Feed ramp insert for a firearm

Abstract

A firearm assembly includes an upper receiver assembly having a front face and an aperture formed through the front face, and a feed ramp insert member removably coupled to the upper receiver assembly. The feed ramp insert member has a profile matching at least a portion of the aperture. The feed ramp insert member extends outwardly from the front face of the upper receiver assembly adjacent to the aperture. The feed ramp insert member is operative to interfere with incidental contact between a cartridge and at least a portion of the upper receiver assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm assembly comprising:
 an upper receiver assembly having a front face and an aperture formed through the front face; and   a feed ramp insert member removably coupled to the upper receiver assembly, the feed ramp insert member having a profile matching at least a portion of the aperture, the feed ramp insert member extending outwardly from the front face of the upper receiver assembly adjacent to the aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the feed ramp insert member is operative to interfere with incidental contact between a cartridge and at least a portion of the upper receiver assembly during chambering of the cartridge into a cartridge chamber in a barrel of the firearm via the aperture, thereby reducing wear on the upper receiver assembly caused by such incidental contact. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener configured to secure the feed ramp insert member to the upper portion of the receiver. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture opens into a cartridge chamber in a barrel of the firearm. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the feed ramp insert member is formed of hardened metal. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the profile of the feed ramp insert member is semi-circular. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the profile of the feed ramp insert member is tapered outwardly away from the aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising one of a semi-automatic rifle and a semi-automatic pistol. 
     
     
         9 . A method of preventing component wear in a firearm, the method comprising:
 coupling a feed ramp insert member with an upper receiver assembly of the firearm, the upper receiver assembly having a front face and an aperture formed through the front face; and   attaching a fastener to the feed ramp insert member and to the upper portion of the receiver, thereby securing the feed ramp insert member to the upper portion of the receiver,   wherein the feed ramp insert member has a profile matching at least a portion of the aperture, the feed ramp insert member extending outwardly from the front face of the upper receiver assembly adjacent to the aperture and being operative to interfere with incidental contact between a cartridge and at least a portion of the upper receiver assembly during chambering of the cartridge into a cartridge chamber in a barrel of the firearm via the aperture, thereby reducing wear on the upper receiver assembly caused by such incidental contact.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising chambering the cartridge into a cartridge chamber in a barrel of the firearm via the aperture and adjacent to the feed ramp insert member. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the aperture opens into a cartridge chamber in a barrel of the firearm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the feed ramp insert member is formed of hardened metal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the profile of the feed ramp insert member is semi-circular. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the profile of the feed ramp insert member is tapered outwardly away from the aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the firearm is one of a semi-automatic rifle and a semi-automatic pistol. 
     
     
         16 . A kit comprising:
 an upper receiver assembly having a front face and an aperture formed through the front face; and   a feed ramp insert member configured to be removably coupled to the upper receiver assembly, the feed ramp insert member having a profile matching at least a portion of the aperture, the feed ramp insert member extending outwardly from the front face of the upper receiver assembly adjacent to the aperture.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the feed ramp insert member is operative to interfere with incidental contact between a cartridge and at least a portion of the upper receiver assembly during chambering of the cartridge into a cartridge chamber in a barrel of the firearm via the aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 16 , further comprising a fastener configured to secure the feed ramp insert member to the upper portion of the receiver. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the profile of the feed ramp insert member is semi-circular. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 16 , further comprising one of a semi-automatic rifle and a semi-automatic pistol.