Firearm gas discharge deflector
An accessory for a firearm includes a deflector structured to alter a path of discharge gasses and/or debris after such gasses and debris pass a Loaded Chamber Indicator (LCI) of the firearm. The LCI indicates a presence of a cartridge within a firing chamber of the firearm, but openings within and around the LCI also provide a path for hot gasses and debris to strike accessories, which causes fouling and other deterioration.
1. A firearm, comprising:
a Loaded Chamber Indicator (LCI) that indicates when a cartridge is loaded into a firing chamber of the firearm; and
a deflector structured to alter a path of discharge gasses after the discharge gasses pass the LCI.
2. The firearm of claim 1 , in which:
the deflector is part of an accessory; and
the deflector is structured to block a gas path between the LCI and the accessory.
3. The firearm of claim 2 , in which the accessory is a sight, and in which the deflector is structured to block a gas path between the LCI and a lens of the sight.
4. The firearm of claim 2 , in which the deflector is a removable part of the accessory.
5. The firearm of claim 2 , in which the deflector is a fixed part of the accessory.
6. The firearm of claim 2 , in which the deflector is separate from but permanently attached to the accessory.
7. The firearm of claim 2 , in which the deflector is further structured to block debris from striking the accessory.
8. The firearm of claim 1 , in which the deflector does not interfere with an operation of the LCI.
9. The firearm of claim 1 , in which the deflector includes a scalloped shape structured to alter the path of discharge gasses.
10. The firearm of claim 1 , in which the deflector is formed from glass-filled nylon.
11. An accessory for a firearm that includes a Loaded Chamber Indicator (LCI) for indicating a presence of a cartridge within a firing chamber of the firearm, the accessory comprising:
a deflector structured to alter a path of discharge gasses after the discharge gasses pass the LCI.
12. The accessory of claim 11 , in which:
the deflector is a component of the accessory; and
the deflector is structured to block a gas path between the LCI and the accessory.
13. The accessory of claim 12 , in which the accessory is a sight, and in which the deflector blocks a gas path between the LCI and a lens of the sight.
14. The accessory of claim 12 , in which the deflector is a removable part of the accessory.
15. The accessory of claim 12 , in which the deflector is a fixed part of the accessory.
16. The accessory of claim 12 , in which the deflector is separate from but permanently attached to the accessory.
17. The accessory of claim 12 , in which the deflector is further structured to block debris from striking the accessory.
18. The accessory of claim 11 , in which the deflector does not interfere with an operation of the LCI.
19. The accessory of claim 11 , in which the deflector includes a scalloped shape structured to alter the path of discharge gasses.
20. The accessory of claim 11 , in which the deflector is formed from glass-filled nylon.