Multi-caliber magazine loader

Abstract

A device for loading a plurality of ammunition rounds or cartridges, containing a rim, groove, or flange, of non-determined size or into a firearm magazine of a non-determined capacity by means of a magazine adapter, in one or more hand strokes. The main chassis, or cartridge retainer, may be asymmetric in design allowing for ambidextrous operation and accessory expansion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magazine loading device comprising:
 a cartridge retainer having opposed first and second ends; and   a first magazine adapter selectively coupled to said second end of said cartridge retainer,   wherein said first magazine adaptor is configured to engage with a first magazine, and   wherein said cartridge retainer is configured to retain a first set of cartridges for loading into the first magazine.   
     
     
         2 . The magazine loading device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second magazine adapter for selectively coupling to said second end of said cartridge retainer, said second magazine adapter being configured to engage with a second magazine, wherein said cartridge retainer is configured to retain a second set of cartridges for loading into the second magazine. 
     
     
         3 . The magazine loading device of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second magazines require cartridges having first and second diameters, respectively, and wherein the first diameter is different from the second diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The magazine loading device of  claim 3 , wherein a diameter of cartridges of the first set of cartridges is too large for the second magazine. 
     
     
         5 . The magazine loading device of  claim 3 , wherein a diameter of cartridges of the first set of cartridges is too small for the second magazine. 
     
     
         6 . The magazine loading device of  claim 3 , further comprising a pushing mechanism slidably engaged with the cartridge retainer, the pushing mechanism being configured to facilitate lateral movement of each cartridge of the first set of cartridges so as to facilitate loading the first magazine. 
     
     
         7 . The magazine loading device of  claim 6 , wherein the cartridge retainer defines a channel for receiving the first and second sets of cartridges, the pushing mechanism being slidably engaged with the channel. 
     
     
         8 . The magazine loading device of  claim 7 , wherein the channel comprises a case head channel and an opposed recess channel, the pushing mechanism having a first portion extending into the case head channel and a second portion extending into the opposed recess channel. 
     
     
         9 . The magazine loading device of  claim 7 , wherein the channel comprises a case head channel that is configured to receive a proximal end of each cartridge. 
     
     
         10 . The magazine loading device of  claim 9 , further comprising a first and second engagement members positioned within the case head channel, each of the engagement members being configured to engage with the proximal end of the cartridge such that lateral movement of each cartridge is facilitated while longitudinal movement of each cartridge is hindered. 
     
     
         11 . The magazine loading device of  claim 10 , wherein the second engagement member is opposed to the first engagement member. 
     
     
         12 . The magazine loading device of  claim 11 , wherein the first engagement member is a fixed engagement member and the second engagement member is a moveable engagement member. 
     
     
         13 . A method of loading first and second sets of cartridges into respective first and second magazines, the method comprising:
 loading the first set of cartridges into a cartridge retainer, the cartridge retainer having opposed first and second ends;   engaging a first magazine adapter with the second end of the cartridge retainer;   engaging the first magazine adaptor with the first magazine;   passing each cartridge of the first set of cartridges through the first magazine adaptor and into the first magazine, thereby loading the first magazine and emptying the cartridge retainer;   disengaging the first magazine adapter from the second end of the cartridge retainer;   loading the second set of cartridges into the cartridge retainer;   engaging a second magazine adapter with the second end of the cartridge retainer;   engaging the second magazine adaptor with the second magazine; and   passing each cartridge of the second set of cartridges through the second magazine adaptor and into the second magazine, thereby loading the second magazine and emptying the cartridge retainer.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second magazines require cartridges having first and second diameters, respectively, and wherein the first diameter is different from the second diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising utilizing a pushing mechanism to facilitate lateral movement of each cartridge so as to facilitate loading the first magazine. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cartridge retainer defines a channel for receiving the first and second sets of cartridges, the pushing mechanism being slidably engaged with the channel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the channel comprises a case head channel that is configured to receive a proximal end of each cartridge. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising engaging a proximal end of each cartridge of the first set of cartridges with first and second engagement members such that lateral movement of each cartridge is facilitated while longitudinal movement of each cartridge is hindered. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second engagement members is positioned within the case head channel, and wherein the second engagement member is opposed to the first engagement member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first engagement member is a fixed engagement member and the second engagement member is a moveable engagement member.