Firearm Magazine

The present invention relates to the field of firearm magazines.

Magazines are critical components in semi-automatic and automatic pistols, serving as the storage and feeding devices for ammunition. The design and functionality of a magazine significantly affect the reliability and performance of a firearm.

The body of the magazine is engineered to store a stack of cartridges in a compact, efficient manner. It is usually formed from high-strength materials such as steel or advanced polymers, chosen for their durability, resistance to wear, and ability to withstand the environmental pressures experienced during use. The body of the magazine is typically constructed using precision fabrication techniques such as stamping, molding, or machining, which ensure tight tolerances and smooth surfaces for reliable ammunition feeding. Magazine bodies may e.g. be formed by bending a flat (metal) sheet into a tubular shape to create the magazine body, which inherently results in a longitudinal joint or seam.

Thus, as a result of the manufacturing techniques, the tubular body of the magazine usually comprises a joint or seam at which a material of the body is joint together. E.g., the body may be formed by stamping or roll forming resulting in a longitudinal seam where the opposite ends of the reshaped plate meet. Traditionally, the joint is welded to connect the opposing ends. However, this prevents or limits the possibility for hardening or tempering the material, since this could result in stress cracks at the weld joint or its edges. These treatments would usually improve the material's hardness and toughness, making the magazine more resistant to physical shocks, abrasion, and corrosion. Further, the seam is a potential weak point.

US 2023/0349654 A1 shows a magazine with a metallic body having an increased capacity over a polymer magazine. According to this document, if a steel magazine is used in a Glock® handgun, the Glock® OEM polymer magazine catch can wear down over time creating reliability issues. This is because the steel of the magazine is much harder than the polymer of the magazine catch. A polymer can be placed over an upper edge of a magazine catch cut-out so as to cover the upper edge with polymer material to mitigate the wear of the steal magazine on the polymer magazine catch. The polymer can be formed as a polymer clip. Side portion of the clip include three vertically spaced fingers which fit into a forward portion of the cut-outs. Each middle finger includes a lip or flange that snaps around the forward vertical edge of its respective cut-out to retain the clip in place. However, as can be seen e.g. fromof said document, the clip does not act to compress a part of the forward wall of the body in the left-to-right (side-to-side) direction and snapping merely refers to the clip encompassing the ridge in the forward-to-aft direction with the lip of the middle finger. Further, it is unclear, where the body may comprise a seam and thus the clip cannot hold the body together at the seam.

It is an object of the present invention to remedy or alleviate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a magazine with an increased resistance or durability or which can be hardened and tempered without risking stress cracks.

This problem is solved by a firearm magazine comprising:

Since the clamp compresses the section in a side-to-side direction, the body is held together at the joint by the clamp. It is not necessary to weld the material at the joint, and thus there are no restrictions to the hardening or tempering of the body. Thus, the resistance and durability of the magazine are increased. Alternatively, if welding is performed, the joint is additionally strengthened. As an additional effect, the clamp may act as a support or spacer for the magazine in a magazine catch. Thus, it can reduce the wear of the magazine catch caused by the magazine and its material, in particular where the magazine is made from a harder material than the magazine catch.

In particular, the forward wall is arranged opposite the rearward wall. The first side wall and the second side wall extend from opposite edges of the forward wall and the rearward wall, respectively. Since the clamp compresses a section of the forward wall, the clamp is elastically stretched upon being slid onto the tubular body. In particular, the clamp presses together the forward wall in a side-to-side direction, e.g. by pressing together on the edges of the forward wall (the edges of the forward wall with the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively) and/or by pressing together the first side wall and the second side wall. Optionally, the clamp may only compress a section of the forward wall by engaging with the forward wall at two areas on opposite sides of the joint, e.g. by meshing or interlocking with the forward wall at the two areas. The side-to-side direction refers to a direction pointing from the first side wall to the second side wall (or the other way around), in particular orthogonal to a top-to-bottom direction and/or to a forward-to-rearward direction of the tubular body. In particular, the clamp is slid onto the tubular body in a forward-to-rearward direction (i.e. in the direction pointing from the forward wall to the rearward wall). The hollow interior is in particular configured to store ammunition cartridges.

Optionally, at least one of the first and second side walls have an edge configured to interact with a magazine catch, e.g. of a polymer frame pistol. In particular, the magazine catch is configured to accommodate a single stack polymer or polymer-over-metal magazine or a double stack magazine. Optionally, the hollow interior is configured for storing cartridges. Optionally, a first internal dimension between the forward wall and the rearward wall is dimensioned to fit 9 mm Luger cartridges (e.g. according to the SAAMI Standard, the CIP Standard or the Austrian Standard). Optionally, a second internal dimension between the first side wall and the second opposite side wall is dimensioned to fit 9 mm Luger cartridges with a staggered arrangement of the cartridges. Optionally, a first external dimension of the body from the forward-most surface of the forward wall and the clamp to the rearmost surface of the rearward wall matches the corresponding exterior dimension of the single stack polymer or polymer-over-metal magazine is configured to fit into the magazine well, e.g. matches the corresponding exterior dimension of the single stack polymer or polymer-over-metal magazine or double stack magazine. Optionally, stored cartridges point towards the forward wall.

Optionally, the tubular body is substantially rectangular in cross-section. Optionally, a row of ammunition cartridges is aligned within the body. Optionally, there is provided for a follower for pushing the cartridges in the direction of the open top of the body. Optionally, the follower is biased by a compression spring. Optionally, the spring is retained by a removable closure member, in particular a floor plate, which is discussed in more detail below. The removable closure member provides an end against which the spring bears. At the open top of the body, known as the mouth, an ammunition cartridge may be presented and held in position by the feed lips. As the slide or bolt face cycles forward, this presented cartridge is stripped from the feed lips and guided into the chamber of the barrel. The follower in a single stack magazine may have a flat top surface that bears against an ammunition cartridge and will be retained by the feed lips when the cartridges have been depleted. A double stack magazine follower may be laterally asymmetrical to induce the staggered position of rounds as they are loaded into the magazine. A single round will be centered by the feed lips, even though the force applied by the follower may be off-center because of its laterally asymmetric shape. Optionally, the firearm magazine is for a Glock® handgun, e.g. a Glock® 43X hand gun.

Optionally, the joint is a juncture or a seam. In particular, at the joint, two edges of the material meet. The joint may extend the forward wall (in particular in an axial direction of the body) meandering. Optionally, the joint extends along the forward wall between the open top and the open bottom, in particular from the open top to the open bottom.

Optionally, the clamp is in contact with (i.e. abuts) a section of the first side wall and a section of the second side wall. The section is preferably adjacent to the forward wall.

Optionally, the clamp comprises:

Optionally, the clamp is elastically stretched in a side-to-side direction by the tubular body, in particular by the first side wall and the second side wall as it is slid onto the tubular body.

Optionally, the clamp extends in an axial direction of the tubular body over at least half of the dimension of the forward wall. Thus, the joint can be resiliently clamped together. Optionally, the clamp extends in the axial direction of the tubular body over at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 55%, of the (axial) dimension of the forward wall. The axial direction of the tubular body corresponds to the top-to-bottom direction of the tubular body. Optionally, the clamp compresses the forward wall at least in a central portion of the forward wall in the top-to-bottom direction of the body. Optionally, the clamp encompasses at least the central 30% of the forward wall in the top-to-bottom direction of the body.

Optionally, the first side wall and the second side wall each comprise at least one interacting latching element and the clamp comprises corresponding interacting latching elements, wherein each of the at least one interacting latching element of the first side wall and of the second side wall engages with one of the interacting latching elements of the clamp. Optionally, the interacting latching elements snap in as the clamp is slid onto the body so as to hold the clamp on the body.

Optionally, the at least one interacting latching element of the first side wall and of the second side wall each comprises a recess and each of the interacting latching elements of the clamp comprises a protrusion received in the corresponding recess of the at least one interacting latching element of the first side wall and of the second side wall, respectively. Alternatively, each of the interacting latching elements of the clamp comprises a recess and the at least one interacting latching element of the first side wall and of the second side wall each comprises a protrusion receiving in the corresponding recess of the interacting latching elements of the clamp.

Optionally, the tubular body comprises (in particular consists of) a metal, e.g. steel or aluminum. In this way, its walls can be thinner than for a polymer body, thus providing more space for cartridges.

Optionally, the clamp comprises (in particular consists of) a metal. This allows a particularly durable holding together of the joint.

Optionally, the tubular body is formed of at least one sheet material, wherein two edges of the at least one sheet material contacting each other form the joint. E.g., the sheet material is bend, e.g. by stamping or roll forming, in the form of the tubular body, with its two edges joining and contacting each other at the joint. Optionally, if the tubular body is formed of more than sheet material, the tubular body may comprise more than one joint.

Optionally, the rearward wall comprises an inwardly (i.e. in the direction of the forward wall) projecting protrusion extending in the axial direction of the tubular body (over at least a section of the rearward wall). This allows to adjust the position of the cartridges in the body, which may be necessary if the body is made of metal instead of an OEM polymer magazine with a thicker polymer body. Optionally, the protrusion extends in the axial direction of the tubular body. Optionally, the protrusion extends over at least 80% of the top-to-bottom dimension of the rearward wall, preferably from the open bottom to the open top. Optionally, the protrusion has the form of a longitudinal rib or ridge. The protrusion can be stamped or roll formed into the sheet material as it is formed into the shape of the body.

Optionally, the inwardly projecting protrusion is integrally formed as a part of the rearward wall of the tubular body.

Optionally, the firearm magazine further comprises a removable closure member enclosing the open bottom of the body, comprising a base element and at least two side elements extending from the base element in the direction of the open top of the tubular body to contact opposite ones of the forward wall, the rearward wall, the first side wall and the second side wall of the tubular body,

Optionally, the locking element on the one hand and the removable closure member or the tubular body on the other hand comprise interacting snapping elements that prevent a sliding movement of the locking element in a secured state. Optionally, the interacting snapping elements prevent a sliding movement in a side-to-side or forward-to-rearward direction (and the other way around, respectively).

Optionally, the locking element comprises a recess (as interacting snapping element) into which an edge of one of the apertures is received (i.e. snaps in as the locking element is slid into the respective apertures). Optionally, the recess is an indentation in the bottom-to-top direction (i.e. the opening of the recess points away from the top).

Optionally, a part of one of the forward wall, the rearward wall, the first side wall and the second side wall of the tubular body is received in the recess of the locking element.

Optionally, the locking element is plate shaped and extends in a plane orthogonal to the top-to-bottom direction of the tubular body.

Optionally, the locking element is slid into the apertures in the side-to-side direction of the tubular body.

Optionally, the body and the clamp comprise at least one corresponding aperture for fixing the magazine in the magazine catch. In particular, the magazine catch may engage with the at least one corresponding aperture of the body and of the clamp to secure the magazine.

schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a firearm magazinein an oblique view.schematically shows a side view of the same embodiment of the firearm magazineas,a front view,a rear view,a sectional view along the section A-A indicated in,a sectional view along the section B-B indicated in,a sectional view along the section C-C indicated in,a bottom view anda top view.

The firearm magazinecomprises a tubular bodydefining a hollow interior.shows only the bodyin an oblique view,shows the bodyin a front view. The tubular bodycomprises a forward wall(see e.g.), a rearward wallopposite the forward wall, a first side wallA, a second opposite side wallB, an open topwith feed lipsand an open bottomopposite the open top, wherein the forward wallcomprises a joint(seeand) at which a material of the tubular bodyis joined together, wherein the jointruns (meandering, as can be seen in) along the forward wallbetween the open topand the open bottom. In particular, the bodyis formed of a sheet material, wherein two edges of the sheet material meet at the joint. The tubular bodyis substantially rectangular in shape.

Further, the firearm magazinecomprises a clamp, which is slid onto the tubular body, in particular onto the forward walland the adjacent sections of the first side wallA and the second side wallB.shows only the clamppushed onto the bodyin a front view;shows only the clampin an oblique view andshows the clampin a rearwards view. The clampcompresses at least a section of the forward wall, which section comprises the joint, in a side-to-side direction(see). In this embodiment, the clampcompresses the forward wallby pressing together the first side wallA and the second side wallB. In this way, the bodyis compressed at the jointand the material of the body is held together at the joint. It is not necessary to weld the material at the joint, and thus there are no restrictions to the hardening or tempering of the body. Thus, the resistance and durability of the magazineare increased. Alternatively, if welding is performed, the jointis additionally strengthened. As an additional effect, the clampmay act as a support or spacer for the magazinein a magazine catch (not shown). Thus, it can reduce the wear of the magazine catch caused by the magazineand its material, in particular where the magazineis made from a harder material than the magazine catch (e.g. magazine made of a metal, magazine catch made of a polymer).

Optionally, the bodymay be made of metal and/or the clampmay be made of metal.

More particularly, the clampcomprises a first clamp side wallA in contact with a section of the first side wallA of the body, opposite the first clamp side wallA a second clamp side wallB in contact with the second side wallB of the tubular body, and a clamp forward wallconnecting the first clamp side wallA and the second clamp side wallB and in contact with the forward wallof the tubular body. Upon being slid onto the body, the first clamp side wallA and the second clamp side wallB are (elastically) stretched outwards by the body. I.e., the clampis pre-stressed/pre-tensioned with regard to the body.

The clampextends in the axial direction/top-to-bottom directionof the bodyover about 60% of the extension of the forward wallin said direction.

The first side wallA and the second side wallB each comprise interacting latching elements in the form of recesses/apertures(see) and the clampcomprises corresponding interacting latching element in the form of inwardly projecting protrusions(seeand). Each of the interacting latching elements in the form of apertureson the first side wallA engages with, in particular receives, one of the interacting latching elements in the form of protrusionson the first clamp side wallA; and each of the interacting latching elements in the form of apertureson the second side wallB engages with, in particular receives, one of the interacting latching elements in the form of protrusionson the second clamp side wallB.

The rearward wallcomprises an inwardly projecting protrusion(seeand) extending in the axial directionof the body. In this embodiment, the protrusionis formed integrally as part of the rearward wallof the body. I.e., the protrusionis formed as the sheet material is shaped to form the body, e.g. by stamping.

The bodycomprises two apertures(see) each corresponding to two apertures(see) of the clampfor fixing the magazinein a magazine catch.

The firearm magazinefurther comprises a removable closure memberenclosing the open bottomof the body.shows only the removable closure memberin an oblique view. The removable closure memberis slid onto the bodyin the bottom-to-top direction. The removable closure membercomprises a base elementand four side elementsA,B,A,B extending from the base elementin the direction of the open topof the tubular bodyand substantially forming the lateral surface of a prism. In particular, the side elementsA,B contact the first side wallA and the second side wallB of the tubular body, respectively. The side elementsA,B contact the forward walland the rearward wallof the tubular body, respectively. The base elementof the removable closure memberprovides an end against which a springbears, which biases a follower.

Each of the two side elementsA,B (which contact the first side wallA and the second side wallB, respectively) comprises two apertures. Each of the first side wallA and the second side wallB of the tubular bodycomprises two corresponding apertures(seeand). Respectively one apertureof the side elementA, of the first side wallA, of the second side wallB and of the side elementB are aligned congruent to form a passage (pass-through), such that in total two passages are provided by theoverall apertures,(of which only some are visible in the figures). The magazinecomprises two locking elements, which are shown on their own in. Each locking elementis slid into the respective apertures,of one of the passages to secure the removable closure memberto the tubular body.

As can be seen in, the locking elementson the one hand and the tubular bodyon the other hand comprise interacting snapping elementsthat prevent a sliding movement of the locking elementsin a secured state (i.e. when completely slid into the passage). For this purpose, the locking elementseach comprise two recesses(see.and), wherein into each of the two recessesof each locking elementan edge of the apertureof the first side wallA and of the second side wallB, respectively, is received. Thus, each locking elementsnaps in with the first side wallA and the second side wallB at the respective recess. Each locking elementis plate-shaped and extends in a plane orthogonal to the top-to-bottom directionof the tubular body. Each locking elementis slid into the respective apertures,of the respective passage in the side-to-side directionof the body.

The magazinefurther comprises a magazine sleeve, which is slid onto the bodyabove the removable closure member. The magazine sleeveis shown on its own in. The magazine sleevealso supports the bodyand the jointclose to the open bottom.