Patent Publication Number: US-11656040-B2

Title: Bolt stop with a locking device for an automatic firearm, and a grip stock and receiver equipped therewith

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102018005354.8, which was filed on Jul. 5, 2018. German Patent Application No. 102018005354.8 is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The invention relates to a bolt stop with a locking device for an automatic firearm and a grip stock and receiver equipped with such a bolt stop with a locking device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Position terms in this document, such as “up,” “down,” “front,” and “back,” etc. always refer to a firearm held in a normal shooting position, in which the bore axis is horizontal, and the rounds are fired toward the front, away from the shooter. 
     Bolt stops of different designs are known, and are used to catch and retain a bolt, or release the bolt in order to fire a round. 
     In many weapons such as light machine guns, machine pistols, and pistols, it has become standard practice for the bolt to be kept in the open position after firing the last cartridge. Typically, the bolt is held open with a bolt stop. For this, the cartridge carrier in the magazine normally presses against an arm of the bolt stop extending into the magazine well after the last round has been fired. The cartridge carrier pivots or bolts the bolt stop into the movement path of the bolt. This position of the bolt stop is the so-called catch and retain position. The bolt, which first returns after firing a round, travels over the bolt stop toward the rear of the firearm and then strikes the bolt stop when the bolt moves forward again, so that the bolt stop blocks the bolt from closing. 
     After a full magazine has been inserted, the shooter can release the bolt by manually actuating the bolt stop or a bolt stop lever on the bolt. In this position, the bolt stop lever ends up in a so-called release position again. The bolt then moves forward when the bolt stop is released and loads a cartridge into the chamber as the bolt continues to move forward, and the weapon is again ready to fire. 
     This automatic catching and retaining of the bolt as it moves forward when the magazine is empty has two advantages. In particular: the shooter can immediately see when the magazine is empty, and he can chamber a round by releasing the bolt after a full magazine has been inserted, without having to rack the bolt. 
     A bolt stop is known from DE 10 2012 019 422 B3 by the same applicant, which has an bolt stop lever, and which has operating handles protruding on both sides of the weapon for ambidextrous operation. 
     An automatic pistol with a magazine retainer and a bolt stop is known from DE 30 35 796 C2. The bolt stop is connected to the magazine retainer via a spring handle mechanism, wherein the magazine retainer and the bolt mechanism are functionally connected to one another such that when the magazine retainer is actuated, the bolt can be released from s retained position. The bolt stop can be displaced longitudinally. 
     A bolt stop is known from DE 25 23 716, which is coupled to a release device that has a releasing lever, for releasing the firing mechanism. The bolt stop can also be actuated via this releasing lever. 
     An automatic firearm w with a bolt stop in the form of a multi-arm lever is also known from DE 1 890 933 by the same applicant. A pivotable control piece is located behind the lower end of a front arm of the catching lever in a release position. After the last round has been fired, a cam on a lower surface of the feeder strikes the control piece to release the catch lever, and a rear arm of the catch lever extends into the movement path of the bolt. 
     GB 15 783 describes a bolt stop with a catch that can pivot about an axis, wherein the catch comprises two walls that each have a catch projection. Deactivation of the bolt stop as such is not intended. A multifunctional safety/bolt stop release lever is used to disengage the bolt stop from the bolt when the feeder in the empty magazine does not strike the stop with an actuator lug and pivots the actuator lug upward into the movement path of the bolt, as is the case with each cartridge located therein when the magazine is loaded. 
     WO 2005/047804 A2 discloses a bolt stop and release mechanism for an automatic firearm, which can be brought into the bolt catching position after firing the last round via the feeder in the magazine. The bolt stop comprises a lever end that extends downward in the region of the trigger guard, which a shooter can push manually downward in order to bring the bolt stop into its release position. 
     The bolt stop/release mechanism has the same bolt stop blocking system that is described in DE 196 55 169 C2 by the applicant. 
     In some situations a detrimental effect may arise when the bolt is blocked by a bolt stop in an activated state, also called the bolt catch and retain position, after the last round has been fired, and thus is held open in its rear position. In the example activated state or bolt catch and retain position, the bolt is not blocked by the bolt stop. Because the bolt is held open, an ejection window through which the fired cartridge is ejected is also normally open to the environment. The ejection window is normally located in front of the bolt in the direction of firing when the bolt is in the retained position, and for this reason is open. When the bolt stop is not activated (e.g., the bolt is in the release position), the bolt is normally in its forward position, thus closing the ejection window. 
     When the bolt stop is activated, the ejection window of the weapon remains in the open state after firing the last round until a new magazine has been inserted and/or the bolt stop has been manually actuated in order to release the bolt such that it can move forward, toward the chamber. 
     Disadvantageously, contaminants such as sand or sludge can enter the interior of the receiver and its components under adverse conditions, e.g. due to sand swirling around in desert regions, which can lead to a malfunctioning of the weapon. 
     Previously, such a bolt stop may have been eliminated entirely for this reason, such that the weapon could be used under all conditions, thus increasing the reliability of the firearm. 
     Lastly, the aforementioned DE 196 55 169 C2 by the same applicant discloses an automatic firearm in this regard that has a bolt stop and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is intended to secure the bolt stop in its standby position, and is designed as a trigger spring. A forward leg of the spring passes through the bolt stop and engages behind a projection in the grip stock. There are two recesses for receiving the spring leg on either side of the bolt stop. When the forward spring leg is placed in the one recess, the bolt stop can be moved from the bolt releasing position to its bolt catching position. When the spring leg is placed in the other recess, the bolt stop is unable to move upward into its bolt catching position, and it is secured in the bolt releasing position. The forward spring leg is in permanent engagement with the bolt stop at this point. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail below in reference to the attached, schematic drawings. 
         FIG.  1    shows an automatic firearm with an example of a bolt stop and disclosed locking device, in a side view from the right. 
         FIG.  2    shows an enlarged perspective detailed illustration of the bolt stop with a locking device from  FIG.  1   , in a diagonal view from the back. 
         FIG.  3    shows a perspective detailed illustration of an example of the safety device in  FIG.  2   , in a diagonal view from above and behind. 
         FIG.  4    shows a perspective detailed illustration of an example of the safety device in  FIG.  2   , in a diagonal view from below and behind. 
         FIG.  5    shows a partially cutaway detailed illustration of the bolt stop with a safety device according to the examples shown in  FIGS.  1  to  4   , in a side view, with an activated bolt stop. 
         FIG.  6    shows the bolt stop with an example safety device from  FIG.  5   , when the bolt stop is deactivated. 
         FIG.  7    shows the bolt stop with an example safety device from  FIG.  6   , with a further subsection. 
         FIG.  8    shows an automatic firearm with a second example bolt stop with a locking device according to the invention, in a side view from the left, with a subsection. 
         FIG.  9    shows the example of the bolt stop with a locking device according to  FIG.  8    in a partially cutaway side view, when the bolt stop is activated. 
         FIG.  10    shows a perspective view of a locking element of the safety device according to the example shown in  FIG.  9   , in a diagonal side view from the front. 
         FIG.  11    shows a perspective side view of the locking element from  FIG.  10    in a diagonal view from the front and below. 
         FIG.  12    shows the bolt stop from  FIG.  9    in a deactivated state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    shows an automatic firearm  1  in the form of an assault rifle, specifically the HK416 by the applicant. The automatic firearm  1  includes a receiver, composed of a hand guard  3 , a lower grip stock  5  and an upper receiver part  7 . There is a butt  9  at a rear end, toward the left in  FIG.  1   . The assembly and disassembly of these elements takes place in a known manner. 
     The hand guard  3  includes a lower Picatinny rail  11  on a lower surface and an upper Picatinny rail  13  on an upper surface. There is a flip-up front sight  15  at a front end of the hand guard  3 . The hand guard  3  encompasses a barrel (not shown) in its interior, and a gas-operated reloading mechanism  17 . 
     The upper receiver part  7  comprises a flip-up rear sight  19  at a rear end of the upper receiver facing the butt  9 , which is secured on the upper Picatinny rail  13  in a known manner. There is a bolt assembly in the interior that is not shown, which is composed of a bolt carrier with a bolt carrier head (not shown), and is used for feeding, extracting and reloading cartridges in a known manner. There is a cartridge ejector  21  in a front section of the upper receiver part  7 , which is coaxial to the barrel (not shown), and is provided in a known manner behind a chamber (not shown) and above a magazine well  30  in the grip stock  5 . 
     The grip stock  5  includes a handle  23 , and a firing selection lever  25 , which is used in a known manner to switch between single firing and continuous firing modes, etc. Furthermore, there is a trigger  27  located within a trigger guard  29 . There is an operating handle  31  for actuating a magazine retaining/releasing mechanism located above the trigger guard  29  in the form of a release button, with which a magazine (not shown) that has been inserted in the magazine well  30  is retained therein, and/or can be released therefrom. A circled section  33  is provided above the operating handle  31 , which is enlarged in a detailed illustration in  FIG.  2   , and shows the components of a bolt stop  36  and a locking device  42  (cf.  FIGS.  2  to  7   ). 
     The functioning of a bolt stop  36  has already been explained in the introduction. The bolt stop  36  comprises an integral bolt stop lever  39  according to DE 10 2012 019 422 B3 by the same applicant, cited in the introduction. 
       FIG.  2    shows an enlarged perspective illustration of the circled section  33  in  FIG.  1   . A portion of the rear end of the magazine well  30  is shown in the upper right-hand region. An actuating handle  35  for operating the bolt stop  36 , specifically the integral bolt stop lever  39 , is shown in the middle. The actuating handle  35  bears on a bearing surface  37  formed on the right-hand side of the grip stock  5 , and bolt stop lever  39  is in its release position, in which the bolt can bolt over the bolt stop lever  39 . 
     The bolt stop lever  39  comprises a bolt catching and retaining surface  41  on its upper surface, which functions like that described in DE 10 2012 019 422 B3 by the same applicant. After firing the final round in the magazine, a magazine feeder pushes the bolt stop  39  upward into a catching position. 
     The operating handle  31  for a magazine retaining/releasing mechanism is illustrated in an enlargement. The magazine retaining/releasing mechanism is pushed into the grip stock  5  against the force of a spring (not shown), by means of which a lug (not shown) is disengaged from a recess formed in the magazine (not shown), such that the magazine falls downward, out of the magazine well, or can be removed therefrom. 
       FIG.  2    also shows a portion of the safety mechanism or locking device  42  lying opposite the actuating handle  35 , with a partially cut away, grooved locking element  43  on an operating surface  45 . The operating surface  45  of the locking element  43  has is on an outer surface. The locking element  43  is inserted laterally, coaxial to the barrel  16 , into a guide recess  46  on the right-hand side of the grip stock  5 , at the upper end of the magazine well  30 . The locking element  43  is guided longitudinally within the guide section  46 . 
     In order to actuate the locking element  43 , the operating surface  45  has a grooved structure on the outer surface to make it easier to grip. This also enables an actuation under adverse conditions, or while wearing gloves, for example. 
       FIG.  3    shows an enlarged detailed, diagonal view of the locking element  43  from the rear and above, and  FIG.  4    shows an enlarged detailed illustration of the locking element  43  in a diagonal view from the rear and below. 
     The locking element  43  or the safety bolt  43  can be slid between a release position and a locking position, wherein the bolt stop  36  is allowed to function when in the release position, and deactivates the functioning of the bolt stop  36  when in the locking position. 
     The operating surface  45  is basically rectangular, and there are guide segments  47  for guiding the locking element  43  in the grip stock  5  on a back surface thereof, and, thus, the side facing the grip stock  5 , and placed therein. Guide segments  47  are formed as grooves extending over the upper surface of the locking element  43 , and are interrupted at the appropriate point (cf.  FIG.  5    as well in this regard). 
     Furthermore, there is a through hole  77  in the form of an extension of a retaining deactivation recess  61 , which passes through the locking element  43  transverse to the direction of firing. An upper recess  49  between the guide segments, that has the through hole  77 , is used for removing the locking element  43  from the grip stock  5 . 
     In order to remove the locking element  43 , a pin (not shown) inserted through the through hole  77  and a retaining pin  63  is pushed inward against a retaining spiral spring  64  in the grip stock  5  until an annular segment  68  is far enough in the grip stock  5  that the annular segment  68  is no longer behind an edge segment  52  and the locking element  43  can be removed toward the back from the guide  46  in the grip stock  5 . For this, the bolt stop  36  must first be removed from the grip stock  5 . 
     In order to assemble the locking element  43  in the grip stock  45 , the locking element  43  is pushed into the guide segment  46  of the grip stock  5 , where the locking element  43  passes over a beveled side of the edge segment  52  of the annular segment  68  of the retaining pin  63 , which latches into a recess  54  in one of the retaining recesses  59  or  61 . 
     The guide segment  47  runs circumferentially downward at a right-hand, front, rounded end  51  of the locking element  43 . The guide groove, or guide segment  47 , is interrupted at the lower surface of the locking element  43  where it borders on the edge section  52 . The rear retaining recess  59  and the forward retaining recess  61  are provided in the recess  54 . A guide recess or another guide segment  57  is adjacent to the recess  54 , and extends toward a rear end of the locking element  43 . The guide segment  57  does not continue to the rear end of the locking element  43 , but ends instead slightly before the end, in order to leave sufficient space for a locking surface  55  that receives or encompasses the front end of the actuating handle  35  of the bolt stop lever  39 . 
     The manner in which the actuating handle  35  of the bolt stop lever  39  is secured shall be described below in reference to  FIGS.  5  to  7   . 
     The locking element  43  extends at an extended protruding end  53  beyond the guide surfaces  47 ,  52 , overlapping these surfaces, and thus forming a bearing surface on the grip stock  5  with its rear surface. 
     As can be seen in  FIG.  4   , there is a retaining pin  63  on the lower surface of the locking element  43 , the upper end of which (cf.  FIGS.  5  to  7   ) has a conical end section  68 , the dimensions of which are basically complementary to the dimensions of the retaining recesses  59  and  61 , and the diameter of which is smaller than an annular segment  70 . These two complementary conical surfaces delimit the insertion depth of the retaining pin  63  in the respective recesses  59  or  61 . The retaining pin  63  has a slightly tapered annular segment  68  adjacent to the conical end segment, which transitions at a step  69  to an oblong annular segment  70  with a larger diameter. 
     The annular segment  70  tapers at its lower end and forms a pin segment there, via which a counter-bearing  67  in the form of a stop for a retaining spring  64  is formed. 
     As shall be explained below in reference to  FIGS.  5  to  7   , the rear retaining recess  59  serves to activate or release the bolt stop  36  and the forward retaining recess  61  serves to deactivate the functioning of the bolt stop  36  when in the assembled state. 
     The locking element  43  is supported such that it can be displaced longitudinally in the guide segment  46  of the grip stock  5 . This displacement is indicated schematically by the arrow in  FIGS.  5  to  7   . In  FIG.  5   , the retaining pin  63  is retained at its conical end in the rear retaining recess  59 . The retaining pin  63  is inserted in a spring-loaded manner into a blind hole  73  that is perpendicular to the direction of firing. A retaining spring  65  is delimited and tensioned at its lower end by a counter-bearing  75  at the bottom of the blind hole  73 . 
     The retaining pin  63  can be moved downward toward the counter-bearing  75 , counter to the force of the spring  65  in the blind hole  73 , in order to release it. In  FIG.  5   , the retaining pin is located in the rear retaining recess  59 , in which the bolt stop  36 , and in particular the actuating handle  35  of the bolt stop lever  39 , are released. In this state, the bolt stop lever  39  can perform its function and catch the bolt after the last round has been fired. 
     By actuating or displacing the locking element  43  to the left, thus toward the stock or butt  9  of the automatic firearm  1 , the lower surface of the locking element  43 , specifically the complementary conical surfaces of the retaining recess  59  and the upper end of the retaining pin  63 , forces the retaining pin  63  downward, counter to the spring force of the spiral spring  65 , such that the locking element  43  can be moved further backward. In doing so, the conical end of the retaining pin  63  bolts from the rear retaining recess  59  to the forward retaining recess  61 , and enters this recess, as shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7   . In  FIGS.  5  to  7   , the rear section of the operating surface  45  is partially cut away, in order to illustrate this procedure. 
     When the retaining pin  63  enters the forward retaining recess  61 , the retaining spiral spring  65  is at least partially untensioned, and secures the retaining pin  63  in the forward retaining recess  61 . In this position, the bolt stop  36  is deactivated, because the rear end of the locking element  43  is pushed over the complementary counter-surface  38  (cf.  FIGS.  6 ,  7   ) on the actuating handle  35  of the bolt stop lever  39  at the locking surface  55  that basically forms a right angle. As a result, the bolt stop lever  39  is secured in its release position, such that the retaining or guide surface  41  cannot extend upward into the movement path of the bolt, or bolt head (not shown), and the bolt cannot be caught or retained. 
     In  FIG.  7   , this rear end, or the locking surface  55 , is partially cut away inside the circle, and show how the locking surface  55  bears on the counter-surface  38  of the actuating handle  35 . The guidance of the locking element  43  in the grip stop guide within the guide segment  46  is likewise illustrated. 
     In order to activate or release the bolt stop  36 , the procedure is reversed, i.e., the shooter bolts the locking element  43  at its operating surface  45  to the right, thus toward the muzzle, by means of which the retaining pin  63  is pushed downward, counter to the spring force of the retaining spiral spring  65 , via which the conical end surface is forced out of the forward retaining recess  61 , until it can re-enter the rear retaining recess  59 , and secure the locking element  43  or the safety bolt  43  in the release position. 
       FIGS.  8  to  12    show a second embodiment of the automatic firearm  1 , which in the present case is in the form of the assault rifle HK433 by the applicant. 
     The assault rifle  1  has elements corresponding to the first embodiment, which deviate in part therefrom in terms of their shape and design. There is no butt here, but instead only an interface  82  where a butt can be attached. Furthermore, the embodiment according to  FIGS.  8  to  12   , and in particular  FIG.  8   , differs from the first embodiment according to  FIGS.  1  to  7    in that a racking mechanism  81  with a racking lever  83  is shown as the actuating handle, which is located inside a guide slot  85  in the receiver, specifically an upper receiver part  7 ′, in order to rack the bolt, or gas-operated loading mechanism, in the known manner. 
     The reference symbol  33 ′ indicates a section of the bolt stop with a locking mechanism or locking device  42 ′. In differing from the locking device  42  in the first embodiment, which is inserted into the receiver wall in the grip stock  5 , the locking device  42 ′ in the second embodiment is located in the interior of the receiver, specifically opposite a trigger mechanism  86  on the rear end of a magazine well  30 ′ in a grip stock  5 ′. 
       FIGS.  9  to  12    show the section  33 ′ in an enlarged sectional view, or the locking device  42 ′ with a locking element  93 , in two perspective illustrations. 
       FIG.  9    shows a longitudinal sectional view cut through the assault rifle HK433 somewhat to the left of a trigger  27 ′. The trigger mechanism  86  is shown in greater detail in the grip stock  5 ′, and comprises a known hammer  87 , which is supported on a hammer axle  89 , and is tensioned against a force of a hammer spring  91  in  FIG.  9   . The other actuating elements for releasing the trigger mechanism after actuating the trigger  27 ′ are known and thus shall not be explained further. 
     The locking device  42 ′ is shown at a front end, thus an end of the receiving space for the trigger mechanism  86  facing the magazine well  30 ′. This substantially comprises a so-called form spring  93  (cf.  FIGS.  10  and  11   ). This has an oblong hole  95 , which is supported on a form spring bearing axle or securing axle  97  that passes through the grip stock  5  transverse to the direction of firing, such that it can be displaced longitudinally in the direction of firing or counter to the direction of firing. The form spring  93  interacts at its lower surface with a pin-like counter-retaining element  92 , which extends upward in the lower receiver part  5 ′, perpendicular to the direction of firing in relation to the bore axis of the automatic firearm  1  (not shown). The counter-retaining element  92  has a wedge-shaped end section  94  at its upper end, which in turn engages with the form spring  93  (cf.  FIGS.  9  and  12   ). 
     The form spring  93  forms a locking element, and has guide surfaces  96  on an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, basically in the middle of the oblong hole  95 , which allow a displacement of the form spring  93  on the securing axle  96 . The form spring  93  comprises a core section, which encompasses the oblong hole  95  with basically complementary dimensions. There is an extension  99  on a front surface of the form spring  93 , thus at the side facing the magazine in the assembled state, which has an upper guide surface  101  on the upper surface and a lower guide surface  103  on the lower surface. The front edges are rounded, in order to facilitate insertion/guidance. The lower guide surface  103  corresponds to a locking surface, which locks the bolt stop function when the extended section  99  enters the bolt stop  36 ′ or the bolt stop lever  39 ′ and a complementary recess  100  with its front end, and thus secures the bolt stop  36 ′ or the bolt stop lever  39 ′ (cf.  FIG.  12   ), if this is desired. 
     The upper guide surface  101  transitions in the shape of a wave toward the oblong hole to a raised transition segment  107 , which in turn transitions to an upward extension  104 . The upper extension  104  has a basically planar surface  102  at the upper surface, and has an operating surface  15  at the surface facing the extension  99 , which allows the shooter to grip the upper extension  104  and actuate it manually. 
     In order to actuate the form spring  93 , a shooter can insert a finger into the region of the trigger mechanism  86 , wherein the form spring  93  is preferably located in the left-hand third of the receiving space for the trigger mechanism  86 , thus at a lateral distance to the hammer  87 . 
     There is a spring segment  109  on the lower surface of the form spring or the locking element  93 . This comprises a cut out region  111  that basically extends over the entire length of the lower surface of the form spring  93  beneath the oblong hole  95 . The cut out region  111  is widened at a front end  113  and a rear end  115 , There is a retaining lug  119  on the lower surface of the form spring  93 , which extends downward in the shape of a wedge in the front third of the lower surface, between guide segments  117 . Because of the elasticity, in particular the cut out region  111 , the retaining lug  119  can be pressed down in order to move the form spring  93  from the standby position to the locking position and back toward the oblong hole  95  (cf.  FIG.  12   ). 
     The retaining lug  119  bears against the rear, wedge-shaped end  94  of the counter-retaining element  92  at its front surface facing the magazine well  30 ′. The counter-retaining element  92  is rigidly mounted inside the receiving space for the trigger mechanism  86  at its forward wall. The counter-retaining element  92  is in the form of a steel pin, which is inserted into the aluminum of the trigger receiver, in a recess. 
     In the position shown in  FIG.  9   , the bolt stop  36 ′ or the bolt stop lever  39 ′ is inserted in a recess in a rear magazine well wall. The bolt stop lever  39 ′ also comprises a recess  100 , the dimensions of which basically correspond to the dimensions of the extension segment  99  of the form spring  93  (cf.  FIG.  12   ). In  FIG.  9   , the form spring  93  is secured in place via the counter-retaining element  92 . The bolt stop lever  39 ′ is released in terms of its functioning, as indicated by the arrows extending on both sides, perpendicular to the direction of firing. The bolt stop  36 ′ is in the activated state, in which the bolt stop  36 ′ can catch and secure the bolt (not shown) after firing a last round. 
       FIG.  12    shows the bolt stop  36 ′, or the bolt stop lever  39 ′ in the deactivated state. In differing from  FIG.  9   , the form spring  93  is slid forward by a shooter by gripping the extensions  104 , in particular the operating surface  105 , such that the rear end of the oblong hole  95  extends over the guide surfaces  96 , and bears on the form spring axle  97 , In this procedure, the retaining lug  119  on the lower surface of the elastic spring segment  109  is pushed upward, thus deformed or pushed into the cut out region  111 , such that the retaining lug  119  bolts over the wedge-shaped end segment  94  at a front, wedge-shaped surface  121  of the counter-retaining element  92  until a rear, wedge-shaped surface  123  of the counter-retaining element  92  again bears on the front wedge segment of the wedge-shaped end  94  of the counter-retaining element  92  (cf. lower circle). 
     In this position, the extended segment  99  of the form spring  93 , or the locking element  93 , engages in the recess  100  of the bolt stop lever  39 ′ or the bolt stop  36  (cf. upper left-hand circle). In the deactivated state, the bolt stop  36 ′ can no longer be brought into the movement path of the bolt (not shown) after firing a last round, such that, as mentioned in the introduction, the bolt remains in its forward end position after firing the last shot, thus blocking a lateral ejection window  21 ′, such that an entering of contaminants is prevented, or at least reduced. 
     The advantage of the internal fours spring  93 , or locking element  93 , in the second embodiment is that it is located inside the lower part of the grip stock  5 ′, such that an unintended operation thereof is prevented. The form spring  93  can be configured, or provided with a corresponding elasticity, such that an accidental or unintentional movement of the operating element, or the operating surface  105  and the extension  104 , by a user, and particularly by an acceleration of the firearm when firing rounds, is prevented. 
     In the first embodiment, the locking element  43  is advantageously located in the outer wall of the lower part of the grip stock  5  in the receiver, in order to thus prevent an unintended deactivation as a result of the end being flush therewith. In addition, the spring configuration, or the pressure element configuration, prevents an unintended actuation of the locking element  43 , resulting from the acceleration in the firearm when firing a round, for example. 
     Although the invention is defined in the independent claims, further designs and aspects of the invention are defined in the framework of the subsequent claims, the description, and the drawings. 
     Further designs of the invention can be derived by the person skilled in the art from the following claims. 
     The examples disclosed herein create an alternative deactivation of the bolt stop, in particular a structurally simple and functionally reliable locking device. 
     Some examples disclosed herein include a bolt stop for an automatic firearm comprising a bolt stop lever movable between a release position and a catch position and a locking device movable between a standby position and a locking position for selectively securing the bolt stop lever in the release position, wherein the locking device is disengaged with the bolt stop lever when in the standby position, and is engaged with the bolt stop lever when in the locking position, the locking device deactivated in the locking position. Such examples create an alternative deactivation of the bolt stop using a structurally simple and functionally reliable locking device. 
     In the examples disclosed herein, when the locking device is in a standby position, the locking device is disengaged from the bolt stop lever, and engages with the bolt stop lever when it is in the locked position, thereby deactivating the bolt stop lever. 
     In the examples disclosed herein, the firearm grip stock for an automatic firearm advantageously includes a grip stock that has a bolt stop including the features disclosed herein. 
     In the examples disclosed herein, the firearm receiver of an automatic firearm advantageously includes a bolt stop including the features disclosed herein. 
     In the examples disclosed herein, the bolt stop can be intended for a wide variety of automatic firearms, e.g. a machine gun, a sniper rifle, an assault rifle or an automatic pistol. When the firearm is a pistol, the bolt stop may be referred to as a slide stop. 
     The bolt stop can be deactivated via the locking device in some examples disclosed herein, i.e. the bolt stop is locked in the release position, and cannot be brought into the catching/retaining position, or bolt catching position. In particular, when firing a weapon, it is ensured in this manner that the bolt is always located in the forward position after firing a final round from the magazine, regardless of whether single rounds are fired or the weapon is used for continuous firing, in which the ejection window, which can be located on the left or right side of a weapon, is closed. 
     A weapon receiver, in some examples disclosed herein, includes a weapon receiver made of a single piece or multiple components, which can be composed, for example, of an upper receiver part and a lower receiver part, or grip stock. The bolt stop is provided there at an appropriate position. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the lower receiver part, or grip stock, can be in the form of a grip stock module, a grip stock module with a magazine well for receiving a magazine, a grip stock module with a receiver for a trigger mechanism, a grip stock module with a magazine well and a receiver for a trigger mechanism, a grip stock module with a receiver for a trigger mechanism and a butt, or a grip stock module with a magazine well, a receiver for a trigger mechanism, and a butt. 
     The locking device of the examples disclosed herein has a simple structure and is functionally reliable and thus increases the reliability of a bolt stop, and a firearm equipped therewith. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the bolt stop and locking device can be inexpensively produced using known metal casting methods or metal powder injection molding methods, so-called Metal Injection Molding (MEM) methods, or via typical sintering processes, for example. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the bolt stop enables a blocking of the bolt stop lever in order to deactivate the bolt catching function. It is advantageously independent of the trigger mechanism, such that the risk of an operating error when actuating the trigger mechanism is reduced. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the locking device includes a locking element, which is guided longitudinally in the receiver or grip stock, in particular in and counter to the direction of firing. The locking element can be in the form of a locking bolt in a simple design, for example, which is guided in a guide in the side wall of the receiver or grip stock. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the locking element is placed in or on the receiver or grip stock such that it is flush therewith. For this purpose, it can be in the form of a flat locking bolt in particular, in order to prevent an unintended deactivation of the bolt stop lever. 
     The locking device of the examples disclosed herein can include a locking element that can pivot inside the grip stock or receiver. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the locking device includes a locking element that can bolt inside the grip stock or receiver, in particular in, and counter to, the direction of firing. 
     The locking element is advantageously located in the interior of the grip stock or receiver for deactivation purposes in order to prevent an unintended operation thereof. 
     The locking element in some examples disclosed herein can be secured in the standby position and in the locking position in or on the grip stock or in or on the receiver. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the locking element of the bolt stop can be retained in place via a spring-loaded retaining element. 
     The spring and the retaining element can be advantageously configured with simple technical means such that an unintended movement of the locking element by an acceleration in the firearm, for example, is prevented. 
     The locking element of the bolt stop preferably encompasses at least a segment of the bolt stop lever when the locking element is in the locked position. 
     As a result, the bolt stop lever can be secured in place with structurally simple means, basically via a complementary surface to a section of the bolt stop lever. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the locking element of the bolt stop has a non-slip surface. 
     This measure also ensures an actuation of the locking element with structurally simple means under adverse conditions or when it is dirty. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the locking element of the bolt stop is guided inside the grip stock or receiver on an axle. 
     It is also possible to subsequently retrofit a bolt stop with a locking element, or to provide such from the start, with technically simple means. The locking element can be supported on a pin, for example, in a simple design, which is inserted in the grip stock or receiver in a direction transverse to the direction of firing. 
     The advantage of the internal locking element is that the internal locking element is located inside the grip stock, such that an unintentional operation thereof is prevented. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the locking element is in the form of a form spring, which has at least one elastic segment. 
     The form spring can be configured, or provided with a corresponding elasticity, such that an unintentional or accidental movement of the locking element by a shooter, and particularly by an acceleration in the firearm when firing the weapon, is prevented. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the bolt stop lever in the bolt stop has a recess in which the locking element engages when in its locking position. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the grip stock has at least one guide section in a side of the grip stock that guides the locking element. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the grip stock comprises at least one recess in the side facing the magazine well, which passes through the locking element when the locking element is in the locking position. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the grip stock preferably has at least one recess for receiving and guiding the latching element. 
     In some examples disclosed herein, the construction and function of the bolt stop with a locking device shall first be explained on the basis of a first example shown in  FIGS.  1  to  7   , and then based on a second example shown in  FIGS.  8  to  12   .