Rifle magazine

Abstract

The present invention relates to rifle magazines, and more particularly to an improved detachable magazine for a rifle. The improved magazine has an outer case with an open top end, a bottom end, and an internal cavity. The magazine also includes a follower that moves within the internal cavity. The follower guides ammunition cartridges toward feed lips at the top of the magazine, where the cartridges are loaded into the rifle. The follower includes one or more openings or slots formed through the top surface of the follower. The slots enable debris or dirt inside the magazine to fall out when the magazine is being cleaned. Water can be sprayed into the magazine through the slots in the follower, and dirt or debris can be flushed out to clean the magazine without disassembly.

1 . A detachable magazine for use with a rifle, comprising:
 an outer case having an open top end, a bottom end, and an elongated internal, cavity between the open top end and the bottom end;   a follower movable longitudinally in the elongated internal cavity of the outer case and having a top surface exposed toward the open top end and a bottom surface exposed toward the bottom end of the outer case;   a spring engaging the follower to urge the follower toward the open top end of the outer case; and   at least one opening through the follower from the top surface to the bottom surface of the follower to allow cleaning of the internal cavity through the at least one opening and the open top IS end.   
     
     
         2 . The magazine of  claim 1 , wherein the follower comprises a raised portion formed on the top surface of the follower. 
     
     
         3 . The magazine of  claim 1 , wherein the follower and an internal surface of the outer case comprise a guide for guiding the follower along the elongated internal cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The magazine of  claim 1 , wherein the follower comprises a leg extending from the follower. 
     
     
         5 . The magazine of  claim 4 , wherein the leg engages an internal surface of the outer case to guide the follower in the elongated internal cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The magazine of  claim 5 , wherein the leg comprises a groove engaging the internal surface of the outer case. 
     
     
         7 . The magazine of  claim 5 , wherein the internal surface of the outer case comprises a groove engaging the leg. 
     
     
         8 . The magazine of  claim 1 , wherein the follower comprises glass-filled nylon. 
     
     
         9 . The magazine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises at least one elongated slot. 
     
     
         10 . The magazine of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one opening comprises an opening on the raised portion of the follower. 
     
     
         11 . The magazine of  claim 1 , wherein the outer case comprises an upper portion and a lower portion bonded together. 
     
     
         12 . A detachable magazine for use with a rifle, comprising:
 an outer case having an upper portion and a lower portion joined at a horizontal seam, the upper portion having an open top end and an internal surface, the lower portion having an integral floor and an internal surface, the internal surfaces of the upper and lower portions defining a cavity inside the outer case;   a follower movable in the cavity and having a top surface facing the open top end and a bottom surface facing the integral floor, and at least one opening through the top and bottom surfaces of the follower; and   a spring engaging the follower to urge the follower toward the open top end of the upper portion.   
     
     
         13 . The magazine of  claim 12 , wherein the upper and lower portions comprise upper and lower polymer portions permanently bonded together at the horizontal seam. 
     
     
         14 . The magazine of  claim 12 , further comprising a feed lip box positioned on the internal surface of the upper portion. 
     
     
         15 . The magazine of  claim 14 , wherein the feed lip box comprises metal. 
     
     
         16 . The magazine of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one opening comprises at least one elongated slot. 
     
     
         17 . A detachable magazine for use with a rifle, comprising:
 an upper polymer portion having a belt of increased thickness, a first vertical surface extending below the belt, and an interior surface;   a lower polymer portion having an upper surface, an integral floor plate, and an interior surface, wherein the interior surfaces of the upper and lower portions define a cavity;   a drain hole in the floor plate;   a resilient pull tab attached to the floor plate for covering the drain hole;   feed lips at a top end of the upper polymer portion;   a follower positioned in the cavity and having a top surface and a bottom surface and at least one opening formed through the top and bottom surfaces; and   a spring engaging the bottom surface of the follower and urging the follower toward the feed lips,   wherein the upper and lower portions overlap along a first overlapping area comprising the first vertical surface of the upper portion and the interior surface of the lower portion, and along a second overlapping area comprising a bottom surface of the belt and the upper surface of the lower portion, and   wherein the upper and lower portions are adhered together along at least one of the first or second overlapping areas.