AFTE Store - Gas Handling, Containment, Deflection and Venting for Bolt Action Rifles

This research paper covers the design considerations of the safety of the shooter from the standpoint of the ability of a firearm to handle gases that may escape the cartridge case. Such gas escape may be the result of a pierced primer or a defective cartridge case. Some bolt action designs have very poor gas handling qualities. Some designs leave a clear path along the locking lug raceways to permit escaping gas and brass fragments to reach the face of the shooter. Other designshave excellent gas handling capability. Early gas handling designs and patents are considered. The review is intended to chronologically cover the design considerations up to the present “State of the Art”.