Abstract: The deployment device may include a support piece, the deployable element, in particular a handle, may be rotatably mounted on said support piece and being connected by means of an elastic element to the support piece. The deployable element may include at least one pin capable of being moved along a curved guide of the support piece and adopting one or both of the two stable positions, respectively, in two housings provided in the support piece. The stable positions may respectively correspond to a stowed position and a deployed position of the deployable element. The guide and the elastic element may be configured to generate an automatic deployment of the deployable element to the deployed position as soon as the deployable element is subjected by an operator to a rotation having an angle greater than or equal to an unlocking angle.

Abstract: An air gun is provided with a magazine safety system and methods of making the air gun safe utilizing the magazine. The air gun includes a magazine well protrusion (e.g., floorplate) configured to extend into the magazine well when no magazine is properly inserted into and received in the magazine well. In the extended position, the protrusion prevents actuation of the main valve of the air gun. When a magazine is properly inserted into the magazine well, the protrusion is pushed into a recessed or depressed position by the interaction of the magazine with the magazine well such that the protrusion does not prevent actuation of the main valve of the air gun.

Abstract: A modified AK-style rifle including a receiver body with a back end having a first threaded cylindrical cavity and a second cylindrical cavity located below the first threaded cylindrical cavity. A lower portion below the first threaded cylindrical cavity has a width that is narrower than the upper receiver section to allow for passage of a pair of parallel and opposing telescoping bars on each side. A trunnion is connected to the receiver front end and an ambidextrous bolt stop is attached to the receiver body. A removable stock is coupled to the first threaded cylindrical cavity. A first bolt carrier rail is attached to a first side wall of the receiver body and a second bolt carrier rail is attached to a second side wall of the receiver body. A bolt carrier slidingly bears on the first bolt carrier rail and the second bolt carrier rail. A gas block includes a short stroke gas piston aligned with the bolt carrier section.

Abstract: A firearm includes a barrel having a breech end. An upper receiver is engaged with the breech end of the barrel such that a majority of the barrel is outside of the upper receiver. A lower receiver is releasably connected to the upper receiver, and the firearm includes structure for slidingly connecting the upper receiver to the lower receiver.

Abstract: A device for loading a plurality of ammunition rounds or cartridges, containing a rim, groove, or flange, of non-determined size or into a firearm magazine of a non-determined capacity by means of a magazine adapter, in one or more hand strokes. The main chassis, or cartridge retainer, may be asymmetric in design allowing for ambidextrous operation and accessory expansion.

Abstract: A shell feeding system for a top loading shotgun in one embodiment includes a barrel, receiver, and a magazine. The magazine includes a cavity configured to receive a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship. The magazine is positioned above the barrel and extends forward from the receiver. A load gating and locking block engages and guide each shell in a feed pathway towards the lower part of the receiver for chambering. In one embodiment, the receiver and magazine may be formed as a unitary integral structure forming a single piece.

Abstract: A shotgun has right and left magazines from which ammunition may be fed to the action using a selector mounted on a movable fore-end chassis whose motion cycles the action. An interrupter prevents the selector from switching between magazines unless the action is in battery with the fore-end chassis fully forward toward the muzzle end of the shotgun. Respective right and left outer cut-offs on the magazines cooperate with an inner cut-off to ensure proper coordination of ammunition feed as the action is cycled by motion of the fore-end chassis. The outer cut-offs are also manually operable to permit removal of ammunition from the magazines without cycling the action.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to firearms, and more particularly to a caseless weapon for magazine, semi-automatic and automatic shot. The disclosed weapon includes: a removable adjustable front sight, a removable adjustable dioptrical sight, a forward grip, a gunstock, a magazine, a receiver cover, a cocking lever, a bolt carrier, a rod, a percussion piston, a shutter housing, a safety catch of the firing percussion, a balancing gear, a barrel, a barrel latch, a multifunctional cartridge, a conical bushing of receiver, an extractor, a receiver, a big front nut, a front swivel, a magazine latch, a magazine latch pusher, a safety latch, a safety catch, a trigger bar, a bracket of the percussion mechanism, a cocking piece, a multifunction latch lever, a stop of the multifunction latch, a lock pin splint, a latch of the ramrod, a spring of the latch of ramrod, a ramrod, a caseless ammunition.

Abstract: A firearm having reduced muzzle rise is disclosed. The firearm includes a barrel having a breech end, an opposing muzzle end, and a bore defining a barrel centerline which, when extended in a longitudinal direction, defines a barrel axis. The firearm further includes a magazine tube disposed above the barrel, a receiver defining a lower opening to receive the barrel, and an upper opening to receive the magazine tube. The firearm further includes a stock defining a body support surface where the stock braces against a user's body. The barrel axis passes through the body support surface of the stock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chambering device (1) for chambering rounds in an automatic firearm, which has a breechblock (119, 172) that can move longitudinally in a receiver (3), comprising: a loading lever (13, 13?), comprising a loading lever handle (15) coupled to a loading lever retainer (17), and a loading lever housing (59, 59?), which can move longitudinally in the receiver (3). The chambering device is characterized in that the loading lever handle (15) can be pivoted from a standby position to an actuation position and back in the loading lever retainer (17), and the loading lever retainer (17) can be mounted in or on the left or right side the loading lever housing (59, 59?) and can be removed therefrom without tools. The invention also relates to an automatic firearm equipped with such a chambering device (1).

Abstract: A firearm has a first side, a second side, a forward section with a barrel, and a rearward section with a stock. The firearm has a central section with an actuation button on the first side and a bolt catch and bolt catch linkage on the second side. A magazine and magazine release are between the actuation button and the bolt catch linkage. An actuation pin extends through the central section from the actuation button to both the bolt catch linkage and the magazine release. A coil spring urges the actuation button outwardly to an inoperative extended orientation. The actuation button is adapted to be depressed for both releasing the magazine and engaging the bolt catch.

Abstract: A shell feeding system for a top loading shotgun in one embodiment includes a barrel, receiver, and a magazine. The magazine includes a cavity configured to receive a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship. The magazine is positioned above the barrel and extends forward from the receiver. A load gating and locking block engages and guide each shell in a feed pathway towards the lower part of the receiver for chambering. In one embodiment, the receiver and magazine may be formed as a unitary integral structure forming a single piece.

Abstract: A rotary ammunition magazine cooperates with a bolt catch to hold the bolt of a firearm out of battery in an open position after the last round has been fired. A cam mounted on the rotor of the magazine actuates a movable body on the magazine housing as the cam rotates to feed ammunition to the action. The body moves to an extended position and engages a bolt catch pivotably mounted in the firearm receiver. The bolt catch is pivoted by the body into a position where it will engage the bolt and prevent it from returning to battery after the last round has been fired.

Abstract: A self-loading shotgun includes a lock movable inside a lock housing between an open position and a closed position, a barrel, a magazine disposed below the barrel, a lock catch for holding the lock in the open position, and a feeder system for lifting a cartridge delivered from the magazine to the height of the barrel. The feeder system includes a feeder that swivels about a transverse axis and a magazine hatch that interacts with the lock catch. To allow the self-loading shotgun to be fully loaded even when the lock is open, the swivel movement of the feeder generated by the lock is controlled by a control element separate from the lock catch.

Abstract: A magazine for storing and feeding ammunition cartridges to a small arms weapon which comprises a casing, a floor plate, a follower, and a magazine spring inside the casing. The magazine spring may comprise a first end connected to the follower, a second end connected to the floor plate, and a plurality of coils. Each of the plurality of coils may include a first segment having a first radius, a second segment having a first length adjoining the first segment, a third segment having a second radius adjoining the second segment, the second radius being greater than the first radius, and a fourth segment having a second length adjoining the third segment, the second length being approximately equal to the first length.

Abstract: A shell loading system for a firearm in one embodiment includes a barrel, receiver, reciprocating slide and bolt assembly, tubular magazine, carrier operable to receive and feed shells from the magazine into the action, a spring-biased carrier latch laterally moveable to engage the carrier, and a pawl pivotably mounted on the carrier. A carrier latch disconnect is also pivotably mounted to the carrier and operated by the pawl. The carrier latch disconnect and pawl are movable independently of each other in one embodiment. The carrier latch disconnect is operable to block the carrier latch from engaging the carrier in a first position. In a second position when activated by the pawl, the carrier latch disconnect releases the carrier latch to engage the carrier which is locked in a downward position to receive a shell from the magazine.

Abstract: A receiver for a firearm may include a linkage that integrates movement of left and right forward assists. The receiver may include a linkage connecting one or both of the forward assists to a bolt catch. The receiver may included both a connection between the left and right forward assists as well as a connection between one or both of the forward assists and the bolt catch. The receiver may include a linkage connecting the forward assist mechanism with the bolt catch mechanism such that actuation of the forward assist mechanism moves the bolt carrier and moves the bolt catch mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

Abstract: A novel firearm is lightweight, compact, and the method of manufacture is easy. A single or dual tubular magazine positioned below the barrel of a firearm includes the novel use of an inverted U-shaped stamped receiver cover with a cavity for housing a loading and ejection port. The present invention advances the art of firearm manufacture by disclosing a tubular magazine and stamped sheet metal receiver cover that encloses the major parts of a firearm. The firearm is simple to manufacture, lightweight, approximately 25 to approximately 27 inches in length, and affords an ammunition capacity that is at least twice the capacity of a comparable firearm, such as the Remington® 870 shotgun.

Abstract: A non-detachable magazine lower receiver for a firearm includes a stock mount, a trigger well extending from the stock mount, and a magazine well. The trigger well is configured to receive a firing mechanism. The magazine well is configured to receive a magazine. A proximal wall of the magazine defines a retention opening that passes through a distal wall of the trigger well. The retention opening is configured to receive a magazine retention member for fixing a magazine recovered in the magazine well to the lower receiver.

Abstract: An auto-loading firearm includes a bolt assembly that is both automatically operable and manually operable between a forward position closing the chamber of the firearm and a rearward position opening the chamber, and a fire control mechanism. The fire control mechanism comprises a trigger plate assembly operably located between the chamber and a magazine that is capable of housing one or more additional rounds of ammunition. The trigger plate assembly includes a latch release and a carrier that is operable to lift a round from the magazine to the chamber. The fire control mechanism further includes a feed latch that is operable to release of a round from the magazine onto the carrier when disengaged by the latch release. The trigger plate assembly and the feed latch are configurable to control the release of rounds of ammunition from the magazine during manual operation of the fire control.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for a firearm in one embodiment includes an outer magazine housing configured for attachment to a firearm and a magazine removably insertable into the housing. The magazine includes an axially extending internal cavity configured to hold a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship. In one embodiment, the magazine has an elongated tubular body. A shell catch lever is slideably mounted on the magazine for linear and pivoting movement in one arrangement. The shell catch lever retains a shell in the magazine in a first lateral position and releases the shell from the magazine in a second lateral position. The shell catch lever operates to retain and release shells from the magazine when either removed from or positioned in the magazine housing for loading the firearm.

Abstract: A modular firearm magazine assembly that is adapted to accept a “plug” piece to restrict and reduce the number of cartridges that can be contained in a magazine housing. The assembly in one construction is comprised of a base plate retainer collar, base plate, resistance spring, and cartridge follower plate that attach to and mount inside a cartridge magazine housing. In alternative constructions, the base plate and cartridge follower plates are modified to provide plug pieces that cooperate to restrict and limit the maximum possible travel distance of the cartridge follower plate to reduce the cartridge storage capacity of the magazine and accommodate governmental regulations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a firearm assembly that includes a monolithic rail platform that includes an upper receiver, a barrel assembly received in the upper receiver, and a top rail integral with the monolithic rail platform that extends over a portion of the barrel assembly.

Abstract: A forend for use with a pump action firearm having a barrel with a magazine tube arranged adjacent and parallel thereto. The pump action firearm further includes an action slide assembly slidably receiving the magazine tube and the action slide assembly has a distal end and an action slide cap configured to engage the distal end of the action slide assembly. The forend comprises an elongate body having a U-shaped cross-section configured to be secured to the action slide assembly by an action slide cap engaged to a distal end of the action slide assembly. A guide defining a barrel receptacle is configured for keyed engagement to an interior of the elongate body to prevent rotational movement of the guide relative to the elongate body with the barrel receptacle facing toward the top of the U-shaped cross-section of the body. The barrel receptacle is configured to nest a radial portion of a barrel exterior, wherein the guide limits axial rotation of the forend about the magazine tube relative to the barrel.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively connecting a magazine tube to a receiver of a magazine fed shotgun. The mechanism permits the rapid attachment to or detachment from of the magazine tube to the receiver of the shotgun. The mechanism may be a connector threaded into the end of the magazine tube. A locking profile may be connected to the end of the connector and may provide an access path. A pin may be passed through the access path and the magazine tube may then be rotated to position the pin into the locking profile. The rotation may be less than one half of a rotation. A plug may be threaded into the receiver. The pin may be connected to the plug. A spring may be used to bias the magazine tube in a locked position. A protrusion and nut may prevent movement between the magazine tube and receiver.

Abstract: A shell feeding system for a top loading shotgun in one embodiment includes a barrel, receiver, and a magazine. The magazine includes a cavity configured to receive a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship. The magazine is positioned above the barrel and extends forward from the receiver. Shell guide grooves are formed by internal surfaces in the receiver which engage and guide each shell in a feed pathway towards the lower part of the receiver for chambering. A portion of the guide grooves may be arcuately shaped to rotate and reposition the shell for loading by the bolt into the chamber. In one embodiment, the receiver and magazine may be formed as a unitary integral structure formed as either a single piece or in half sections coupled together.

Abstract: An ammunition compartment is located in the grip of a firearm's handle. The handle has a hinged door that opens to the compartment. The ammunition is mounted on a strip clip which slides into grooves in the inner walls of the compartment. The strip clip has a tab which extends outside the compartment when the door is open so that the ammunition can be quickly pulled from the compartment to load the firearm.

Abstract: Firearms include some components originally configured for use with centerfire cartridge ammunition, such as a lower portion, and other components configured for use with rimfire cartridges, such as an upper portion and magazine. The firearm is thus configured for firing rimfire cartridge ammunition, although some components of the firearm may be characterized as centerfire firearm components. Methods of fabricating firearms involve assembly of a rimfire upper portion with a centerfire lower portion. A magazine is provided that is configured to couple to the centerfire lower portion, and to feed rimfire cartridges from within the magazine into the rimfire upper portion. Methods of adapting a centerfire firearm for use with rimfire cartridges involve removal of a centerfire barrel and upper portion from a centerfire lower portion, and attachment of a second upper portion and a second barrel, each configured for use with rimfire cartridge ammunition, to the centerfire lower portion.

Abstract: A bolt assembly for a firearm such as an auto-loading or pump action shotgun includes a bolt body, bolt carrier and a bolt head. The bolt head is received within the bolt body and is rotatable within the bolt body to lock the bolt assembly into battery prior to firing the weapon, but does not extend from the bolt body during such rotation. The bolt carrier translates axially relative to the bolt body so as to cause rotation of the bolt head. The extractor for the firearm can be pivotally attached to the bolt body, while the ejector further can be integrated into the bolt assembly for engaging and ejecting a shell or cartridge after firing.

Abstract: A magazine for a firearm may include a cavity that is shaped to prevent the tip of the bullets in the cartridges from contacting the magazine when the firearm recoils. The magazine may also be configured so that the cartridges in the magazine exit the cavity at least approximately in the center of the magazine. The magazine may be configured to include a biasing mechanism that pushes the cartridges upward in the cavity. The biasing mechanism may be configured to allow the magazine to be compact, simple, and reliable.

Abstract: A magazine assembly (10) for receiving and storing cartridges (28) for a firearm (1). At least one gate member (58, 60) is pivotally mounted at an open end of a monoblock (20) and has a first blocking member (58.1, 60.1) to inhibit feeding of an end cartridge from a feed port until the firearm (1) is cocked. The gate member (58, 60) further includes a second blocking member (58.4, 60.4) to prevent multiple cartridges (28) from feeding from the same feed port (20.3, 20.4) during a given cocking cycle. The gate member (58, 60) is operable to displace the first blocking member (58.1, 60.1) out of a cartridge feed path while placing a second blocking member (58.4, 60.4) in the feed path to of the next cartridge (28) to be fed. An interrupter (62) prevents cartridges (28) supplied by a plurality of feed ports (20.3, 20.4) from being fed simultaneously.

Abstract: A novel fire control system for a bolt action firearm includes a firing pin sear located and controlled at one side of the forward end of the bolt. The sear configuration is optimum for rifles having a bullpup form. The location of the sear also provides clearance under the bolt for the bolt to be moved over a firearm magazine without interference with cartridges in the magazine.

Abstract: A modular firearm is disclosed. The firearm that can be configured to operate using ammunition of different calibers via interchangeability of only a few parts. The firearm includes a foldable butt stock assembly for quickly and easily converting the firearm from an extended operating configuration to a compact transport configuration, and vice-versa. Additionally, the firearm includes a modular hand guard assembly having multiple mounting platforms for accommodating a variety of different accessories.

Abstract: Firearm comprising a receiver (2); a barrel (6) mounted with one end on the receiver (2); a breech (8) equipped with a loading lever (9) mounted, in a way so that it can slide, in the receiver (2); at least one return spring (15) to return the breech (8) to its closed position, characterised in that the return spring (15) is a tension spring of the ‘constant-force’ type that is mounted between the breech (8) and a fixed support (12) with respect to the receiver and the barrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for substituting a different forend assembly in a long gun (e.g., a shotgun) without the use of tools by a user in the field. Applicants' preferred apparatus for substituting a forend comprises: a modified forend carrier that is affixed to the long gun (e.g., the illustrated shotgun); a forend; and tool-less means for removably attaching the forend onto the carrier, or removing the forend off the carrier, without the use of tools, wherein the tool-less means comprises: (i) a tongue-and-groove arrangement in the forend and carrier, and (ii) a releasable lock contained, at least in part, in the carrier. This permits the forend to be swapped out.

Abstract: A magazine for a firearm may include a cavity that is shaped to prevent the tip of the bullets in the cartridges from contacting the magazine when the firearm recoils. The magazine may also be configured so that the cartridges in the magazine exit the cavity at least approximately in the center of the magazine. The magazine may be configured to include a biasing mechanism that pushes the cartridges upward in the cavity. The biasing mechanism may be configured to allow the magazine to be compact, simple, and reliable.

Abstract: A firearm-magazine interface for replacing an existing firearm-magazine interface of many existing firearms such as assault rifles, namely AK series (AK74, AK47, etc.) provides a lock that holds open the bolt after a last round is fired from a magazine. The firearm-magazine interface also includes a single-button magazine eject. After firing the last round, a bolt-hold lock is urged upwardly in the path of the returning bolt and catches a face of the bolt, thereby locking the bolt open until the magazine is replaced with a replacement magazine, at which time a bolt-hold release paddle pulls the bolt-hold lock downwardly, releasing the bolt to chamber a first round from the replacement magazine.

Abstract: A shotgun includes an action that is capable of rapidly chambering a shotshell after the shotgun has run out of shotshells and is capable of allowing shotshells to be removed from the magazine without cycling the shotshells through the action.

Abstract: A high feed ramp for use in Colt 1911 style handguns including a feed ramp on the frame (receiver) for guiding bullets into the barrel of the gun; a boiler room (barrel breech) with a small chamfered around its entire inner circumference; and an integral relief rim extension on the upper edge of the feed ramp, such that the feed ramp is extended over the bottom edge of the chamfered boiler room; wherein when the handgun is fired the bullets easily enter into the barrel and do not jam or misfire.

Abstract: A magazine for a firearm may include a cavity that is shaped to prevent the tip of the bullets in the cartridges from contacting the magazine when the firearm recoils. The magazine may also be configured so that the cartridges in the magazine exit the cavity at least approximately in the center of the magazine. The magazine may be configured to include a biasing mechanism that pushes the cartridges upward in the cavity. The biasing mechanism may be configured to allow the magazine to be compact, simple, and reliable.

Abstract: A modular firearm is disclosed. The firearm that can be configured to operate using ammunition of different calibers via interchangeability of only a few parts. The firearm includes a foldable butt stock assembly for quickly and easily converting the firearm from an extended operating configuration to a compact transport configuration, and vice-versa. Additionally, the firearm includes a modular hand guard assembly having multiple mounting platforms for accommodating a variety of different accessories.

Abstract: A firearm including a barrel having a chamber and an integrally formed upper receiver having a passageway, an accessory rail extending the complete length of the upper receiver, and a guidance feature extending along the passageway. The firearm also includes an operating rod having an anti-bounce mechanism, a bolt that is rotated counter-clockwise to lock against the chamber, a bolt carrier having a safety extension disposed below the bolt that prevents a hammer from striking a firing pin until the bolt is locked against the chamber, a lower receiver, a recoil spring assembly, and a fire control group. The bolt includes a polymer spring that biases a sliding extractor against the base of a cartridge. The sliding extractor is disposed at an angle ranging from thirty degrees to fifteen degrees on the bolt face to provide a low ejection angle from the firearm.

Abstract: A shotgun includes an action that is capable of rapidly chambering a shotshell after the shotgun has run out of shotshells and is capable of allowing shotshells to be removed from the magazine without cycling the shotshells through the action.

Abstract: A firearm comprising a frame, a barrel joined to the frame, and a cartridge magazine selectively joinable to the frame; at least one cartridge contained within the cartridge magazine with the cartridge having a casing and at least one projectile, the casing having a cartridge case flange at one end and a mouth on the opposite end; and mechanism for lifting in selective communication with the cartridge and the barrel, with the mechanism for lifting having a ramp that is located adjacent to the end of the cartridge at the cartridge case flange, where the ramp acts selectively on the flange and casing; an extractor rib and barrel rib cooperating to keep extractor locked during cartridge ignition and unlocked substantially after ignition.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to cartridges and modifications for an M16/AR15 rifle. In one embodiment, a modified M16/AR15 rifle or carbine includes a bolt having a maximum outside diameter greater than that of a standard M16/AR15 bolt; and a bolt extractor pivoted to the bolt. The bolt and the bolt extractor are operable to: transport a cartridge from a magazine to a barrel, and eject a spent cartridge from the barrel. The rifle or carbine further includes a barrel extension configured to receive the bolt; a standard M16/AR15 upper receiver coupled to the barrel extension; a standard M16/AR15 lower receiver coupled to the upper receiver.

Abstract: A shotgun includes an action that is capable of rapidly chambering a shotshell after the shotgun has run out of shotshells and is capable of allowing shotshells to be removed from the magazine without cycling the shotshells through the action.

Abstract: A magazine for introducing a plurality of ammunition cartridges into a firearm is disclosed. Particularly, a magazine may include a first rotor configured for rotating about a first center of rotation and a second rotor configured for rotating about a second center of rotation, wherein a position of the first rotor and a position of the second rotor are fixed with respect to one another. Further, operation of the first and second rotor may cause at least one ammunition cartridge of a plurality of ammunition cartridges that are movable by the first and second rotor to move along a serpentine path. Firearm systems including such a magazine are also disclosed. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of introducing an ammunition cartridge into a firearm. More specifically, an ammunition cartridge may be moved along a selected serpentine path prior to introducing the ammunition cartridge into a firearm.

Abstract: The present invention can have an adjustable length adapter that attaches to the firearm, and in one embodiment directly to an existing load tube. A mounting assembly and an indexing assembly are further provided. The mounting assembly has a mounting plate with an alignment hole for allowing a shell to pass there through from an aligned tube and into the adapter. The indexing assembly indexes relative the mounting assembly to successively align one of a plurality of tubes with the alignment hole. As one tube fills, the invention can be rotated to index the next tube and tension a rotator that can be positioned generally parallel to the firearm barrel. This process can be repeated until all four tubes are full. Upon emptying of a tube, a pin can be automatically activated to allow the indexing assembly to rotate relative the mounting assembly to align the next successive tube.

Abstract: A method of loading individual caseless cartridges sequentially into a firearm firing chamber by the expansive force of a small detonation in the magazine focused locally on the current top cartridge in a magazine without damaging remaining cartridges. Small individual propelling charges containing an igniter microchip located in the magazine behind each cartridge provides the loading thrust. More energetic charges containing igniter microchips are imbedded in the cartridges to fire the cartridge in the firing chamber at will.

Abstract: An ambidextrous bolt catch device, apparatus, system and methods for using are provided. Four main components include a bolt catch finger, lever system and plunger rod assembly with torsion spring. The lever system includes a right release lever and a left release lever; the left lever is an integral part of the bolt catch finger. The plunger rod assembly abuts and connects the right and left levers; a torsion spring on the rod creates tension causing rotation of the bolt catch finger in a downward or upward position. In an upward position, the bolt catch finger engages the bolt, retains the bolt in a rearward position, and signals the operator that the magazine is empty. The bolt engaged by the finger is held rearward in a safe, reliable manner to allow an unobstructed view of the firearm chamber until manually released using either the right or left release lever.