Three-piece primer insert for polymer ammunition

A multi-piece primer insert configured for use as a base in a polymer ammunition cartridge, the multi-piece insert comprising:

• an upper primer insert having a cylindrical coupling element extending from a bottom surface to a tip and forming a cup, and an upper aperture defined through the bottom surface;
• a lower primer insert engaged to the upper primer insert at an insert joint, the lower primer insert having a sidewall defining an internal primer recess, the sidewall extending from a connecting tab proximate the insert joint to an opposite end forming an extraction flange, and a lower aperture defined through the connecting tab and concentrically aligned with the upper aperture;
• and
• a connecting member configured to secure the upper primer insert to the lower primer insert, the connecting member having an upper tab extending into the upper primer insert about the upper aperture, the upper tab connected to a lower tab by a sleeve extending through and engaged with the upper aperture and the lower aperture to define a flash hole, the lower tab engaged to the connecting tab, and wherein the flash hole links the primer recess to the cup.

An ammunition cartridge connected to a multi-piece primer insert defining a base, the ammunition cartridge having a mouth configured to receive a projectile and opening into a cartridge body defining a propellant chamber, wherein the cartridge body opposite the mouth is configured to engage the multi-piece primer insert, the multi-piece primer insert comprising:

• an upper primer insert having a cylindrical coupling element extending from a bottom surface to a tip and forming a cup, and an upper aperture defined through the bottom surface;
• a lower primer insert engaged to the upper primer insert at an insert joint, the lower primer insert having a sidewall defining an internal primer recess, the sidewall extending from a connecting tab proximate the insert joint to an opposite end forming an extraction flange, and a lower aperture defined through the connecting tab and aligned with the upper aperture;
• and
• a connecting member configured to secure the upper primer insert to the lower primer insert, the connecting member having an upper tab extending into the upper primer insert about the upper aperture, the upper tab connected to a lower tab by a sleeve extending through and engaged with the upper aperture and the lower aperture to define a flash hole, the lower tab engaged to the connecting tab, and wherein the flash hole links the primer recess to the cup.