Machine guns having detachable barrels and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An illustrated example firearm includes a housing; a removable barrel; a latch to releasably secure the barrel in the housing, the latch having a released state and a secured state; and a carrying handle movable between a rest position and a carry position. The carrying handle cooperates with the latch such that the latch can only be moved into the released state to permit removal of the barrel when the carrying handle is at least substantially in the carry position.

A modular gun stock includes a forestock supporting the action and barrel, and a buttstock assembly removably secured to the forestock. The length of the buttstock assembly is selected to provide a desired length of pull, such that replacement of the buttstock assembly provides ready customization of the length of the stock for different shooters, or for different shooting situations. The buttstock assembly includes two projecting locating pins that are received in complementary bores defined in the forestock. A rubber insert, located in the tip of each locating pin, and a gasket disposed between the buttstock assembly and the forestock, are respectively slightly compressed as the buttstock assembly is secured by a threaded fastener to the forestock. The durometer of the rubber insert and material of the gasket are preferably selected to lessen felt recoil and damp vibration.