US2944357A - Cartridge magazine follower for automatic pistols - Google Patents

Cartridge magazine follower for automatic pistols Download PDF

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Publication number
US2944357A
US2944357A US735439A US73543958A US2944357A US 2944357 A US2944357 A US 2944357A US 735439 A US735439 A US 735439A US 73543958 A US73543958 A US 73543958A US 2944357 A US2944357 A US 2944357A
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cartridge
magazine
follower
engaging
automatic
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US735439A
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Donald R Smith
Donald B H Coates
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WESTERN FOLLOWER Corp
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WESTERN FOLLOWER CORP
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    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41WEAPONS
    • F41AFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A9/00Feeding or loading of ammunition; Magazines; Guiding means for the extracting of cartridges
    • F41A9/61Magazines
    • F41A9/64Magazines for unbelted ammunition
    • F41A9/65Box magazines having a cartridge follower
    • F41A9/70Arrangements thereon for discharging, e.g. cartridge followers or discharge throats

Definitions

  • This invention relates to firearms and more particularly to an improved follower for replacing the follower utilized in conventional cartridge magazines or clips for automatic weapons.
  • automatic pistols as well as many other automatic weapons are commonly supplied with a cartridge magazine or clip which is removably received in the grip of the pistol or other magazine receiving recess, the magazine operating to hold a plurality of cartridges which are fed upwardly by a compression spring and follower, the cartridges being removed from the magazine one at a time and introduced into the chamber of the weapon.
  • the conventional cartridge magazine is a generally rectangular tube having a length and width slightly greater than the length and diameter respectively of the cartridges to be received therein and the open upper end of the magazine is partially closed by inwardly extending overhanging portions of the opposite sidewalls which engage the uppermost cartridge in the magazine and preventinadvertent ejection thereof from such magazine;
  • the weapon slide operates to engage'the uppermost cartridge in the magazine and slide the same axially from the upper end of the magazine into the weapon chamber and it has been found that with conventional magazines and followers, that the last cartridge therein is frequently damaged as the same is moved into the weapon chamber, or the same may become jammed between the'weapon slide and the chamber.
  • the last cartridge is elevated to a position lower than the previous cartridge, the difference in height being equal to the added elevation provided'by' the curvature of the cartridge engaging another cartridge.”
  • uch additional elevation is not available from the flat surface of the conventional follower and consequently the last cartridge when ejected from the magazine will be at a lower level than the preceding cartridg'esJ Consequently, the last v cartridge in the magazine will be spaced an appreciable distance below the axis of thelweapon chamber with the result that such cartridge must enter'the chamberat an appreciable angle'which results in the above mentioned a damage thereto and frequent jamming;
  • further object of the invention isthe' provisroiiof-a followeri for the cartridge magazine of an automatic weapon which follower operates to eliminate damage to the last cartridge in thermagazine and jamming thereof between the weapon slide and the chamber.
  • a still further object of the invention is the provision I of a follower for the cartridge magazine of automatic weapons whichiis interchangeable in every respect with the conventional follower supplied with such magazine but which operates to position the last cartridge in the magazine at substantially the same elevation with respect to the center line of the weapon chamber as precedingcarf: tridges in the magazine.
  • Another object of the invention is the provision of, a follower for the cartridge magazine of automatic weapons in which the upper cartridge engaging surface of the follower is formed on a radius to provide the same engagement between the last cartridge and the follower as between adjacent cartridges in the magazine.
  • a further object of the invention is the provision of a follower for the cartridge magazine of automatic weapons, which follower may be conveniently and economically constructed from readily available materials by a casting or machining operation or if desired, from sheet material by a stamping operation, such follower being interchangeable with the conventional follower normally supplied With such magazine.
  • Fig. 1 is a side elevational view with parts broken away and in section for greater clarityand showing a conventional automatic weapon magazine having a follower constructed in accordance with this invention installedtherein and showing a cartridge in place prior to ejection from the magazine;
  • Fig. 2 a side elevational view of a follower constructed tion from the magazine and showing the difference in elevation of the cartridge resulting from the arcuate cartridge engaging surface on the follower;
  • H v Fig. 7 a side elevational view showing a modified follower formed of sheet metal and having a downwardly curved forward end;
  • Fig. 8' a front elevational view similar to Fig. 4, bu showing a modified form of cartridgejengaging upper surface;
  • a a p p 7 Fig.9 a view similar to Fig. 8, and showing a further modified form of cartridge engaging upper surface;
  • Fig. 10 a view similar to Fig.- 2,-and showing a still further modified form of cartridge engaging upper surface.
  • the magazine 1 0 is.- closed at the lower end by a-plate .11 and received-within, the magazine 10 is a compression spring 12 which en--- gages a follower 13 which in turn, engages a cartridge 14.
  • The. upper end 'ot thej aga'zine 10 is open and the'side- Iwalls IS' at fthehippeiend are benfinwardlvtoward Jeach other to engage the cartridge 14 as shownint F'rgll,
  • the follower generally indicated at13, which cdnstitutes the s ultxject matter of this invention
  • the follower of this invention may veniently replace the conventional follower commonly also provided with the conventional cut-out.
  • lip 25' having a porti'orii extending parallel to, Said 'cartridge engaging portion 18 for engaging andicooperating with the magazine loclca-ndsafety mechanism of the pistol up'onin- "s'e'r'tion' of the magazine 10 therein. . While the cartridge engaging portion-18 of'the follower.
  • the -la'st-lcartridge- 14in the magazihedt is in position'to be ejected from the magazine 10 and' rno ved 'iiitofthe ⁇ chamberof the pistol;
  • aslide i n fn i l a smg rearend' of the: cartridge l t and moves thesame axially through the opening 17 in the front wall '16 of thfe magazine 10'and out 'ofthe magae and into'the chamben'of'thepistol'.
  • 'As shown in Y6 upon mevement of i the cartridge -14 out of' engagement with the overhanging.
  • FIG. 7 a Withparticular reference to Fig. 7 there i's shown a slightly modified. form of magazineifollower' 2t having 'a form of the invention anda cartridge. engagingportionr T30 having a convex upper: cartridge engaging surface; 31 7 corresponding to the cartridge engaging. surface-24 of the above'described formofi theinvention;
  • the entire follower '28 is formed ⁇ from] sheet metaliby a suitablestamping or other-operatidn and' as a result, the lower surface 32 of; the cartridge en'g ag ing portion 30 which engages: the conventionalmagazine follower springis concave.
  • thefformshowngin' Fig. 7 is also provided with adownwardlvcunved forward end or nose portion 33-whichserves to facilitate insertion of cartridges into the magazine when: loading the same.
  • This downwardly curved'nose or'forward portion 33 does not in any way ⁇ alter the operation'of the fol: lower in placing a cartridge in proper position for move-' ment into the chamber ofthe automaticpistol or other i weapon since obviously at least "a half of the nose portion 3 3 disposed adjacent to themajor body portion 30 constitutes an operable extension of the surface 3t withi respect' to its cartridge" supporting and. function. 'With the exception of facilitating theinsertion. of' car: tridges into the magazine, the form of the invention l shown in Fig. 7 operatesinth'e same mannerr'as the-:fo'rm of the invention first described;
  • a follower 41 having a magazine engaging tang 42 and a cartridge engaging portion 43.
  • the cartridge engaging portion 43 includes an elongated boss 44 of generally triangular configuration and extending from the opposite side edges 45 of the follower 41 and also having an arcuate apex 46 for engaging the last cartridge in the magazine.
  • the operation of this form of the invention as shown in Fig. 9 is the same as that described above.
  • the further modified form of the invention shown in Fig. comprises a follower 47 having a magazine engaging tang 48 and a cartridge engaging portion 49.
  • An elongated boss 50 is provided on the cartridge engaging portion 49 and it is to be noted from an inspection of Fig. 10, that the triangular boss 50 is of less width and terminates inwardly of the side edges 51 of the follower 47 and furthermore,
  • the boss 50 is provided with a convex or arcuate apex 52 for engaging the last cartridge in the magazine.
  • This follower also operates in the same manner as those described above.
  • followers incorporating the principles of this invention may be manufactured by casting, machining or stamping and that the cartridge engaging portion thereof may incorporate different configurations as described above.
  • a one-piece magazine follower particularly adapted for use in a single column cartridge magazine of an auto- .matic type pistol, comprising an elongated body member the terminal end of said opposite end of the said body member extending beyond said lip member, the said body member being of such a length that it is adapted, when mounted for use, to extend obliquely across substantially the entire width of the magazine, the cartridge-engaging surface of said elongated body member being non-planar in cross-section, said non-planar cross-section having a maximum height in the medial plane of said body member and above the plane of said edges, said maximum height corresponding to the radial dimension of a cartridge with which the follower is adapted to be used whereby the follower, when magazine-mounted, is adapted to lift a cartridge when the latter is free of the conventional cartridge retaining lips of the magazine to a position appreciably above the magazine body.
  • a one-piece cartridge magazine follower constructed of sheet metal, particularly adapted for use in a single column cartridge magazine of an automatic type pistol, comprising an elongated body member having thereon a cartridge-engaging surface, a positioning and guiding tang member at one end of said body member extending obliqueing thereto and in a direction opposite to said cartridge-engaging surface, a cut-out lip member depending from the opposite end of said body member, said tang member, lip member and elongated body member being common to a given plane passing through said members, the terminal end of said opposite end of the body member extending beyond said lip member and curving slightly downwardly toward said lip to form a nose member adapted to facilitate cartridge loading in the magazine, said elongated body member, lip member and tang member being common to a given plane passing through said members, the outer edges of said elongated body adjacent said cartridge-engaging surface lying in a plane normal to said given plane, the cartridge-engaging surface of said elongated body member being non-planar having thereon a cartridge
  • said non-planar cross-section having a maximum height in the medial plane of said body member and above the normal plane of said edges, said maximum height corresponding to the radial dimension of a cartridge with which the follower is adapted to be used whereby the follower, when magazine-mounted, is adapted to lift a cartridge when the latter is free of the conventional cartridge retaining lips of the magazine to a position appreciably above the magazine body.

Description

July 1 2, 1960 D. R. SMITH ET 2,9 5
CARTRIDGE; MAGAZINE FOLLOWER FOR AUTOMATIC PIsToLs Filed May 15, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 170M440 8 644/771 004/440 451 5 00/471535 ATTORNEY July 12, 1960 D. R. SMITH ET L CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE FOL-LOWER FOR AUTOMATIC PISTOLS Filed May 15, 1958 2 Sheets$heet 2 INVENTORS ATTORNEY "into-the chamber, the damage thereto in considerable shooting inaccuracy.
Patented July 12, 1960 2,944,357 7 CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE FOLLOWER FOR I AUTOMATIC PISTQLS v 7 Donald R. Smith, Sierra Madre, and Donald B. H. Coates,
Pasadena, Calif., 'assignors to Western Follower Corporation, Gardena, Califl, a corporation of California Filed May 15, 1958, Ser. No. 735,439 2' Claims. (CI. 42-50 I This invention relates to firearms and more particularly to an improved follower for replacing the follower utilized in conventional cartridge magazines or clips for automatic weapons.
As is Well known, automatic pistols as well as many other automatic weapons are commonly supplied with a cartridge magazine or clip which is removably received in the grip of the pistol or other magazine receiving recess, the magazine operating to hold a plurality of cartridges which are fed upwardly by a compression spring and follower, the cartridges being removed from the magazine one at a time and introduced into the chamber of the weapon.
The conventional cartridge magazine is a generally rectangular tube having a length and width slightly greater than the length and diameter respectively of the cartridges to be received therein and the open upper end of the magazine is partially closed by inwardly extending overhanging portions of the opposite sidewalls which engage the uppermost cartridge in the magazine and preventinadvertent ejection thereof from such magazine; The weapon slide operates to engage'the uppermost cartridge in the magazine and slide the same axially from the upper end of the magazine into the weapon chamber and it has been found that with conventional magazines and followers, that the last cartridge therein is frequently damaged as the same is moved into the weapon chamber, or the same may become jammed between the'weapon slide and the chamber. This either results in failure of the weapon to operate properly or in the event the cartridge is forced frequently results It has been noted that the above malfunctions'oc'cur most frequently with the last cartridge in the" magazine and the reason for this appears to be the fact that previous cartridges in the'magazine are engaged and supported by the next following cartridge which serves to raise the same into a position approaching the axis of the weapon chamber. Since the follower found in the conventional magazine is provided with a flat cartridge'engaging surface,
the last cartridge is elevated to a position lower than the previous cartridge, the difference in height being equal to the added elevation provided'by' the curvature of the cartridge engaging another cartridge." .Such additional elevation is not available from the flat surface of the conventional follower and consequently the last cartridge when ejected from the magazine will be at a lower level than the preceding cartridg'esJ Consequently, the last v cartridge in the magazine will be spaced an appreciable distance below the axis of thelweapon chamber with the result that such cartridge must enter'the chamberat an appreciable angle'which results in the above mentioned a damage thereto and frequent jamming;
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a follower for conventional cartridge magazines forautomatic, weapons which may, be utilized to conveniently replacethe conventional-follower and which is 7 provided with an arcuate 'cartridgeengaging upper surface having substantially the same radius as the cartridge engaged thereby, which follower operates to elevate the last cartridge in the magazine to substantially the same posi: tion as previous cartridges in the magazine, a 7 I 1 A. further object of the invention isthe' provisroiiof-a followeri for the cartridge magazine of an automatic weapon which follower operates to eliminate damage to the last cartridge in thermagazine and jamming thereof between the weapon slide and the chamber.-
(A still further object of the invention is the provision I of a follower for the cartridge magazine of automatic weapons whichiis interchangeable in every respect with the conventional follower supplied with such magazine but which operates to position the last cartridge in the magazine at substantially the same elevation with respect to the center line of the weapon chamber as precedingcarf: tridges in the magazine. Another object of the invention is the provision of, a follower for the cartridge magazine of automatic weapons in which the upper cartridge engaging surface of the follower is formed on a radius to provide the same engagement between the last cartridge and the follower as between adjacent cartridges in the magazine.
A further object of the invention is the provision of a follower for the cartridge magazine of automatic weapons, which follower may be conveniently and economically constructed from readily available materials by a casting or machining operation or if desired, from sheet material by a stamping operation, such follower being interchangeable with the conventional follower normally supplied With such magazine.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view with parts broken away and in section for greater clarityand showing a conventional automatic weapon magazine having a follower constructed in accordance with this invention installedtherein and showing a cartridge in place prior to ejection from the magazine;
Fig. 2 a side elevational view of a follower constructed tion from the magazine and showing the difference in elevation of the cartridge resulting from the arcuate cartridge engaging surface on the follower; H v Fig. 7 a side elevational view showing a modified follower formed of sheet metal and having a downwardly curved forward end; Fig. 8' a front elevational view similar to Fig. 4, bu showing a modified form of cartridgejengaging upper surface; a a p p 7 Fig.9 a view similar to Fig. 8, and showing a further modified form of cartridge engaging upper surface; and Fig. 10 a view similar to Fig.- 2,-and showing a still further modified form of cartridge engaging upper surface. With continued reference to the drawing, there is shown in Figs. 1 and -6 a conventional cartridge magazine 10 of the type commonly. supplied with a' United States Model 1911 and l911A-I' .45 caliber automatic pistol and the magazine 10 is generally rectangular in cross section and of tubular formation. The magazine 1 0 is.- closed at the lower end by a-plate .11 and received-within, the magazine 10 is a compression spring 12 which en--- gages a follower 13 which in turn, engages a cartridge 14. While only one cartridge 14 is shown in themagaof the follower shown in t-ion as"that'shownariddesicii'ibedi a 7 i I zine in'Figi 1, itis to'beunderstood, that a plurality of cartridges may be received therein and that the compression spring 12 and follower 713' will serve to feed such caft'ridge's upwardly in the magazine as the same are removed therefrom and loaded into'the' chamber of ithefpistolj f j j The. upper end 'ot thej aga'zine 10 is open and the'side- Iwalls IS' at fthehippeiend are benfinwardlvtoward Jeach other to engage the cartridge 14 as shownint F'rgll,
and prevent ejection therefrom upwardly ofthernagazine 10 3. 'I'hefr'ontwall 16 of tlie magaiine ltlis 'cut away at the upper end'toprovideanopening l'l'thr'ou'ghwhich I the cartridge may be ejectedin anaxial direction by th action or the slide on thepistoL' 'Ihi's operation is entirely convennenari n all pistols o'f'this type and with magazines of theftypeshow'nfi l With particular reference to Figs. 2 to S; the follower generally indicated at13, which cdnstitutes the s ultxject matter of this invention Comprises an integral one-piece member having a cartridge engaging portion'18,:which extends obliquely 'acro'sssubstantially the entire width of the magazine; and an angular or obliquelyfextending, 'positioning and guiding tang 19 which tanghas a flat outer surface 20 for slidably engaging the inner surface ofth'e 're'anwall 21 of the magazine it) as clearly shown magazine 10 and with the conventional flat follower normally supplied with magazines of this type, the upper cartridge engaging surface of the follower in its uppermost position would be substantially in alignment with 1 the dotted line 26 as shown in Fig. 6. However; even though the follower 1310f; this invention stops at the same. point inits .upward movementjinthe chamber 10%" neverthelessydue to the 'curvaturezof the cartridgeengaging surface 24 of the follower 13; the cartridge 14'will' i- 10 be movedl upwardly to a position substantially 7 abov in? position occupied. byl'the cartridgeengaged by. the iconyentionalflat follower and this'dilference in height denoted in Fig. 6{as Consequently, it will be seen thatg due to this difi'erencein height, ofthe position of the last a cartridge that thefsame will be more nearly in line with the chamber of the pistol and that consequently the cartridge will be supported and guided to move intothe chamber. in more nearly: astraight. line than would-,be the case with a cartridgesupported; by 'a flat conventional follower with the result that. damage to the cartridge and jamming of the same between the slide and the chamber is substantially eliminated. The follower of this invention may veniently replace the conventional follower commonly also provided with the conventional cut-out. lip 25' having a porti'orii extending parallel to, Said 'cartridge engaging portion 18 for engaging andicooperating with the magazine loclca-ndsafety mechanism of the pistol up'onin- "s'e'r'tion' of the magazine 10 therein. .While the cartridge engaging portion-18 of'the follower. 1'3 has-been shown "in the drawing as g a relatively thick solid member, if is to-*be understoo'd 'that' if desired, the entire-follower 13 supplied with automatic weaponv magazines-of the 'type under consideration and such replacement-may be made without inany Way modifying the magazine or follower spring. In making this replacement it is only necessary to' compress the spring and remove the conventional follower, after which the follower of this invention may be inserted. and the spring released. While the invention has been shown and described in connection wit-1 a cartridge magazine for av United States Modelll9'l'l and 19llA-l .45' caliber automatic pistol it is to be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only; andv that a' :follower' incorporating the principles OfflllS invention 7 may also'be utilizedtiri magazines.for many otherauto tang 29 similar to the tang. 19 0f the? aboverde'seribed ma be manufactured as a metal stamping-, in which case, the lower spring engaging s urface 22 it thef 'llower -=1-'3 would' in all rprobability'g beconcave; rather} than flat e as shown. il-lowever, thegarcuate or convex; upper cartridgeengagingsurface 24'would be of the same forma- The. follower of this invention operates in the same except-"the-last one in'the magazine; the-action of the experienced with the last cartridge inthe. magazine and jthe followerconstruction of thisdnventionserves to eliminate this difficultyand 'theoperation of the follower of this invention for thispurpose will now be described }with particular reference to Figs. 1' aud o: As shown iirFig. 1, the -la'st-lcartridge- 14in the magazihedt) is in position'to be ejected from the magazine 10 and' rno ved 'iiitofthe} chamberof the pistol; For thispur'pose, aslide i n fn i l a smg rearend' of the: cartridge l t and moves thesame axially through the opening 17 in the front wall '16 of thfe magazine 10'and out 'ofthe magae and into'the chamben'of'thepistol'. 'As shown in Y6; upon mevement of i the cartridge -14 out of' engagement with the overhanging. sidewalls 1510f the magazine 10,- the-compression spring 12 'and follo'wer 13' will e'rate to mov nie cartridge 14' upwardly' to the posifi 0n-Shdwniln" El g: 6, whereupon continued-movement of the 'carti idge willload th'esame into the chamber ofthe *pistoltf "Upwardmovement: of} the follow'er 13- in the magazine10is determinedbyflengagement oftlie follower 7 fitlF-the overhanging sidewalls or retaining lips 15* of "the manner as a conventional follower forfeeding} cartridges f a f .14 upwardly in the magazinelO and witlrall cartridges) niatic weapons. 7 a a i Withparticular reference to Fig. 7 there i's shown a slightly modified. form of magazineifollower' 2t having 'a form of the invention anda cartridge. engagingportionr T30 having a convex upper: cartridge engaging surface; 31 7 corresponding to the cartridge engaging. surface-24 of the above'described formofi theinvention; In the form shown in-'Fig.. 7, the entire follower '28 is formed} from] sheet metaliby a suitablestamping or other-operatidn and' as a result, the lower surface 32 of; the cartridge en'g ag ing portion 30 which engages: the conventionalmagazine follower springis concave.
'In addition to being formedzfronn sheet metal, rather than as a casting or 'machinedrfrom-solidstock as'in-the 'above'describedform of theinvention;thefformshowngin' Fig. 7 is also provided with adownwardlvcunved forward end or nose portion 33-whichserves to facilitate insertion of cartridges into the magazine when: loading the same. This downwardly curved'nose or'forward portion 33 does not in any way {alter the operation'of the fol: lower in placing a cartridge in proper position for move-' ment into the chamber ofthe automaticpistol or other i weapon since obviously at least "a half of the nose portion 3 3 disposed adjacent to themajor body portion 30 constitutes an operable extension of the surface 3t withi respect' to its cartridge" supporting and. function. 'With the exception of facilitating theinsertion. of' car: tridges into the magazine, the form of the invention l shown in Fig. 7 operatesinth'e same mannerr'as the-:fo'rm of the invention first described;
'Whilethe above? described forinsof the' inventionpro- With parti'eular reference to' Figefh-there isishown olbe utilized to conlower 34 constructed in accordance with this invention and having a tang 35 for engaging the magazine and a cartridge engaging portion 36, including an elongated boss 37 having a convex upper cartridge engaging surface 38 and in which the sides 39 of the boss 37 are positioned inwardly of the side edges 40 of the cartridge engaging portion 36 of the follower 34. In this form of the invention, the surface 38 engages the last cartridge in the magazine and operates in the same manner as the followers above described.
With reference to Fig. 9, there is shown a follower 41 having a magazine engaging tang 42 and a cartridge engaging portion 43. The cartridge engaging portion 43 includes an elongated boss 44 of generally triangular configuration and extending from the opposite side edges 45 of the follower 41 and also having an arcuate apex 46 for engaging the last cartridge in the magazine. The operation of this form of the invention as shown in Fig. 9 is the same as that described above.
The further modified form of the invention shown in Fig. comprises a follower 47 having a magazine engaging tang 48 and a cartridge engaging portion 49. An elongated boss 50, generally triangular in cross section, is provided on the cartridge engaging portion 49 and it is to be noted from an inspection of Fig. 10, that the triangular boss 50 is of less width and terminates inwardly of the side edges 51 of the follower 47 and furthermore,
the boss 50 is provided with a convex or arcuate apex 52 for engaging the last cartridge in the magazine. This follower also operates in the same manner as those described above.
Consequently, it will be obvious that followers incorporating the principles of this invention may be manufactured by casting, machining or stamping and that the cartridge engaging portion thereof may incorporate different configurations as described above.
It will be seen that by the above described invention there has been provided a relatively simple and economical follower for automatic weapon magazines which may be conveniently constructed and utilized to replace conventional followers and which will operate to eliminate the difliculties now experienced, particularly in connection with the last cartridge in the magazine.
It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.
What is claimed is: v
l. A one-piece magazine follower, particularly adapted for use in a single column cartridge magazine of an auto- .matic type pistol, comprising an elongated body member the terminal end of said opposite end of the said body member extending beyond said lip member, the said body member being of such a length that it is adapted, when mounted for use, to extend obliquely across substantially the entire width of the magazine, the cartridge-engaging surface of said elongated body member being non-planar in cross-section, said non-planar cross-section having a maximum height in the medial plane of said body member and above the plane of said edges, said maximum height corresponding to the radial dimension of a cartridge with which the follower is adapted to be used whereby the follower, when magazine-mounted, is adapted to lift a cartridge when the latter is free of the conventional cartridge retaining lips of the magazine to a position appreciably above the magazine body.
2. A one-piece cartridge magazine follower constructed of sheet metal, particularly adapted for use in a single column cartridge magazine of an automatic type pistol, comprising an elongated body member having thereon a cartridge-engaging surface, a positioning and guiding tang member at one end of said body member extending obliqueing thereto and in a direction opposite to said cartridge-engaging surface, a cut-out lip member depending from the opposite end of said body member, said tang member, lip member and elongated body member being common to a given plane passing through said members, the terminal end of said opposite end of the body member extending beyond said lip member and curving slightly downwardly toward said lip to form a nose member adapted to facilitate cartridge loading in the magazine, said elongated body member, lip member and tang member being common to a given plane passing through said members, the outer edges of said elongated body adjacent said cartridge-engaging surface lying in a plane normal to said given plane, the cartridge-engaging surface of said elongated body member being non-planar having thereon a cartridge-engaging surface, a positioning and guiding tang member at one end of said body member extending obliquely thereto and in a direction opposite to said cartridge-engaging surface, a cut-out lip member depending from the opposite end of said body member, said tang member, lip member and elongated body member being common to a given .plane passing through said members, the outer edges of said elongated body member lying in a plane normal to said given plane,
in cross-section, said non-planar cross-section having a maximum height in the medial plane of said body member and above the normal plane of said edges, said maximum height corresponding to the radial dimension of a cartridge with which the follower is adapted to be used whereby the follower, when magazine-mounted, is adapted to lift a cartridge when the latter is free of the conventional cartridge retaining lips of the magazine to a position appreciably above the magazine body.
References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS
US735439A 1958-05-15 1958-05-15 Cartridge magazine follower for automatic pistols Expired - Lifetime US2944357A (en)

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4446645A (en) * 1982-02-12 1984-05-08 Devel Corporation Cartridge magazine and follower for autoloading firearms
US4502237A (en) * 1982-12-02 1985-03-05 Ken-Air, Inc. Magazine follower for automatic pistols
US5099595A (en) * 1990-06-05 1992-03-31 Ram-Line, Inc. Magazine for a firearm
US5263273A (en) * 1991-10-25 1993-11-23 Colt's Manufacturing Company Inc. Follower for a cartridge magazine
US20110173856A1 (en) * 2010-01-18 2011-07-21 Mccormick Michael L Spring-action magazine follower and magazine for firearms
US20150059222A1 (en) * 2013-09-04 2015-03-05 Steven Corso Low profile magazine follower with isolated slide lock lever
US20220178633A1 (en) * 2020-12-03 2022-06-09 Steven Corso Hybrid firearm magazine follower

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Cited By (11)

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US4446645A (en) * 1982-02-12 1984-05-08 Devel Corporation Cartridge magazine and follower for autoloading firearms
US4502237A (en) * 1982-12-02 1985-03-05 Ken-Air, Inc. Magazine follower for automatic pistols
US5099595A (en) * 1990-06-05 1992-03-31 Ram-Line, Inc. Magazine for a firearm
US5263273A (en) * 1991-10-25 1993-11-23 Colt's Manufacturing Company Inc. Follower for a cartridge magazine
US5287720A (en) * 1991-10-25 1994-02-22 Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc. Method of manufacturing a cartridge magazine follower
US20110173856A1 (en) * 2010-01-18 2011-07-21 Mccormick Michael L Spring-action magazine follower and magazine for firearms
US8650787B2 (en) 2010-01-18 2014-02-18 Michael L. McCormick Spring action magazine follower and magazine for firearms
US20150059222A1 (en) * 2013-09-04 2015-03-05 Steven Corso Low profile magazine follower with isolated slide lock lever
US9170062B2 (en) * 2013-09-04 2015-10-27 Steven Corso Low profile magazine follower with isolated slide lock lever
US20220178633A1 (en) * 2020-12-03 2022-06-09 Steven Corso Hybrid firearm magazine follower
US11585617B2 (en) * 2020-12-03 2023-02-21 Steven Corso Hybrid firearm magazine follower

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