Charging mechanism for gas powered firearms

Abstract

An improved mechanism for charging a gas powered firearm, especially with regard to the Kalashnikov variants of rifles known as AK-47s, comprising a modified gas tube having a lateral aperture formed into its left side, a sleeve suitably adapted to fit within the modified gas tube over the shaft of the operating rod, and a modified charging handle suitably adapted to connect to the sleeve and to extend from the firearm through the lateral aperture, such that the firearm may be manually charged from the left side by drawing the charging handle rearward; and providing safety improvements and a method of retrofitting firearms.

1 . A charging mechanism for a firearm, comprising:
 a generally hollow gas tube including:
 a sidewall having a first and a second, opposing distal end, and 
 an elongate lateral aperture extending through the sidewall, into the hollow portion of the gas tube; 
   a generally hollow charging tube having a charging handle extending generally laterally therefrom, the charging tube being slidably disposed within the hollow portion of the gas tube, the charging handle extending through the lateral aperture of the gas tube;   an elongate, slidable gas piston assembly slidably disposed within the hollow portion of the charging tube;   a bifurcated sleeve having a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being attached to the gas piston assembly in opposition to one another; and   a locking bushing slidably engaging the first and second portions of the bifurcated sleeve, the locking bushing securing the first and second portions to the gas piston assembly,   the charging tube being slidable along the hollow portion of the gas tube to selectably engage the locking bushing, thereby urging the gas piston assembly away from the first distal end of the gas tube,   the charging tube being reciprocably slidable within the gas tube.   
     
     
         2 . The charging mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the gas tube further includes:
 a cocking notch extending through the sidewall and into the hollow portion of the gas tube, 
 the cocking notch being in communication with the lateral aperture, and 
 the charging handle being selectably retained by the cocking notch. 
 
     
     
         3 . The charging mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a sight rail section coupled to the gas tube. 
     
     
         4 . The charging mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the gas tube further includes a rear collar, the lateral aperture further extending through the collar, into the hollow portion of the gas tube. 
     
     
         5 . A charging mechanism for a firearm, comprising:
 a generally hollow gas tube including:
 a sidewall having a first and a second, opposing distal end, and 
 an elongate lateral aperture extending through the sidewall, into the hollow portion of the gas tube; 
   a generally hollow charging tube having a charging handle extending generally laterally therefrom, the charging tube being slidably disposed within the hollow portion of the gas tube, the charging handle extending through the lateral aperture of the gas tube; and   an elongate, slidable gas piston assembly slidably disposed within the hollow portion of the charging tube, the gas piston assembly including an integral cylinder block,   the charging tube being slidable along the hollow portion of the gas tube to selectably engage the cylinder block, thereby urging the gas piston assembly away from the first distal end of the gas tube,   the charging tube being reciprocably slidable within the gas tube.   
     
     
         6 . The charging mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the gas tube further includes:
 a cocking notch extending through the sidewall and into the hollow portion of the gas tube, 
 the cocking notch being in communication with the lateral aperture, and 
 the charging handle being selectably retained by the cocking notch. 
 
     
     
         7 . The charging mechanism of  claim 5 , further comprising a sight rail section coupled to the gas tube. 
     
     
         8 . The charging mechanism of  claim 5  wherein the gas tube further includes a rear collar, the lateral aperture further extending through the collar, into the hollow portion of the gas tube.