LIGHTWEIGHT, LOW COST SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE MAGAZINE

• US 20120144713A1
• Filed: 02/21/2012
• Published: 06/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Wesson
• Original Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corporation (Smith & Wesson)
• Inventors: DUBOIS, JASON R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,356,439 B2
• Time in patent office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/50
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 11/02 Modular concepts, e.g. weapon-family concepts
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/482 using continuous threads on the barrel

Abstract

A lightweight and low cost semi-automatic rifle includes an upper receiver, a lower receiver, and a forend fabricated from injection-molded polymers. The rifle permits firing .22 LR or similar low-power ammunition from an AR-15 style frame, operates on the blowback principle, and provides a fully functional bolt catch and extractor/ejector/deflector.

Claims

1. A magazine for .22 LR cartridges comprising:

a case having a lower portion dimensioned for insertion into a 5.56 mm NATO standard magazine well, having an upper portion protruding from said lower portion to an upper end and dimensioned to hold one or more .22 LR cartridges in a single stack, and having internal walls continuing the upper portion down into the lower portion;

a follower dimensioned to closely fit within and travel along the upper portion and the internal walls of said case while carrying one or more .22 LR rounds in a single stack; and

a spring with a first end affixed to a lower side of said follower and with a second end affixed to an inner surface of the lower portion of said case for urging said follower toward an emptied position at the upper end of the upper portion of said case.

2. The magazine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion and the internal walls of said case are rearwardly-slotted, and said follower includes a rearwardly-protruding hook that travels freely along the rearward slots of the upper portion and the internal walls of said case.