A method for inserting a safety block into a rifle comprising upper and lower receivers, the lower receiver comprising a trigger assembly positioned within a cavity. The method includes separating the upper receiver and the lower receiver to expose the lower receiver and inserting the safety block into the cavity. The safety block comprises a hammer cavity that surrounds the trigger assembly such that the safety block surrounds at least a hammer of the trigger assembly. A hammer stop of the safety block rests against the hammer. The upper receiver is then closed against the lower receiver. Closing the upper receiver brings the upper receiver into contact with the safety block and rotationally pushes the hammer stop of the safety block forward and against the hammer. Rotating the safety block against the hammer rotates the hammer to free the hammer from a restraining portion of the trigger assembly.

A method for inserting a safety block into a rifle comprising upper and lower receivers, the lower receiver comprising a trigger assembly positioned within a cavity. The method includes separating the upper receiver and the lower receiver to expose the lower receiver and inserting the safety block into the cavity. The safety block comprises a hammer cavity that surrounds the trigger assembly such that the safety block surrounds at least a hammer of the trigger assembly. A hammer stop of the safety block rests against the hammer. The upper receiver is then closed against the lower receiver. Closing the upper receiver brings the upper receiver into contact with the safety block and rotationally pushes the hammer stop of the safety block forward and against the hammer. Rotating the safety block against the hammer rotates the hammer to free the hammer from a restraining portion of the trigger assembly.

Provided in various example embodiments is an apparatus, system, and method for improved control of selectable dual mode trigger systems for semiautomatic firearms, which may include a timed locking mechanism incorporated in the trigger system that ensures that the carrier is seated before the hammer is actuated, and that the anti-hammer-follow disconnect does not engage out of sequence. Such a mechanism ensures that the necessary steps occur in the proper sequence in the trigger mechanism, so that at any given time the trigger and firearm are ready for the next desired function to occur. The addition of a timed trigger lock mechanism to the trigger as disclosed herein ensures that the sequence of events in the trigger is maintained in the proper relationship, preventing misfires and jams. Such trigger locking mechanisms have applicability beyond dual-mode trigger systems, and may be applied in various forms to semiautomatic firearms generally.

A firearm lock mechanism includes a trigger, a hammer, a stirrup connected to the hammer at a stirrup connection point, and a spring operably connected to the stirrup at a spring connection point. Progressive pivoting of the trigger drives corresponding progressive pivoting of the hammer. The stirrup connection point is disposed forward of the hammer pivot point. One of the spring connection point, hammer pivot point, and stirrup connection point is offset relative to and laterally spaced between the others of the points to be a vertex of an intermediate angle cooperatively defined by the points. The angle increases in magnitude as the trigger drives pivoting of the hammer. A toggle line is defined between the trigger pivot point and the hammer pivot point. The trigger contacts the hammer at a contact point that shifts across the toggle line as the trigger drives pivoting of the hammer.

A firearm lock mechanism includes a trigger, a hammer, a stirrup connected to the hammer at a stirrup connection point, and a spring operably connected to the stirrup at a spring connection point. Progressive pivoting of the trigger drives corresponding progressive pivoting of the hammer. The stirrup connection point is disposed forward of the hammer pivot point. One of the spring connection point, hammer pivot point, and stirrup connection point is offset relative to and laterally spaced between the others of the points to be a vertex of an intermediate angle cooperatively defined by the points. The angle increases in magnitude as the trigger drives pivoting of the hammer. A toggle line is defined between the trigger pivot point and the hammer pivot point. The trigger contacts the hammer at a contact point that shifts across the toggle line as the trigger drives pivoting of the hammer.

A method for inserting a safety block into a rifle comprising an upper receiver and a lower receiver, the lower receiver comprising a trigger assembly positioned within a cavity. The method includes separating the upper receiver and the lower receiver to expose the lower receiver and inserting the safety block into the cavity. The safety block comprises a hammer cavity configured to surround the trigger assembly such that the safety block surrounds at least a hammer of the trigger assembly. A hammer stop of the safety block is configured to rest against the hammer. The method includes closing the upper receiver against the lower receiver. Closing the upper receiver brings the upper receiver into contact with the safety block and rotationally pushes the hammer stop of the safety block forward and against the hammer. Rotating the safety block against the hammer rotates the hammer such that the hammer is freed from a restraining portion of the trigger assembly.

A method for inserting a safety block into a rifle comprising an upper receiver and a lower receiver, the lower receiver comprising a trigger assembly positioned within a cavity. The method includes separating the upper receiver and the lower receiver to expose the lower receiver and inserting the safety block into the cavity. The safety block comprises a hammer cavity configured to surround the trigger assembly such that the safety block surrounds at least a hammer of the trigger assembly. A hammer stop of the safety block is configured to rest against the hammer. The method includes closing the upper receiver against the lower receiver. Closing the upper receiver brings the upper receiver into contact with the safety block and rotationally pushes the hammer stop of the safety block forward and against the hammer. Rotating the safety block against the hammer rotates the hammer such that the hammer is freed from a restraining portion of the trigger assembly.

A firearm with safety mechanism in one embodiment includes a barrel supported by a housing, at least one cartridge-receiving chamber in communication with a bore of the barrel, and a rotatable hammer. The safety mechanism includes a biased safety component, which may be a blocking pin in one embodiment, mounted to and rotatable with the hammer. When the firearm is exposed to an abnormal impact force caused by bumping or dropping the firearm, the safety component changes position and interacts with a blocking feature on the hammer pivot pin to stop or delay the motion of the hammer in a manner which prevents discharging the firearm. The blocking feature may be a notch in one embodiment. Rotating the hammer between rearward cocked and forward firing positions alternatingly aligns or misaligns the blocking pin with the notch, respectively.

A firearm with safety mechanism in one embodiment includes a barrel supported by a housing, at least one cartridge-receiving chamber in communication with a bore of the barrel, and a rotatable hammer. The safety mechanism includes a biased safety component, which may be a blocking pin in one embodiment, mounted to and rotatable with the hammer. When the firearm is exposed to an abnormal impact force caused by bumping or dropping the firearm, the safety component changes position and interacts with a blocking feature on the hammer pivot pin to stop or delay the motion of the hammer in a manner which prevents discharging the firearm. The blocking feature may be a notch in one embodiment. Rotating the hammer between rearward cocked and forward firing positions alternatingly aligns or misaligns the blocking pin with the notch, respectively.

A firearm lock mechanism includes a trigger, a hammer, a stirrup connected to the hammer at a stirrup connection point, and a spring operably connected to the stirrup at a spring connection point. Progressive pivoting of the trigger drives corresponding progressive pivoting of the hammer. The stirrup connection point is disposed forward of the hammer pivot point. One of the spring connection point, hammer pivot point, and stirrup connection point is offset relative to and laterally spaced between the others of the points to be a vertex of an intermediate angle cooperatively defined by the points. The angle increases in magnitude as the trigger drives pivoting of the hammer. A toggle line is defined between the trigger pivot point and the hammer pivot point. The trigger contacts the hammer at a contact point that shifts across the toggle line as the trigger drives pivoting of the hammer.