Abstract:
A shotgun forearm-stock shot shell carrier, for storing multiples of shotgun shells and quickly releasing the same for hand loading into a shotgun magazine or chamber. Improved efficiency and speed of loading shotgun shells may be achieved by a shotgun forearm-stock shot shell carrier, which may comprise one or multiple spring-and-follower-tensioned carrier cavities, integrated into a forearm stock having, in one embodiment, a spring steel shell retainer, such that shot shells inserted into a carrier are securely stacked end-to-end and held until the retainer is physically displaced. In one embodiment, manually displacing a thumb tab, such that it is relieved of providing counter pressure to the spring-and-follower assembly, allows the spring-and-follower assembly to force shot shells out of a carrier&#39;s cavity for loading into a shotgun or evacuating the carrier. In some embodiments, a momentary displacement of a retainer will allow a single shot shell to be ejected, while a constant displacement of the retainer will allow multiple or all shot shells to be ejected.

Description:
This application claims priority of Provisional Application No. 60/597,271, filed Nov. 19, 2005, entitled “Shotgun Forearm-stock Shot Shell Carrier,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to shotguns and, in particular, to shotguns that can be rapidly loaded with ammunition. 
     2. Background Information 
     Under many circumstances it is necessary or desirable to rapidly load and fire rounds of ammunition from a shotgun. The ability to rapidly reload a shotgun for subsequent firing is often key to the firearm&#39;s effectiveness. For example, in police work and military applications, it is often necessary, for the user&#39;s survival, to be able to rapidly load a shotgun between firing rounds. In some sporting events, such as practical shotgun shooting and sporting clays, the ability to rapidly reload and fire a shotgun with selected load types is also very desirable. Although rapid firing and reloading capabilities have been achieved with some firearms, such as semi-automatic rifles and pistols, they have not yet been satisfactorily achieved with shotguns. 
     Known shotguns, such as pump-action and semi-automatic, gas-operated, blowback-designed shotguns, typically have a fixed, tubular-shaped magazine mounted below and parallel to the barrel, wherein the shot shells are loaded individually into the magazine. A fixed magazine typically holds as few as three and as many as eight shotgun shells. After all of the shells are fired, the next round of shells are loaded one at a time into the fixed magazine. The process is both time-consuming and complicated, essentially rendering shotguns an impractical alternative to other firearms in many situations where speed loading or the use of differing load types is critical. 
     The fundamental need to carry and load shotgun shells has been addressed in various ways, including external shot shell carriers that may attach to the butt stock or receiver group of the shotgun, clothing or belts that accept shot shells in friction-fit elastic material, and external speed loaders that must be carried separately and fitted to the shot gun temporarily during the loading process. Scott, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,157) disclose a butt stock shell holder, wherein the butt stock is hollow/apertured to hold multiple shells with their lengths transverse to the length of the butt stock. Naber (U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,284), Beltron (U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,110), and Sniezak, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,853) each disclose speedloaders. Bentley, et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,452,533 and 6,032,395) disclose drum-style magazines that may be attached and removed from the magazine aperture at the bottom of a shotgun receiver, which magazines hold multiple shells in a circular configuration wherein the shells advance in a circumferential path into the receiver. Melby (U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,481) discloses an L-shaped shell holder that attaches to the forward end of a shotgun magazine to hold an extra shell. Each of these options involves certain problems, including low capacity, loss of speed due to the amount of friction required in the shell holder to retain shot shells during firing and recoil or during user movement, and/or the additional weight, bulk, and complexity related to non-attached speed loader solutions. 
     It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to overcome the problems associated with trying to rapidly load rounds of ammunition into a shotgun, and the disadvantages associated with prior attempts to overcome said problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a means to store, hand retrieve and load shot gun shells into a host shot gun comprising a barrel for firing shells there-through. The host shotgun may be either of a semi-automatic or pump action having a tubular magazine for storing and loading shot shells into its firing chamber. The present invention comprises a shotgun forearm stock that incorporates one or more shot shell storage tubes that will each receive therein a plurality of shells in an end-to-end relationship. The storage tubes are fitted with an internal spring and an external retention mechanism such that shot shells fed into the tubes are retained therein by the retention mechanism, while having pressure applied to the series of shot shells by the spring, such that a shell will be quickly ejected upon displacement of the retaining mechanism. Once one or more of the shells in the storage tube have been ejected, the tube may be refilled. 
     In a single tube version of the present invention, the novel forearm stock will provide increased capacity to the user while maintaining a smaller grip size as might be required by a user with smaller hands. 
     A twin or multiple tube version of the present invention will present a larger forearm stock that will provide a substantially increased capacity to the user while also increasing the overall grip size. Multi-tube versions of the present invention preferably comprise retaining mechanisms having differing colors such that the user can associate specific load types to each specific shot shell storage tube. 
     A pistol grip version of the present invention further comprises a removable pistol grip attached, by a secure but temporary means, to the lower area of the invented forearm stock such that the user may customize the length or reach required to use the pistol grip by attaching said pistol grip to an appropriate bolt hole or holes, for example. 
     An accessory rail version of the present invention further comprises a mountable rail coupled to or formed on the foremost, bottom area of the forearm stock such that accessory lights, lasers, and other devices may be attached for use with the shotgun. Alternatively, a recess, cavity, or other means of mounting accessories such as lights, lasers, or other devices, may be used, for example, to provide an integral, permanent or semi-permanent, accessory feature. 
     One advantage of the preferred embodiments and methods is that additional shot shell capacity in the form of storage tubes is integrated into the forearm stock, and the shell outlet from said tubes is in extremely close proximity to the host shotgun&#39;s magazine and shot shell load ramp. This location of the tubes and the proximity to the magazine and load ramp results in far greater speed, accuracy, and control of the shotgun during reloading. A user may maintain a preloaded shotgun magazine and pre-filled shot shell tubes on the shotgun itself. After one or more shots have been fired, the user can quickly and accurately select shot types from an appropriate shot shell tube and efficiently manually reload the shotgun magazine as needed. The shell outlet location of each shot shell tube is at or very near the rear end of the forearm stock and very near the receiver and the loading ramp into the shot gun magazine. This way, the user need only move a hand a few inches from the forearm stock, after he/she has fired the shotgun, to displace or “unlatch” the retention mechanism, after which a shell is pushed out in a direction parallel to the magazine, preferably into the user&#39;s hand. Then, again, the user need only move his/her hand a few more inches, at most, to insert the shell into the loading ramp to load the shell into the magazine. This sequence of steps may easily be repeated several times, to quickly and manually reload the magazine with shells stored only a few inches away in the invented carrier. The host shotgun can therefore be rapidly reloaded between rounds and does not have to be reloaded with the difficulty and excess complexity associated with most prior art shot shell storage and loading solutions. 
     Other advantages of the apparatus of the preferred embodiments will become apparent in view of the following detailed description and drawings taken in connection therewith. Preferred embodiments therefore comprise the apparatus and systems, together with their parts, elements, and interrelationships, that are exemplified in the following disclosure, while the broad scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims. 
     METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AND MATERIALS USED 
     The preferred embodiments may be manufactured using various options for plastic/polymer forming and molding. Injection molding and blow molding are the processes most likely to be used. Materials appropriate to the present invention may include either separately or in some combination, glass-filled nylon, nylon, rubber, PVC and other plastic variants, for example. All springs, retaining clips, tension devices, threaded holes, and accessory rails may be comprised of the above base materials, for example, or from various metal stock or springs as necessary to provide the appropriate tension, strength, or utility. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A fuller understanding of the nature and objects of preferred embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invented shotgun forearm-stock shot shell carrier, in a fixed position on a semi-automatic shotgun. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shotgun forearm-stock shot shell carrier, on a pump action shotgun in its forward, shotgun-bolt closed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the shotgun forearm-stock shot shell carrier of  FIG. 2 , with the pump action shotgun is in its rearward, shotgun-bolt open position. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of a shotgun forearm-stock shot shell carrier comprising a shot shell retaining mechanism such as is shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , wherein shot shell retaining clips protrude into the shot shell cavities at or near openings into the cavities. In this Figure, tab  7 A is shown in the inwardly-biased retaining position extending partially over a shell, and tab  7 B is shown in the outwardly-displaced release position away from the shell. This Figure illustrates most accurately the end view of a semi-automatic shotgun forestock/carrier such as in  FIG. 1 , wherein the forearm stock rearward end surface is generally on a single plane (needing no L-shaped notch or cut-in for extending rearward along the receiver). 
         FIG. 5A  is a longitudinal cutaway, bottom view of the pump shotgun forearm-stock shot shell carrier of  FIG. 2 , showing its interior components and eight shells loaded in the carrier. 
         FIG. 5B  is a longitudinal cutaway, side view of the shell carrier of  FIGS. 2 and 5A , with the cut-away view taken at places that will reveal both the magazine cavity and the shell cavity.  FIG. 5B  features the shells removed and springs extended. Note that, in preferred two-tube embodiments, a vertical cross-section along a single plane through the axis of the magazine cavity will extend between the two shell tubes (rather than through either of them) and, in preferred single-tube embodiments, a vertical cross-section along a single plane through the axis of the magazine cavity will pass through the magazine cavity and also through the single tube cavity. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top, rear perspective view of one single-tube embodiment of the invented shotgun forearm-stock shot shell carrier, with the preferred “flat” rear surface of a semi-automatic version. 
         FIG. 6B  is a top, rear perspective view of a two tube embodiment such as that shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a shotgun forearm-stock shot shell carrier installed on a semi-automatic shotgun, wherein the carrier incorporates one embodiment of an accessory rail on its forward most, bottom surface. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of yet another embodiment of a shotgun forearm-stock shot shell carrier, incorporating one embodiment of an accessory light or laser in a formed cavity of main body and one embodiment of a bolt-on pistol grip. 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the pistol grip of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a one embodiment of a shot shell retention mechanism&#39;s retention clip. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  6 B, illustrating to best advantage the shot shell retention mechanism used in  FIGS. 1-8 . 
         FIG. 12  is a partial view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  6 B, and  11 , with the shot shell retention mechanism exploded. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, there are shown several, but not the only, embodiments of the invented shotgun forearm-stock shot shell carrier. The preferred embodiments are a forearm stock with integral shell carrier tubes, and the invented forearm stock with said carrier tubes replaces the conventional forearm-stock of the shotgun. The preferred forearm stock with said carrier tubes provides a structure that provides both a grip for holding the shotgun during transport or firing and the storing of additional shot shells until needed by the user. The structure for connecting to the magazine of the shotgun, the structure for use as a grip, and the structure for carrying extra shotgun shells is preferably all part of a single, integral unit. 
     The preferred forearm-stock shell carrier slides onto the magazine of the shotgun, in the place of the conventional forearm-stock, for example, by means of the threaded end of the magazine being removed to allow said sliding-on of the carrier and then said threaded end being replaced to retain the carrier on the magazine. The preferred forearm-stock shell carrier extends along substantially the entire shotgun magazine (along at least 70 percent of the length of the magazine and, most preferably, along at least 90 percent of the magazine). The preferred forearm-stock shell carrier is elongated and has a thickness from top to bottom (vertical dimension when the shotgun is in normal firing use) and a width from side to side (horizontal dimension when the shotgun is in normal firing use) that are large enough to accommodate at least one shell tube but that are within a range for comfortable grasping and operation by the user. Thus, while the invented forearm-stock shell carrier has the added features and functionality of carrying multiple shells (preferably 4-8 shells), it is still operable and comfortable for traditional forearm-stock functions of gripping and supporting the gun during travel and use, and of pumping action in the case of pump shotguns. 
     Preferably, the forearm-stock shell carrier does not attach to the forward end of the magazine, but rather slides over the forward-end of the magazine during installation to be against or very near the receiver. The preferred versions reside in the entire or substantially the entire space and length along the magazine in which the conventional, original forearm-stock would reside, and may still be said to be generally elongated and parallel to the magazine. The shell tubes are parallel to the magazine and are horizontal or very nearly horizontal when the firearm is being shot. 
     The preferred embodiments may be provided as a retrofit “forearm-stock with carrier” system that replaces the original equipment manufacture (OEM) forearm stock, or may be supplied as OEM equipment with the shotgun at the point of sale. Referring now to the Figures: 
     In  FIG. 1 , the forearm stock shot shell carrier  5  is presented in one embodiment as having been attached to a semi-automatic shotgun SAS, such that the forearm stock shot shell carrier substantially envelopes and engages the shotgun tube magazine  3 , preferably so that the carrier  5  is in a fixed position relative to the magazine  3  and to the rest of the shotgun SAS, and is close to the receiver  1 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the shot shell speed carrier  5  is presented as incorporating the preferred shell retention mechanism, which comprises a spring steel retainment mechanism such that a retention tab  7  ( 7 A,  7 B) engages a shot shell  4  by virtue of the spring tension produced by the forward end of spring steel segment  9  being held fast to the main body  5  by a retention clip  8 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the shot shell carrier  10  is presented in another embodiment as having a cutout design such that it can accept and interoperate with the action bars  11  of a pump shotgun PS, while maintaining a close proximity to the shotgun&#39;s receiver  1 . The forearm shot shell carrier  10  is attached to the pump action shotgun PS with the carrier  10  substantially enveloping and engaging the shotgun tube magazine  3  and the shotgun&#39;s action bars  11 . The carrier  10  provides a grip for holding the shotgun during transport or firing, a method of grasping and actuating the pump action, and the storing of additional shot shells  4  until needed by the user. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the forearm-stock shot shell carrier  10  is presented in its most rearward position, such that the receiver  1  of the pump action shotgun is opened. In this position a shot shell may not be loaded into the shotgun&#39;s magazine, but may be loaded into the breach of the shotgun&#39;s receiver directly. 
     In  FIG. 4 , the forearm-stock shot shell carrier&#39;s shotgun tube magazine cavity  12  is embodied in its preferred position such that it is centered over two parallel shot shell cavities  6 . Two shot shell retention mechanisms (portions that are called tab  7 A and tab  7 B) may protrude into the shot shell cavities such that shot shells are retained until needed. One embodiment of a pistol grip attachment bar  13  can be seen in an embedded state within the main body of the forearm-stock shot shell carrier. 
     In  FIG. 4 , tab  7 A is shown in the inwardly-biased position engaging an end of one shell and retaining the entire row of shells in that tube inside the carrier. Tab  7 B is shown as it would appear when retracted or “disengage” to allow the row of shells in that tube to slide rearward and the rearmost shell to exit the tube. Preferably, the retention mechanism and its tabs  7 A,  7 B are configured so that the tensioner quickly biases the tab back toward the cavity, after a given shell has exited, in time to stop the next shell from exiting the tube, unless the user continues to hold the tab away from the cavity. This way, the preferred embodiment may dispense one shell at a time without the user having to manually “relatch” or “reengage” the retention mechanism—the retention mechanism is biased to “relatch” itself to automatically reengage the next shell. 
     In  FIG. 5A , forearm-stock shot shell carrier  10  is portrayed with its main body cut in cut-away fashion that reveals both of the shell cavities  6 , and two of the preferred systems of pushing shot shells out of the shell cavities  6 . The system of pushing shot shells comprises cavity spring  16 , and a shot shell follower  17 , which urge the shot shells loaded in the carrier longitudinally out of the carrier. Retaining the shells in the carrier against the force of the system of pushing is the shot shell retention mechanism discussed in detail below. Therefore, shot shells inserted into the storage cavity  6  are retained within the cavity by the exerted force of a shot shell retention system until the user disengages the retention system from holding the shells in the carrier. 
     The preferred retention mechanism comprises a spring steel tensioner  9  for each shell cavity, wherein each tensioner  9  provides a force toward the axis of its respective cavity  6 , so that a thumb tab  7 A,  7 B attached to an end of the tensioner  9  will extend radially toward the axis of the respective cavity, and in doing so, extend across a portion of the opening of the cavity. See tab  7 A in  FIG. 4 , which portrays the position of the tab as it is biased to an inward position interfering with any shell leaving the cavity  6 . After a cavity of the carrier is loaded with shells, the tab of that respective cavity interferes with the release of shot shells from the cavity until the tab is manually removed from the shot shell path. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the spring steel tensioner  9  is attached to the forearm-stock shot shell carrier body  21  by nubbins  14  (which are formed/provided in a slot on the carrier body and which are inserted into holes through the spring steel tensioner) and by a fastener clip  8  that snaps into the carrier body and captures the tensioner  9  between said clip  8  and the body  21 . The retention mechanism is illustrated to best advantage in  FIGS. 11 ,  12 , and  10  (detail of the clip  8 ). 
     In  FIG. 5B , forearm-stock shot shell carrier  10  is portrayed with its main body cut in cut-away fashion that reveals both the magazine cavity  18 , only one of the shell cavities  6 , and the preferred system of pushing shot shells out of the one shell cavity  6 . Note that, in preferred two-tube embodiments, a vertical cross-section along a single plane through the axis of the magazine cavity will extend between the two shell tubes (rather than through either of them) and, in preferred single-tube embodiments, a vertical cross-section along a single plane through the axis of the magazine cavity will pass through the magazine cavity and also through the single tube cavity. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate the preferred single tube embodiment  20 , and double tube embodiment  21 , respectively, of the forearm-stock shot shell carrier main body, for use with a semi-automatic shotgun. The single shell storage cavity  6  and the shotgun magazine cavity  19  are aligned so that their longitudinal axes are preferably on a single plane. During typical use of the shotgun, said single plane would be a vertical plane, and the shell cavity  6  would be directly below the magazine cavity  19 ). Note that cavity  19  is open at its top over a portion of its length and closed over the remaining portion of its length. Thus, because of this option for an open-topped portion of the magazine cavity, and/or because the preferred carriers do not cover or extend in front of the front-most end of the magazine, the carriers may be said to substantially envelope rather then necessarily entirely envelope the magazine. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of an integrated accessory rail  23  formed or otherwise provided in the front, bottom section of the carrier main body  21 . This rail  23  receives accessories either for storage until the user wishes to remove and use said accessories or for use in position in or extending from the rail  23 . Various accessories may be mounted on said rail  23 , such as a light  25 , laser, or other accessory for use with the shotgun. 
       FIG. 8 , illustrates one embodiment of an integrated accessory cavity  24  formed or otherwise provided into the front, bottom section of the carrier main body  21 . The cavity  24  receives accessories either for storage until the user wishes to remove and use said accessories or for use in position in or extending from the accessory  24 . Various accessories may be mounted on said rail  23 , such as a light  25 , laser, or other accessory for use with the shotgun. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate one embodiment of a pistol grip  26  that may be fixed to the carrier main body  21 , for example, by bolts extending into the pistol attachment bar  13 .  FIG. 9  illustrates attachment holes  27  for bolting the pistol grip  26  to the carrier main body  21  such that the pistol grip and shotgun forearm-stock act as a single unit. The pistol grip  26  may be grasped in a classic pistol grip hand position (generally vertical) instead of said user grasping/holding the main body of the forearm-stock carrier, and, if the carrier and grip assembly  26  is being used on a pump shotgun, the grip assembly  26  may be used as the grip the user used to pump the shotgun. 
       FIG. 10  provides an enlarged view of the fastener clip  8  of the retention mechanism of  FIGS. 1-5A ,  6 A,  6 B,  7  and  8 . The clip  8  comprises a preferably flat outer surface  28 , two wings  29  (also called “opposing teeth” or “opposing cleats”), and a generally flat inner surface  30 . The clip  8  receives the spring steel tensioner  9  in the interior space defined by surface  30  and the wings  29 , and said wings  29  snap into apertures in the main body  21  to retain the clip and the captured tensioner  9  in place against the body  21 . Once said tensioner  9  is connected to the main body by the clip  8 , the forward end (to about the middle) of the tensioner  9  is held against the main body, but the rearward end of the tensioner  9  and its tab  7  is free to resiliently flex. The spring character of the tensioner  9  tends to keep the tensioner  9  and its tab  7  biased inward toward the axis of its respective cavity  6 , but it may be manually flexed outward by the user to allow removal of one or more shells. After being released, the tensioner will return to its position wherein the tab extends over a portion of the cavity opening. If the user releases the tensional/tab as a given shell is exiting the cavity, the tensioner/tab will return to the retention position immediately after the shell has exited, and preferably in the split second before a second shell begins to exit. In alternative embodiments, the retention mechanism is adapted to allow multiple shells to exit until deliberate action by the user. 
     One may see from the drawings and this description, that the preferred embodiments do not automatically or semi-automatically feed or load shells into the loading ramp, magazine, or receiver. The preferred embodiments are intended to make manual loading of said loading ramp, magazine, or receiver quick and more convenient, but are not intended to be adapted to accomplish said loading except by use of the human hand. Therefore, the preferred forearm-stock carrier contacts and connects to the outer surface of the magazine tube (and in pump shotguns also will typically operatively connect to the reload or “action” bars) and is near and may contact the receiver, but preferably there is no accommodation for direct loading from the carrier to the magazine or receiver (that is, only indirect loading by the human hand). 
     Some embodiments of the invention may be described as: A forearm stock for a shotgun having one or more integral shot shell carrier tubes, said forearm stock comprising: 
     a main body, said body having an upper central cavity formed such that it may accept the engagement of a shotgun&#39;s tube magazine and reload bar assembly as appropriate to pump action shotguns; and 
     said main body having one or more tubular cavities formed such that they may receive a plurality of shot shells, said tubes having an open end and an opposing closed end, said open end and said closed end being spaced-apart thereby defining a shot shell carrier section there between; and 
     a means of compressing shot shells within the carrier cavity; and 
     a means of safely pushing shot shells within the carrier cavity; and 
     a means of retaining shot shells within the carrier cavity; and 
     a means of releasing shot shells from within the carrier cavity; and 
     optionally, a means of attaching a removable, repositionable, pistol grip to the main body; and 
     optionally, a means of attaching accessory lights, lasers and other accessories to the main body. 
     Embodiments of the invention may include the combination of: the said main body of said forearm stock carrier being attached to a semi-automatic or pump action shotgun such that the upper central cavity of the main body accepts the magazine tube of either gun type and in the case of a pump shotgun, the action bars of the pump action shotgun. The forearm stock&#39;s one or more shot shell carriers provide increased shot shell storage capacity on the host shotgun and in close proximity to the shotgun&#39;s magazine, feed ramp, or firing chamber. 
     In many embodiments, the shell carrier portion of the preferably-integral unit utilizes the tension of one or more internal springs to control shot shell movement within said carrier portion until released by actuation/disengagement of a retention mechanism. Other mechanisms for urging the shells preferably to the rearward end of the carrier tubes may be used, with said mechanisms for urging preferably being automatic and not requiring the user&#39;s action to create or to actuate said urging. 
     The shot shell retention mechanism may be of various designs and attached or operatively connected by various means preferably to the main body. The retention mechanism counteracts the urging by said mechanism for urging, for example, by counteracting tension of said internal springs upon the shot shells. The retention mechanism may be any of various designs that bias a member, or a portion of a member, to extend or otherwise pass at least partially across or at least partially into the pathway of shot shells, in such as way that said member or portion of a member stops, retards, blocks, or frictionally engages the shell to prevent movement and/or exit of the shell(s). The retention mechanism is preferably a spring-loaded member or biased member of any type, for example, the spring steel plate or arm, a rocker arm that is biased to pivot its rearward end across or into the rear opening, or a protrusion of various kinds that pivots, flexes, slides, snaps, or otherwise moves with a radial component of motion across the opening or otherwise into the cavity. Said retention mechanism member or member portion may enter or block the path of the shells rearward of the shell cavity and rearward of the rear opening, at the rear opening, or even forward of the rear opening at any of various locations along the length of the carrier tube(s) (wherein they would protrude, pivot, flex, slide, snap, or otherwise move through an aperture or slot in the main body to reach into the shell cavity. The retention mechanism may be color-coded to provide associable visual reference to shot shell load types stored within the cavities of the carrier portion. 
     Preferably, if there are multiple carrier tubes, each with its own internal spring and its own retainer, the internal springs operate independently of each other and the retainer operate independently of each other; this way, the user may withdraw shells from one or the other tube independently from the other tube. The retention mechanism may include a length of spring steel or other biasing material, and it may have one or more holes designed to accept nubbin protrusions, screws, or other attachment means, wherein the nubbins or a means of accepting the biasing material may be removably attached. The retention mechanism may also be held in place on the main body by a removable clip. Alternative means of attaching the retention to the main body may be used, for example, tape, screws, clamps, clips, or other fasteners. 
     Although this invention has been described above with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents within the scope of the following claims.