Magazine safety

[0001] This application is based upon and claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/829,968, filed Apr. 5, 2019, which application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] This invention relates to safety mechanisms for semiautomatic pistols.

[0003] Magazine safeties prevent a firearm, such as a semiautomatic pistol, from being fired if a magazine is withdrawn (usually even partially withdrawn) from the magazine well of the pistol or other firearm. Magazine safeties are thought to improve the safe handling of firearms, especially for activities related to field stripping and cleaning. Magazine safeties also provide a way to render a firearm inoperable, allowing for safer storage when the magazine is stored separate from the firearm. Furthermore, certain jurisdictions and authorities (notably the state of California, various police departments and government militaries) have enacted legislation or imposed purchasing requirements mandating the use of magazine safeties on firearms sold in the jurisdiction or purchased for use.

[0004] The invention concerns a safety mechanism for a firearm and a firearm having a safety. The firearm, for example, a semiautomatic pistol has a frame defining a magazine well for receiving an ammunition magazine and a trigger bar movably mounted on the frame. In an example embodiment the safety mechanism comprises a first lever mountable on the frame adjacent to the magazine well. The first lever comprises a first arm pivotable about a first pivot axis into and out of the magazine well, and a second arm positioned on an opposite side of the first pivot axis, A second lever has a first end pivotably attached to the second arm and a second end attachable to the frame. The second end is pivotable about a second pivot axis oriented parallel to the first pivot axis. When the first arm pivots into the magazine well the second lever pivots into a position blocking motion of the trigger bar which would discharge the firearm.

[0005] An example embodiment further comprises a biasing spring engaging one of the first and second levers for biasing the first arm into the magazine well. In a specific example embodiment the biasing spring acts between the frame and the second lever. By way of further example a spur may extend from the second lever. The spur is engageable with the trigger bar when the first arm pivots into the magazine well.

[0006] An example embodiment further comprises a pin extending between the second arm and the first end of the second lever. The pin defines a floating axis of rotation between the second lever and the second arm parallel to the first and second pivot axes.

[0007] In another example safety mechanism and firearm, the safety mechanism comprises a housing mountable on the frame adjacent to the magazine well. A first lever is mounted on the housing. The first lever comprises a first arm pivotable about a first pivot axis into and out of the magazine well, and a second arm positioned on an opposite side of the first pivot axis. A second lever has a first end pivotably attached to the second arm and a second end attached to the housing. The second end is pivotable about a second pivot axis oriented parallel to the first pivot axis. When the first arm pivots into the magazine well the second lever pivots into a position blocking motion of the trigger bar which would discharge the firearm.

[0008] An example embodiment further comprises a biasing spring engaging one of the first and second levers for biasing the first arm into the magazine well. In a specific example the biasing spring acts between the housing and the second lever. A further example embodiment comprises a spur extending from the second lever. The spur is engageable with the trigger bar when the first arm pivots into the magazine well. An example embodiment further comprises a pin extending between the second arm and the first end of the second lever. The pin defines an axis of rotation parallel to the first and second pivot axes. In an example embodiment the housing comprises at least one plate.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a firearm 10, in this example a semiautomatic pistol, having a magazine safety mechanism 12 according to the invention. Firearm 10 comprises a frame 14 which defines a magazine well 16 for receiving an ammunition magazine 18. Fire control in this example is by means of a trigger bar 20 connected between a trigger 22 and a sear (not shown). The firearm 10 is striker fired, but may also be hammer fired by way of further example.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows the safety mechanism 12 in detail. The example mechanism 12 comprises a first lever 24 mounted on the frame 14. First lever 24 can be mounted directly onto the frame 14, or on a housing, comprising a plate 26 for example (see FIG. 1), which is mounted on the frame. The first lever 24 is mounted on frame 14 adjacent to the magazine well 16 and comprises a first arm 28. First arm 28 is pivotable about a first pivot axis 30 defined by a pin 32 fixed, either directly to the frame 14, or to the housing (plate 26 in this example). First lever 24 further comprises a second arm 34 positioned on an opposite side of the first pivot axis 30. A second lever 36 has a first end 36a pivotably attached to the second arm 34. Attachment of the first end 36a of the second lever to the second arm 34 is via a floating pin 38 extending between the second lever 36 and the second arm 34. Pin 38 is said to “float” because it is fixed only to the second lever 36 and the second arm 34 thereby forming a toggle joint which can move in translation relatively to the frame 14 (and the housing, when present). Pin 38 thus defines a floating axis of rotation 40 between the first and second levers 24 and 36. The second end 36b of the second lever 36 is attached to the frame 14, either directly or via the housing (plate 26). Second end 36b is pivotable about a second pivot axis 42 defined by a second pin 44 fixed, either directly to the frame 14 or to the frame via the housing (plate 26). As it is the purpose of the second lever 36 to contact and thereby block motion of the trigger bar 20 when the magazine 18 is not in the magazine well 16 it is advantageous to provide a spur 46 which extends from the second lever. Spur 46 provides positive mechanical engagement between the second lever 36 and the trigger bar 20 when it is desired to prevent discharge of the firearm 10 as described below.

[0015] It is advantageous to bias the mechanism 12 so that the first arm 28 is urged to pivot into the magazine well 16 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). As shown in FIG. 2, this biasing is effected by a spring 48 acting either between the frame 14 and the second lever 36, or between the housing (plate 26 for example) and the second lever. A biasing spring could also act between the frame or housing and the first lever 24.

[0016] Operation of the example magazine safety 12 according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the firearm 10 with a magazine 18 in the magazine well 16. Upon insertion into magazine well 16 the magazine 18 contacts the first arm 28 of the first lever 24 and rotates the first lever counterclockwise about the first pivot axis 30. The second arm 34 of the first lever 24 is pivotably connected to the first end 36a of the second lever 36 via the floating pin 38, and thus counterclockwise rotation of the first lever 24 causes clockwise rotation of the second lever 36 about the second pivot axis 42. Clockwise rotation of the second lever 36 positions the spur 46 out of the path of the trigger bar 20, thereby allowing the trigger bar to move and discharge the firearm 10 upon a pull of trigger 22.

[0017] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the magazine safety 12 with the magazine 18 being removed from the magazine well 16. The absence of the magazine permits the first lever 24 to pivot clockwise about the first pivot axis 30 and into the magazine well 16. Rotation of the first lever 24 is effected by the biasing spring 48 acting on the second lever 36 via the floating pin 38 connecting first and second levers. The absence of resistance to rotation of the first lever 24 thus permits counterclockwise rotation of the second lever 36 about the second pivot axis 42. Counterclockwise pivoting motion of the second lever 36 positions the spur 46 in the path of the trigger bar 20, thereby blocking its motion and preventing discharge of the firearm when there is no magazine in the magazine well.

[0018] It is expected that magazine safety mechanisms according to the invention will permit more reliable and safe operation of semiautomatic firearms.