Resetting magazine cut-off for firearms

Abstract

A resetting magazine cut-off control system for a firearm includes a magazine and a control cuff that has a cuff cam surface and a cuff stop surface and is operable between a first position and a second position relative to the magazine. The system also includes an action member having a first portion and a second portion, with the second portion having an action stop surface. Contact between the cuff stop surface and the action stop surface prevents longitudinal movement of the action member when the control cuff is in the first position, and the first portion applies a force to the cuff cam surface, with the force moving the control cuff from the first to the second position, when the action stop surface is moved away from the cuff stop surface. The system allows a shooter to automatically switch between shooting modes by using the firearm's action.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A resetting magazine cut-off control system for a firearm, the magazine cut-off control system comprising:
 a magazine;   a control cuff positioned around the magazine, the control cuff comprising a cuff cam surface and a cuff stop surface, the control cuff being operable between a first position and a second position relative to the magazine;   an action member having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion comprising an action stop surface;   wherein contact between the cuff stop surface and the action stop surface prevents longitudinal movement of the action member relative to the control cuff when the control cuff is in the first position;   wherein the first portion is configured to apply a force to the cuff cam surface, the force moving the control cuff from the first position to the second position when the action stop surface is moved away from the cuff stop surface.   
     
     
         2 . The magazine cut-off control system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a flexible member extending from the action member. 
     
     
         3 . The magazine cut-off control system of  claim 1 , wherein the control cuff further comprises a deflecting surface, the deflecting surface being configured to deflect the first portion of the action member laterally around the control cuff when the deflecting surface contacts the first portion. 
     
     
         4 . The magazine cut-off control system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the action member comprises an inner edge and an outer edge, the outer edge being positioned longitudinally rearward relative to the inner edge. 
     
     
         5 . The magazine cut-off control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a receiver, the receiver having a chamber, wherein contact between the cuff stop surface and the action stop surface prevents the action member from inducing automatic feed of ammunition from the magazine to the chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The magazine cut-off control system of  claim 1 , wherein the control cuff is operable from the first position to the second position while the action member is in a locked forward position. 
     
     
         7 . The magazine cut-off control system of  claim 1 , wherein the control cuff comprises a detent, wherein a plunger positioned in the detent retains the control cuff in the first or second position relative to the magazine. 
     
     
         8 . A resetting magazine cut-off control system for a firearm, the magazine cut-off control system comprising:
 a receiver having a chamber;   a magazine;   a switch operable relative to the magazine between a single-shot position and a continuous feed position;   an action assembly operable between a first position coinciding with the chamber being closed and a second position coinciding with the chamber being open, the switch being operable between the continuous feed position and the single-shot position when the action assembly is in the first position;   wherein when the switch is in the single-shot position, operation of the action assembly from the first position to the second position opens the chamber without attempting to advance ammunition from the magazine into the chamber and operation of the action assembly from the second position to the first position automatically moves the switch to the continuous feed position;   wherein when the switch is in the continuous feed position, operation of the action assembly between the first and second positions opens the chamber and attempts to advance ammunition from the magazine into the chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The magazine cut-off control system of  claim 8 , wherein the action assembly is lockable in the first position, the switch being operable between the single-shot position and the continuous feed position while the action assembly is locked in the first position. 
     
     
         10 . The magazine cut-off control system of  claim 8 , wherein the switch comprises a cuff at least partially positioned around the magazine. 
     
     
         11 . The magazine cut-off control system of  claim 8 , wherein the switch is rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the magazine. 
     
     
         12 . The magazine cut-off control system of  claim 8 , wherein the action assembly has a portion longitudinally aligned with a portion of the switch when the switch is in the single-shot position. 
     
     
         13 . The magazine cut-off control system of  claim 8 , wherein the action assembly comprises an action cam surface and the switch comprises a switch cam surface, wherein movement of the action assembly from the second position to the first position drives the action cam surface into contact with the switch cam surface to move the switch from the single-shot position to the continuous feed position. 
     
     
         14 . A method of controlling a magazine cut-off system in a firearm, the method comprising:
 providing a firearm having a magazine, a receiver, an action assembly, and a switch;   positioning the action assembly in a forward locked position;   moving the switch from a first setting to a second setting;   sliding the action assembly rearward to a rearward stop position;   sliding the action assembly toward the forward locked position, wherein the action assembly moves the switch from the second setting to the first setting while moving toward the forward locked position from the rearward stop position.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the action assembly contacts the switch in the rearward stop position. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein moving the switch from a first setting to a second setting comprises rotating the switch around the magazine. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising sliding the action assembly rearward to an eject-and-feed position, the eject-and-feed position being further rearward relative to the magazine than the rearward stop position. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the action assembly comprises a spring, the spring contacting the switch and moving the switch from the second setting to the first setting. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the forward locked position coincides with the receiver being closed and the rearward stop position coincides with the receiver being open. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the receiver comprises a feed mechanism, the feed mechanism operable to move ammunition from the magazine into the receiver, the feed mechanism not actuating when the action assembly slides between the forward locked position and the rearward stop position.