Breech plug for muzzleloading firearms

A breech plug having a body with first and second ends and a compression chamber extending therethrough, a primer holder mounted to the first end of the body having a central aperture aligned with the compression chamber with slots extending radially from the central aperture and terminating in an annular groove, and a retaining spring secured to the annular groove.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a breech plug and more particularly to a breech plug with an improved primer holder.

Breech plugs are well known in the art for use with muzzleloading firearms. Generally, breech plugs are threadably received within the breech end of the barrel of a rifle and have a nipple for receiving a percussion element. When struck, the explosive material within the percussion element is compressed between the shell of the percussion element and the nipple, igniting a primary flash that is directed through the breech plug to a flash hole where the primary flash ignites a powder charge or propellant.

Much effort has been directed to improving the ignition of muzzleloading firearms. One way in which this has been accomplished is through the use of rifle primers in place of percussion elements. A rifle primer is similar in size and shape to a percussion cap, but contains significantly more priming compound. The rifle primer also has an integral anvil, eliminating the need for a nipple. When the hammer strikes the rifle primer, the priming compound is compressed between the hammer and the integral anvil, setting off the priming compound. Rifle primers often ignite more consistently and thoroughly than percussion elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,380 to McGarity, Jr. et al. (“McGarity”) discloses a breech plug for use with rifle primers. The breech plug, which is threadably received within the firearm barrel, has a primer holder for receiving the primer. A spring-loaded clip is used to retain the primer within the primer holder. The disadvantage with McGarity is that the spring-loaded clip places unnecessary axial loads on the primer, shifting it slightly from the center of the primer holder and potentially resulting in inconsistent ignition. Additionally, the McGarity breech plug has a smooth circular exterior that does not provide for easy insertion of the breech plug into the firearm barrel. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved breech plug.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved breech plug.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a breech plug that can properly retain a rifle primer to ensure efficient ignition.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a breech plug that allows for quick and easy insertion into the barrel of a muzzleloading rifle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards a breech plug preferably for a muzzleloading firearm having a body with first and second ends and a compression chamber extending therethrough. A primer holder is mounted to the first end of the body having a central aperture aligned with the compression chamber with slots extending radially from the central aperture and terminating in an annular groove. A retaining spring is secured to the annular groove for retaining the primer within the primer holder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in reference to a muzzleloading firearm by example only. It is contemplated that the improved breech plug also can be used in other firearms.

With reference toFIG. 1, a breech plug10is disclosed having a body12with a first end14and a second end16. A compression chamber18extends axially through the body12between ends14and16. The exterior of the body12has threads20for engagement with the firearm barrel (not shown). First end14terminates in a hexagonally shaped portion22, as described hereafter.

A primer holder24is mounted to the first end14of the body12. The primer holder24has a central aperture26for retaining a rifle primer27. The central aperture26is aligned and in communication with the compression chamber18. A plurality of slots28extend radially from the center of the central aperture26and terminate in an annular groove30, which circumscribes the primer holder24.

A retaining spring32fits within the annular groove30, as shown inFIG. 2. The retaining spring32has retaining prongs34that extend through the slots28and into the central aperture26of the primer holder24to retain the primer27within the central aperture26.

A flash hole36is centrally located on end16of body12and is aligned and in communication with the compression chamber18. Additionally, vent holes38extend from end16of the body12into the compression chamber18. The vent holes38are disposed at an angle with respect to the compression chamber18, preferably forming a forty-five degree angle therewith.

In operation, the breech plug10is threadably inserted into the firearm barrel via threads20on body12. The hexagonal portion22facilitates insertion of the breech plug10into the firearm barrel by allowing the operator to grip the breech plug10with ease. A primer27is manually inserted into the central aperture26of the primer holder24. The retaining spring32is affixed to the primer holder24such that the retaining prongs34extend through the slots28and into the central aperture26of the primer holder24to secure the primer27. Thereafter, the firearm hammer is free to strike the primer27, sending a charge through the compression chamber18and out the flash hole36to ignite the gun powder and discharge the firearm. Exhaust gases from the primer27are allowed to vent the compression chamber18via the vent holes38.

It is therefore seen that through the use of an annular groove and a retaining spring, the present invention permits the efficient ignition of a rifle primer in a muzzleloading firearm.