Magazine insert

Abstract

A magazine insert may include a housing having an opening. A follower may be mounted in the housing for pivot action relative to the housing, with the follower being exposed through the opening in the housing. A biasing member may be provided in the housing to influence the follower toward the opening. When installed in the well of a firearm, the magazine insert may prevent contaminants from entering the firearm, and may provide an active retention feature by which a bolt carrier group can be retained in a retracted position without having to manually actuate a bolt catch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magazine insert for a firearm, the magazine insert comprising:
 a housing having an opening;   a follower mounted in the housing for pivot action relative to the housing, the follower being exposed through the opening in the housing; and   a biasing member provided in the housing and influencing the follower toward the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The magazine insert according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first pin fixed to the housing and extending through a first hole provided in the follower, such that the pivot action of the follower is about the first pin; and   a second pin fixed to the housing and extending through a second hole provided in the follower, such that the pivot action of the follower is limited by the second pin.   
     
     
         3 . The magazine insert according to  claim 2 , wherein the first hole of the follower has a circular shape; and
 wherein the second hole of the follower is in the form of a slot that extends along a curved path.   
     
     
         4 . The magazine insert according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and the second pins are press fitted to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The magazine insert according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a spring. 
     
     
         6 . The magazine insert according to  claim 5 , wherein the spring is a coil spring. 
     
     
         7 . The magazine insert according to  claim 6 , wherein the coil spring is captured between the housing and the follower. 
     
     
         8 . The magazine insert according to  claim 1 , wherein the follower comprises:
 a platform;   a projection extending from the platform in a first direction and through the opening; and   a tab extending from the platform in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.   
     
     
         9 . The magazine insert according to  claim 8 , wherein the tab is exposed in the first direction through the opening; and
 wherein the tab is exposed in the second direction through a recess provided in a wall of the housing.   
     
     
         10 . A combination comprising:
 a firearm with a magazine well; and   a magazine insert installed in the magazine well, the magazine insert including
 a housing having an opening; 
 a follower mounted in the housing for pivot action relative to the housing, the follower being exposed through the opening in the housing; and 
 a biasing member provided in the housing and influencing the follower toward the opening. 
   
     
     
         11 . The combination according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a first pin fixed to the housing and extending through a first hole provided in the follower, such that the pivot action of the follower is about the first pin; and   a second pin fixed to the housing and extending through a second hole provided in the follower, such that the pivot action of the follower is limited by the second pin.   
     
     
         12 . The combination according to  claim 11 , wherein the first hole of the follower has a circular shape; and
 wherein the second hole of the follower is in the form of a slot that extends along a curved path.   
     
     
         13 . The combination according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and the second pins are press fitted to the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The combination according to  claim 10 , wherein the biasing member is a spring. 
     
     
         15 . The combination according to  claim 14 , wherein the spring is a coil spring. 
     
     
         16 . The combination according to  claim 15 , wherein the coil spring is captured between the housing and the follower. 
     
     
         17 . The combination according to  claim 10 , wherein the follower comprises:
 a platform;   a projection extending from the platform in a first direction and through the opening; and   a tab extending from the platform in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.   
     
     
         18 . The combination according to  claim 17 , wherein the tab is exposed in the first direction through the opening; and
 wherein the tab is exposed in the second direction through a recess provided in a wall of the housing.   
     
     
         19 . The combination according to  claim 10 , wherein the follower engages with a bolt catch of the firearm.