Perforating gun with integrated retaining system

An apparatus comprising:

• a charge tube able to be inserted into a gun body of a perforating gun assembly for use in a wellbore;
• a retaining projection formed on an end of the charge tube that, when the charge tube is inserted into the gun body, engages with the gun body of the perforating gun assembly to restrict movement of the charge tube with respect to the gun body when engaged with the gun body,
• wherein the retaining projection comprises a plurality of collet fingers formed on the end of the charge tube that engages with the gun body thereby retaining the charge tube within the gun body.

An apparatus comprising:

• a charge tube able to be inserted into a gun body of a perforating gun assembly for use in a wellbore;
• a retaining projection formed on an end of the charge tube that, when the charge tube is inserted into the gun body, engages with the gun body of the perforating gun assembly to restrict movement of the charge tube with respect to the gun body when engaged with the gun body,
• wherein the retaining projection comprises a plurality of collet fingers that engage with a groove formed on an interior surface of the gun body and the retaining projection further comprises an alignment finger that radially engages with a slot on the interior surface of the gun body.

An apparatus comprising:

• a charge tube able to be inserted into a gun body of a perforating gun assembly for use in a wellbore, the charge tube having a plurality of centralizing bend tabs extending from an end of the charge tube,
• wherein the plurality of centralizing bend tabs are formed by deforming the end of the charge tube,
• wherein the plurality of centralizing bend tabs restrict radial movement of the charge tube when inserted in the gun body.