Patent ID: 6857213

Claim:
A loading indicator for use in a firearm having a barrel including a rear section and a cartridge chamber, the loading indicator comprising: an elastic shaft disposed within a compartment in the rear section of the barrel, wherein the compartment in the rear section of the barrel comprises a diameter larger than that of the shaft, and the shaft is bendable from the cartridge chamber to find a mount by being clamped in the compartment; a feeler portion coupled to the elastic shaft, wherein the elastic shaft is loaded to cause the feeler portion to project into the cartridge chamber and wherein the loading of the elastic shaft allows the feeler portion to be displaced when a cartridge is placed into the cartridge chamber; and an indicator element adjacent the feeler portion and coupled to the elastic shaft, wherein the indicator element projects from the cartridge chamber when the feeler portion is displaced by the cartridge, wherein the feeler portion and the indicator element are coupled to a first end of the shaft and wherein the second end of the shaft comprises a bent end and wherein the compartment includes a recess into which the bent end is placed.