Magazine floor plate

Abstract

Magazine floor plates have a tubular body defining an elongated passage and having a lower end and an upper end, a floor plate element connected to the lower end, a follower movable within the elongated passage, a spring within the passage having a first end contacting the floor plate element, and having an opposed second end contacting and biasing the follower toward the upper end of the body. Downward force exerted by the spring on the floor plate element retains the floor plate element in an installed position relative to the lower end of the body. The floor plate element may have a width narrower than the elongated passage. The floor plate element may be connected to the lower end of the body by rails on the lower end of the body. The floor plate element may have an upward protrusion.

1 . A magazine for a firearm for receiving an elongated cartridge having a cartridge width and greater cartridge length, the magazine comprising:
 a tubular body having opposed major sidewalls defining an elongated passage and having a lower end and an upper end;   the passage having a cross sectional profile having a width between the sidewalls adapted to closely receive a cartridge width and a length adapted to closely receive a cartridge length;   a floor plate element connected to the lower end;   wherein the floor plate element has a width narrower than the elongated passage;   a follower movable within the elongated passage;   a spring within the passage having a first end contacting the floor plate element, and having an opposed second end contacting and biasing the follower toward the upper end of the body; and   wherein downward force exerted by the spring on the floor plate element retains the floor plate element in an installed position relative to the lower end of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The magazine of  claim 1  wherein the floor plate element is rigid and does not bend while the floor plate element is being connected to and removed from the lower end of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The magazine of  claim 1  wherein the floor plate element is connected to the lower end of the body by rails on the lower end of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The magazine of  claim 1  wherein the floor plate element has an upward protrusion. 
     
     
         5 . The magazine of  claim 4  wherein the body has a radiused interior surface and wherein the upward protrusion has a corresponding radiused surface. 
     
     
         6 . The magazine of  claim 4  wherein the upward protrusion has a rearward-facing sloped surface. 
     
     
         7 . The magazine of  claim 4  wherein the upward protrusion is lanced in the floor plate element. 
     
     
         8 . The magazine of  claim 1  wherein the elongated passage has a capacity of eight ammunition cartridges when loaded. 
     
     
         9 . The magazine of  claim 8  wherein the follower and eight ammunition cartridges received within the elongated passage can be depressed sufficiently to install the loaded magazine in a firearm with a closed slide. 
     
     
         10 . The magazine of  claim 8  wherein the ammunition cartridges are  45  ACP cartridges. 
     
     
         11 . The magazine of  claim 1  wherein a rear side of the floor plate element is flush with a rear side of the lower end of the body when the floor plate element is in the installed position. 
     
     
         12 . The magazine of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the floor plate element may be elevated into the elongated passage.