Buffered bolt assembly

Abstract

A buffered bolt assembly is disclosed for use in an automatic weapon. A b is received in a sleeve on a bolt carrier and is movable therein both axially and rotationally. One or more cam pins on the bolt are received in respective cam guides in the sleeve to control the bolt's rotational position as a function of its axial position. The aft end of the bolt is provided with at least one and preferably two aftward-projecting bolt extensions, for which corresponding slots are provided in the aft surface of the sleeve. When the bolt carrier and bolt are in the battery or firing position, the bolt extensions protrude through their respective slots. The bolt extensions are of such a length that during the recoil stroke of the bolt assembly, the aft ends of the bolt extensions are flush with the rear outer surface of the aft wall of the sleeve. When the rearward motion of the bolt carrier is stopped by the collision of the stationary buffer with the aft surface of the sleeve, the bolt extensions impact the buffer simultaneously with the sleeve, decelerating the bolt at the same rate as the bolt carrier. During the following forward stroke, the buffer also accelerates both the bolt and the bolt carrier simultaneously. As a result, the load on the latch and the cam pins is reduced.