projectile opening centered on the bore axis. An intermediate wall spaced axially from the distal wall and defines a barrel opening. The compensator body defines an open region axially between the distal wall and the intermediate wall, and between the top wall, bottom wall, and side walls. The compensator defines one or more fastener openings, such as through a top wall, and also defines a port between the distal wall and the intermediate wall, where the port is configured to vent a portion of propellant gases from a handgun barrel when the recoil compensator is installed on the handgun barrel.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, where the through-opening includes a threaded barrel portion configured to mate with a threaded portion of the handgun barrel.

Example 3 includes the subject matter of Examples 1 or 2, where the one or more fastener openings includes a first fastener opening on a first side of the bore axis and a second fastener opening on an opposite second side of the bore axis, each of the first and second fastener openings configured and positioned to receive a fastener that contacts an outside surface of the handgun barrel.

Example 4 includes the subject matter of Example 3 and further comprises fasteners configured for installation in the fastener openings.

Example 5 includes the subject matter of Example 4, where each fastener opening is threaded through the top wall and each fastener includes a threaded head portion.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of Example 4, wherein the fastener has a shaft of eccentric cross-sectional shape.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of Examples 4 or 5, where the fastener has a tapered shaft.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of Examples 4 or 5, where each fastener includes a smooth shaft portion (i.e., non-threaded) that includes a tapered section.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of Example 8, where the tapered section is spaced from the head portion by a straight section.

Example 10 includes the subject matter of Example 9, where the straight section is a first straight section and the tapered section is between the first straight section and a second straight section.

Example 11 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 3-10, where each of the first and second fastener openings defines a pocket on an inside of the compensator body, the pocket configured to receive a shaft portion of the fastener when the recoil compensator is installed on the handgun barrel.

Example 12 includes the subject matter of Example 11, where at least part of the pocket is threaded.

Example 13 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-12, where the top wall defines a dovetail slot extending crosswise to the bore axis.