Patent Publication Number: US-2005115129-A1

Title: Multiple auto primer system for muzzle-loading firearm

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 10/654,829, filed Sep. 4, 2003; which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/408,127, filed Sep. 4, 2002, the content of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates generally to the field of firearms and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for loading and ejecting primers, percussion caps, and/or other ignition devices into and from a muzzle-loading firearm.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      In a typical muzzle-loading firearm (including without limitation, muzzle-loading rifles, muskets, shotguns, pistols, cannon, and the like), the main powder charge and the projectile are loaded into the muzzle of the firearm, and a powder ignition source (a “primer”) is provided at the breech end of the barrel. Many such firearms utilize a percussion cap, a 0.209 shotgun primer, a musket cap, or another ignition device as the powder ignition source. The ignition device is typically installed by hand or with a tool onto a nipple of a breech plug with a flash hole that communicates a powder flash from the ignition device into the barrel of the firearm to detonate the main powder charge and propel the projectile toward the target. After firing, the ignition device is typically removed, again by hand or using a tool, and the firearm is reloaded.  
      This manual installation and removal of ignition devices can be difficult, especially when wearing gloves or when excited. In addition, manually installing and removing ignition devices, one at a time after each firing, is time consuming and may delay a second shot by several seconds or more. Various efforts have been made to speed up the loading process, but none has proven fully satisfactory in reducing the difficulty and delay that typically results from manual installation and removal of single ignition devices.  
      Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improved methods and apparatus for installing and removing an ignition device for a muzzle-loading firearm. It is to the provision of an improved method and apparatus meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides improved methods and apparatus for installing and removing ignition devices for a muzzle-loading firearm. Briefly described, in one aspect, the present invention is an apparatus for carrying, loading, extracting, and/or ejecting one or more ignition devices in and from a muzzle-loading firearm. The apparatus comprises a magazine for containing at least one ignition device and a loading assembly for loading the ignition device from the magazine to a breech plug of the firearm for firing. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises an extractor for extracting and ejecting the spent ignition device after firing.  
      In another aspect, the present invention is a magazine for containing a plurality of ignition devices and sequentially dispensing the ignition devices for loading into the breech plug of a muzzle-loading firearm.  
      In another aspect, the present invention is a muzzle-loading firearm comprising a barrel having a muzzle end and a breech end, a breech plug in the breech end of the barrel, a magazine for containing a plurality of ignition devices, and a loading assembly for sequentially loading ignition devices from the magazine into the breech plug for firing. Preferably, the muzzle-loading firearm further comprises an extractor for extracting and ejecting the spent ignition device after firing.  
      In yet another aspect, the invention is a method for sequentially loading, extracting, and ejecting ignition devices in and from a muzzle-loading firearm. The method comprises loading a plurality of ignition devices into a magazine, loading the magazine into the muzzle-loading firearm, loading a first ignition device from the magazine into the breech plug of the firearm for firing, and extracting the first ignition device from the breech plug after firing.  
      Accordingly, the present invention permits users to load ignition devices onto the breech plug of a muzzle-loading firearm much more quickly and easily. In this way, the users can fire their muzzle-loading firearms much more quickly and easily, which makes hunting, target-shooting, and other activities much more enjoyable and productive.  
      These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       FIG. 1  is a side view, in partial cross-section, of a portion of a firearm showing a primer magazine and a loading assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a side view, in cross-section, of the primer magazine of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the loading assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the loading assembly of  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 5  is a side view, in cross-section, of a portion of a firearm showing a primer magazine and a loading assembly according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the loading assembly in the disengaged (bolt open) position.  
       FIG. 6  is a side view, in cross-section, of the firearm, the primer magazine, and the loading assembly of  FIG. 5 , with the loading assembly in the engaged (bolt closed) position.  
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a portion of a firearm, including the barrel assembly, the loading assembly, the trigger assembly, and the primer magazine, according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7A  is a detail perspective view of a portion of the loading assembly of  FIG. 7 .  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the primer magazine of  FIG. 7 , loaded with at least one primer.  
       FIG. 9  is a side view, in cross-section, of the magazine of  FIG. 8 , loaded with primers.  
       FIG. 10  is a side view, in cross-section, of the firearm of  FIG. 7 , showing the loaded primer magazine being inserted into the firearm.  
       FIG. 11  is a side view, in cross-section, of the firearm of  FIG. 7 , showing the primer magazine fully inserted and the primer retainer moved to a release position.  
       FIG. 12  is a side view, in cross-section, of the firearm of  FIG. 7 , showing the loading assembly moved to the rear position and engaging a primer moved into the breech.  
       FIG. 13  is a plan view of the firearm of  FIG. 7 , showing a primer extractor engaging the primer in the breech.  
       FIG. 13A  is a detail view of the primer extractor taken from section A of  FIG. 13 .  
       FIG. 14  is a side view, in cross-section, of the firearm of  FIG. 7 , showing the loading assembly and engaged primer moving forward.  
       FIG. 15  is a side view, in cross-section, of the firearm of  FIG. 7 , showing the primer inserted into the breech plug.  
       FIG. 16  is a side view, in cross-section, of the firearm of  FIG. 7 , showing the loading assembly moving towards the rear of the firearm after extracting the spent primer from the breech plug, just before the spent primer is ejected.  
       FIG. 17  is a side view, in cross-section, of the firearm of  FIG. 7 , showing the loading assembly moving towards the rear of the firearm, just after the spent primer has been ejected by the ejector. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
      The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.  
       FIGS. 1-3  show a multiple auto primer system  10  according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system  10  is included on a firearm  12  for sequentially loading, extracting, and ejecting ignition devices  14  for igniting the main powder charge in the breech end  15  of the barrel  16  of the firearm  12 . The ignition devices  14  can be, for example, percussion caps, musket caps, 0.209 shotshell primers, other types of ammunition primers, blank ammunition rounds, starter pistol rounds, electronic igniters, cartridges without a main charge or bullet, or any other type of ignition source or primer. Additionally, “primers” can include all devices that are loaded into the firearm to initiate muzzle-loading fire. Typically, the system  10  is included on a muzzle-loading rifle  12 , but it can be readily adapted for use on other types of muzzle-loading firearms by persons of ordinary skill in the art.  
      The system  10  includes a magazine  18  and a loading assembly  20 . Preferably, the magazine  18  is provided by a housing  22  for containing one or more, and preferably a plurality of the ignition devices  14 . For example, the magazine  18  may comprise a removable elongated housing  22  having a spring-biased floor mechanism  24  and an dispensing end  26  with an opening and a retainer for holding the ignition devices  14  until they are dispensed. In other words, the magazine  18  in this form is generally similar in construction and operation to a typical spring-driven ammunition clip for a modern breech-loading firearm, but adapted for the size and shape of the ignition devices  14 . In alternate embodiments, the magazine  18  comprises a rotating cylinder similar in form to that of a modern revolver, a tubular magazine similar in form to that of a modern shotgun, a belt similar in form to that of a modern automatic weapon, a strip, roll, or ring of interconnected primers similar in form to caps used in cap guns, or another type of magazine suitable for storing and sequentially dispensing the ignition devices  14  into the breech  17  of the muzzle-loading firearm  12 .  
      The magazine  18  is received by a receiver portion  30  of the muzzle-loading firearm  12 . Preferably, the receiver portion  30  is provided by a vertical opening through the stock of the firearm  12  that is sized and shaped to removably receive the magazine  18 . In alternate embodiments, the receiver portion  30  may provided by a channel formed into the side of the firearm, a track or retaining tabs extending from the side of the firearm, a recess formed into the top of the firearm, or another structure that positions the magazine  18  for sequentially feeding the ignition devices  14  into the breech  17  of the firearm  12 . It will be understood that in alternative embodiments having an integral magazine that is not removable from the firearm (e.g., the tubular magazine), the receiver portion is not necessarily provided.  
      In addition, a release mechanism  32  is preferably provided for releasably securing the magazine  18  in place. For example, the magazine release mechanism  32  may be provided by a swivel or pivotal member, a spring-loaded member, a snap-tight fit, or another mechanism for releasably securing the magazine  18  to the firearm  12  for use and then selectively permitting its removal.  
      Turning now to the loading assembly  20 , it is operable for sequentially loading the ignition devices  14  from the magazine  18  to the breech plug  28 . As used herein, “breech plug” means any component that engages the primer and communicates the primer flash to the main powder charge, including external nipples. In the depicted embodiment, the loading assembly  20  comprises a sliding bolt assembly including a sliding bolt  34  that can be slidably actuated to open and close the breech by a bolt-action handle  36 . The bolt  34  has a head  38  that, when the bolt is in its rear open position, engages the next ignition device  14 a (see  FIG. 2 ) from the magazine  18 , which has been urged into the breech  17  by the spring-loaded floor  24 , and advances it into or onto the breech plug  28 .  
      In an example embodiment, the loading assembly includes a mechanism for setting the firing mechanism for firing (cocking the firing pin and/or arming the trigger) as the bolt is opened and closed. For safety reasons, in other example embodiments the loading assembly only serves to load and discharge the primers and the firing mechanism is set by an additional action. In other alternative sliding bolt embodiments, the loading assembly has a bolt that can be slidably actuated by a lever-action, a pump-action, a recoil-driven autoloading action, a gas-driven autoloading action, or another type of actuation mechanism. And in alternative embodiments where the magazine moves to dispense the next ignition device, it may be desirable to include a trigger-operated mechanism for automatically advancing the magazine immediately after the firearm is fired. For example, the loading assembly may include a trigger-operated mechanism for rotating the rotating cylinder magazine in the breech, a trigger-operated mechanism (e.g., a cam-driven pawl-and-lever mechanism) for feeding the belt magazine or the strip, roll, or ring of interconnected primers into the breech, or another type of mechanism for sequentially dispensing the ignition devices  14  to the breech of the muzzle-loading firearm  12 .  
      In addition, an extractor  40  is provided to grip and position the ignition devices  14  on the breech plug  28  for firing when the sliding bolt is moved forward to its closed position, and for extracting and ejecting the spent ignition devices from the firearm  12  after firing when the sliding bolt is moved backward to its open position. Preferably, the extractor  40  comprises an arm extending forward from the bolt head  38  and having a lip  42  that engages a rim on the base of the ignition device  14  for removing it from the breech plug  28  when the bolt is opened. In addition, the extractor arm is preferably spring-loaded for pushing on the base of the extracted spent ignition devices  14  to eject them from the firearm  12 . The extractor  40  in this form is generally similar in construction to a typical extractor/ejector for spent cartridges in conventional breech-loading firearms. In alternative embodiments, the extractor  40  is mounted in place adjacent the breech plug, includes a separate spring-loaded ejector, includes a pivotal spring-loaded member, or is otherwise configured for extracting and ejecting the spent ignition devices.  
      In the method of use of the depicted embodiment, the user loads one or more of the ignition devices  14  into the magazine  18  and installs the magazine into the receiver portion  30  of the muzzle-loading firearm  12 . The user also loads the main powder charge and projectile into the barrel  16  of the muzzle-loading firearm  12  from the muzzle end, in typical fashion. Then the user actuates the loading assembly  20 , as by retracting and advancing the sliding bolt  34 , to engage and load the first ignition device  14   a  (see  FIG. 2 ), which has been urged from the magazine  18  into the breech  17 , onto the breech plug  28  of the muzzle-loading firearm  12 . The firing mechanism is set for firing and the safety mechanism, if provided, is released before firing. The muzzle-loading firearm  12  is then aimed at a target and fired, for example by actuating a trigger mechanism in typical fashion. After firing, the user actuates the loading assembly  20 , as by retracting the sliding bolt  34 , to extract and eject the spent first ignition device  14   a.    
      If desired, a second shot can be quickly and easily made by again loading a main powder charge and projectile into the muzzle end of the firearm barrel  16 , advancing the loading assembly  20  to engage and load the second ignition device  14 b from the magazine  18  onto the breech plug  28 , and firing the firearm  12 . In this way, the user does not need to manually load another ignition device into the firearm  12 , but only to actuate the loading assembly  20  to advance the previously loaded ignition device  14   b  from the magazine  18  onto the breech plug  28 . And if the user wants to take additional shots, he or she can repeat this part of the process for subsequent ignition devices  14   c,    14   d,    14   e,  and  14   f,  as may be desired in a given situation.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown a multiple auto primer system  110  for a muzzle-loading firearm according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first exemplary embodiment, the system  110  includes a magazine  118  for ignition devices  114  and a loading assembly  120 . The loading assembly  120  loads the ignition devices from the magazine  118  to the breech plug  128  in the barrel  116  of the muzzle-loading firearm  112  when the sliding bolt  134  is cocked to the forward position of  FIG. 6 . And the extractor  140  engages and extracts the spent ignition devices  114  from the breech plug  128  when the sliding bolt  134  is cocked to the rear position of  FIG. 5 .  
      In this embodiment, the magazine  118  has a housing  122  with a curved channel  123  formed in it for storing the ignition devices  114 , and a spring-loaded floor  124  for urging the ignition devices into the breech. The curved channel  123  accommodates the abutting rims of adjacent ignition devices  114  so that they fit more tightly and are more stable in the magazine  118 . In addition, this embodiment has a magazine release mechanism  132  provided by a leaf spring-type clip for releasably securing the magazine  118  in place. Furthermore, this embodiment has a guide ramp  125  for guiding the ignition devices  114  onto the nipple of the breech plug  128  as they are engaged and pushed forward by the bolt head  138 .  
       FIGS. 7-17  show a multiple auto primer system  210  according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Similarly to the first and second embodiments, the system  210  is used in conjunction with a firearm  212  that generally comprises a trigger assembly  211 , a barrel assembly  216 , a bolt or loading assembly  220  and a primer magazine  218 . Preferably, the system  210  is used in conjunction with a muzzle-loading rifle  212 , but like the first and second exemplary embodiments, it can be readily adapted for use on other types of muzzle-loading firearms by persons of ordinary skill in the art.  
      In  FIGS. 8 and 9  a primer magazine  218  is shown, including a housing  222  provided by, for example a body  219  and a removable sidewall  222  that are held together with screws. In alternate embodiments, the housing  222  may include two or more removable sides. The housing  222  has a curved primer channel  223  formed in it that holds primers  214  and a primer pusher assembly  224 . In addition, the primer magazine  218  includes a primer retainer  226 , a magazine release mechanism  232  and a primer ejector  241 . The sidewall  222  is designed to prevent the parts inside the body  219  from coming out of their working positions, and to limit the backward travel of the bolt assembly  220  (not shown). In preferred embodiments, the body  219  is made from polyamide while the sidewall  222  is made from metal. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that other materials can be used.  
      The curved primer channel  223  preferably has at least one and preferably two lateral grooves  225  configured to receive the rims of the primers  214 . This configuration restricts the orientation of the primers  214  in the magazine  218  such that they point the same way, as depicted in  FIG. 9 . In this way, the primers  214  can only be inserted into the magazine  218  in the proper orientation. It is preferred that the primer channel  223  is curved so as to allow the primers  214  to move inside the channel in an overlapped fashion, so that the casings  245  of the primers rest on each other while the rims  246  overlap. In doing so, the movement of the primers  214  inside the magazine  218  is very smooth and prevents the primers from becoming jammed. In alternate embodiments, the degree of curvature of the channel  223  may vary and may even be straight.  
      In the present embodiment, the primers  214  are forced out of the magazine and into the loading assembly  220  by the primer pusher assembly  224 . The primer pusher  224  may include a pusher body  280  coupled with a compression spring  227 . The spring  227  may be used to push the pusher body  280  through the primer channel  223 . It can be seen from  FIG. 9  that the pusher body  280  can feature a lip  282  that extends into the channel  223  between the primer rim  246  and an interior wall defining the channel, which helps keep the primers  214  in the overlapped fashion. Additionally, the primer pusher can have a lateral boss (not shown) that stops it from going out of the magazine if no primers are present. It is preferable, but not necessary, that the pusher body  280  be plastic.  
      To load the primer magazine  218 , a user can hold the magazine in one hand and insert a primer  214  into the primer channel  223 . As a user inserts a primer  214  into the channel  223 , the previous primer or the primer pusher  224  is pressed inward with the curvature of the channel, ensuring that the casing  245  of the primer  214  overlaps the casing of the primer underneath. The lateral groove  225  guarantees that the primers can only be inserted in the correct fashion. Once entered into the magazine  218 , a primer retainer engage  268  of the primer retainer  226  prevents the primers from exiting while the magazine is detached from the firearm  212 . In this embodiment, the primer retainer engage  268  is provided by an arm pivotal to a locked position extending into the channel  223  to engage and restrain movement of the primers  214 . A retainer spring  267  applies force to the primer retainer  226  and keeps the primer retainer engage  268  in contact with the primers  214 . Of course, when loading the magazine  218 , the user pivots the retainer engage  268 , overcoming the force of the spring  267 , to a released position out of the channel  223 .  
      Similarly to the first embodiment, the magazine  218  is received by the firearm  212  through a receiver portion  230  (see  FIG. 7 ). The magazine release mechanism  232  serves to engage the magazine  218  of the firearm as seen in  FIG. 10 . The magazine release mechanism  232  includes a pivotal release lever  233  that is selectively movable between a locked position to retain the magazine  218  in the firearm  212  and a released position permitting withdrawal of the magazine. As a user inserts the magazine  218  and it is accepted by the receiver portion  230 , a head  284  of the pivotal release lever  233  moves along a finger  262  projecting from the stock  260  of the firearm  212 . This movement by the pivotal release lever  233  compresses a release spring  266 . The release lever head  284  continues to move along the finger  262  until it is forced into a recess  264  formed in the stock  260  by spring  266 , locking the magazine  218  into place. Preferably, a user can release the magazine  218  from the firearm by pressing the release button  268  so that the release lever head  284  can slip past the finger  262 , thereby disengaging the release mechanism  232  so that the magazine  218  can be removed.  
       FIG. 11  shows the magazine  218  in a locked position inside the firearm  212 . In this position, a retainer release surface  226   a,  such as the top of the primer retainer  226 , has come into contact with the bolt assembly  234  and caused the primer retainer  226  to rotate about axis  266   b  from the locked position to the released position, thereby releasing the primers  214 . The bolt assembly  234  has a slot  235  that aligns with and receives the primer retainer engage  268  while still allowing the bottom of the bolt assembly to contact the primer retainer release  226   a.  The slot  235  and retainer engage  268  may be offset laterally and the retainer release  226   a  generally may be centered over the channel, or vice versa.  
      In this embodiment, it is preferred that the bolt assembly  234  generally comprises the body  270 , the bolt action handle  236  (see  FIG. 7 ), a rear plug  271 , a firing pin  272 , and the primer extractor  240 . In  FIG. 12 , the bolt assembly  234  is shown retracted to its rear-most position. A stop  231  on the magazine  218  prevents the bolt assembly from traveling any farther towards the rear of the firearm  212 . In this position, a catch  275  of the firing pin  272  automatically engages the safety  274 , holding the firing pin in the cocked position with the firing pin spring  273  compressed. In this way, cocking the bolt assembly  234  automatically engages the safety, so that the firearm  212  can not be fired during the remainder of the loading process, until the safety is released for firing. It is preferable that a user is required to manually disengage the safety  274  in order for the firearm to be operational. This measure ensures that the firearm will not accidentally fire during the muzzle-loading procedure.  
      Additionally, when the bolt assembly  234  is at this position, it does not block the magazine channel  223  so that the primer pusher  224  automatically forces a primer  214  into the breech  217  and into engagement with the extractor  240 . The extractor  240  includes at least one and preferably two feet  244  that extend from the front face of the bolt head  238 , as depicted in  FIGS. 13 and 13 A. As a primer  214  is pushed out of the magazine  218 , the extractor feet  242  secure the primer, so the primer will move with the bolt assembly  234 . And a bolt head primer stop  239  stops the upward movement of the primer, preventing additional primers from exiting the magazine. It is preferred that the extractor  240  be configured to allow the primer  214  a small amount of play in order to prevent the primer from being prestressed. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the two extractor feet  244  are elastic so that they can slightly deform for ejecting the primers  214 . If the magazine  218  becomes damaged and unusable, a user can still manually load a primer  214  into the breech plug  228 . In preferred embodiments, the extractor feet  244  are tapered at the ends allowing them to more easily deform to release the primer  214 . Preferably, the extractor  240  is a die-cast steel part, but this is not a requirement.  
       FIG. 14  depicts the bolt assembly  234  moving forward, as the primer  214  and the extractor  240  pass over the primer ejector  241 . This movement of the bolt assembly  234  causes the ejector  241  to rotate in a counterclockwise motion in respect to axis  241  a, allowing the primer  214  and extractor  240  to advance. The firing pin  272  remains in the cocked position. When the bolt assembly  234  is in the forward position, shown in  FIG. 15 , the primer  214  is inserted into the breech plug  228 . A user can then rotate the bolt action handle  236  to lock the bolt assembly  234  in place.  
      In order to ensure that the bolt assembly  234  keeps the primer  214  properly positioned against the breech plug  228 , the bolt assembly  234  can be provided with a forward-biasing mechanism  248 . In this embodiment, the forward-biasing mechanism  248  includes a recess  250  in the bolt body  270 , a bolt action spring  276  in the recess, and a stop surface  252  against which the spring is compressed. For example, the recess  250  may be circumferentially formed in the bolt body  270  and the spring  276  provided by a helical compression spring coaxially arranged in the recess on the bolt body. It is preferable that the bolt action spring  276  work in opposition to the firing pin spring  273  in the position shown in  FIG. 12 , and therefore, that the bolt action spring be stronger than the firing pin spring. Using this configuration, the bolt body  270  exerts pressure on the primer  214  while the primer is in the breech plug  228 , keeping the primer held in the breech plug under pressure.  
      As soon as a user manually releases the automatic safety  274 , the firearm  212  is ready to shoot.  FIG. 15  shows the firearm being fired, with the firing pin striking the primer.  
      After discharging the firearm, a user can unlock the bolt assembly  234  with the bolt action handle  236 . Once unlocked,  FIG. 16  shows the bolt assembly  234  moving rearward to eject the empty primer shell  214 . As a user exerts force on the sliding bolt assembly  234  in the rearward direction, the ejector  241 , now rotated back up into the breech, engages and forces the spent primer out of the breech  217 . The ejector  241  cannot rotate clockwise in respect to axis  241  a because a stop  254  on the magazine  218  prevents this motion. The force exercised by the user on the bolt assembly  234 , when the primer  214  is withdrawn into contact with the ejector  241 , causes the bolt assembly  234  to be retracted past the ejector  241 , but because of the blocking position of the ejector makes the extractor  240  give way elastically and ejects the primer  214  to one side. In order to ensure that the spent primer  214  is always ejected to the same side, the ejector engage  242  is preferably positioned on the opposite side to where the primer needs to come out. It is preferable that the extractor foot  244  on the side in which the primer needs to come out of the breech  217  has a higher bending strength than the opposite foot. In alternate embodiments, a first extractor foot  244  on the side designed to expel the spent primer  214  has a greater bending angle than a second foot oppositely positioned, to ensure that the second foot deforms first (see  FIG. 13   a ). In other embodiments, the extractor feet  244  may be of different lengths or selectively perforated to ensure that the designed foot deforms first. In still other embodiments, the feet  244  may be made out of different materials.  FIG. 17  depicts the spent primer  214  being ejected as the bolt assembly  234  is further slid towards the rear of the firearm.  
      The bolt assembly  234  is then further retracted to the position of  FIG. 12  to load the next primer  214 , and the process is repeated until all the primers in the magazine  218  are used. Then the magazine  218  can be removed, reloaded with primers  214 , and inserted back into the firearm for additional shooting as may be desired.  
      Accordingly, it can be seen that the present invention enables a user to pre-load a number of ignition devices into a muzzle-loading firearm, quickly and easily advance the ignition devices for firing, and quickly and easily extract and eject the spent ignition devices after firing, even when wearing gloves or when excited. In this way, a hunter may be able to get off a second shot before the prey has gotten out of sight and range. And for target-shooting and other shooting activities, the faster speed and greater ease of using the firearm makes shooting more enjoyable and productive.  
      While the invention has been disclosed in preferred forms for illustration purposes, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.