Locking levers for removable ammunition magazines for firearms and methods of operating the same

Abstract

A locking lever for spring loaded retainment of a removable ammunition magazine on a firearm and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An example locking lever includes a locking end that engages the ammunition magazine in a locked position and retains the magazine. The example locking lever also includes an operating end for rotation of the locking end to an unlocked position in which the locking end releases the magazine. The operating end is provided with at least a first operative control and a differently oriented second operative control at least one of which can be actuated to rotate the locking end into the unlocked position.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent is a continuation of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/EP2004/012440, filed Nov. 3, 2004, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to firearms, and, more particularly, to locking levers for removable ammunition magazines for firearms and methods of operating the same.

BACKGROUND

In general, modern self-loading rifles have a magazine well that is open at the bottom and into which a removable magazine can be inserted. Typically, the magazine is locked in such weapons by hanging a side of the magazine in the magazine well, and then a spring-loaded lock end locks the magazine during the insertion of the magazine into the well. The lock end rests, for example, in a transverse groove or under a crosspiece of the magazine. For removal, the magazine grasped by a hand, and the thumb presses on an operation end of the magazine lock and thereby releases the lock end from the magazine so that the magazine can be retracted downwards from the well. The magazine lock is typically arranged between the trigger and the magazine well. Such a magazine lock is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,479.

From U.S. Pat. No. 2,338,470 a locking lever is known of which the operation end can be operated in two directions. On the one hand by pressing on the magazine well and on the other hand by lifting the magazine well. The lock end, which engages in a clearance of the magazine well, is thereby lifted from its engaging position around two, according to the operation, different rotation points.

However, there are also situations in which it is desirable to be able to operate the magazine lock with the shooting hand, and, if possible, without the magazine lock being unlatched from the frame of the weapon. When the shooting hand can operate the magazine lock, the magazine can be quickly replaced because a finger of the shooting hand (for example, the index finger or the thumb) simply unlocks the magazine lock and the magazine falls out of the well. The other hand can thus immediately insert a readily available magazine into the well and locks the magazine therein. This type of magazine replacement is not possible with known magazine locks.

German Patent DE 195 07 012 C2 discloses one attempt at designing a magazine locking lever for a hand gun. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,954 provides another, known lock mechanism in which a lock end that engages with the magazine can be rotated without intervention of an operation element and in which the total locking/unlocking set including the first operation element and the locking element can be displaced without intervention of a second operation element. However, the locking levers disclosed in DE 195 07 012 C2 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,954 are only rotated by one end and displaced at the other. Thus, it remains desirable to have a magazine lock that can be operated by either the shooting hand or the other hand, as sometimes the non-shooting hand is available to operate the magazine lock and other times the non-shooting hand is engaged handling new or emptied magazines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portion of an example case of a trigger portion of an example weapon with a portion of the case removed to expose an example ammunition magazine locking lever.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the example case of FIG. 1 with a portion of the case remove to expose the interior of the case.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the interior of the case of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present examples illustrate a locking lever for spring loaded retainment of a removable ammunition magazine on a firearm. An example locking lever includes a locking end that engages the ammunition magazine in a locked position and retains the magazine. The example locking lever also includes an operating end for rotation of the locking end to an unlocked position in which the locking end releases the magazine. The operating end is provided with at least a first operative control and a differently oriented second operative control at least one of which can be actuated to rotate the locking end into the unlocked position.

Throughout this description, positional terms such as “front”, “up”, “rear,” etc. refer to a properly positioned weapon when firing in the normal firing position, i.e., horizontally such that the axis of the bore of the barrel runs horizontally forward in the direction of fire. Also all terms, such as “left” and “right” are specified from the point of view of the marksman.

FIG. 1 shows a portion of a weapon 1 at a trigger region 3. The weapon 1 includes a case 5, which itself includes a handle 7 and a magazine well 9. The weapon 1 also includes a removable magazine 11. At the upper end of the handle 7 there is a trigger guard 13 that extends from the trigger region 3 to a case region 15 and abuts the magazine well 9. As the trigger guard 13 extends toward the case region 15, the profile of the trigger guard 13 widens into an enlargement 17 that includes a first recess 19. An operative control or slider 21 extends into the trigger region 13 from the case 5 at the case region 15 along the first recess 19 and is partially enclosed by the enlargement 17. The slider 21 sits in the trigger region 3 opposite a trigger 23. The function of the slider 21 is described in further detail below.

There is an operating end 25 of a lever 27 at the underside of the case region 15. The lever 27 locks the magazine 11 in a spring-loaded manner. The operating end 25 of the lever 27 includes a first operative control 29 and a second operative control 31. The lever 27 is swivel-mounted with a pin 33 penetrating the case 5 between the magazine well 9 and the trigger region 3.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the lever 27 in greater detail. The lever 27 extends into the interior of the case region 15 and ends in a locking end 35. The locking end 35 supports a snap-in face or stop-end surface 37 on the end pointing upward. In the locked position, the locking end 35 engages the magazine 11 at a corresponding mating surface or magazine lip 39 to secure the magazine 11 into the magazine well 9. In addition, there may be a similarly designed but unmovable snap-in pair (not shown) on the opposite side of the magazine 11. The lever 27 itself is spring-loaded by a leg spring (not shown) in such a way that the locking end 35 engages the magazine lip 39 with the snap-in face 37.

As the magazine 11 is inserted into the magazine well 9, the upper side region of the magazine 11 glides along the locking end 35 and swivels the lever 27 against the spring-load until the lever 27 snaps into a groove 41 provided on the magazine lip 39. The magazine 11 is secured downward via the engagement of the magazine lip 39 with the snap-in face 37.

• • To release the magazine 11, the marksman uses one hand to grasp the end of the magazine 11 protruding out of the magazine well 9 so that the thumb of the marksman comes to rest on a first control surface 43 of the first operative control 29 facing the handle 7. While grasping the magazine 11, the thumb may exercise an unlocking force E on the first control surface 43, which swivels the lever 27 against the spring resistance so that the locking end 35 moves out of engagement with the magazine 11, i.e., the snap-in face 37 is no longer in engagement with the magazine lip 39 and the magazine 11 can be swiveled or pulled out of the magazine well 9.

Alternatively, the lever 27 can also be operated by the marksman's shooting hand that is grasping the handle 7. Through this manner, the force used to unlock the magazine 11 is exercised via the second operative control 31 by pressing (for example with the index finger or thumb) against the second operative control 31 via one of a second control surface 45 or a third control surface 47. The first operative control 29 and the second operative control 31 are variably oriented to receive differently directed unlocking forces to unlock the magazine 11. Though the third control surface 47 is not fully shown in FIG. 3, the third control surface 47 is substantially the same as the second control surface 45 but located on the other side of the trigger guard 13. The second control surface 45 points obliquely upward on a first control flap 49 and, likewise, the third control surface 47 points obliquely upward on a second control flap 51. Thus, a downward force F may be applied to the second operative control 31 via the second control surface 45 of the first control flap 49 or the third control surface 47 of the second control flap 51, either or both of which would move the lever 27 from the locked position, which would release the magazine 11 from the locking end 35. Because the control flaps 49, 51 are provided both to the right and to the left of the trigger guard 13, the unlocking of the magazine 11 can be operated in multiple ways and regardless of whether the marksman is right-handed or left-handed. The control surfaces 43, 45, 47 maybe provided with grooves to improve handling. However, alternatively they can be furnished with knurls, pimples, dents and/or recessed grips or other surface structures that improve handling. As a further alternative, the control surfaces 43, 45, 47 may be designed with slip-resistant coatings or inserted elastomer elements. In an alternative design (not shown) the trigger guard 13 is interrupted, the resulting gap is filled in with the second operative control 31, which may be designed with or without control flaps 49, 51.

The lever 27 is fixed in the case region 15 via the pin 33 that penetrates the case 5. The pin 33 also simultaneously defines a swivel axis 33 of the lever 27. The fixation of the lever 27 may also occur via bearing journals (not shown) constructed on the lever 27 itself, which may be pivotable though axially fixed in a suitable manner in the case 5. The lever 27 can be manufactured of a relatively light plastic material such as, for example, in a single piece via an injection molding. The lever 27 may also include metal inserts that may absorb shocks, impacts and other forces that occur from use of the firearm 1 so that these forces will not release the magazine 11 from the weapon 1. The spring resistance of the leg spring acting on the lever 27, the lengths of the locking end 35 or of the operating end 25, the position of the swivel axis 33 and the arrangement of the first and second operative controls 29, 31 and their respect control surfaces 43, 45, 47 and flaps 49, 51 are configured relative to one another to ensure the securest conceivable locking of the magazine 11 in the magazine well 9 while simultaneously permitting the operation of the lever 27, without requiring operating forces E and F to become so great that an excessive exertion of the operating hands of the marksman is needed to release the magazine 11.

The case 5 of the illustrated example firearm 1 also has a breechblock stop 53 that holds a breechblock 55 open after the firing of the last cartridge from the magazine 11 (FIG. 2). The breechblock stop 53 has a tongue 57 pointing forward at the upper end of the breechblock stop 53. The tongue 57 is moved upward by a magazine follower 59, which is located in the magazine 11. When the magazine 11 is empty, the follower 59 is moved upward to the topmost position, which engages the tongue 57 and moves the tongue 57 to the topmost position as well. The tongue 57 itself extends only so far into the magazine 11 that the tongue 57 is not touched by the rear ends of the cartridge cases (not shown), but only the rear end of the follower 59. The follower 59 runs in a guide groove 61 in the magazine 11, lifts the tongue 57 so that a catching surface 63 on the tongue 57, which points to the rear, extends into the path of motion R of the breechblock 55. The breechblock 55, which runs forward because the breechblock 55 is under the force of a spring load, moves only so far forward that a snap-in surface or forward-pointing adjoining face 65 of the breechblock 55 (i.e., the front of the breechblock 55) abuts the catching surface 63 of the tongue 57, which stops the motion of the breechblock 55. A part of the breechblock stop 53 protrudes downward out of the case 5 into the trigger region 3. As mentioned above, the slider 21 also extends into the trigger region 3 and runs along the front region of the trigger guard 13, which is formed by the case 5. The slider 21 has a control extension 67 on its lower end and a handle 69 on its upper end that protrudes from the case 5. The handle 69 only slightly extends into the trigger region 3.

The control extension 67 proceeds in the first recess 19 in the trigger guard 13 inwardly toward the trigger 23. The control extension 67 is surrounded by the enlargement 17, which may be beveled (compare FIGS. 1 and 3). The breechblock stop 53 is held via a leg spring 71, whose one leg 72 is held by a first groove 73 and whose other leg 74 is held at a suitable place in the trigger region 3. The leg spring 71 biased to direct the breechblock stop 53 into the closed position (downward), i.e., so the breechblock 55 is closed. The force of the leg spring 71 may be overcome with a counter force such as the force created by moving the follower 59 upward, which would move the breechblock stop 53 upward. In addition, the force of the leg spring 71 is not sufficient to overcome the frictional force acting between the front 65 of the breechblock 55 and the catching surface 63 of the breechblock stop 53. Thus, the breechblock 55 still remains opened when the follower 59 is no longer applying the counter force by engaging the tongue 57 such as, for example, when the emptied magazine 11 is removed and is replaced by a filled ammunition magazine 11. Once a filled magazine 11 is inserted into the magazine well 9, the magazine follower 59 is no longer engaged with the tongue 57 of the breechblock stop 53.

In a conventional weapon, the breechblock stop 53 would be released by slightly pulling back a firing lever or cocking handle (not shown) along with the breechblock 55. This would cause the catching surface 63 on the breechblock stop 53 and the corresponding adjoining face 65 of the breechblock 55 to separate. As the breechblock stop 53 and the breechblock 55 separate, the breechblock stop 53 snaps downward due to the spring load pulling the catching surface 63 out of the path of motion of the breechblock 55, which allows the breechblock 55 to move forward (for example in a position such as the position shown in FIG. 3) and guide a cartridge into the cartridge chamber.

In the present example, the control extension 67 eliminates the need for pulling back the firing lever. As shown in the examples, the breechblock stop 53 may now be unlocked by pressing the trigger finger down onto the control extension 67 to move the control extension 67 downward into the first recess 19. Because the control extension 67 is connected to the breechblock stop 53 via the handle 69, downward movement of the control extension 67 causes downward movement of the breechblock stop 53. Consequently, the catching surface 63 is pulled out of engagement with the face 65 of the breechblock 55. The breechblock 55 is now released and, as described above, moves forward.

With conventional firearms, after the marksman changes the magazine 11 with one hand, he uses that hand to cock the firing lever to release the breechblock 55, as described above. In the current example, the marksman can release the breechblock 55 with the hand holding the weapon 1. Thus, the hand that changed the magazine 11 can immediately hold onto the weapon 1 again. This not only accelerates the reloading of the firearm 1 after changing the magazine 11, it also accelerates the ability of the marksman to sight a target with the help of both hands. Thus, the marksman only has to replace the magazine 11 and release the breechblock stop 53 via the control extension 67 for the weapon 1 to be ready to fire again.

In addition, the state of the weapon can be felt through the control extension 67. Usually it is not clear to the marksman whether the firing sequence has ended due to the fact that the magazine 11 is empty or due to the fact that a jam has occurred. The position of the control extension 67 now makes it possible to distinguish without having to examine the weapon 1 more precisely. If the breechblock stop 53 is in the described operative position with an emptied magazine 11, then the control extension 67 protrudes from the first recess 19 in the trigger guard 13 (FIG. 2). Thus, the marksman can feel the control extension 67 in the interior of the trigger guard 13 projecting from the enlargement 17. If the breechblock stop 53 is in its resting position, the edge of the enlargement 17 in the trigger guard 13 runs flush with the surface of the control extension 67 pointing upward (FIG. 1). Thus, the marksman feels a smooth, continuous surface and knows that the interruption or the end of the firing sequence must have a different cause (possible jamming). In other words, the marksman knows to investigate the operation of the firearm 1 and/or take other measures to overcome a jam when the position of the control extension 67 of the breechblock stop 53 indicates that the magazine 11 has not been emptied.

The aforementioned handle 69 makes it possible, without holding a firing lever, to push the breechblock stop 53 upward even with the magazine 11 removed or without the action of the follower 59 to hold open the breechblock 55, which is useful, for example, for inspection of the weapon.

To allow the breechblock stop 53 and the lever 27 for locking the magazine 11 to work independently of one another, a second recess 75 matching the first recess 19 in the trigger guard 13 is provided between the two control flaps 49, 51. This second recess 75 can, as shown, be constructed as an opening in an intermediate region 77 connecting the two control flaps 49, 51. However, the second recess 75 can also result from the fact that the two control flaps 49, 51 are constructed as “fork tines” which, proceeding from the operating lever 27, each run along the trigger guard 13.

The second recess 75 prevents particulates or contaminants such as, for example, dirt from accumulating under the control extension 67 and from moving the lever 27 and releasing the magazine 11 while the breechblock stop 53 is being released. The second recess 75 also prevents material build-up from occurring between the underside of the trigger guard 13 and the intermediate region 77 so that no foreign materials actuate the control extension 67 from below and unintentionally move the breechblock stop 53 into an operative position where the breechblock stop 53 blocks the breechblock 55. The second recess 75 prevents particulates or contaminants such as, for example, dirt from accumulating under the control extension 67 and from moving the lever 27 and releasing the magazine 11 while the breechblock stop 53 is being released. The second recess 75 also prevents material build-up from occurring between the underside of the trigger guard 13 and the intermediate region 77 so that no foreign materials actuate the control extension 67 from below and unintentionally move the breechblock stop 53 into an operative position where the breechblock stop 53 blocks the breechblock 55.

The combination of the lever 27 and the breechblock stop 53 described in these examples together with their operative controls 21, 29, 31 enable the marksman to easily complete all the steps needed for reloading the weapon 1. However, note that the lever 27 can be used for spring-loaded locking the removable ammunition magazine 11 with or without the spring-loaded breechblock stop 53.

One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the firearm 1 of the illustrated examples has several advantages including, for example, that the locking lever 27 of the magazine 11 is simplified and can be operated by a marksman with either hand. An example firearm 1 that provides this benefit includes the locking lever 27 that spring-loadly retains the removable magazine 11, as described herein. The locking lever 27 includes the lock end 35 that engages the lip 39 on the magazine 11 when the magazine 11 is in its locked position. The lever 27 also includes the operating end 25 for the rotation of the locking end 35 into its unlocked position in which the locking end 35 releases the magazine 11. The operating end 25 includes the first operative control 29 and the second operative control 31, wherein the first operative control 29 and second operative control 31 are differently oriented, and at least one of which can be actuated to rotate the locking end 35 into its unlocked position.

As described above, an ambidextrous magazine locking lever is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,954. However, in the present examples, the operating end 25 is provided with at least the first operative control 29 and the differently oriented second operative control 31, either of which can be actuated to rotate the locking end 35 into its unlocked position. This configuration guarantees a versatile operation of the locking lever 27 together with a simple construction.

In some examples, the rotation or pivot axis 31 of the locking lever 27 extends transversely to the principal axis of the weapon 1. That is, the plane of motion (pivot plane) of the locking lever 27, which is securely accessible underneath the barrel or otherwise on the underside of the weapon 1, lies in a plane that extends vertically through the main axis of the weapon 1. The placement of the pivot axis 31 between the locking end 35 and operating end 25 allows for a space saving and simple construction and does not require cranks, redirections, or other gears at the locking lever 35. In addition, the application of the spring load via a spring, for example the leg spring, allows a robust and economical implementation. The first operative control 29 extends largely vertically, or approximately perpendicular to the principal axis of the weapon. Thus, the first operative control 29, when unlocking the magazine 11, is actuated by applying a force, E, by the hand grasping the magazine 9, i.e., the hand that is not required for shooting. And the second operative control 31, which extends largely horizontally, can be activated with the shooting hand by applying a downward or upward force, F.

One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the example firearm 1 with the locking lever 27 may include variants in which it is immaterial whether the marksman is left-handed or right-handed and in which the magazine 11 can be unlocked on either or both sides of the weapon 1. Because the two control flaps 49, 51 are disposed near enough to the trigger 23, the two control flaps 49, 51 can be activated, for example, with the index finger of the shooting hand that grasps the handle 7 of the weapon 1. The marksman can, therefore, keep the weapon 1 completely aimed and keep a target in sight during replacement of the magazine 11. A connection of the two control flaps 49, 51 underneath the trigger guard 13 stabilizes the second operative control 31. In some examples, the trigger guard 13 can also be interrupted and partly replaced by the second operative control 31. Because of the proximity of the second operative control 31 to the trigger 23, the magazine 11 can be unlocked without even requiring the marksman to fully extend his trigger finger; his finger can remain bent over the trigger 23 or generally in the trigger region 3 for the unlocking.

Further, as described above, alternative examples may include providing the surfaces of either or both of the first operative control 29 and the second operative control 31 with a structure or layering that facilitates the operation, in particular ridges, knurls, naps, or dents, and/or handgrip troughs and/or elastomeric inlays. Such structure may improve the handling of the magazine locking lever 27. In addition, from a manufacturing technical perspective, constructing the locking lever 27 as a single, integral-piece is very advantageous.

In yet other examples, the firearm 1, for example a semi-automatic firearm, may include the locking lever 27 and also the breechblock stop 53. The breechblock stop 53 can also be unlocked with the shooting hand so that the breech block 55 can be released as soon as a filled magazine 11 has been inserted, which would allow the cartridges to be fed into the cartridge chamber in the barrel and ready the weapon 1 again for firing. The breechblock stop 53 includes the slider 21 with a control extension 67 that protrudes downwards in the recess 19 in the trigger guard 23. The second operative control of the magazine locking lever 31 also has the second recess 75 in the region of the section 77 that connects both the control flaps 49, 51. The second recess 75 corresponds to the first recess 19. The first recess 19 and the second recess 75 prevent the possible accumulation of dirt, sand, soil, fibers, etc., between the bottom end of the slider 21 and control extension 67 of the breechblock stop 53 and the second operative control 31 of the magazine locking lever 27. Thus, improper or impeded functioning of the breechblock stop 53 and inadvertent or unintentional operation of the slider 21 and breechblock stop 53 by an accumulated dirt layer is prevented. Unintentional activation of the magazine locking lever 21 by built up contaminants and, thus, accidental discharge of the magazine 11 from the well 9 is also prevented.

Further designs and functions of the magazine locking lever 27 are described in German Patent Application DE 196 55 169 C2, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further, this application claims priority to German Patent Application DE 103 53 154.8, which was filed Nov. 14, 2003 and which is also hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A locking lever for spring loaded retainment of a removable ammunition magazine, the locking lever comprising:

a locking end that engages the ammunition magazine in a locked position and retains the magazine;

an operating end for rotation of the locking end to an unlocked position in which the locking end releases the magazine; and

wherein the operating end is provided with at least a first operative control and a differently oriented second operative control at least one of which can be actuated to rotate the locking end into the unlocked position.

2. A locking lever as defined in claim 1, further comprising an axis of rotation that extends transversely to a principal axis that extends in a shooting direction.

3. A locking lever as defined in claim 2, wherein the axis of rotation intersects the locking lever between the locking end and the operating end.

4. A locking lever as defined in claim 2, wherein the first operative controls extends approximately perpendicular to the principal axis and the second operative control extends parallel to the principal axis and the axis of rotation.

5. A locking lever as defined in claim 4, wherein the second operative control extends into a front area of a trigger guard and includes two control flaps, one of which extends to the right of the trigger guard, the other of which extends to the left of the trigger guard.

6. A locking lever as defined in claim 5, wherein the control flaps are can be operated with a finger of a hand that grasps a handle of a weapon.

7. A locking lever as defined in claim 6, wherein a region that connects the two control flaps extends under the trigger guard.

8. A locking lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the locking lever is spring-loaded by a spring element.

9. A locking lever as defined in claim 8, wherein the spring element is a leg spring.

10. A locking lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the trigger guard comprises a recess in which the second operative control extends.

11. A locking lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the first operative control can be operated with the thumb of the operating hand that surrounds the magazine.

12. A locking lever as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second operative controls have surfaces that include a structure or layering that facilitates operation of the first and second operative controls.

13. A locking lever as defined in claim 12, wherein the structure or layering is at least one of ridges, knurls, naps, or dents, and/or handgrip troughs and/or elastomeric inlays.

14. A locking lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the lever is constructed as a single piece.

15. A firearm comprising:

a locking lever for spring loaded retainment of a removable ammunition magazine, the locking lever comprising:

a locking end that engages the ammunition magazine in a locked position and retains the magazine;

an operating end for rotation of the locking end to an unlocked position in which the locking end releases the magazine; and

wherein the operating end is provided with at least a first operative control and a differently oriented second operative control at least one of which can be actuated to rotate the locking end into the unlocked position.

16. A firearm as defined in claim 15, further comprising:

a trigger mechanism;

a spring-loaded breechblock stop that is operable between a resting position and an operative position, wherein the breechblock stop includes a slider control that has a control extension in the trigger guard;

an ammunition magazine that includes a follower;

wherein the breechblock stop may be moved between an operative position and a resting position by one of engagement with the follower of the magazine or actuation of the slider;

wherein the breechblock is unlocked in a released position when the breechblock stop is in the resting position, and the breechblock is locked in an open position when the breechblock stop is in the operative position; and

wherein the slider protrudes downwards into a first recess in the trigger guard and a region of the second operative control that connects two control flaps comprises a corresponding second recess.

17. A method of releasing a magazine from a firearm comprising:

grasping the magazine with one hand and grasping a handle of the firearm with the other hand;

exercising an unlocking force on at least one of a first operative control of a lever or a second operative control of the lever, wherein the unlocking force on the first operative control is exercised with the thumb on the hand grasping the magazine and the unlocking force on the second operative control is exercised with the hand grasping the handle; and

wherein the lever includes a locking end that is engages with a lip on the magazine and the unlocking force causes the locking end to move out of engagement with a lip on the magazine allowing the magazine to be released from the firearm.

18. A method of releasing a magazine from a firearm as defined in claim 17, wherein the first operative control and the second operative control are variably oriented to receive differently directed unlocking forces to unlock the magazine.