Firearm Receiver With Flared Magazine Well and Side Charging Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
The M16 series of firearms faces issues with magazine insertion difficulty due to a narrow magazine well, carrier tilt during operation, and excessive gas blowback when using silencers, which affects usability and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a machined magazine well flare for easier magazine insertion, a semi-circular shelf to prevent bolt carrier tilt, and a side charging handle to reduce gas blowback and allow for manual operation without removing the firing hand from the grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a narrow magazine well is used, then the firearm structure is simpler, but magazine insertion becomes difficult and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine well is designed with a flared geometry that curves outward at the opening, creating a funnel-shaped entrance. This curved configuration guides the magazine into the correct insertion position and accelerates the insertion process by providing a larger target area and directional guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine well transitions from a simple cylindrical opening to a three-dimensional flared structure with varying diameter along its length. This dimensional change creates a tapered geometry that facilitates magazine insertion while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If no carrier tilt prevention feature is added, then the receiver structure is simpler, but carrier tilt occurs causing drag and wear
Solution Approach 1:
A semi-circular shelf is positioned in the receiver to provide preliminary support to the bolt carrier during its rearward movement. This preventive feature is built into the receiver structure to stop carrier tilt before it can cause drag or damage, rather than attempting to correct the problem after it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-circular shelf acts as an intermediary support element between the bolt carrier and the receiver walls. It provides a controlled surface that guides the carrier's movement and prevents unwanted tilting without requiring complex mechanical linkages or adjustment mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional rear charging handle is used, then the design is conventional, but gas blowback exits through the charging handle hole affecting the shooter
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the charging handle at the rear of the receiver where it creates a gas escape path, the charging handle is inverted to a side-mounted configuration. This reverses the traditional arrangement and eliminates the charging handle opening from the rear, thereby preventing gas blowback from reaching the shooter's face.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging handle is relocated from the rear dimension to the side dimension of the receiver. This spatial repositioning moves the charging mechanism to a different plane, allowing the rear of the receiver to be sealed against gas escape while maintaining charging functionality through a side access point.
Data Source
AI summary
Improved receiver set for an indirect or direct gas operated firearm wherein the charging handle has been moved to the side of the upper receiver, the magazine well has been flared open to better receive a magazine, and the lower receiver has a semi-circular shelf in the rear which supports the proximal end of the bolt carrier as it is longitudinally displaced due to firing of the weapon.