Magazine Well Insert for Interchanging Firearm Magazine Types
A magazine well insert operable to allow a firearm user to insert the magazine of a second firearm model into the magazine well of a first firearm model. The magazine well insert may be made of two interlocking pieces that have an external shape that matches the shape of the magazine well of the first firearm model and an internal shape that matches the magazine shape of the second firearm model. The magazine of the second firearm model is inserted into the insert which is then inserted into the magazine well of the first firearm model, allowing use of different magazine types in different firearm models.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/257,873, entitled “Magazine Well Insert” and filed on Nov. 20, 2015. Such application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA magazine in a firearm is the part of the firearm that stores ammunition for feeding into the chamber. Generally, magazines may be detachable or integral to the firearm. Given the fact that there is a wide variety of firearm types, models, shapes, and sizes, magazines, too, come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some magazines are even shaped and sized in a way that makes them compatible with only a certain type of firearm. For example, the HK417 rifle is a 308 caliber (7.62×51 mm) semi-automatic rifle made by Heckler and Koch GmbH and has been adapted for use by U.S. armed services and police forces. Civilian variants of the HK417 rile, commonly known as the MR762, have been developed for use by civilians. The HK417 (MR 762) rifle uses proprietary magazines that are not compatible with other magazine variants. For example, the HK17 (MR762) rifles are not currently compatible with the U.S. standard magazine known as the SR 25 pattern, which is regarded as the military and firearms industry standard. Because the HK417 (MR762) model firearms use proprietary magazines, owners of HK417 (MR762) rifles do not have the ability to use other types of magazines, including SR-25 pattern magazines, with their HK417 (MR762) rifles. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by allowing owners of HK417 (MR 762) rifles to use other types of magazines, including SR-25 pattern magazines, with their HK417 (MR762) rifles. The present invention allows gun owners to use a variety of magazine types with their firearms, such that they are not limited to a specific magazine variant, whether the firearm is an HK417 (MR 762) model or another model type.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to firearms, and more particularly to a magazine well insert that allows different types of magazines to be used in connection with otherwise incompatible weapon models. In one embodiment, for example, the insert of the present invention allows the user to utilize an SR-25 pattern magazine in HK417 (MR762) rifles, which traditionally are not compatible with SR-25 pattern magazines. SR-25 magazines are the standard of the U.S. military and are very plentiful in the U.S. civilian firearms market. Allowing use of SR-25 pattern magazines in HK417 rifles solves numerous logistical issues with the U.S. military, and in particular USSOCOM (United States Special Operations Command). The present invention also allows civilian users of the MR762 to access other brands of magazines. It is understood that, while an SR-25 magazine well insert for HK417/MR762 rifles is used as one example, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this example and instead may be utilized with other types of magazines and weapons without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is directed to firearms, and more particularly to a magazine well insert that allows different types of magazines to be used in connection with otherwise incompatible weapon models. While several examples are provided herein, including an SR-25 magazine well insert for HK417/MR762 rifles and an insert for AR-15 style rifles, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples and instead may be utilized with other types of magazines and weapons without departing from the scope of the present invention. Generally, a magazine well is the space into which a detachable magazine fits when it is installed into a firearm. The magazine holds the ammunition when the ammunition is not in position in the chamber for firing. Ammunition is loaded from the magazine into the chamber when the ammunition is ready to be fired. In some style rifles, including AR-15 rifles, a receiver houses the operating parts. The receiver includes an upper receiver and a lower receiver, with the lower receiver comprising the magazine well where the insert is inserted. The present invention is configured to be inserted into the existing magazine well or lower receiver of the firearm.
With reference to
In one embodiment, as shown in
It is understood that the external shape of the insert 2 can be configured such that it matches the shape of any number of firearm types. For example, in one embodiment the magazine insert 2 may have an exterior shape as shown in
The internal compartment of the insert 2 is configured to receive a magazine 4. An opening to the internal compartment is located on the bottom of the insert 2 such that a magazine 4 can be slid into the bottom of the insert 2.
The magazine well insert 2 also includes a notch or opening 6 operable to receive the magazine catch of the installed magazine 4 to insure proper fit into the weapon. For example, in one embodiment, as shown in
All terms used herein should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. When a grouping is used herein, all individual members of the group and all combinations and subcombinations possible of the group are intended to be individually included. When a range is stated herein, the range is intended to include all subranges and individual points within the range. All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the extent that there is no inconsistency with the disclosure of this specification.
The present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments that are intended to be exemplary only and not limiting to the full scope of the present invention. While the HK417 rifle and SR-25 pattern magazine have been described as an example, it should be understood that the magazine well insert of the present invention may be utilized for other firearms to permit use of an alternate type of magazines and alternate types of weapons. Just as described above, the outside surface of the insert must correspond to the magazine well of the firearm and the inside surface of the insert must correspond to the alternative type of magazine.
Claims
1. A magazine well insert, comprising:
- a plurality of walls configured to form an internal compartment, wherein said magazine well insert is configured to be inserted into a magazine well of a first firearm, wherein said internal compartment of said magazine well insert is configured to receive a magazine of a second firearm.
2. The magazine well insert of claim 1, wherein said magazine well insert comprises a first piece and a second piece, wherein said first piece comprises some of said plurality of walls and said second piece comprises some of said plurality of walls.
3. The magazine well insert of claim 2, wherein said first piece of said magazine well insert is configured to interlock with said second piece of said magazine well insert.
4. The magazine well insert of claim 1, further comprising a notch in one of said plurality of walls, wherein said notch is configured to receive a magazine catch of said magazine of said second firearm.
5. The magazine well insert of claim 1, wherein said magazine well insert is configured to be held inside said magazine well of said first firearm via an attachment system.
6. The magazine well insert of claim 1, wherein said first firearm is a HK417 rifle or a MR762 rifle.
7. The magazine well insert of claim 1, wherein said first firearm is an AR-15 rifle.
8. The magazine well insert of claim 1, wherein said magazine of said second firearm is an SR-25 rifle magazine.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 18, 2016
Publication Date: May 25, 2017
Inventor: Francis M. Plumb (Issaquah, WA)
Application Number: 15/355,816