AUTOMATIC GUN BREECH MECHANISM HAVING LATCHES TO HOLD THE BREECH BLOCK OPEN

摘要

A reciprocating barrel is provided with a breech ring supporting a breech block for vertical and rotatable movement between open and closed positions of the firing chamber. The breech block is mounted on a pin having semi-circular end portions which are positioned within slots in the breech ring which control the vertical and rotational movement of the breech pin carrying the breech block. An actuator operated by explosion gases opens and closes the breech block. Breech latches hold the breech block in its open position, and ejector slides operated by the breech block serve to lock the latches so as to hold the breech block in the open position. The ejector slides are engaged by an incoming round of ammunition to release the latches and the breech block to allow the actuator to close the breech block for the next firing cycle.