Compact operating system for automatic rifles

摘要

An operating system for automatic rifles is described which permits a user to easily remove and replace the bolt and bolt carrier from the rifle, without requiring the user to employ special tools. This invention permits the user to reconfigure the rifle to fire a wide range of different calibers of cartridges, as well as to reconfigure the rifle to feed ammunition from either the top or the bottom of the firearm. This invention further improves the reliability and decreases the manufacturing cost of the operating system by reducing the number of required components. This invention also provides an ergonomic, left hand sided, non-reciprocating cocking handle. The cocking handle assembly is provided with a slot cover which keeps debris from entering the interior of the rifle.