Ambidextrous magazine release mechanism for firearms

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved retaining and release mechanism for the magazines of automatic and/or semi-automatic firearms, in particular to a type of magazine which is provided with a lateral securing slot. A tooth (52) of lever (54) is designed to engage lateral securing slot (34) of magazine (30). Said lever (54) is provided with a deflecting surface (55) which abuts to a pair of deflecting edges (57a,57b) of protective ears (56a,56b). Said lever (54) is pivotally connected to said protective ears (56a,56b) of a base (38) by means of a pin (58). A slide (62) is connected to a "T" shaped guide (60), of said lever (54), by means of a "T" shaped channel (64). Said lever (54) is urged towards a body (16) of the firearm by energy exerted through a plunger (82) from a plunger spring (80) contained within said shaft (36). This spring energy is also used to hold said slide (62) in a retracted position over locking shelves (70a,70b) by means of a detent "A" (92), or in an extended position by means of a detent "B" (94) of said slide (62). Said base (38) is attached to a spring loaded shaft (36) located transversely in body (16) of the firearm and attached at its opposite end to an operating push button (44). The tooth (52) can be disengaged from lateral securing slot (34) by depressing either operating push button (44) or slide (62). The present invention's ambidextrous function can be engaged or disengaged by extending or retracting, respectively, slide (62) over locking shelves (70a,70b). The magazine (30) can thus be released from both sides of the rifle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.