Nozzle and gas diffuser assemblies for welding torches

An arc welding torch, comprising:

• a body;
• a gooseneck coupled to the body;
• a gas diffuser assembly coupled to the gooseneck, wherein the gas diffuser assembly comprises
• a gas diffuser having an external surface and configured to be coupled to the gooseneck;
• an outer sleeve comprising an annular groove in an exterior surface of the outer sleeve;
• a retention ring configured to fit within the annular groove, the outer sleeve and the retention ring configured to cooperate to retain a nozzle of the welding torch on the exterior surface of the outer sleeve;
• and
• an insulator disposed between the outer sleeve and the external surface of the gas diffuser, the insulator directly coupling the gas diffuser to the outer sleeve, wherein the length of the insulator extends at least the length of the outer sleeve, and the insulator and the outer sleeve extend past an end of the gas diffuser that is coupled to the gooseneck;
• a contact tip retained by the gas diffuser assembly;
• and
• a nozzle coupled to the outer sleeve of the gas diffuser assembly, wherein the insulator is configured to insulate the nozzle from electrical current conducted through the gas diffuser.