Ammunition magazine

Abstract

Ammunition magazines have a lower magazine body having a body profile adapted to be closely received in the magazine well, the lower magazine body having an elongated upper surface, a magazine tower protruding above the upper surface and having a free upper end defining an ammunition exit aperture, an ammunition receptacle passage registered with the magazine tower, the magazine tower having a limited tower profile smaller than the body profile and adapted to be closely received in the magazine aperture, the magazine body having a front surface defining a vertical plane of reference, and the magazine tower having a front surface angled rearwardly with respect to the vertical plane of reference. The magazine tower may be tapered. The magazine tower may have a greater length adjacent to the body elongated upper surface than at the free upper end.

1 . An ammunition magazine for a firearm having a magazine well, a magazine aperture above the well and in communication with the well, and a magazine latch in communication with the well, the magazine comprising:
 a lower magazine body having a body profile adapted to be closely received in the magazine well, and having an upper end and an opposed lower end;   the lower magazine body having an elongated upper surface facing away from the opposed lower end;   a magazine tower protruding above the elongated upper surface and having a free upper end defining an ammunition exit aperture;   an ammunition receptacle passage registered with the magazine tower;   the magazine tower having a limited tower profile smaller than the body profile and adapted to be closely received in the magazine aperture;   the magazine body having a front surface defining a vertical plane of reference; and   the magazine tower having a front surface angled rearwardly with respect to the vertical plane of reference.   
     
     
         2 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 1  wherein the magazine tower is tapered. 
     
     
         3 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 1  wherein the magazine tower has a greater length adjacent to the lower magazine body elongated upper surface than at the free upper end. 
     
     
         4 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 1  wherein the front surface of the magazine tower is aft of the front surface of the lower magazine body. 
     
     
         5 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 4  including a forward portion of the lower magazine body elongated upper surface being forward of the magazine tower. 
     
     
         6 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 5  wherein the ammunition magazine toward the front surface of the magazine tower and the forward portion of the lower magazine body elongated upper surface defines an interior angle adapted to receive a portion of the firearm defining a forward portion of the magazine aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 1  wherein the lower magazine body has a rear surface including a catch adapted for engagement by a movable latch on the firearm. 
     
     
         8 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 1  wherein the catch has a downward facing catch surface. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An ammunition magazine for a firearm having a magazine well, a magazine aperture above the well and in communication with the well, and a magazine latch in communication with the well, the magazine comprising:
 a lower magazine body having a body profile adapted to be closely received in the magazine well, and having an upper end and an opposed lower end;   the lower magazine body having an elongated upper surface facing away from the opposed lower end;   a magazine tower protruding above the elongated upper surface and having a free upper end defining an ammunition exit aperture;   an ammunition receptacle passage registered with the magazine tower;   the magazine tower having a limited tower profile smaller than the body profile and adapted to be closely received in the magazine aperture;   the magazine body having a rear surface defining a vertical plane of reference; and   the magazine tower having a front surface angled rearwardly with respect to the vertical plane of reference.   
     
     
         11 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 10  wherein the magazine tower is tapered. 
     
     
         12 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 10  wherein the magazine tower has a greater length adjacent to the lower magazine body elongated upper surface than at the free upper end. 
     
     
         13 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 10  wherein the front surface of the magazine tower is aft of the front surface of the lower magazine body. 
     
     
         14 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 13  including a forward portion of the lower magazine body elongated upper surface being forward of the magazine tower. 
     
     
         15 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 14  wherein the ammunition magazine toward the front surface of the magazine tower and the forward portion of the lower magazine body elongated upper surface defines an interior angle adapted to receive a portion of the firearm defining a forward portion of the magazine aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 10  wherein the lower magazine body has a rear surface including a catch adapted for engagement by a movable latch on the firearm. 
     
     
         17 . The ammunition magazine of  claim 10  wherein the catch has a downward facing catch surface. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled)