Abstract: A cartridge magazine for containing and feeding .22 rimfire cartridges including truncated, hollow point or flat nosed cartridges is disclosed. The magazine includes a metal magazine body having first and second sidewalls and first and second end walls. The cartridge storage area is defined by these four walls. The magazine body has a cross-sectional area that is substantially the same throughout the height of the magazine body. The dimensions related to the cross-sectional area are critical to proper feeding of truncated cartridges into the firearm while avoiding cartridge jamming. The magazine body includes an outlet section from which the cartridges enter the firearm from the magazine body. A number of structural members are located at the outlet section to assist in proper feeding of the cartridges.

Abstract: A magazine is disclosed for use with a pistol having a plastic firearm latch that is used to hold the magazine in the pistol well. The magazine includes an all metal magazine body. A non-metal magazine latch member is connected to the magazine body. When the magazine is held in the pistol well, the plastic firearm latch in the pistol engages the non-metal magazine latch member. In one embodiment, a carbon fiber filled firearm latch is substituted for the plastic firearm latch. A spacer assembly is held adjacent an end wall of the magazine body. The spacer assembly has a smooth outer surface for engagement by rim ends of cartridges during their movement relative to the magazine body. A non-symmetrical rib formed on the inner surface of a side wall of the magazine body is engagable by cartridges during their movement to prevent a premature bolt hold open condition.

Abstract: A firearm (10) is provided which is light weight, safe and simple to operate. The firearm (10) comprises a bolt-barrel-receiver assembly (12), a grip assembly (14) and a magazine assembly (16). the bolt-barrel-receiver assembly (12) comprises a barrel assembly 41, a receiver assembly, (42) and a bolt assembly (44). The grip assembly (14) comprises a grip body (110) and a fire control assembly (112). Plastic is incorporated into the barrel assembly (41), the fire control assembly (112) and the grip body (110). The firearm (10) incorporates several safety features through a safety actuator (222) and a disconnect (148). These safety features include a surface (243) for blocking movement of a sear (120), a blocking surface (248) for blocking movement of the disconnect (148) and a hammer passage (246) allowing blocking of the hammer (118). Due to the design of the various assemblies, the firearm (10) is comparatively simple to disassemble for cleaning or repair.

Abstract: A recoil pad assembly is provided for attachment to a firearm stock. The assembly includes a recoil pad section and a bracket attachment section integrally formed therewith. The recoil pad section includes a number of levels along the height thereof. Each of the levels has cut-outs together with ribs and membranes interspersed among the cut-outs. The arrangement of the cut-outs, ribs and membranes provides desired strength for cushioning against recoil forces generated by the firearm while enhancing the softness of the recoil pad section material. The assembly also includes a mounting bar subassembly affixed to the firearm stock. The mounting bar subassembly includes ramping surfaces. Containment brackets are joined to the bracket attachment section and are drawn together using the ramping surfaces and the tightening of fasteners.

Abstract: A fire control assembly (400) is provided with increased safety features. A set porch (470) is formed on a disconnect (404) to hold a firing window (416) of the disconnect (404) out of contact with a sear pin (412). A pin (458) engages a safety surface (460) on the disconnect (404) to hold the disconnect (404) in a direction (494) until the firing window (416) passes under the sear pin (412) and the sear pin (412) engages the set porch (470). Once the sear pin (412) is on the set porch (470), the trigger (402) must be pulled to engage the sear pin (412) with the firing window (416).

Abstract: A magazine (10) stores a plurality of cartridges for sequential loading into a firearm (12). The magazine (10) comprises a storage zone (32), a transition zone (34), and a loading zone (36). The cartridges are configured in a double-X pattern in the storage zone (32) and a straight stack configuration in the loading zone (36). Rails (146 and 148) hold nose end portions of the cartridges while allowing rim ends of the cartridges to spread apart into contact with the sidewalls (42 and 44) of the storage zone (32). As the cartridge pass through the transition zone (34) the inwardly sloping sidewalls (56 and 58) bring the rim ends back together into the straight stack configuration.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for orienting and loading a plurality of unoriented rim-fire cartridge into a magazine are provided. An orienter apparatus employs gravity to orient rim-fire cartridges by hanging a plurality of cartridges from a number of parallel rails. The orienter is repositioned to a second or vertical configuration so that gravity can be used to feed the columns of oriented cartridges through a chute. In another embodiment, a collector apparatus is used to pick up a plurality of cartridges and hold the cartridges in a holding portion. The orienter or collector operatively engages with a loader which employs a camming mechanism to move cartridges one at a time into a magazine. The cartridges are placed in a first angular relationship with respect to the magazine opening and are moved through the opening while changing the angular relationship of the cartridge with the magazine opening.

Abstract: A tool for rotating a barrel bushing or a spring plug, such as in a .45 pistol, is provided. The tool has a wide flange to prevent uncontrolled ejection of the freed plug and spring. The tool includes a recess for partially receiving the ejected plug. Studs are positioned to control the amount and/or direction of rotation of the bushing or plug.

Abstract: A magazine for housing cartridges, preferably nine millimeter cartridges, is disclosed and includes, as part of the follower assembly, a spirally wound conforce spring unit, preferably comprising a plurality of separate but attached conforce springs. In a preferred embodiment, the magazine includes a conventional-in-length body, which has been modified by providing an elongated rib on the inside surface of a first side wall of the body. A wound portion of the spiral spring unit is located off-center and adjacent to an end portion of a follower body. An unwound portion of the spring unit is located adjacent to the first side wall of the magazine body. The rib acts to prevent contact between the unwound spring unit portion and the cartridges housed in the magazine.

Abstract: A magazine is provided for housing a predetermined number of rim-fire cartridges in a double column configuration with minimal magazine width and length requirements. The magazine is configured so that the rims of the cartridges are automatically placed in a nested or staggered relationship when they are inserted and are maintained in that relationship as they move through the housing, so as to prevent cross over of the rims and jamming. The nested, side-by-side positional relationship of the cartridges in the magazine is changed to a single file relationship while the lateral force exerted on the cartridges is controlled and jamming caused by friction or deformation is prevented. The magazine has an arcuate shape with one end wall having a portion defined by a radius of about 5.29 inches. Three rails are positioned on the upper portion of one side wall. Rails and baffles are configured to avoid or reduce interference of debris or wax build-up.

Abstract: A number of rifle parts are provided to improve the appearance, facilitate the assembly/disassembly, and/or ease the carrying of a conventional rifle. In a preferred application one or more of the rifle parts are used with a 22 caliber rifle. The rifle parts include a handle unit that can be added to the conventional rifle and which is separate and detachable from the rifle body. The handle unit can be connected to the rifle body using fasteners or a dovetail arrangement. The handle unit preferably includes aligning holes through which the shooter can see the original rifle sight at the free end of the rifle barrel. A front sight assembly is provided in which a front sight is elevated to be in alignment with the rear sight. The front sight assembly makes use of the original sight or the sight slot to maintain the proper sight line between the rear sight and the front sight. A barrel retaining assembly is also provided which can be substituted for the conventional barrel retaining device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for orienting and loading a plurality of unoriented rim-fire cartridges into a magazine are provided. An orienter apparatus employs gravity to orient rim-fire cartridges by hanging a plurality of cartridges from a number of parallel rails. The orienter is repositioned to a second or vertical configuration so that gravity can be used to feed the columns of oriented cartridges through a chute. The orienter operatively engages with a loader which employs a camming mechanism to move cartridges one at a time into a magazine. The cartridges are placed in a first angular relationship with respect to the magazine opening and are moved through the opening while changing the angular relationship of the cartridge with the magazine opening.

Abstract: A magazine is provided for housing a predetermined number of rim-fire cartridges in a double column configuration with minimal magazine width and length requirements. The magazine is configured so that the rims of the cartridges are automatically placed in a nested or staggered relationship when they are inserted and are maintained in that relationship as they move through the housing, so as to prevent cross over of the rims and jamming. The nested, side-by-side positional relationship of the cartridges in the magazine is changed to a single file relationship while the lateral force exerted on the cartridges is controlled and jamming caused by friction or deformation is prevented. A split follower device having two followers which are movable with respect to each other is provided to maintain an upward bias on the cartridges throughout their movement through the magazine.