Quick-release spindle for gun tube

An apparatus for a breech end of a gun that fires caseless ammunition, the apparatus comprising:

• a carrier having a locking collar rotatably disposed therein, the locking collar having a through-bore and at least one projection extending into the through-bore, the locking collar being rotatable between spindle lock and spindle release positions;
• and
• a spindle translatably disposed in the through-bore of the locking collar, the spindle including an enlarged portion at a forward end thereof for engaging an obturator pad assembly, a central bore, and at least one projection extending radially outward from a rear outer surface of the spindle;
• wherein, in the spindle lock position of the locking collar, the at least one projection of the spindle is aligned with the at least one projection of the locking collar to thereby prevent translation of the spindle in a forward direction, and, in the spindle release position of the locking collar, the at least one projection of the spindle is not aligned with the at least one projection of the locking collar to thereby allow translation of the spindle in the forward direction.