Magazine lock for a firearm
View Patent ↗Disclosed is an improved magazine lock, a first embodiment having a magazine catch with a relief communicating with the magazine well on the lower receiver of an assault weapon. This embodiment also uses a removable key, only accessible when the rifle is rendered inoperable, that interfaces with that relief to prevent the magazine from being expelled from the rifle. In a second embodiment, the key is disengaged from the catch by separating the lower and upper receivers from each other, while it is engaged by closing them against each other. The key is only accessible when the receivers are separated. In a third embodiment, the key is mechanized and operates as a selector switch to change between fixed magazine and non-fixed magazine operation for the rifle. The switch is only accessible when the rifle is rendered inoperable. Variations of and modifications to these embodiments are also presented.
1 . A magazine lock for a firearm, the firearm having a lower portion/receiver, the lower portion/receiver having a magazine well for corralling a magazine;
said magazine lock comprising:
a magazine catch extending into said magazine well, and having a relief in communication with the interior of said magazine well;
a key having a feature for fitting within said relief on said magazine catch, substantially fitting between said magazine well wall and said magazine, and extending above said lower portion/receiver;
whereby said key being present in said relief on said magazine catch prevents said magazine from being removed from said firearm;
whereby said key being absent from said relief on said magazine catch permits said magazine to be removed from said firearm.
2 . The magazine lock of claim 1 , wherein said magazine catch is has a relief on the outboard portion of said magazine catch, said relief being in direct communication with the exterior of said firearm and the interior of said magazine well.
3 . The magazine lock of claim 1 , wherein said key can be accessed and/or manipulated without the use of an external tool.
4 . The magazine lock of claim 1 , wherein said key can only be accessed and/or manipulated by rendering said firearm inoperable.
5 . The magazine lock of claim 1 , wherein said key is movably mounted to the interior of said magazine well.
6 . The magazine lock of claim 5 , wherein said magazine catch has a relief on the outboard portion of said magazine catch, said relief being in direct communication with the exterior of said firearm and the interior of said magazine well.
7 . The magazine lock of claim 5 , wherein said key can be accessed and/or manipulated without the use of an external tool.
8 . The magazine lock of claim 5 , wherein said key can only be accessed and/or manipulated by rendering said firearm inoperable.
9 . The magazine lock of claim 5 , wherein said key automatically disengages from said magazine catch by rendering said firearm inoperable.
10 . The magazine lock of claim 5 , wherein said key can be selectively placed in either an engaged state or in a disengaged state with said magazine catch.
11 . A magazine lock for a firearm, the firearm having a lower portion/receiver, the lower portion/receiver having a magazine well for corralling a magazine;
said magazine lock comprising:
a magazine catch extending through the wall of and into said magazine well, and having a relief on the outboard portion of said magazine catch, said relief in direct communication with the exterior of said firearm and the interior of said magazine well;
a key having a feature for fitting within said relief on said magazine catch, and substantially fitting between said magazine well wall and said magazine;
whereby said key being present in said relief on said magazine catch prevents said magazine from being removed from said firearm;
whereby said key being absent from said relief on said magazine catch permits said magazine to be removed from said firearm.
12 . The magazine lock of claim 11 , wherein said key extends above said lower portion/receiver.
13 . The magazine lock of claim 11 , wherein said key can be accessed and/or manipulated without the use of an external tool.
14 . The magazine lock of claim 11 , wherein said key can only be accessed and/or manipulated by rendering said firearm inoperable.
15 . The magazine lock of claim 11 , wherein said key is movably mounted to the interior of said magazine well.
16 . The magazine lock of claim 15 , wherein said key extends above said lower portion/receiver.
17 . The magazine lock of claim 15 , wherein said key can be accessed and/or manipulated without the use of an external tool.
18 . The magazine lock of claim 15 , wherein said key can only be accessed and/or manipulated by rendering said firearm inoperable.
19 . The magazine lock of claim 15 , wherein said key automatically disengages from said magazine catch by rendering said firearm inoperable.
20 . The magazine lock of claim 15 , wherein said key can be selectively placed in either an engaged state or in a disengaged state with said magazine catch.
21 . A magazine lock for a firearm, the firearm having a lower portion/receiver, the lower portion/receiver having a magazine well for corralling a magazine;
said magazine lock comprising:
a magazine catch extending into said magazine well, having a relief that is in communication with the interior of said magazine well;
a key movably mounted to the interior of said magazine well, extending above said lower receiver, and having a portion that can selectively be inserted into or removed from said relief on said magazine catch;
whereby said key being present in said relief on said magazine catch prevents said magazine from being removed from said firearm;
whereby said key being absent from said relief on said magazine catch permits said magazine to be removed from said firearm.