Magazine safety device

Abstract

Devices and methods for converting a magazine capable of holding live rounds to being capable of only holding blanks at the bottom of the magazine. A magazine safety device includes a spacer and a follower in one embodiment. The spacer can be sized and shaped so as to be placed generally between the front and rear walls of a magazine, with a portion of the spacer being disposed adjacent to a round loading opening of the magazine. Embodiments of the magazine safety device can allow a user to quickly and efficiently inspect the magazine to confirm the magazine is not loaded with live rounds. In one embodiment, the magazine safety device includes a highly visible spacer that can allow a user to confirm the magazine is loaded with blanks. Additionally, embodiments of the magazine safety device can prevent the magazine from being loaded with a plurality of live rounds.

1 . A kit for converting a magazine capable of holding live rounds to being capable of only holding blanks at a bottom of the magazine, the blanks having a length less than a length of the live rounds, the magazine including an upper portion, a lower portion, a front wall, and a rear wall, the front and rear walls defining at least part of an opening in the upper portion and into the magazine, the front and rear walls being spaced apart along an axis by a predetermined length that is greater than the length of the live rounds, the kit comprising:
 a spacer sized and shaped so as to be placed generally between the front and rear walls with a portion of the spacer being disposed adjacent to the opening, the portion of the spacer adjacent to the opening having a length measured along the axis to prevent loading of a plurality of the live rounds through the opening and into the magazine and allow loading of the blanks through the opening and into the magazine; and   a follower configured to slide within the magazine.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the follower has a length measured along the axis that is not more than a difference between the predetermined length and the length of the spacer. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1  further comprising a spring configured to bias the follower in a direction towards the opening, the spring having a length measured along the axis that is not more than a difference between the predetermined length and the length of the spacer. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer extends between the upper portion and the lower portion. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer includes a tongue configured to be slidingly received within a groove in the magazine. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is a different color than the magazine. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is blue. 
     
     
         8 . A spacer for converting a magazine to prevent the magazine from holding a plurality of live rounds while allowing the magazine to hold blanks, the blanks having a length less than a length of the live rounds, the magazine including an upper portion, a lower portion, a front wall, and a rear wall, the front and rear walls defining at least part of an opening in the upper portion and into the magazine, the front and rear walls being spaced apart along an axis by a predetermined length that is greater than the length of the live rounds, the spacer comprising:
 a body sized and shaped so as to be placed generally between the front and rear walls with a portion of the spacer being disposed adjacent to the opening.   
     
     
         9 . The spacer of  claim 8 , wherein the portion of the spacer adjacent to the opening has a length measured along the axis to prevent loading of a plurality of the live rounds through the opening and into the magazine and allow loading of the blanks through the opening and into the magazine. 
     
     
         10 . A magazine for use with a firearm, the magazine comprising:
 a body for supporting rounds and having a round loading opening;   a follower disposed so as to move along a path within the body; and   a spacer removably disposed in the body and generally extending parallel to the path of the follower, the spacer selectively allowing insertion of rounds through the round loading opening and into the body at least when the spacer is disposed within the body.   
     
     
         11 . The magazine of  claim 10  further comprising a spring biasing the follower in a direction towards the round loading opening. 
     
     
         12 . The magazine of  claim 10 , wherein the spacer is sized and shaped so as to allow blanks having a first length to be loaded into the magazine and preventing a plurality of live rounds having a second length from being loaded into the magazine, the first length being less than the second length. 
     
     
         13 . The magazine of  claim 12 , wherein the body includes a front wall spaced from a rear wall by a predetermined length, the predetermined length being greater than the second length. 
     
     
         14 . The magazine of  claim 10 , wherein the magazine is curved and the spacer is curved so as to generally match the curve of the magazine. 
     
     
         15 . A spacer for use with a magazine that holds rounds and is engageable with a firearm, the magazine having a front wall and a rear wall defining at least a portion of a receiving space and an upper opening, the upper opening extending between the front and rear walls and being configured to receive rounds having a first length and rounds having a second length loaded into the receiving space, the first length being greater than the second length, the spacer comprising:
 a body sized and shaped so as to removably fit within the receiving space and between the front and rear walls so as to block only a portion of the upper opening, the partially blocked opening preventing a plurality of rounds having the first length from being loaded into the magazine.   
     
     
         16 . The spacer of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the body comprises HDPE. 
     
     
         17 . The spacer of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the body is curved. 
     
     
         18 . The spacer of  claim 15 , wherein the rounds having the first length are live rounds and the rounds having the second length are blanks. 
     
     
         19 . A magazine for a firearm, the magazine comprising:
 a shell having an upper portion, a lower portion, a front wall and a rear wall, the front and rear walls being spaced apart along an axis by a predetermined length;   a plate being formed at the lower portion;   a groove extending downwardly along the front wall;   a spacer at least partially supported by the groove, at least a portion of the spacer being disposed between the first and second walls;   an opening formed at the upper portion and having a length along the axis that is less than the predetermined length at least when the spacer is disposed within the shell;   a follower movably disposed within the shell; and   a spring biasing the follower in a direction towards the opening.   
     
     
         20 . The magazine of  claim 19 , wherein the follower is generally vertically movable and includes a bullet support member, and a pin extending from the follower in a downward direction. 
     
     
         21 . The magazine of  claim 20 , wherein the follower further comprises an extrusion formed on a bottom of the follower for receiving at least a portion of the spring.