Reinforcement member for a firearm stock and related methods

#The present disclosure relates to firearms. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for a firearm stock having an improved drop strength.

#A user of a firearm such as a rifle or carbine may sometimes inadvertently drop or intentionally force the firearm to the ground (such as to clear a jammed firearm mechanism), and, for this reason, drop strength is an important factor in the development of firearms. With advances in polymeric materials being used in, for example, carbine stocks, manufacturers have the ability to provide users with relatively lightweight firearms, even in those having adjustable stocks.

#Adjustable stocks generally have a housing and a lever that can be disengaged or pivoted, so as to allow a locking pin to engage the carbine buffer tube (or receiver extension) at various points along the tube. That is, the locking pin may move into and out of a number of holes in the extension tube so as to enable adjustment of the length of pull. In doing so, the locking pin may also travel through or within a hole placed in the housing of the stock.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a carbine stock suitable for use with a reinforcing member described herein;

#FIG. 2 illustrates portions of the interior of the stock in FIG. 1, with a reinforcing member;

#FIG. 3 illustrates portions of the interior of the stock in FIG. 1, with a reinforcing member;

#Before describing various embodiments and examples in detail, a general overview is provided herewith, so as to enable the reader to better understand the details that follow. Currently-available stocks for firearms are often manufactured of a lightweight polymeric material, so as to reduce the weight of the stock. Although the reduced weight is generally considered a significant advantage, Applicants have developed and describe herein an adjustable carbine stock having the advantage of reduced weight, but with an improved drop strength, and, in turn, improved reliability in the length of pull mechanism. The improved drop strength may be provided by a reinforcement member, at least a portion of which may be positioned within a housing of the stock.

#Referring now to the drawings, where like or similar elements are designated with identical reference numerals throughout the several views, and referring in particular to FIGS. 1-4, shown is a stock 100 for a firearm, such as a carbine stock having a storage capability and a length of pull adjustment feature. The stock 100 has a proximal end 110, a distal end 112, a housing 102, a length of pull adjustment lever 104, and a locking pin 106 (see FIG. 2). The locking pin 106 is movable in response to operation of the lever 104 to engage one of a number of holes in a buffer tube (not illustrated) of a firearm, thereby providing a length of pull adjustment function.

#The stock 100 also has a reinforcing member 108, at least a portion of which is positioned between the locking pin 106 and the proximal end 110 of the housing 102, or between the locking pin 106 and the buttpad 114 of the stock 100. The reinforcing member 108 may be made of a relatively hard material, such as a metal, including a carbon or stainless steel, etc. In some embodiments, the housing 102 is made of a material having a first hardness, and the reinforcing member 108 is made of a material having a second hardness greater than the first hardness. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 108 is made of a material that is less elastic than the material making up the housing 102. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 108 is made of a material that is less prone to deformation than the housing 102 material. In some embodiments, the locking pin 106 and the reinforcing member 108 are metallic, and the housing 102 comprises a polymer.