Breaching assist tool

A breaching assist tool, comprising:

• i. a ram disposed within a ram housing, the ram housing having an opening through which the ram is propelled during actuation of the tool;
• ii. a propulsion section connected to the ram housing, the propulsion section comprising an elongated barrel with a cylindrical interior within which is disposed a piston slidable within the interior of the barrel and a connecting rod connecting the piston to the ram, the propulsion section also comprising an explosion chamber opposite the ram housing and in communication with the piston, having a forward side facing the ram housing and a back side opposite to the ram housing;
• iii. a firing mechanism assembly in communication with the explosion chamber to fire an explosive cartridge, with the gases generated by the explosion of the cartridge entering the explosion chamber and in turn propelling the piston, connecting rod and ram forwardly, to propel the ram out of the ram housing;
• and
• iv. a braking system for braking the forward travel of the piston, connecting rod, and ram, the braking system comprising:
• an elongated snubber disposed within the propulsion section barrel to bear against the piston when the piston has traveled a sufficient distance forwardly within the barrel toward the ram housing during actuation of the breaching assist tool;
• and
• a return actuator acting against the forward side of the piston to urge the piston to a nominal rearward return position within the barrel once the breaching assist tool has been actuated and the ram propelled out of the ram housing.