Magazine Mounted Spent Shell Receptacle

Abstract

A shell catcher apparatus that is supported from a connection on a removable ammunition magazine and from there extends a receptacle shaped to catch and retain the spent shells as ejected from an auto-loading firearm. Supported on the magazine, the primary feature of avoiding direct mechanical connection to the firearm frame is achieved. The shell catcher to magazine attachment component may be a clamping bracket or alternatively a modified replacement of an OEM part such as a sole plate or outer case of the magazine. The receptacle component of the shell catcher is shaped in a manner to extend its opening to the location where the spent shells are ejected from the firearm action. By the nature of its function, any shell catcher design obstructs access to the action of the firearm. By mounting the shell catcher on the magazine they become unitized and are both removed when the magazine release button is operated. This allows the operator to quickly gain access for correcting firearm malfunctions without the need of tools.

1 . The invention claimed is a shell catcher apparatus that is supported from a bracket component forming a connection with a removable ammunition magazine of an auto-loading firearm and from there extends a receptacle component to the required proximity of a firearms ejection port and having said receptacle component shaped to catch and retain the spent shells as ejected from an auto-loading firearm and having no other direct mechanical attachment to the firearm frame. 
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1  being manufactured as separable parts consisting of a mountable and demountable bracket component which clamps to the periphery of an ammunition magazine and a receptacle component and each being fabricated with mechanical connector parts to mate the two components together. 
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 2  having the bracket component being formed to the dimensions of any original part of an ammunition magazine known under such terms as “sole plate” or “outer case” and having modifications to accommodate the receptacle component being connected to such replacement part.