US20150308762A1

US20150308762A1 - Intermediate charging handle engagement with carrier of firearm

Info

Publication number: US20150308762A1
Application number: US14/581,694
Authority: US
Inventors: Aaron A. McGinty
Original assignee: S I DEFENSE Inc
Current assignee: S I DEFENSE Inc
Priority date: 2013-12-23
Filing date: 2014-12-23
Publication date: 2015-10-29
Also published as: US20150308761A1

Abstract

Firearms with improved systems and methods of pulling back a carrier within the firearm and charging handles for such firearms. In some embodiments, the charging handle engages the carrier at an engagement face located between a rearward first end and a forward second end of the charging handle and the engagement face is at least ten percent of the length of the charging handle from the second end. In some embodiments, the charging handle has a stem having a top wall, a left wall, and a right wall, and the engagement face extends from the left wall to the right wall. In various embodiments, walls are perpendicular or parallel or are one piece, the bottom is open, the carrier has a protrusion contacting the charging handle, the engagement face is concave, the firearm is a rifle that selectably fires in fully-automatic and semi-automatic modes, or a combination thereof.

Description

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 61/920,164, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled INTERMEDIATE CHARGING HANDLE ENGAGEMENT WITH CARRIER OF FIREARM, which has at least one inventor in common with the current patent application and the same assignee. Although primarily concerning other inventions, this patent application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/920,026, filed on Dec. 23, 2013, titled, INTERNAL LATCH IN CHARGING HANDLE OF FIREARM and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/949,907, filed on Mar. 7, 2014, titled CHARGING HANDLE ENGAGEMENT WITH CARRIER KEY OF FIREARM which also each have at least one inventor in common with the current patent application and the same assignee. The contents of these priority provisional patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of this invention relate to firearms having charging handles and systems and methods of engaging carriers with charging handles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Firearms have been used for several centuries for various purposes including as weapons for warfare, law enforcement, self defense, hunting, and target practice. Although many new weapons and weapon systems have been developed, firearms are still widely used and soldiers are trained in firearm use and carry firearms in essentially all armies throughout the world. Over time, firearms have been improved in many ways, but opportunities for improvement still exist in particular areas and for particular aspects of these devices.
Firearms have been built that use energy from the firing of one round to load the next round into the chamber for firing. In various configurations, the first round to be fired must be loaded manually and the firearm must be cocked (e.g., the bolt or carrier pulled back) to fire the first round. For this purpose, firearms have been equipped with charging handles that are operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operator in order to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing the first round. Charging handles have used that engaged the bolt or carrier with a lateral projection or tang at the forward end or tip of the charging handle. The tang or tip of the charging handle has been know to wear, deform, or even break from repeated use, particularly from rough use or where other issues exist with the mechanism. A need or potential for benefit or improvement exists for firearms wherein the charging handle engages the carrier in a more robust manner that is less prone to wear, damage, or failure. Room for improvement exists over the prior art in these and other areas that may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art having studied this document.

SUMMARY OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides, among other things, firearms with improved systems and methods of engagement between the charging handles and the carrier. Various embodiments provide, for example, as an object or benefit, that they partially or fully address or satisfy one or more of the needs, potential areas for benefit, or opportunities for improvement described herein, or known in the art, as examples. Some embodiments provide firearms with charging handles that engage the carrier at an engagement face on the charging handle located between a rearward first end and a forward second end of the charging handle. In a number of embodiments, the engagement face is at least ten percent of the length of the charging handle from the second end, for example. In addition, or instead, in some embodiments, the charging handle has a stem having a top wall, a left wall, and a right wall, and the engagement face extends from the left wall to the right wall. Other embodiments, besides firearms, include methods of obtaining or providing an apparatus for pulling back the carrier of a firearm with a charging handle and specific charging handles with features described herein.
In a number of embodiments, improvements to firearms herein provide for firearms that are more reliable, that last longer, that are more adaptable, that can be used in conditions that are more extreme, that handle abuse well, that work better, that are easier to use, that are easier to maintain, that are less expensive to manufacture, that have a lower lifecycle cost, or a combination thereof.
Specific embodiments include firearms that each include a carrier and a charging handle. In various embodiments, the charging handle has a rearward first end, a forward second end, and a length from the first end to the second end. Further, in a number of embodiments, the charging handle engages the carrier at an engagement face on the charging handle located between the first end and the second end. Moreover, in various embodiments, the engagement face is at least ten percent of the length of the charging handle from the second end of the charging handle.
Further, in some embodiments, the charging handle includes a stem that include a top wall, a left wall, a right wall, or a combination thereof. Further still, in some such embodiments, the engagement face extends from the left wall to the right wall. Even further, in some embodiments, the left wall is perpendicular to the top wall, the right wall is perpendicular to the top wall, the left wall is parallel to the right wall, or a combination thereof. Still further, in certain embodiments, the engagement face, the left wall, the right wall, and the top wall are all one piece. Even further still, in a number of embodiments, the stem has an open bottom between the left wall and the right wall. Moreover, in particular embodiments, the engagement face is perpendicular to the top wall.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the carrier includes a protrusion and the engagement face contacts the protrusion when the charging handle pulls back the carrier. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the engagement face is at least 20 percent of the length of the charging handle from the second end of the charging handle, the engagement face is at least 60 percent of the length of the charging handle from the first end of the charging handle, or both. Moreover, in some embodiments, the engagement face is concave. Further, in particular embodiments, the firearm is a rifle, for instance, configured to selectably fire in a fully-automatic mode, in a semi-automatic mode, or both.
Other specific embodiments include various firearms that include a carrier and a charging handle wherein the charging handle includes a stem, for example, that include a top wall, a left wall, a right wall, and an engagement face extending from the left wall to the right wall. In a number of embodiments, the charging handle engages the carrier at the engagement face. Further, in some such embodiments, the left wall, the top wall, and the right wall are all one piece, the left wall is perpendicular to the top wall, the right wall is perpendicular to the top wall, the left wall is parallel to the right wall, the engagement face, the left wall, the right wall, and the top wall are all one piece, or a combination thereof. Further still, in a number of embodiments, the stem has an open bottom between the left wall and the right wall, the engagement face is perpendicular to the top wall, the carrier includes a protrusion and the engagement face contacts the protrusion when the charging handle pulls back the carrier, the engagement face is concave, or both.
Still other specific embodiments include various charging handles for firearms, wherein the charging handle includes a rearward first end, a forward second end, a length from the first end to the second end, and an engagement face for engaging a carrier. In a number of embodiments, the engagement face is located between the first end and the second end, the engagement face is at least ten percent of the length from the second end of the charging handle, the charging handle includes a stem that include a top wall, a left wall, a right wall, and the engagement face, or a combination thereof. In addition, various other embodiments of the invention are also described herein, and other benefits of certain embodiments may be apparent to a person of skill in this area of technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings provided herewith illustrate, among other things, examples of certain aspects of particular embodiments. Various embodiments may include aspects shown in the drawings, described in the specification (including the claims), known in the art, or a combination thereof, as examples. Other embodiments, however, may differ.

FIG. 1 is a right side view of an embodiment of a firearm that includes a charging handle;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the firearm of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side cross-sectional view of the firearm of FIGS. 1 and 2, taken along section A-A in FIG. 2, illustrating, among other things, the charging handle and carrier;

FIG. 4 is a right side detail view of part of the firearm of FIG. 3 illustrating the charging handle engagement with the carrier;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the charging handle of the firearm of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6; is a bottom view of the charging handle of FIG. 5 of the firearm of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional right side view of the charging handle of FIGS. 6 and 7 of the firearm of FIGS. 1-3; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of the charging handle of FIGS. 5 to 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

This patent application describes, among other things, examples of certain embodiments, and certain aspects thereof. Other embodiments may differ from the particular examples described in detail herein. Various embodiments are or concern firearms, for example, having improvements over the prior art. Different embodiments include firearms, charging handles for firearms, and methods concerning charging handles or firearms, as examples.
As used herein, a charging handle is a component or assembly of a firearm that is operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operator of the firearm to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing the first round. As used herein, a “charging handle” includes a body of the charging handle and can also include parts within or pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle. But as used herein, a “charging handle” does not include other components of the firearm, such as the carrier or bolt assembly, that, unlike the body of the charging handle, move relative to the barrel or receiver of the firearm, for example, when the firearm is fired. In addition, the “charging handle” of the firearm, as used herein, does not include other parts of the firearm that do not move (e.g., rearward) with the body of the charging handle when the charging handle is operated (e.g., pulled back) by the operator of the firearm to load the first round and prepare the weapon for firing the first round. In a number of embodiments, for example, a firearm (e.g., 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3)) includes a charging handle (e.g., 50 shown best in FIGS. 5-8), and the charging handle (e.g., 50) is separate from the carrier (e.g., 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), from the barrel (e.g., 13 shown in FIGS. 1-3), and from the receiver (e.g., 11 shown in FIGS. 1-4).
As used herein, the “carrier” of a firearm is the bolt carrier group, which includes the bolt for the firearm and the firing pin. As used herein, the “carrier” of a firearm moves backwards and forwards as the weapon fires and performs certain cyclic functions of the weapon (e.g., a gas-operated firearm), for example, stripping a round from the magazine, inserting the round into the chamber, firing the round, pulling the cartridge from the chamber once the round is fired, and ejecting the cartridge. In a number of embodiments, when the weapon is fired, the hammer strikes the firing pin. Further, in various embodiments, the bolt locks into place in the barrel extension (e.g., by rotating) before the round is fired and unlocks therefrom after the round is fired.
When the charging handle of the firearm is pulled back, in various embodiments, the charging handle engages the carrier of the firearm with an intermediate feature on the charging handle such as a gusset, flange, cross member, or lateral feature, for instance, on or through the bottom of the charging handle. In different embodiments, the feature (e.g., intermediate feature) can be a hole, projection or wall, as examples. In a number of embodiments, the charging handle has a greater vertical dimension at the feature than at other locations along the charging handle, for example. In some embodiments, the vertical dimension of the charging handle may vary (e.g., gradually) along its length and may be at a maximum or a relative maximum at or near the feature (e.g., engagement surface or face).
In a number of embodiments, for example, a firearm (e.g., 10 in FIGS. 1-3)) includes a charging handle (e.g., 50 shown in FIGS. 1-8) having an aft or rearward first end (e.g., 51), a forward second end (e.g., 52), and a length (e.g., 73 shown in FIG. 7) from the first end (e.g., 51) to the second end (e.g., 52). A number of firearm embodiments include a carrier (e.g., 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) and the charging handle (e.g., 50) engages the carrier (e.g., 40) at an engagement face (e.g., 45 shown in FIGS. 3-7) on the charging handle (e.g., 50) located between the first end (e.g., 51) and the second end (e.g., 52). In various embodiments, the engagement face (e.g., 45) is at least ten percent of the length (e.g., 73) from the second end (e.g., 52) of the charging handle. Further, in a number of embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 50) includes a stem (e.g., 56 shown in FIGS. 3-8), for instance, having a top wall (e.g., 77 shown in FIGS. 5-7), a right wall (e.g., 68 shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8)), and a left wall (e.g., 69 shown in FIGS. 6-8). In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown, for example, the engagement face (e.g., 45) extends from the left wall (e.g., 69) to the right wall (e.g., 68).
As used herein, “top”, and any other indicators of direction herein, apply to the normal orientation of the firearm (e.g., 10) when the barrel (e.g., 13) is horizontal and the trigger is below the centerline through the barrel that is parallel to the direction of travel of a bullet in the barrel when the firearm is fired. In FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8, up is toward the top of the view. Moreover, as used herein, a “wall” includes two opposite surfaces (e.g., an inside surface facing the interior of the stem and an exterior surface facing the exterior of the stem) and has a thickness between the walls. In a number of embodiments, the opposite surfaces are planer surfaces, are parallel, or both. In some embodiments, the opposite surfaces are flat, but in other embodiments, one or both of the opposite surfaces is curved (e.g., in one plane or in two planes). Further, in a number of embodiments, a “wall” is solid between the opposite surfaces. Further still, in some embodiments, a wall has a uniform thickness, while in other embodiments, the thickness of a wall can vary, for example, along the wall. In some embodiments, the left wall (e.g., 69) is attached to the top wall (e.g., 77), the right wall (e.g., 68) is attached to the top wall, or both. Further, in certain embodiments, the left wall, the top wall, and the right wall are all one piece (i.e., of solid or monolithic material). As used herein, two or more walls that are all one piece are considered to be “attached”.
In a number of embodiments, the stem (e.g., 56), for example, the “one piece” can be metal, such as aluminum, for example, or plastic, as another example. In a number of embodiments, the left wall (e.g., 69) is substantially perpendicular to the top wall (e.g., 77), the right wall (e.g., 68) is substantially perpendicular to the top wall (e.g., 77), or both. As used herein, “substantially perpendicular” means perpendicular to within 15 degrees. Further, in particular embodiments, the left wall is perpendicular to the top wall, the right wall is perpendicular to the top wall, or both. As used herein, in this context, “perpendicular” means perpendicular to within 5 degrees. Still further, in some embodiments, the left wall (e.g., 69) is substantially parallel to the right wall (e.g., 68). As used herein, “substantially parallel” means parallel to within 15 degrees. Even further, in certain embodiments, the left wall is parallel to the right wall. As used herein, in this context, “parallel” means parallel to within 5 degrees. In various embodiments, perpendicularity, parallelism, or both, can be determined based on the outside surfaces of the walls, the inside surfaces of the walls, or both.
Further, in some embodiments, the engagement face (e.g., 45) is attached to the left wall (e.g., 69), to the right wall (e.g., 68), or both. As used herein, a particular surface is considered to be attached to a specific wall if the particular surface is a surface of a component or region that is attached to that specific wall. In a number of embodiments, for example, (e.g., including the embodiment illustrated), the engagement face (e.g., 45) is a surface (e.g., an aft- or rearward-facing surface) of a wall (i.e., an engagement wall) that is attached to the left wall (e.g., 69), to the right wall (e.g., 68), or both (e.g., as shown). Even further, in some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated), the engagement face (e.g., 45), the left wall (e.g., 69), and the right wall (e.g., 68) are all one piece. Even further still, in some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated), the engagement face, the left wall, the right wall, and the top of the stem (e.g., top wall 77) are all one piece.
Moreover, in a number of embodiments, the stem (e.g., 56) has an open bottom, for example, between the left wall (e.g., 69) and the right wall (e.g., 68), for example, over at least a majority of the length of the stem. In some embodiments (e.g., as shown), for example, the stem, or part of the stem, can be a channel or have a “U”-shaped cross section, for instance (e.g., an upside down “U” in the embodiment illustrated). As used herein, a stem (e.g., 56) is considered to have an “open bottom” between the left wall (e.g., 69) and the right wall (e.g., 68) if the stem is hollow over a majority of the length of the stem, the hollow interior of the stem is bounded by at least two walls (e.g., at least two of the left wall, the right wall and the top wall), and the bottom of the stem, over a majority of the area of the bottom of the stem, is defined by ends of walls (e.g., the bottom end of the left wall and the bottom end of the right wall), wherein the ends of the walls are limited to the thickness of these walls. As used herein, stem 56, as shown, has an open bottom (e.g., 66 shown in FIG. 6).
In a number of embodiments, the engagement face (e.g., of the charging handle or stem thereof) is substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the left wall (e.g., of the stem), to the right wall, or both. Further, in some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7), the engagement face (e.g., 45) is substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the top wall (e.g., 77). Even further, in a number of embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6), the engagement face (e.g., 45) is concave. In particular embodiments, for example, the engagement face (e.g., 45) is concave toward the first end of the charging handle (e.g., when viewed from below, as shown in FIG. 6). In some embodiments, the engagement face is concave when viewed from the side, but in other embodiments, including the embodiment shown, the engagement face (e.g., 45) is not concave when viewed from the side (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7).
In other embodiments, the engagement face can be flat or can be flat with fillets or chamfers at the interior corners, for instance, at the right and left wall, at the top wall, or both, as further examples. Still further, in other embodiments, the engagement face is on a pin or fastener that extends, for instance, from the left wall to the right wall, or the engagement face is on a block that extends, for instance, from the left wall to the right wall, for example, supported or attached by at least one pin or fastener that extends, for instance, from the left wall to the right wall, as further examples. Even further, in various embodiments, the engagement face is on a gusset, flange, cross member, or lateral feature, for instance, on or through the bottom of the charging handle, or between side walls of the charging handle. Even further still, in various embodiments, the engagement face is on a feature on the charging handle (e.g., an intermediate feature between ends of the charging handle, as shown) such as a hole, projection, or wall (e.g., as shown), as examples.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, for example, in a number of embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 50) has a greater vertical dimension at the engagement face (e.g., 45) than at other locations along the charging handle (e.g., along length 73), for example. Moreover, in the embodiment illustrated, the vertical dimension of charging handle 50 varies gradually along part of length 73 of charging handle 50 and is at a maximum or a relative maximum at and near engagement face 45. Other embodiments, however, may differ.
In various embodiments, the engagement face (e.g., 45) is at least 20 percent of the length (e.g., of the carrier or of the stem, for instance, length 73 shown in FIG. 7) from the second end (e.g., forward end, for instance, 52 shown in FIGS. 5-8)) of the charging handle (e.g., 50), the engagement face is at least 20 percent of the length (e.g., 73) from the first end (e.g., 51 shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7) of the charging handle (e.g., 50), or both. Further, in some embodiments, the engagement face is at least 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 75, or 80 percent of the length from the first end of the charging handle, as other examples. Further still, in various embodiments, the engagement face is at least 15, 25, 30, 35, or 40 percent of the length from the second end of the charging handle. The embodiment illustrated is an example. Furthermore, in particular embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated, the engagement face (e.g., 45) is at least 20 percent of the length (e.g., 73) of the charging handle (e.g., 50) from the second end (e.g., 52) of the charging handle, and the engagement face is at least 60 percent of the length of the charging handle from the first end (e.g., 51) of the charging handle.
Additionally, in a number of embodiments, the carrier (e.g., 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) has a feature, such as a protrusion (e.g., 44), and the engagement face (e.g., 45) contacts the feature or protrusion (e.g., 44) when the charging handle (e.g., 50) pulls back the carrier (e.g., 40). In a number of embodiments, the feature or protrusion is part of the carrier (e.g., as shown). Moreover, in a number of embodiments, the protrusion is on a top surface of the carrier (e.g., as shown). Further, in various embodiments, the feature, carrier, or both, are metal, such as steel. In some embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated, the protrusion (e.g., 44) includes a chamfer, for instance, on a exterior corner, for example, at an aft or rearward end of the protrusion. In various embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated, the protrusion (e.g., 44) includes a square corner, for instance, an upper corner, for example, at a forward end of the protrusion. Further, in a number of embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated, the protrusion (e.g., 44) includes a carrier engagement face, for instance, substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the direction of travel of the carrier (e.g., 40), to the charging handle (e.g., 50, for instance, to length 73 shown in FIG. 7), or to the barrel (e.g., 13) of the firearm (e.g., 10, for example, at the forward end of the protrusion. In some embodiments, for example, when the firearm is assembled, the carrier engagement face, for instance, of the protrusion, is parallel to the engagement face (e.g., 45) on the charging handle (e.g., 50).
In a number of embodiments, the firearm (e.g., 10) is a rifle. In particular embodiments, for example, the firearm (e.g., 10) is an assault rifle, such as an AR-15 or an M-16. In different embodiments, the firearm can be a semi-automatic firearm or a fully automatic firearm, as examples. Further, in particular embodiments, the firearm is a rifle configured to selectably (e.g., via operation of a selector lever) fire in a fully-automatic mode and in a semi-automatic mode. Other embodiments, however, may differ. For instance, in particular embodiments the firearm can be a pistol.
Still further, other embodiments include various charging handles (e.g., 50 shown in FIGS. 1-8) for firearms (e.g., 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3), wherein the charging handle includes a rearward first end (e.g., 51 shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7), a forward second end (e.g., 52 shown in FIGS. 5-8), a length (e.g., 73 shown in FIG. 7) from the first end (e.g., 51) to the second end (e.g., 52), and an engagement face (e.g., 45 shown in FIGS. 4-7) for engaging a carrier (e.g., 40 shown in FIGS. 3-4). In a number of embodiments, the engagement face (e.g., 45) is located between the first end (e.g., 51) and the second end (e.g., 52), the engagement face is at least ten percent of the length (e.g., 73) from the second end (e.g., 52) of the charging handle (e.g., 50), the charging handle includes a stem (e.g., 56) that include a top wall (e.g., 77), a left wall (e.g., 69), a right wall (e.g., 68), and the engagement face (e.g., 45), or a combination thereof. The embodiment illustrated (e.g., charging handle 50) includes all such features, but other embodiments may include some of these features but not others, may include other features described herein, or both, as further examples.
Examples of methods include various methods of obtaining or providing an apparatus for pulling back the carrier (e.g., 40) of a firearm (e.g., 10), for instance, with a charging handle (e.g., 50). In various embodiments, such a method can include, for example, in any order, at least certain acts. Such acts can include, for instance, obtaining or providing a charging handle (e.g., 50) having a rearward first end (e.g., 51), a forward second end (e.g., 52), a length (e.g., 73) from the first end to the second end, or a combination thereof. Further, some embodiments include obtaining or providing a carrier (e.g., 40). In a number of embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 50) engages the carrier (e.g., 40) at an engagement face (e.g., 45) on the charging handle located between the first end (e.g., 51) and the second end (e.g., 52). Further, in particular embodiments, the engagement face (e.g., 45) is at least ten percent of the length (e.g., 73) from the second end (e.g., 52) of the charging handle (e.g., 50). Some embodiments include (e.g., in addition to obtaining or providing a carrier) an act of obtaining or providing a charging handle (e.g., 50), for instance, having a stem (e.g., 56) comprising a top wall (e.g., 77), a left wall (e.g., 69), a right wall (e.g., 68), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the charging handle (e.g., 50) further includes an engagement face (e.g., 45) extending from the left wall (e.g., 69) to the right wall (e.g., 68). In a number of embodiments, for example, the charging handle (e.g., 50) engages the carrier (e.g., 40) at the engagement face (e.g., 45). In various embodiments, particular methods can include acts of obtaining or providing, as examples, other features, components, or aspects described herein. All possible combinations are contemplated.
Further, methods described herein contain various acts. The order in which these acts are described herein is an example of the order in which these acts can be performed, but in other embodiments, unless stated otherwise herein, the acts may be performed in a different order. In some embodiments, acts may overlap or be performed at the same time, as another example.
Further, various embodiments of the subject matter described herein include various combinations of the acts, structure, components, and features described herein, shown in the drawings, described in documents that are incorporated by reference herein, or that are known in the art. Moreover, certain procedures can include acts such as manufacturing, obtaining, or providing components that perform functions described herein or in the documents that are incorporated by reference. The subject matter described herein also includes various means for accomplishing the various functions or acts described herein, in the documents that are incorporated by reference, or that are apparent from the structure and acts described. Essentially, wherever a function is described herein, and at least one example of structure is described, illustrated, or both, that performs that function, a means for accomplishing that function is also contemplated.
Still further, as used herein, the word “or”, except where indicated otherwise, does not imply that the alternatives listed are mutually exclusive. Even further, where alternatives are listed herein, it should be understood that in some embodiments, fewer alternatives may be available, or in particular embodiments, just one alternative may be available, as examples.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A firearm comprising a carrier and a charging handle wherein: the charging handle has a rearward first end, a forward second end, and a length from the first end to the second end; the charging handle engages the carrier at an engagement face on the charging handle located between the first end and the second end; and the engagement face is at least ten percent of the length of the charging handle from the second end of the charging handle.

2. The firearm of claim 1 wherein: the charging handle comprises a stem comprising a top wall, a left wall, and a right wall; and the engagement face extends from the left wall to the right wall.

3. The firearm of claim 2 wherein: the left wall is perpendicular to the top wall; the right wall is perpendicular to the top wall; and the left wall is parallel to the right wall.

4. The firearm of claim 3 wherein: the engagement face, the left wall, the right wall, and the top wall are all one piece.

5. The firearm of claim 4 wherein: the stem has an open bottom between the left wall and the right wall.

6. The firearm of claim 5 wherein: the engagement face is perpendicular to the top wall.

7. The firearm of claim 1 wherein: the carrier comprises a protrusion and the engagement face contacts the protrusion when the charging handle pulls back the carrier.

8. The firearm of claim 1 wherein: the engagement face is at least 20 percent of the length of the charging handle from the second end of the charging handle.

9. The firearm of claim 1 wherein: the engagement face is at least 60 percent of the length of the charging handle from the first end of the charging handle.

10. The firearm of claim 1 wherein: the engagement face is concave.

11. The firearm of any of claim 1 wherein the firearm is a rifle configured to selectably fire in a fully-automatic mode and in a semi-automatic mode.

12. A firearm comprising a carrier and a charging handle wherein: the charging handle comprises a stem comprising a top wall, a left wall, a right wall, and an engagement face extending from the left wall to the right wall; and the charging handle engages the carrier at the engagement face.

13. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: the left wall, the top wall, and the right wall are all one piece.

14. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: the left wall is perpendicular to the top wall; the right wall is perpendicular to the top wall; and the left wall is parallel to the right wall.

15. The firearm of claim 14 wherein: the engagement face, the left wall, the right wall, and the top wall are all one piece.

16. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: the stem has an open bottom between the left wall and the right wall.

17. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: the engagement face is perpendicular to the top wall.

18. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: the carrier comprises a protrusion and the engagement face contacts the protrusion when the charging handle pulls back the carrier.

19. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: the engagement face is concave.

20. A charging handle for a firearm, the charging handle comprising a rearward first end, a forward second end, a length from the first end to the second end, and an engagement face for engaging a carrier wherein: the engagement face is located between the first end and the second end; the engagement face is at least ten percent of the length from the second end of the charging handle; and the charging handle comprises a stem comprising a top wall, a left wall, a right wall, and the engagement face.