Patent ID: 7958661
Filing Date: 2011-06-14
Classification: F41A

Abstract:
1. A firearm having a universal cartridge magazine release mechanism, comprising: a firearm frame defining a cartridge magazine chamber releasably receiving a cartridge magazine and having a magazine release receptacle intersecting said cartridge magazine chamber; a magazine release member being disposed within said magazine release receptacle and having linear movement to a magazine retaining position and a magazine release position; a spring member urging said magazine release member toward said magazine retaining position; a magazine release button extending from said magazine release member and being exposed externally of the firearm frame for engagement and linear movement by the thumb of a user's hand; said magazine release member being selectively positioned relative to said magazine release receptacle to locate said magazine release button at a first right-handed user location relative to said firearm frame to permit magazine release button actuation by the thumb of the right hand of a right-handed person and a second left-handed user location relative to the firearm frame to permit magazine release button actuation by the thumb of the left hand of a left-handed person; said magazine release receptacle being defined by a magazine release passage extending through said firearm frame and having substantially cylindrical passage sections and being in communication with said cartridge magazine chamber, said passage sections being defined in part by external non-circular outwardly facing receptacles; said magazine release member having an intermediate portion movably received by said substantially cylindrical passage sections and having a non-circular head at a first end thereof being selective disposed within a selected one of said external non-circular outwardly facing receptacles; said magazine release member having a magazine release button removably mounted to a second end thereof and being exposed externally of said firearm frame for magazine releasing engagement by the thumb of the user's hand; said magazine release member being selectively reversible within said magazine release passage, positioning said magazine release button on a selected side of said firearm frame and adapting said firearm for selective use by right-handed users or left-handed users; said magazine release member defining a substantially cylindrical end; said magazine release button having a substantially cylindrical pocket receiving said substantially cylindrical end of said magazine release member therein; and a retainer member securing said magazine release button in removable relation with said magazine release member.