M1 Garand Enhanced Battle Rifle(EBR)Kit

Abstract

The current invention is an improvement upon the M1 Garand semiautomatic rifle U.S. Pat. No. 1,892,141, and is related to the sighting and feed mechanism of that rifle. The M1 Garand semiautomatic rifle U.S. Pat. No. 1,892,141 has a problem with only being able to be loaded with an enbloc clip and not being able to mount a center line optical sight or other devices over the receiver of the rifle. The invention solves this problem by producing a trigger housing assembly, box magazine assembly, op-rod spring guide, operating rod catch and spring, and scope mount/rail as a unified system or kit for the rifle, that all function on the rifle without permanent alteration of the existing receiver or barrel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the M1 Garand rifle (or US Service Rifle Caliber 30 M1) used as the main battle rifle of the United States from 1936 to 1957. The rifle had stellar reputation for accuracy and reliability, but had two serious shortcomings that shooters today have complained about. The rifle can only feed from 8 round enbloc clips fed from the top of the receiver, and can only mount optics on the side of the receiver for this reason. The limited ammunition capacity of 8 rounds, and limited range of optics due to the off center mount, have limited the rifles use for longer range shooting and, tactical shooting matches where larger capacity rifles have an advantage. What is needed to solve both problems is one complete kit system, to be installed on the rifle at one time, increasing both ammunition capacity with box magazines loaded from the bottom, and a center line receiver mounted optics rail. Since the M1 is also a collector rifle, the kit must complete it's design functions with no permanent modification to the rifle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a kit that converts the M1 rifle to box magazine feed, and center line receiver mount optics and accessories, with no permanent modification to the rifle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1. Trigger Housing Assembly Side view

FIG. 2. Trigger Housing Assembly Bottom view

FIG. 3. Magazine Assembly

FIG. 4 Operating Rod Spring Guide

FIG. 5. Operating Rod Catch

FIG. 6. Operating Rod Catch Spring

FIG. 7. Scope Mount Assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a kit designed to address two problems that shooters have recognized in the M1 Garand Rifle/US Rifle Caliber 30 M1, U.S. Pat. No. 1,892,141, the limited capacity of the 8 round enbloc clip and the side mount optical sight requirement. The kit converts the M1 rifle to Box magazine feeding by means of replacing the trigger housing with the part in FIGS. 1 and 2, the follower Rod with the new Operating Rod Spring Guide in FIG. 3, Operating Rod Catch with a new part of the same name in FIG. 4 along, with the addition of the spring in FIG. 5. The second problem of being forced to mount the optical sights on the side of the receiver is addressed by replacing the rear sight with the part in FIG. 5, the scope mount and rail assembly.

The parts in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trigger housing assembly can be made by methods well known to the industry, machining, forging, casting or other methods, the preferred material would be steel, but other materials such as aluminum, plastics or other metals could probably be used. Proper Heat treatment by any standard method will aide in toughness and wear characteristics if steel or other metals are used.

The Part in FIG. 3. The magazine assembly is formed from steel, aluminum or other material of sufficient strength and appropriate wear characteristics to complete is designed function. The part also contains a follower made steel, aluminum or other material formed by stamping, milling, forging, casting or other methods, mounted on wire spring to feed the rounds in consistent manner.

The part in FIG. 4. The Operating Rod Spring Guide is preferably made of steel or other metal, and is best turned on lathe, with cut made by milling or other methods, but any standard method of getting the same shape would suffice. Other materials such as aluminum or other alloys could also be used, along with some plastics. Again heat treatment will be key in aiding in the wear and strength characteristic of the part.

The part in FIG. 5. The Operating Rod Catch is again made from heat treated steel in the ideal, but could be made other suitable materials as long as they are of sufficient strength and wear profiles. The part is made by milling in the preferred case, but EDM machining or other methods to achieve the same result would be sufficient. The shape of the part is the ideal shape but slightly differing shapes can work as well, including those catching the op rod on both sides of the spring guide.

The Operating Rod Catch spring in FIG. 6. is the preferred shape but others could be used to power the part in FIG. 4 as well, this spring is made of music wire but other materials could be used.

The part in FIG. 7. the scope mount assembly is made of steel or other suitable material machined, cast or made by other method to have the shape and characteristics for the designed purpose. There can be several shapes of the base to mount the rail, and all would work, the one shown was the easiest to machine and illustrate.

The end user of the invention will see the benefit of enhanced accuracy at longer ranges, less frequent reloads, easier reloading of the rifle, and easier use in multiple roles for both sporting and competition use. The rifle will also be easily restored to its original configuration as no permanent alterations have been made by the installation of the kit.

While the listed configuration is the preferred embodiment of the invention those skilled the art will see that there can be minor changes in methods or materials or design that will not depart from the invention, and therefore it is aimed to cover all such changes which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A specified purpose kit consisting of a trigger housing assembly, magazine assembly, operating rod spring guide, operating rod catch assembly, and scope mount assembly, for the purpose converting an M1 rifle to detachable box magazine feeding, and in-line with bore receiver mounted optics or accessory sighting systems, using standardized industry accepted mounting rings. The purposes of the kit to be accomplished with permanent alteration of the receiver/barrel group of the rifle.

2. The trigger housing assembly of claim 1. above to consist of a machined, cast, or other manufacture method housing of steel or other material to fit in place of the standard trigger housing on the M1 rifle and utilize all parts of the standard housing except for parts supplied with the new housing. The new part to provide full function of the standard part in addition to fixing the magazine box in place in the rifle.

3. The Magazine assembly of claim 1. above to consist of a box shaped part, stamped, machined, cast or molded of steel or other suitable material and sized to fit the magazine well of the M1 rifle receiver without modification to said receiver with internal spring and follower designed for the part. The part of sufficient length to hold the desired number of rounds. The part cut to work with the trigger housing above.

4. The Operating Rod Spring Guide of claim 1. above to consist of a steel or other material part, lathe turned, cast, or made by other method to replace the follower rod of the M1 rifle and its purpose of guiding the operating rod spring. The part to mount in an existing hole on the rifle.

5. The Operating Rod Catch Assembly of claim 1. above, to consist of a machined, cast, or other method of manufacture part of steel or other material, and a standard method of manufacture spring for its operation. The part to replace the part of the same name on the M1 rifle and function in its place and mount in a similar manner.

6. The Scope Mount Assembly of claim 1. above, to consist of a mounting block and rail, both parts machined, cast, or made by other method of steel or suitable materials, designed to replace the rear sight of the M1 rifle and to by design and mechanical means attach to points of the rear sight base without permanent modification of the receiver in any way. The rail to have slot cuts and dimensions to interface with both Mil Std-1913 scope rings and the Weaver commercial type rings.