Ambidextrous magazine catch for firearms

Abstract

The present invention relates to a retaining and release mechanism for the magazines of automatic and / or semi-automatic firearms, in particular to a type of magazine which is provided with a lateral securing slot. A tooth (52) of lever (54) is designed to engage lateral securing slot (34) of magazine (30). Said lever (54) is pivotally connected to a shaft (36), located transversely in body (16) of the firearm, by means of a pin (58) and attached at its opposite end to an operating push button (44). A lever seat (60) of said lever (54) is urged towards said body (16) of the firearm and firmly abuts a seat (50) of a magazine catch slot (28) by energy exerted through a spring (42) against said operating push button (44) and a spring cavity (74). The tooth (52) can be disengaged from lateral securing slot (34) by depressing either operating push button (44) or a depression extension (66) of said lever (54). The magazine (30) can thus be released from both sides of the rifle.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] 1. Field of Invention [0002] The present invention relates to improvements of mechanisms used to retain or release magazines of automatic and / or semi-automatic firearms. [0003] The use of a catch or latch to retain and / or release a magazine with a lateral securing slot in automatic and / or semi-automatic firearms, such as the “standard NATO 5.56 mm”, is known. Many firearms already incorporate the use of a hook or catch which operates in a recess allowing for its engagement into the magazine thereby securing the magazine in the firearm. [0004] The hook or catch is typically attached to a rod or shaft which is guided transversely through the body of the weapon and secured to a push-button. A spring, located around the shaft, is used to hold an engagement tooth of the hook in a position that secures the magazine. Depressing of the push-button towards the body of the rifle forces the hook or catch away from the lateral securing slot, releasing the magazine from the fir...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

It still fails, however, to provide the shooter access to the magazine release with the index finger of the “firing-hand” while in its normal position on the pistol grip.

The installation or “retro-fitting” of this assembly would be complicated, requiring tools and a limited amount of expertise.

The major disadvantage of this mechanism is the location of the pressable portion forward and away from the pistol grip.

The lever is not protected and is susceptible to accidental release by laying the firearm on its side or by being struck with equipment that is worn by a soldier.

Another disadvantage of the forward location of the lever is that it creates a “fork” which will be prone to snagging by foliage and equipment.

The only shortcoming of this design is that it may not readily adapt to a few of the weapon designs that use stamped metal construction of the receiver in which the standard magazine catch operates.

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