Firearm extractor

Abstract

Provided herein are extractors, bolt assemblies, firearms, and related methods, devices, and assemblies. A firearm extractor includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an axis defined between the first end and the second end, and a pivot portion between the first end and the second end. The extractor may include a notch defined at the inner side of the extractor at an axial location between the pivot portion and the first end that, in operation, engages a cartridge casing having a diameter greater than a casing of a 5.56 NATO cartridge or other platform-standard cartridge. A thickness of the extractor in at least one location defined at the axial location of the notch disposed radially inward of one or more lugs of a barrel or a barrel extension during cycling of the bolt may be greater than 0.019 inches.

1 . A firearm extractor having a maximum width, the firearm extractor comprising:
 a first end;   a second end opposite the first end, the first end and the second end defining an axis extending therebetween;   a support tower defined at an outer side of the firearm extractor, wherein the support tower defines a proximal sloped region that slopes upwardly toward the first end and a distal sloped region that slopes downwardly toward the first end; and   a notch defined at an inner side of the firearm extractor,   wherein the notch has a proximal edge and a distal edge, and wherein the distal edge of the notch is aft of the distal sloped region.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm extractor of  claim 1 , wherein the support tower has a planar top that extends axially, and wherein the planar top is positioned between the proximal sloped region and the distal sloped region. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm extractor of  claim 1 , wherein the notch has a first depth that is defined radially outward from the distal edge of the notch and a second depth that is defined radially outward from the proximal edge of the notch, and wherein the second depth is equal to or greater than the first depth. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm extractor according to  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the firearm extractor in at least one location defined at an axial location of the notch is greater than or equal to approximately 0.043 inch and less than or equal to approximately 0.055 inch. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm extractor according to  claim 4 , wherein the thickness at the at least one location is approximately 0.043 inch. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm extractor according to  claim 4 , wherein the thickness at the at least one location is approximately 0.055 inch. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm extractor according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a thickness of the firearm extractor in at least one location defined at an axial location of the notch is greater than 0.019 inch,   the at least one location is configured to be disposed radially inward of one or more lugs of a barrel or a barrel extension during cycling of a bolt,   the support tower defines a width in a circumferential direction perpendicular to the axis that is less than a width of the firearm extractor, and   the support tower is positioned at a location other than the at least one location having the thickness that is greater than 0.019 inch.   
     
     
         8 . The firearm extractor according to  claim 7 , wherein the thickness of the firearm extractor in all locations in a circumferential direction along a length of the notch, perpendicular to the axis, other than the location of the support tower is greater than 0.019 inch. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm extractor according to  claim 7 , wherein a height of an outer surface of the outer side of the firearm extractor at the at least one location relative to the axis is greater than a height of the outer surface of the outer side of the firearm extractor elsewhere along a length of the firearm extractor. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm extractor according to  claim 7 , wherein a height of an outer surface of the outer side of the firearm extractor at the at least one location relative to the axis is greater than the height of a 5.56 firearm extractor for an AR pattern firearm. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm extractor according to  claim 1 , further comprising a recess defined by the first end. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm extractor according to  claim 1 , wherein a thickness at least one location defined at an axial location of the notch is a minimum thickness of the firearm extractor. 
     
     
         13 . The firearm extractor according to  claim 1 , wherein, in operation, the notch is configured to engage a cartridge casing having a diameter greater than a casing of a 5.56 NATO cartridge. 
     
     
         14 . The firearm extractor according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the notch is defined at the inner side of the firearm extractor at an axial location between a pivot portion and the first end,   the pivot portion is disposed at an inner side of the firearm extractor and is configured to engage a bolt, and   the support tower is positioned forward of the pivot portion.   
     
     
         15 . A bolt assembly for a firearm comprising:
 a bolt configured to engage one or more lugs of a barrel or a barrel extension during cycling of the bolt, the bolt defining a groove; and   the firearm extractor according to  claim 1  received by the groove of the bolt and pivotally attached with the bolt via a pivot portion of the firearm extractor.   
     
     
         16 . A firearm comprising:
 a barrel assembly comprising:
 a barrel or a barrel extension defining one or more locking lugs, the barrel comprising an inner surface defining a bore configured to guide a projectile as the projectile is propelled through the bore by pressurized gas, the barrel defining:
 a muzzle end; and 
 a chamber end opposite the muzzle end, wherein the inner surface defines a chamber at the chamber end, and wherein the chamber is configured to receive a cartridge and to support at least a portion of a cartridge casing during firing; 
 
   a bolt defining:
 one or more bolt lugs configured to engage the one or more locking lugs; and 
 a groove; and 
   the firearm extractor according to  claim 1  received by the groove of the bolt and pivotally attached with the bolt via a pivot portion of the firearm extractor.   
     
     
         17 . The firearm of  claim 16 , wherein the firearm is an AR-15 platform weapon. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing at least a portion of a firearm extractor, the method comprising:
 providing a body defining:
 a first end; and 
 a second end opposite the first end, the first end and the second end defining an axis extending therebetween; 
   providing a support tower defined at an outer side of the firearm extractor, wherein the support tower defines a proximal sloped region that slopes upwardly toward the first end and a distal sloped region that slopes downwardly toward the first end; and   removing material from the body to define a notch at an inner side of the firearm extractor, wherein the notch has a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein the distal edge of the notch is aft of the distal sloped region.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising removing material from an outer surface of the body to define the support tower, wherein the support tower extends from the outer surface of the firearm extractor at an axial location of the firearm extractor between a pivot portion and the first end, wherein the support tower defines a width in a circumferential direction perpendicular to the axis that is less than a maximum width of the firearm extractor. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising removing material from the first end to define a recess in the first end.