Patent Publication Number: US-8966800-B1

Title: Wide-flanged cartridge extractor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a non-provisional of, and claims benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/572,798 filed on Jul. 22, 2011 and titled “WIDE CLAW AMMUNITION EXTRACTION SYSTEM”, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Firearms of various types and configurations often utilize extractor devices to remove cartridges from a firing chamber. While several styles of cartridge extractors are known and utilized, each of the known designs is prone to failure in extreme operating conditions (e.g., in the field during military operations). Such failures can result in physical damage to the firearm, injury, and even loss of life (e.g., firearm failure in tactical situations). It is accordingly desirable to have a cartridge extractor that is less likely to fail even under extreme operating conditions and/or that may otherwise provide benefits not available in previous designs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An understanding of embodiments described herein and many of the attendant advantages thereof may be readily obtained by reference to the following detailed description when considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective diagram of a prior art firearm system; 
         FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are perspective diagrams of prior art cartridge extractors; 
         FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  are perspective diagrams of cartridge extractors according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective diagram of a firearm system according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5C , and  FIG. 5D  are side, top, rear, and front views of a cartridge extractor according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B ,  FIG. 6C , and  FIG. 6D  are side, top, rear, and front views of a cartridge extractor according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B ,  FIG. 7C , and  FIG. 7D  are side, top, front, and rear views of a firearm bolt assembly according to some embodiments; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective assembly diagram of a firearm system according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments presented herein are descriptive of systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for wide-flanged cartridge extractors. In some embodiments, for example, an engaging portion or “flange” of a cartridge extractor is elongated in a transverse direction (i.e., a portion of the extractor configured to engage with a rim of an ammunition cartridge is elongated to contact a larger portion of the cartridge than a typical extractor). For non-limiting purposes of illustration and comparison, the configuration of typical ammunition extractors and systems are briefly described as follows. 
     Turning first to  FIG. 1 , a perspective diagram of a prior art firearm system  100  is shown. The prior art firearm system  100  of  FIG. 1  may, for example, comprise an illustration of a portion of a bolt-action and/or repeating rifle. As depicted, the system  100  may comprise a receiver assembly  102  having an opening cut and/or cavity formed therein, thereby defining an ejector port  104 . Disposed within the cavity comprising the ejector port  104  is a bolt  110  comprising locking lugs  112  that are configured to engage with the receiver assembly  102  and/or the side-walls of the ejector port  104 . The bolt  110  may comprise an engaging face  114  and a cartridge seat  116  recessed from the engaging face  114  and configured to receive the rear of an ammunition cartridge (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The bolt  110  is often configured to rotatably traverse through the ejector port  104  such that the locking lugs  112 , disposed within locking-lug recesses (not explicitly depicted in  FIG. 1 ) couple the bolt  110  to the receiver assembly  102 . The bolt  110  is typically configured such that upon a full traversal of the ejector port  104 , the engaging face  114  engages with a breech or chamber end wall (neither of which are shown in  FIG. 1 ), securely coupling a seated cartridge into the breech and/or chamber of the firearm system  100 , and closing-off or sealing the ejector port  104 . 
     The bolt  110  may also comprise an extractor channel  118  cut and/or formed in the side of the bolt  110 . Typically disposed within the extractor channel  118  are an extractor plunger  120  engaged with an extractor  130 . The extractor plunger  120  is typically acted upon by an extractor spring (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) disposed within the bolt  110  and/or the extractor channel  118  thereof. The extractor plunger  120  accordingly exerts a force upon the extractor  130  such that a rim on the rear of a cartridge forcibly engages with and becomes coupled to the extractor  130  upon being seated in the cartridge seat  116 . The engaging and/or coupling of the extractor  130  with the cartridge allows the cartridge to be removed from the breech and/or chamber as the bolt  110  is disengaged to traverse the ejector port  104  in the opposite direction, opening and/or un-sealing the ejector port  104 . The system  100  may also typically comprise an ejector  150 . Although different styles and configurations of ejectors  150  are utilized, a plunger-style ejector  150  is depicted in  FIG. 1  for non-limiting illustration purposes. As shown, the plunger-style ejector  150  is disposed within the bolt  110  and particularly, within the recessed cartridge seat  116 . The plunger-style ejector  150  is typically acted upon by a spring (not shown) within the bolt  110  that allows the plunger-style ejector  150  to exert force upon the rear of a cartridge seated in the cartridge seat  116 . As the bolt  110  is disengaged to traverse through the ejector port  104  and away from the breech (e.g., after a cartridge is utilized to fire a projectile from the firearm, or otherwise), the force exerted by the plunger-style ejector  150  upon the cartridge causes the spent cartridge to be ejected from the receiver assembly  102  and/or the cavity comprising the ejector port  104 . A new cartridge may then enter the cavity comprising the ejector port  104  and become seated in the cartridge seat  116  and engaged with the extractor  130 , such that the process may be repeated (e.g., another projectile may be fired after being loaded into the breech and/or chamber be engaging the bolt  110 . In repeating firearm systems, the new cartridge may automatically load into the cavity comprising the ejector port  104  and/or may become automatically seated within the cartridge seat  116  and engaged with the extractor  130  (e.g., from the floor of the ejector port  104  and/or otherwise from a magazine and/or clip (not explicitly shown in  FIG. 1 ) coupled to the receiver assembly  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , perspective diagrams of prior art cartridge extractors  230 A-B are shown. The extractors  230 A-B are depicted inverted to better illustrate the features thereof. A first extractor  230 A comprises what is commonly referred to as a “Sako®-style” extractor. The Sako®-style extractor  230 A, for example, is generally of a rectangular shape and comprises a first surface  232 A and a second surface  234 A. When installed in a bolt of a firearm, the Sako®-style extractor  230 A rests within an extractor channel of the bolt (neither of which are shown in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B ) and the first surface  232 A rests against the bottom of the channel, while the second surface  234 A remains exposed and is generally disposed flush with the surface of the bolt. 
     The Sako®-style extractor  230 A also generally comprises a protrusion  236 A configured to engage with a seat (not shown) within the extractor channel of the bolt. The Sako®-style extractor  230 A is typically configured to be acted upon by a force exerted on the rear of the Sako®-style extractor  230 A (by an extractor spring and/or extractor plunger—neither shown in  FIG. 2A ; and typically exerted longitudinally along an axis parallel to the longer dimension of the rectangular Sako®-style extractor  230 A), near the protrusion  236 A, and to accordingly pivot within the seat, the protrusion  236 A preventing the Sako®-style extractor  230 A from being dislodged from the bolt when the force is applied. 
     The Sako®-style extractor  230 A also comprises elements configured to engage and/or couple with a cartridge (not shown). A cartridge rim channel  238 A, for example, is cut and/or formed into the first surface  232 A near the end of the Sako®-style extractor  230 A opposite the protrusion  236 A. The cartridge rim channel  238 A is typically configured such that a cartridge engaging flange  240 A (or “hook” or “claw”) is formed at and/or near the tip of the Sako®-style extractor  230 A. When installed in the bolt of a firearm, the cartridge rim channel  238 A is configured to reactive the rim at the rear of an ammunition cartridge and the cartridge engaging flange  240 A is configured to retain the rim of the cartridge within the cartridge rim channel  238 A (e.g., until forcibly-ejected, such as by an ejector device of the bolt—not shown in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B ). 
     A second extractor  230 B comprises what is commonly referred to as an AR-15/M-16-style extractor. The AR-15/M-16-style extractor  230 B, for example, is generally of a rectangular shape, but more elongated than the Sako®-style extractor  230 A. The first surface  232 B of the AR-15/M-16-style extractor  230 B comprises a housing  242 B formed thereon, the housing  242 B comprising (or defining) a pin hole  244 B. The AR-15/M-16-style extractor  230 B is configured to operate in a slightly different manner than the Sako®-style extractor  230 A. The AR-15/M-16-style extractor  230 B, for example, comprises a protrusion  236 B that is configured to be acted upon by a force (typically a spring—not shown) that pushes the rear of the AR-15/M-16-style extractor  230 B (at the protrusion  236 B) such that the AR-15/M-16-style extractor  230 B pivots about the pin hole  244 B. The AR-15/M-16-style extractor  230 B is typically secured to the bolt of a firearm via a pin (not shown) inserted through the pin hole  244 B and engaged with one or more aligned holes in the side-wall of the extractor channel of the bolt. Like the Sako®-style extractor  230 A, the AR-15/M-16-style extractor  230 B comprises a cartridge rim channel  238 B cut and/or formed in the first surface  232 B, and a cartridge engaging flange  240 B. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , perspective diagrams of cartridge extractors  330 A-B according to some embodiments are shown. A first cartridge extractor  330 A may comprise a Sako®-style extractor configured in accordance with some embodiments, for example, and/or a second cartridge extractor  330 B may comprise an AR-15/M-16-style extractor configured in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the first cartridge extractor  330 A may comprise a first surface  332 A and a second surface  334 A. In some embodiments, the first surface  332 A and the second surface  334 A may comprises surfaces of and/or define a standard rectangular shaped portion of the first cartridge extractor  330 A. In some embodiments, the first cartridge extractor  330 A may comprise a protrusion  336 A at one end of the first cartridge extractor  330 A. 
     According to some embodiments, the first cartridge extractor  330 A may comprise a cartridge rim channel  338 A cut and/or formed in the first surface  332 A, the cartridge rim channel  338 A forming, defining, and/or configured to operate in conjunction with a cartridge engaging flange  340 A. 
     In some embodiments, the second cartridge extractor  330 B may comprise a first surface  332 B and a second surface  334 B. In some embodiments, the first surface  332 B and the second surface  334 B may comprises surfaces of and/or define a standard rectangular shaped portion of the second cartridge extractor  330 B. In some embodiments, the second cartridge extractor  330 B may comprise a protrusion  336 B at one end of the second cartridge extractor  330 B. In some embodiments, the second cartridge extractor  330 B may comprise a housing  342 B formed on and/or coupled to the first surface  332 B, the housing  342 B comprising and/or defining a pin hole  344 B. 
     According to some embodiments, the second cartridge extractor  330 B may comprise a cartridge rim channel  338 B cut and/or formed in the first surface  332 B, the cartridge rim channel  338 B forming, defining, and/or configured to operate in conjunction with a cartridge engaging flange  340 B. 
     In some embodiments, the cartridge extractors  330 A-B may comprise (e.g., at and/or near the engaging end comprising the cartridge rim channels  338 A-B and the cartridge engaging flanges  340 A-B) elongated flange portions  346 A-B. The elongated flange portions  346 A-B may, for example, extend the cartridge rim channels  338 A-B and/or the cartridge engaging flanges  340 A-B transversely beyond the dimensions of the rectangular portion of the first surfaces  332 A-B and/or the second surfaces  334 A-B. In some embodiments, the elongated flange portions  346 A-B may protrude transversely from the standard rectangular portion of the cartridge extractors  330 A-B by extension amounts  348 A-B. 
     In such a manner, for example, various advantages over prior art ammunition extractors (such as the extractors  230 A-B of  FIG. 2A  and/or  FIG. 2B ) may be realized. In the case that a cartridge becomes lodged and/or “jammed” in the breech and/or chamber, for example, the bolt must often be forcibly disengaged with a substantial amount of force (e.g., in an attempt to clear the jammed cartridge). With prior art extractors, such events may cause the extractor (which is typically made of steel and/or other high-strength metals) to exert large amounts of extraction force on the rim of the jammed cartridge. As most cartridges are made of copper or other metals having much less strength than the extractor, the prior art extractors may, in such circumstances, shear-off a portion of the cartridge rim and/or otherwise damage the jammed cartridge. The damage to the cartridge caused by the prior art extractors in such circumstances may produce various undesirable results. The damaged cartridge may remain jammed in the breech and/or chamber (e.g., with a portion of the rim ripped-off), the cartridge may become ripped-apart, leaving a portion lodged in the breech and/or chamber, and/or portions of the damaged cartridge may become lodged in other portions of the firearm (e.g., the magazine, the locking-lug recesses, etc.). Particularly in tactical situations faced by military and/or police personnel, such adverse results could lead to injury or loss of life. 
     Utilization of the elongated flange portions  346 A-B of the cartridge extractors  330 A-B, however, may reduce the likelihood of such adverse results occurring. The elongated flange portions  346 A-B, for example, allow the cartridge extractors  330 A-B to spread the applied extraction force over a larger area of the rim of the cartridge to be extracted. Application of the force over a larger area results in less pressure on the rim of the cartridge, and accordingly less likelihood of catastrophic cartridge structural failure. In some embodiments, the extension amounts  348 A-B may be about one-half of the width of the standard rectangular portion of the cartridge extractors  330 A-B. In such a manner, for example, each cartridge extractor  330 A-B in accordance with some embodiments herein may comprise a cartridge engaging flange  340 A-B (and/or cartridge rim channel  338 A-B) having approximately twice as much cartridge-engaging area as a typical extractor. 
     In some embodiments, the extension amounts  348 A-B may be sized to increase the cartridge-engaging area of the cartridge engaging flange  340 A-B (and/or cartridge rim channel  338 A-B) by approximately seventy-five percent (75%) over typical extractors. In some embodiments, any extension amounts  348 A-B that extend the cartridge engaging flanges  340 A-B (and/or cartridge rim channel  338 A-B) beyond the width of the standard rectangular shaped portion of a typical extractor, may be utilized to reduce the likelihood of firearm system failures. In some embodiments, the extension amounts  348 A-B may be sized to increase the cartridge-engaging area of the cartridge engaging flange  340 A-B (and/or cartridge rim channel  338 A-B) (i) in a range of one percent (1%) to one hundred percent (100%) over typical extractors, or (ii) in a range of seventy-five percent (75%) to one hundred percent (100%) over typical extractors. 
     According to some embodiments, any or all of the components  332 A-B,  334 A-B,  336 A-B,  338 A-B,  340 A-B,  346 A-B,  348 A-B of the cartridge extractors  330 A-B (and/or the extractors  330 A-B themselves) may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components  332 A-B,  334 A-B,  336 A-B,  338 A-B,  340 A-B,  346 A-B,  348 A-B (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components  332 A-B,  334 A-B,  336 A-B,  338 A-B,  340 A-B,  346 A-B,  348 A-B may be included in the cartridge extractors  330 A-B without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, one or more of the various components  332 A-B,  334 A-B,  336 A-B,  338 A-B,  340 A-B,  346 A-B,  348 A-B may not be needed and/or desired in the cartridge extractors  330 A-B. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , a perspective diagram of a firearm system  400  according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the firearm system  400  may comprise a receiver assembly  402  having a cutout and/or cavity defining an ejector port  404 . The firearm system  400  may comprise a bolt  410  disposed within the receiver assembly  402  and/or cavity defining the ejector port  404 . According to some embodiments, the bolt  410  may comprise one or more locking lugs  412 , an engaging face  414 , a cartridge seat  416 , and/or an extractor channel  418 . Disposed within the extractor channel  418 , in some embodiments, may be an extractor plunger  420  and/or a wide-flanged extractor  430 . For non-limiting purposes of illustration only, the wide-flanged extractor  430  depicted in  FIG. 4  is a modified Sako®-style extractor. In some embodiments, other styles and/or configurations of wide-flanged extractors  430  may be utilized. In some embodiments, the wide-flanged extractor  430  may comprise flange extensions  446  (e.g., causing the wide-flanged extractor  430  to have a wider flange than typical extractors). According to some embodiments, the firearm system  400  and/or the bolt  410  may comprise an ejector  450  (depicted solely for non-limiting purposes of illustration as a plunger-style ejector). 
     The firearm system  400  may, for example, be similar to the firearm system  100  of  FIG. 1  herein, although equipped with a wide-flanged extractor  430  as opposed to a typical extractor  130 . According to some embodiments, any or all of the components  402 ,  404 ,  410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418 ,  420 ,  430 ,  446 ,  450  of the firearm system  400  may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components  402 ,  404 ,  410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418 ,  420 ,  430 ,  446 ,  450  (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components  402 ,  404 ,  410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418 ,  420 ,  430 ,  446 ,  450  may be included in the firearm system  400  without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, one or more of the various components  402 ,  404 ,  410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418 ,  420 ,  430 ,  446 ,  450  may not be needed and/or desired in the firearm system  400 . 
     In some embodiments, the wide-flanged extractor  430  may be acted upon by the extractor plunger  420  to pivot in the extractor channel  418  of the bolt  410  and accordingly be configured to forcibly but removably engage with and/or couple to a rim of an ammunition cartridge (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, the flange extensions  446  may seat within a portion of the extractor channel  418  that extends transversely from the main extractor channel  418 , near and/or at the engaging face  414  of the bolt  410 . In such a manner, for example, a disengaging movement of the bolt  410  in the receiver assembly  402  and/or through the ejector port  404  may cause the wide-flanged extractor  430  to exert a smaller extraction pressure on the rim of a cartridge than a typical extractor (e.g., not having one or more of the flange extensions  446 ) would. This reduced extraction pressure due to the utilization of the wide-flanged extractor  430  may increase extraction reliability, reduce the probability of catastrophic cartridge structural failure when clearing a jammed cartridge, and/or may otherwise provide benefits realized upon operation of the firearm system  400 . 
     In some embodiments, the wide-flanged extractor  430  may be sized such that the extractor channel  418  may be sized as in current firearm systems. In other words, the extractor channel  418  may be machined and/or otherwise formed in accordance with typical manufacturing and/or gun-smithing procedures, and the main portion of the wide-flanged extractor  430  will, in some embodiments, fit into this standard extractor channel  418 . This reduces production costs and maintains bolt integrity by not requiring the removal of more material from the bolt  410  to form the extractor channel  418  than in typical systems—maintaining strength and reliability. In some embodiments, the portion of the extractor channel  418  that extends transversely from the main extractor channel  418  an in which the flange extensions  446  are seated requires only a single extra cut into the engaging face  414  of the bolt  410 , which does not materially affect the bolt structure. According to some embodiments, the locking lugs  412  may also be minimally affected by creation of the transverse cut, which allows for implementation of the wide-flanged extractor  430  without sacrificing strength or reliability of the bolt  410  or the firearm system  400 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5C , and  FIG. 5D , side, top, rear, and front views of a cartridge extractor  530  according to some embodiments are shown. The cartridge extractor  530  may, in some embodiments, comprise a modified Sako®-style extractor as depicted in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5C , and  FIG. 5D . In some embodiments, the cartridge extractor  530  may comprise a push-surface  522  that is configured to accept a force applied on the cartridge extractor  530  (e.g., by an extractor plunger such as the extractor plunger  120 ,  420  of the systems  100 ,  400  of  FIG. 1  and/or  FIG. 4  herein; not shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5C , and  FIG. 5D ). In some embodiments, the cartridge extractor  530  may comprise a first surface  532  configured to rest within an extractor channel of a bolt (not shown), a second surface  534 , and/or a protrusion  536  configured to be disposed in a seat within the extractor channel (also not shown). 
     According to some embodiments, the cartridge extractor  530  may comprise a channel  538  cut, formed, and/or otherwise disposed within the first surface  532 . The channel  538  may, for example, be configured to receive and/or couple to a rim of an ammunition cartridge (not shown). In some embodiments, the channel  538  may form and/or define, and/or the cartridge extractor  530  may otherwise comprise, a flange  540 . The flange  540  may, in accordance with some embodiments, comprise one or more flange extensions  546  that extend the flange  540  transversely from each side of the first surface  532  and/or the second surface  534  by an extension amount  548 . In some embodiments, the extension amounts  548  may be equivalent. According to some embodiments, the extension amounts  548  may differ, as is or becomes practicable and/or desirable. 
     According to some embodiments, any or all of the components  522 ,  532 ,  534 ,  536 ,  538 ,  540 ,  546 ,  548  of the cartridge extractor  530  (and/or the cartridge extractor  530  itself) may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components  522 ,  532 ,  534 ,  536 ,  538 ,  540 ,  546 ,  548  (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components  522 ,  532 ,  534 ,  536 ,  538 ,  540 ,  546 ,  548  may be included in the cartridge extractor  530  without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, one or more of the various components  522 ,  532 ,  534 ,  536 ,  538 ,  540 ,  546 ,  548  may not be needed and/or desired in the cartridge extractor  530 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B ,  FIG. 6C , and  FIG. 6D , side, top, rear, and front views of a cartridge extractor  630  according to some embodiments are shown. The cartridge extractor  630  may, in some embodiments, comprise a modified AR-15/M-16-style extractor as depicted in  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B ,  FIG. 6C , and  FIG. 6D . In some embodiments, the cartridge extractor  630  may comprise a first surface  632  configured to rest within an extractor channel of a bolt (not shown), a second surface  634 , and/or a protrusion  636  configured to be disposed in a seat within the extractor channel (also not shown) and/or configured to be acted upon by a spring (not shown). 
     According to some embodiments, the cartridge extractor  630  may comprise a channel  638  cut, formed, and/or otherwise disposed within the first surface  632 . The channel  638  may, for example, be configured to receive and/or couple to a rim of an ammunition cartridge (not shown). In some embodiments, the channel  638  may form and/or define, and/or the cartridge extractor  630  may otherwise comprise, a flange  640 . In some embodiments, the cartridge extractor  630  may comprise a housing  642  formed on, by, and/or coupled to the first surface  632 . In some embodiments, the housing  642  may comprise a hole  644  via which the cartridge extractor  630  may be rotatably coupled to a bolt and/or within the extractor channel thereof. In some embodiments, the force applied to the protrusion  636  may cause the cartridge extractor  630  to pivot about the hole  644  and/or a pin (not shown) disposed therein. 
     The flange  640  may, in accordance with some embodiments, comprise one or more flange extensions  646  that extend the flange  640  transversely from each side of the first surface  632  and/or the second surface  634  by an extension amount  648 . In some embodiments, the extension amounts  648  may be equivalent. According to some embodiments, the extension amounts  648  may differ, as is or becomes practicable and/or desirable. 
     According to some embodiments, any or all of the components  632 ,  634 ,  636 ,  638 ,  640 ,  642 ,  644 ,  646 ,  648  of the cartridge extractor  630  (and/or the cartridge extractor  630  itself) may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components  632 ,  634 ,  636 ,  638 ,  640 ,  642 ,  644 ,  646 ,  648  (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components  632 ,  634 ,  636 ,  638 ,  640 ,  642 ,  644 ,  646 ,  648  may be included in the cartridge extractor  630  without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, one or more of the various components  632 ,  634 ,  636 ,  638 ,  640 ,  642 ,  644 ,  646 ,  648  may not be needed and/or desired in the cartridge extractor  630 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B ,  FIG. 7C , and  FIG. 7D , side, top, front, and rear views of a firearm bolt assembly  710  according to some embodiments are shown. In some embodiments, the bolt  710  may comprise an end collar  710 - 1 , a bolt handle  710 - 2 , and/or a bolt body  710 - 3 . Although not visible in  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B ,  FIG. 7C , and  FIG. 7D , the end collar  710 - 1  may retain a firing pin assembly within the bolt body  710 - 3 . In some embodiments, the firearm bolt assembly  710  may comprise locking lugs  712 , a breech face  714 , and/or a cartridge seat  716 . According to some embodiments, the cartridge seat  716  may comprise a firing pin hole  716 - 1  through which the internal firing pin assembly (or a portion thereof, such as a firing pin) may protrude to forcibly ignite primer in a cartridge (not shown) seated in the cartridge seat  716 . As depicted for non-limiting purposes of illustration only, the firearm bolt assembly  710  comprises a center-fire bolt assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the firearm bolt assembly  710  may comprise an extractor channel  718 . According to some embodiments, the extractor channel  718  may comprise a seat  718 - 1 , a hole  718 - 2 , and/or a wide-flange extractor cut  718 - 3 . The seat  718 - 1  may be configured to accept a protrusion from a Sako®-style extractor and/or AR-15/M-16-style extractor (not shown), for example, and/or in the case of an AR-15/M-16-style extractor, an extractor spring (also not shown). In the case of a Sako®-style extractor, the hole  718 - 2  may be cut into the end of the extractor channel  718  as depicted and may be configured to accept an extractor plunger and/or an extractor spring (neither of which is shown). In the case of an AR-15/M-16-style extractor, the hole  718 - 2  may be instead cut into one or more of the sides of the extractor channel  718  and/or may accept a pin (not shown) that rotatably attaches the AR-15/M-16-style extractor (e.g., via a housing  642  and/or hole  644  of  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B ,  FIG. 6C , and/or  FIG. 6D  herein). In some embodiments, the firearm bolt assembly  710  may comprise an ejector hole  750  configured to receive and/or accept a plunger-style ejector and/or ejector spring or mechanism (neither of which are shown). 
     The wide-flange extractor cut  718 - 3  may be configured to accept a wide-flanged extractor (not shown) as described in accordance with embodiments herein (e.g., an extractor having an extraction flange that is wider than the main body of the extractor that mounts into the narrower extractor channel  718 ). In such a manner, for example, the firearm bolt assembly  710  may be specially-configured to allow for coupling of a wide-flanged extractor as described herein. In some embodiments, a method may comprise machining, manufacturing, and/or modifying the firearm bolt assembly  710  to include the wide-flange extractor cut  718 - 3 . A first cut may be made to form and/or define the extractor channel  718 , for example, and a second cut (e.g., transverse to the first cut) may be made to form and/or define the wide-flange extractor cut  718 - 3 . In some embodiments, a computer-readable medium may store specially-programmed instructions that when executed by a processing device (such as a processing device of a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine and/or machine tool) result in the performance of the method and/or in the creation of the wide-flange extractor cut  718 - 3 . In some embodiments, such instructions may be stored on a computer-readable memory, which is defined herein as a subset of computer readable media that does not include transitory media types. 
     According to some embodiments, any or all of the components  710 - 1 ,  710 - 2 ,  710 - 3 ,  712 ,  714 ,  716 ,  716 - 1 ,  718 ,  718 - 1 ,  718 - 2 ,  718 - 3 ,  750  of the firearm bolt assembly  710  (and/or the firearm bolt assembly  710  itself) may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components  710 - 1 ,  710 - 2 ,  710 - 3 ,  712 ,  714 ,  716 ,  716 - 1 ,  718 ,  718 - 1 ,  718 - 2 ,  718 - 3 ,  750  (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components  710 - 1 ,  710 - 2 ,  710 - 3 ,  712 ,  714 ,  716 ,  716 - 1 ,  718 ,  718 - 1 ,  718 - 2 ,  718 - 3 ,  750  may be included in the firearm bolt assembly  710  without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, one or more of the various components  710 - 1 ,  710 - 2 ,  710 - 3 ,  712 ,  714 ,  716 ,  716 - 1 ,  718 ,  718 - 1 ,  718 - 2 ,  718 - 3 ,  750  may not be needed and/or desired in the firearm bolt assembly  710 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a perspective assembly diagram of a firearm system  800  according to some embodiments is shown. As depicted for purposes of non-limiting illustration herein, the firearm system  800  comprises a receiver assembly  802  defining an ejection port  804 , a magazine  806 , an ammunition cartridge  708 , a bolt  810 , and a Sako®-style: extractor plunger  820 , plunger receiver  822 , plunger push surface  824 , spring holder  826 , extractor spring  828 , and extractor  830 . In some embodiments, such as in the case that an AR-15/M-16-style extractor assembly is utilized, different, fewer, and/or more extractor assembly parts may be included in the firearm system  800 , as is or becomes practicable and/or desirable. According to some embodiments, the extractor  830  may comprise a wide-flanged extractor and/or the bolt  810  may comprise a wide-flanged extractor channel, seat, and/or cut or cavity, each as described in accordance with embodiments herein. 
     According to some embodiments, any or all of the components  802 ,  804 ,  806 ,  808 ,  810 ,  820 ,  822 ,  824 ,  826 ,  828 ,  830  of the firearm system  800  may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components  802 ,  804 ,  806 ,  808 ,  810 ,  820 ,  822 ,  824 ,  826 ,  828 ,  830  (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components  802 ,  804 ,  806 ,  808 ,  810 ,  820 ,  822 ,  824 ,  826 ,  828 ,  830  may be included in the firearm system  800  without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, one or more of the various components  802 ,  804 ,  806 ,  808 ,  810 ,  820 ,  822 ,  824 ,  826 ,  828 ,  830  may not be needed and/or desired in the firearm system  800 . 
     While the firearm systems  400 ,  800  described with respect to  FIG. 4  and/or  FIG. 8  herein have generally been illustrated as bolt-action rifles, many other types of firearms and/or firearm systems may benefit from the utilization of a wide-flanged cartridge extractor as described in accordance with embodiments herein. A wide-flange extractor in accordance with some embodiments may, for example, be utilized in and/or with pistols, rifles, shotguns, cannons, artillery, and/or firearm types whether having bolt-actions, repeating actions, semi-automatic actions, and/or automatic actions. Similar, while the term “cartridge” has been utilized herein to refer to ammunition and/or ammunition casings extracted from a firearm system, an ammunition and/or ammunition casing type capable of being extracted utilizing a wide-flanged extractor as generally described herein is contemplated in some embodiments, despite the terminology utilized to describe such ammunition and/or ammunition casing types (e.g., artillery “shells”). 
     Similarly, while both Sako®-style and AR-15/M-16-style extractors and extractor assemblies have been utilized for exemplary purposes herein, any other type and/or configuration of ammunition extractor that is or becomes known and may benefit from the wide-flanged modification(s) described herein may be utilized without deviating from the scope of some embodiments. 
     The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, an enabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some of these embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in the present application, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuing applications that claim the benefit of priority of the present application. Applicant currently intends to file additional applications to pursue patents for subject matter that has been disclosed and enabled but not claimed in the present application.