Firing pin safety device for auto-loading firearms

A safety device for a firearm having a bolt carrier group from the M16 family of firearms with a bolt having a first longitudinal bore housed within a bolt carrier having a second longitudinal bore for receiving the bolt, the first longitudinal bore being generally surrounded by the second longitudinal bore and the bolt being rotatable within said bolt carrier, a hammer translatable from a cocked position through a travel path, a firing pin positioned for reciprocating movement within the first longitudinal bore between a firing position, where the tip of the firing pin is protruding from the face of the bolt of the bolt carrier group, and a rest position in which the firing pin is restrained, a proximal end of the firing pin including a catch surface, and a firing pin spring cooperating with the firing pin and a proximal end of the bolt to bias the firing pin toward the rest position, said safety device comprising:

• a safety catch mechanism including a safety catch arm with a safety catch, a pin and a safety catch spring, said safety catch arm having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end including a camming surface and said safety catch being located adjacent to and distal from the camming surface, said safety catch spring being housed within a recess located on an interior of said bolt carrier group and positioned adjacent the distal end of said safety catch arm, said spring biasing the distal end of the safety catch arm toward an exterior of said bolt carrier group, said safety catch arm including a transverse bore at about a midpoint thereof for receiving the pin, said safety catch arm being rotatable on said pin from an engaged position in which said safety catch secures said firing pin in said rest position to a disengaged position in which said catch surface of said firing pin is released from said safety catch to allow the firing pin to move to the firing position, said safety catch spring biasing the safety catch arm into the engaged position, said safety catch arm rotating to said disengaged position in response to force applied by the hammer moving forwardly and riding along the camming surface to force the proximal end of the safety catch arm away from the firing pin to release the catch surface of the firing pin from the safety catch and allow the firing pin to move to the firing position.