Firearm barrel assembly with ported chamber

Abstract

A barrel assembly for use in a firearm that reduces the static bond due to propellant pressure between the cartridge case and the barrel chamber. The barrel assembly has a barrel with a rifled bore, and a chamber for receiving a cartridge therein. The barrel chamber having a throat portion adjacent the rifled bore, and the chamber also having a body portion for receiving the cartridge case therein. The cartridge comprising a cylindrical cartridge case, a bullet engaged within the cartridge case. The cartridge case contains a propellant producing a propellant pressure upon ignition of the propellant. A barrel sleeve configured to receive the barrel within and to positively engage the barrel. A recess is formed between the barrel and barrel sleeve, forming a propellant pressure interconnect passage. The barrel has supply ports passing from the chamber throat to the propellant pressure interconnect passage, and the release ports passing from the propellant pressure interconnect passage, and into the chamber body. Upon ignition of the propellant, the bullet is forced by propellant pressure out of the cartridge case and into the rifled bore of the barrel. The propellant pressure passes into the supply ports, into the propellant pressure interconnect passage, and into the release ports. The propellant pressure is then exerted upon the exterior of the cylindrical cartridge case. The static bond due to propellant pressure between the cartridge case and the barrel chamber is reduced and more energy is made available to cycle the firearm mechanism.