Double stack magazine
Double stack magazines have a tubular body defining an elongated passage and a lower and upper end, a floor plate element connected to the lower end, an elongated separator element within the passage, a follower defining an aperture receiving the separator element and movable within the elongated passage, a spring within the passage having a first end contacting the floor plate, and having an opposed second end contacting and biasing the follower toward the upper end of the body. The separator may be a rod spaced apart from the body surfaces. The spring may be spaced apart from the separator element. The spring may be a coil spring having multiple winds, each encompassing the separator element. The separator element may be medially located in the body. The separator element may be positioned to define first and second stack passages between the left and right side walls and the separator element.
1. A magazine for a firearm comprising:
a tubular body having surfaces defining an elongated passage and having a lower end and an upper end having feed lips;
a floor plate element connected to the lower end;
an elongated separator element within the passage spaced apart from the body surfaces;
a follower defining an aperture receiving and surrounding the separator element and movable within the elongated passage;
the follower movable within the passage from a lowest position to a highest position, wherein at least a portion of the follower is within no more than one cartridge diameter from the feed lips when in the highest position;
the separator element extending from the lower end of the body to a level proximate to the upper end;
the aperture of the follower receiving an upper end portion of the separator when the follower is in the highest position; and
a spring within the passage having a first end contacting the floor plate, and having an opposed second end contacting and biasing the follower toward the upper end of the body; and
wherein the body has a rear wail, and wherein the rear wall includes a medial rib extending forward, such that the rib defines a separation between a stack of cartridges right of the rib, and a stack of cartridges left of the rib.
2. The magazine of claim 1 wherein the separator is a rod having a circular cross-section.
3. The magazine of claim 1 wherein the spring is spaced apart from the separator element.
4. The magazine of claim 1 . wherein the separator element is encompassed by the spring.
5. The magazine of claim 1 wherein the separator element is medially located in the body.
6. The magazine of claim 1 wherein the body has opposed major right and left side walls, and wherein the separator element is positioned medially between the side walls.
7. The magazine of claim 1 wherein the body has opposed major right and left side walls, and wherein the separator element is positioned between the side walls to define a first stack passage between the left side wall and the separator element, and a second stack passage between the right side wall and the separator element.
8. The magazine of claim 1 wherein the follower has a rear wall, and wherein the rear wall of the follower includes slot that closely receives the medial rib.
9. The magazine of claim 1 wherein the floor plate defines an aperture closely receiving the separator element.
10. The magazine of claim 1 wherein the follower positions the separator element by acting as a sliding support bushing as the follower moves within the body.
11. A magazine for a firearm comprising:
a tubular body having surfaces defining an elongated passage and having a lower end and an upper end having feed lips;
a floor plate element connected to the lower end;
an elongated separator element within the passage spaced apart from the body surfaces;
a follower defining an aperture receiving the separator element and movable within the elongated passage;
the follower movable within the passage from a lowest position to a highest position, wherein at least a portion of the follower is within no more than one cartridge diameter from the feed lips when in the highest position;
the separator element extending from the lower end of the body to a level proximate to the upper end;
the aperture of the follower receiving an upper end portion of the separator when the follower is in the highest position; and
a spring within the passage having a first end contacting the floor plate, and having an opposed second end contacting and biasing the follower toward the upper end of the body; wherein the spring is a circular coil spring having multiple winds, each encompassing the separator element.
12. A magazine for a firearm comprising:
a tubular body having surfaces defining an elongated passage and having a lower end and an upper end;
a floor plate element connected to the lower end;
an elongated separator element within the passage;
the separator element having a fore to aft dimension substantially the same as a right to left dimension;
a follower defining an aperture receiving the separator element and movable within the elongated passage;
a spring within the passage having a first end contacting the floor plate, and having an opposed second end contacting and biasing the follower toward the upper end of the body;
the elongated separator element being within the portion of the elongated passage encompassed by the spring; and
wherein the body has a rear wall, and wherein the rear wall includes a medial rib extending forward, such that the rib defines a separation between a stack of cartridges right of the rib, and a stack of cartridges left of the rib.
13. The magazine of claim 12 wherein the follower defines a slot closely receiving the rib.
14. The magazine of claim 12 wherein the separator is a rod spaced apart from the body surfaces.
15. The magazine of claim 12 wherein the spring is spaced apart from the separator element.
16. The magazine of claim 12 wherein the spring is a circular coil spring having multiple winds, each encompassing the separator element.
17. The magazine of claim 12 wherein the separator element is medially located in the body.
18. The magazine of claim 12 wherein the body has opposed major right and left side walls, and wherein the separator element is positioned medially between the side walls.
19. The magazine of claim 12 wherein the body has opposed major right and left side walls, and wherein the separator element is positioned between the side walls to define a first stack passage between the left sidewall and the separator element, and a second stack passage between the right sidewall and the separator element.