US3827171A

US3827171A - Lock for trap type shot guns

Info

Publication number: US3827171A
Application number: US00329850A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-02-05
Filing date: 1973-02-05
Publication date: 1974-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 1991-08-06

Abstract

Inserted into the receiving chamber of the lock (i.e., trigger, sear and hammer) of a trap type shotgun is an elongated U-shape housing having on the forward end a spring supported loading platform adapted to receive and temporarily carry a shotgun shell inserted through the uncovered ejection port when the breech bolt is retracted rearwardly into open position. Rearward movement of the bolt is simultaneously effective to engage and depress a spring-biased hammer pivotally mounted on the housing, the hammer including a notch for engagement with the latch hook of a sear rockably mounted on the housing. A spring-urged trigger has a portion overlying a flange on the sear so that actuation of the trigger moves the sear latch hook out of engagement with the hammer, thereby allowing the hammer to spring forwardly and strike the firing pin. A safety lever positively immobilizes the trigger in open bolt position and, for automatic shotguns, a bolt detent structure holds the bolt open after each shot until a shell is inserted and a separate trip lever is actuated so as to allow the bolt to close.

Description

Unite Stats Patent [191 Smith 3,827 J71 Aug. 6, 1974 Primary ExaminerSamuel Feinberg Assistant Examiner-C. T. Jordan Attorney, Agent, or FirmLothrop & West [57] ABSTRACT Inserted into the receiving chamber of the lock (i.e.,

trigger, sear and hammer) of a trap type shotgun is an elongated U-shape housing having on the forward end a spring supported loading platform adapted to receive and temporarily carry a shotgun shell inserted through the uncovered ejection port when the breech bolt is retracted rearwardly into open position. Rearward movement of the bolt is simultaneously effective to engage and depress a spring-biased hammer pivotally mounted on the housing, the hammer including a notch for engagement with the latch hook of a scar rockably mounted on the housing. A spring-urged trigger has a portion overlying a flange on the sear so that actuation of the trigger moves the sear latch hook out of engagement with the hammer, thereby allowing the hammer to spring forwardly and strike the firing pin. A safety lever positively immobilizes the trigger in open bolt position and, for automatic shotguns, a bolt detent structure holds the bolt open after each shot until a shell is inserted and a separate trip lever is actuated so as to allow the bolt to close.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Pmmmmc 1 14 3,827,171

SHE? 1 (IF 3 PATENIEnAus 81974 sum 2 us 3 LOCK FOR TRAP TYPE SHOT GUNS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The rules of trap singles and handicap shooting require that only one shell at a time be loaded and fired, thus requiring that the gun be manually loaded after the bolt is opened and the discharged shell ejected through the port in the side of the trigger assembly receiving chamber.

For automatic shotguns, such as the Remington Model 1100, the gas-operated, self-loading feature not only opens the bolt and ejects the spent shell, but also automatically loads the next shell into the firing chamber and closes the bolt, thereby readying the gun for immediate firing. This feature does not conveniently allow the user to load manually after each round is fired, as is required by the trap singles and handicap rules.

For pump type shot guns, such as the Remington Model 870, no problem of single manual loading is presented since this is the manner in which loading is customarily effected.

However, regardless of the type of shot gun used, either the Remington Model I 100," or the Remington Model 870, or indeed, any other shotgun except those of the very costliest varieties, (running in excess of 1,000 to 1,200 dollars, or even more) the trap gun shooter is always concerned with instant sear release, crispness of vtrigger action, lack of creep and other factors which often tend to produce flinching and increase lock time (interval between squeezing trigger and firing) and thus increase lead, with an attendant decrease in accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to improvements in locks for trap type shotguns, particularly with Remington Automatic Shotgun Model 1100 and Remington Pump Action Shotgun Model 870.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lock for trap type shotguns in which the trigger is always in contact with the sear, thus eliminating creep, or slack, and thereby helping to stop flinching.

It is another object of the invention to provide a lock in which the trigger has a very short and crisp pull to release the hammer; and in which the trigger pull can be adjusted to any pounds of pull desired by the indi* vidual shooter; and in which the trigger is large enough to feel comfortable to the shooter without the aid of a trigger shoe.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a lock having a hammer spring which is under extremely high tension when the hammer is cocked, thereby greatly reducing lock time.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a lock in which there is a trigger safety lever which automatically prevents the trigger from being pulled until the breech bolt is safely fully closed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a lock in which the gun is ready to fire when the breech bolt is closed, thereby eliminating a possible penalty in competition for a lost target (target accidentally not fired at), such as might be caused by inadvertent failure to inactivate the safety.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a lock which blocks the shell magazine so that no shells can accidentally be loaded from the magazine.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a lock which is not only relatively economical, but is rugged, durable, and long-lived, and which also quickly and efficiently converts Remington Models 870 and 1100, for example, into single shot trap guns.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a lock which, when installed in a Remington Model 870 holds the bolt carrier closed until manually released, and in a Remington Model 1100 holds the breech bolt in open position after a shot is fired so that the shooter can manually insert the next round and thereafter release the bolt by tripping a conveniently located lever adjacent the trigger guard.

It is another object of the invention to provide a generally improved lock for trap type shotguns.

Other objects, together with the foregoing, are attained in the embodiments described in the following description and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, top rear perspective view, showing a typical receiver, such as the receiver for a Remington Pump Action Shotgun Model 870, together with a breech bolt and action bar structure, and with the lock and trigger mechanism of the invention below the receiver preparatory to being inserted upwards into the receiver;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal, median, sectional view of the trigger assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the position of the safety lever and trigger in safety condition;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view, to an enlarged scale, showing the locking engagement be tween the dog on the forward end of the safety lever and the after end of the action bar, effective to hold the breech bolt closed until after firing, at which time the dog is disengaged by tripping the release lever;

FIG. 5 is a view comparable to FIG. 2 but looking in the opposite direction, and showing a modified form of device for particular use with a Remington Automatic Shotgun Model 1100 and with the hammer cocked; and,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, to an enlarged scale, of the FIG. 5 form of device, showing the breech bolt dog in engagement with the breech bolt carrier, thereby holding the bolt open to allow manual loading of a single shell in the Model 1100.

While the lock and trigger mechanism of the invention is susceptible of numerous physical embodiments, depending upon the environment and requirements of use, substantial numbers of the herein shown and described embodiments have been made, tested, sold and used, and all have performed in an eminently satisfactory manner.

The first form of the lock of the invention is for particular use with a Remington Model 870 pump action type of shotgun and appears most clearly in FIGS. 1-3, being generally designated by the reference numeral 12.

The lock and trigger assembly 12 is so constructed that it can readily be substituted for the factory assembled structure with which the Model 870 is provided at the time of purchase, the same pins and openings in the receiver 13 being utilized.

The device comprises an elongated, U-shaped in transverse section housing 14, extending from a forward end 16 to an after end 17. The housing includes a floor 18, a left-hand side wall 19 and a right-hand side wall 21 defining an elongated channel 22. The housing 14 snugly fits in the trigger assembly receiver 13, being secured therein by pins extending through openings 23 and 24 in the receiver and through respective pairs of

openings

25 and 26 in the side walls. All of the

openings

25 and 26 are provided with O-rings 27.

Adjacent the forward end 16 of the housing is a loading platform 31, or shell carrier, comprising a pair of vertical side plates 32 spanning the fore and aft channel 22 and being pivotally mounted on a cross-pin 33 mounted in the

side walls

19 and 21. A cradle-shaped tongue 34, or tray, extends forwardly from the side plates 32 and the entire shell carrier is urged into an upper, base position by a spring wire 36 encompassing and retained by a cross pin 37, the spring 36 receiving its purchase by abutment of one end 38 against the housing floor 18. The other end 39 of the spring 36 bears upwardly against the bottom of the platform 31, as appears most clearly in FIG. 2. A limit stop is provided by the upper and lower end walls of a pair of ar cuate slots 40 in the side plates 32, the slots enclosing the cross pin 37.

The shell carrier 31 serves, in well-known fashion, to support a live shell inserted through the ejection port 41 in the receiver 13 after the breech bolt 42 is retracted rearwardly into open position. Then, when the breech bolt is translated forwardly into ready position, the shell supported on the carrier 31 is urged into the shell chamber ready for firing.

Aft of the carrier 31 is the hammer mechanism 43 including a hammer 44 pivotally mounted on a cross pin 46 spanning the

side walls

19 and 21. In customary fashion, the hammer 44 includes an arcuately con-- toured camming surface on its forward edge. The surface 45 is engaged by the breech bolt carrier as the breech bolt is opened, causing the hammer 44 to pivot rearwardly and downwardly in opposition to wire spring 47 encompassing the pivot pin 46 and having its purchase end 48 anchored in a recess 49 in the floor 18 while its biasing end 51 is transversely bent to lodge in a retention are 52 formed in the base of the hammer.

The arcuate surface 45 also serves to strike the guns firing pin when the cocked hammer is released from engagement with a sear 56 pivotally mounted on a cross pin 57 spanning the

side walls

19 and 21.

The upper forward end of the sear 56 is provided with a latch 58, or hook, contoured with extreme precision so as to engage a corresponding hook 59 formed by a notch 61 in the hammer 44. The respective hook contours and extent and manner of engagement are established with great care so that while the sear will not prematurely release the hammer, such as by a jar to the gun, it will immediately let go of the hammer when the trigger 63 is pulled.

Rearward movement of the trigger 63, disposed within the customary trigger guard 64 causes the forward end 66, or tip, of a fore and aft trigger lever 67 on top of the trigger 63 to tilt downwardly about the transverse pin 68 as a pivot. The after rearwardly jutting after end 69 of the trigger lever 67 is resiliently maintained in position by a spring 70 so that the forward end 66 of the trigger lightly touches the subjacent flange 71 projecting rearwardly from the bottom of the sear 56. The trigger pivot pin 68 spans the side walls of a trigger well 72 formed in the floor 18 of the housing.

Urging the sear flange 71 in an upward direction into light engagement with the superposed tip 66 of the trigger is a spring 73. As appears most clearly in FIG. 2, when the trigger 63 is pulled, thereby urging the tip 66 downwardly against the sear flange 71, the upward force exerted by the sear spring 73 is overcome and the sear latch hook 58 is moved toward the rear, thereby disengaging the hook 59 in the cocked hammer 44 and allowing the very strong hammer spring 47 to take charge and swiftly impel the hammer forwardly against the firing pin 60, thus firing the gun.

After the gun is fired, the breech bolt 42 is opened, by pump action in the case of a Model 870" and automatically by a Model 1 100 (using partially spent gas pressure). In either case, the empty shell is discharged outwardly through the ejection port 41 as the breech bolt 42 retracts. Concurrently, the engagement of the rearwardly moving breech bolt carrier 50 with the camming surface 45 of the elevated hammer 44 overcomes the strong force of the hammer spring 47 and pivots the tip end of the hammer rearwardly and downwardly into engagement with the tip end of the sear, thereby tilting the upper end of the sear slightly toward the rear, against the opposing urgency of the sear spring 73, until the hammer hook 59 engages the latch hook 58 of the sear. The re-cocked hammer is then ready to be released by the next pull of the trigger and thereby fire the gun.

In order to prevent premature trigger release, a safety lever 74 is provided. The safety lever 74 is an elongated member pivotally mounted on the hammer shaft 46 and extends rearwardly from a forward transverse dog 75 located a short distance above the subjacent upper edge 76 of the vertical wall 19.

When the breech bolt 42 is opened, by pulling aft on the fore end assembly (not shown), a pair of action bars, namely, a left-hand action bar 77 and a right-hand action bar 78, and an associated breech bolt carrier 50, are moved rearwardly. As will subsequently be explained a release lever 89 is tripped when the breech bolt is to be opened, the tripping action serving to depress the transverse forward dog 75 and the forward portion 80 of the safety lever 74 downwardly against the upward urgency of the safety lever spring 82, which is anchored in an opening in the upper portion of the left-hand side wall 19.

As the two action bars, the breech bolt carrier and the breech bolt continue moving rearwardly to their fully open position, the lower edge 83 of the left-hand action bar 77 slides along on top of the dog 75, thereby keeping the dog 75 and the foward lever portion 80 in depressed position.

Concurrently, the after portion 84 of the safety lever 74 pivots upwardly about the hammer shaft 46 as a pivot; and an inwardly oriented dog 86 at the aftermost end of the safety lever 74, underlying the forward projection of the trigger lever 67, elevates the forward end of the trigger, thereby lifting the trigger tip 66 upwardly out of engagement with the subjacent sear flange 71.

In other words, so long as the bolt is open and the left-hand action bar 77 overlies and holds down the forward dog 75 of the safety lever 74, the after dog 86 of the safety lever holds the trigger upwardly, spaced safely above the sear flange, so that the trigger mechanism is immobilized.

After a live shell is inserted through the ejection port 41 and onto the shell carrier 31, the bolt is closed by forward movement of the fore end assembly (not shown). Just as the after end of the left-hand action bar 77 is about to clear the forward dog 75, as appears most clearly in FIG. 4, the upward urgency of the safety lever spring 82 biases the dog 75 upwardly into the precisely machined notch 87 in the after end of the left-hand action bar 77, thereby correspondingly lowering the aftermost dog 86 and allowing the compression spring 70 below the after projection 69 of the trigger lever 67 to return the forward tip 66 of the trigger lever into light, touching engagement with the underlying flange 71 connected to the sear 56.

At this juncture, a pull on the trigger 63 will tilt the sear latch out of engagement with the hammer hook and allow the hammer to swing forwardly into abutment with the firing pin 60, thereby firing the shell.

The forward dog 75 and the notch 87 are so configured, as appears in FIG. 4, that the dog 75 securely retains the action bar 77, and thus the associated breech bolt assembly, in position as firing occurs. The breech bolt is thereby held in place against accidental opening until manually released, as previously indicated, by tripping the release lever 89 which is pivotally mounted on a cross pin 91 spanning a well 92 in the housing floor (see FIG. 2). The top surface 93 of the release lever 89 engages the bottom edge of the after portion 84 of the pivoted safety lever. Thus, by tripping the release lever 89, as by pulling rearwardly on its depending triggerlike portion 94, the forward dog 75 is depressed, thereby disengaging the notch 87 in the after end of the left-hand action bar 77 and allowing the breech bolt to be opened by the usual pump action of the-fore end assembly.

As the breech bolt 42 opens, the release lever 89 can be let go of since the lower edge 83 of the left-hand action bar 77 holds down the forward dog 75 and concurrently holds up the after dog 86, thereby keeping the trigger immobilized in elevated position, safely spaced above the sear flange 71. As the breech bolt moves rearwardly past the ejection port 41, the spent shell is ejected, thereby completing the cycle. The new cycle is commenced by inserting a live shell through the port 41 onto the shell carrier 31.

Reference is now had to the form of lock disclosed most clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6, this being the type used in a Remington Automatic Shotgun Model 1 100 and differs from the Model 870" form of lock previously described in only a few particulars. Consequently, elements which are common to both forms will be designated by the same reference numerals.

The Model 1100 form of lock now to be described does not have the same configuration as the forward transverse dog 75 of the Model 870 lock and no corresponding action bar notch 87 is provided, the reason being that in the Model 1 100 the breech bolt and attendant structure automatically remains closed as the shell is fired.

However, the modified form of transverse dog 96 as used in the Model 1 100 serves, as before, to elevate the trigger above the sear flange and thus immobilize the trigger when the bolt is open. In other words, as the shell is fired in the automatic Model 1100 a portion of the spent gases serve to retract the breech bolt at the appropriate time. As the left-hand action bar 90 retracts, it abuts and depresses'downwardly the forward dog 96 which is then held down by the superposed bottom edge of the action bar. Concurrently, the after dog 86 elevates and safely immobilizes the trigger 63, as previously explained.

Since there is no need for a manual release lever 89 to depress the forward dog, to allow the bolt to be opened, as is the case for the pump action Model 870, no such release is provided in the Model 1 form of device.

However, since an automatic type of shotgun will ordinarily return to battery, i.e., to firing position, of its own accord, under urgency of a closing spring, it is necessary to provide means for conveniently holding open the breech bolt until a live shell is manually inserted through the port 41 onto the shell carrier 31, at which juncture the hold open means can be deactivated and the breech bolt allowed to close.

Consequently, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a breech bolt carrier detent mechanism, or bolt carrier dog, generally designated by the reference numeral 97, is utilized.

The mechanism 97 includes a generally L-shaped lever 98, in the nature of a bell-crank, pivotally mounted on the sear cross pin 57, or sear shaft, the lever extending forwardly and downwardly to a location spaced slightly above the floor 18, at which location an arm 99 projects forwardly above a well 100 formed in the floor. Pivotally mounted on a transverse cross pin 101 spanning the well 100 is a bolt carrier release lever 102, the top edge 103 of which underlies the forward arm 99 of the bell-crank shaped lever 98.

The after portion 104 of the lever 98 extends upwardly and rearwardly and terminates in a somewhat rounded dog 106 adapted to lodge, at the appropriate juncture, in a corresponding recess 107 in the breech bolt carrier 108. A spring 109 retained on a pin 111 is anchored at one end on the housing floor 18 and at the other end bears forwardly against the back edge of the after portion 104 of the lever 98.

When the breech bolt and the bolt carrier are impelled rearwardly after the Model 1100 is fired the spent shell is ejected through the port 41 as the breech bolt and the carrier travel rearwardly to the full limit of their stroke, as shown in broken line in FIG. 6. In so doing, the bottom surface 112 of the bolt carrier 108 wipes over the tip 106, or dog, of the lever 98 and causes the lever to pivot in a clockwise direction, as appears in FIGS. 5 and 6, in opposition to the forward urgency of the spring 109.

The recess 107 also passes directly over and slightly beyond the dog 106 on the after tip end of the lever as the carrier proceeds to the rear to its maximum extent, prior to reversing direction so as to move forwardly, under spring force, to base, or closed, position. Shortly after the direction reversal takes place, and the carrier is just beginning to gain momentum, the detent mechanism 97 takes effect. In other words, just as the recess 107 begins to pass over the dog 106, just after the carrier starts its return forward motion, the upwardly and rearwardly oriented dog 106, being spring-biased in an upward sense, substantially instantaneously projects upwardly into and lodges in the recess 107 in the bottom of the carrier 108, thereby detaining the carrier in fixed position so that a single live shell can conveniently be introduced through the port 41 on to the loading platform 31. After the shell is inserted, the release lever 102 can be tripped, by pulling back on the depending trigger portion, thereby pivotally lowering the dog 106 out of the recess 107 and allowing the carrier to return forwardly to base position. After the car rier moves forwardly beyond the dog 106, and the lever 102 is released, the spring 109 returns the detent mechanism 97 to base position, preparatory to beginning the next cycle.

As will be recognized by one skilled in the art, it can be seen (both in connection with the pump action Model 870 and the automatic Model 1100) that locks of the present invention are located so as to block the gun magazines (not shown). As a consequence, any shells inadvertently left in the magazine cannot be transferred to the firing position such as might otherwise happen in the excitement of competition and where the present locks are not employed.

It can therefore be seen that I have provided a lock which is not only compatible with existing shotguns of both the pump action and automatic types, and which affords numerous safety and fool-proof features, but which also greatly improves performance, it having been determined that as much as a 40 percent improvement in lock time can readily be achieved by using locks constructed in accordance with the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Lock for trap-type shot guns including a trigger plate assembly receiver, a breech bolt, a firing pin, a breech bolt carrier, a pair of action bars and a shell chamber, said lock comprising:

a. an elongated, U-shaped in transverse section housing extending from an after end to a forward end and including a horizontal floor and a pair of vertical side walls defining an elongated channel, said housing being snugly receivable in the trigger plate assembly receiver;

b. a hammer shaft transversely spanning said channel and mounted on said side walls;

c. a hammer pivotally mounted at one end on said shaft, said hammer including a hook adjacent the other end;

(1. a spring mounted on said housing and engaging said hammer, said spring being effective to bias said other end of said hammer from a lowered cocked position toward an elevated released position, thereby striking and actuating the firing pin;

e. a sear shaft transversely disposed in said channel adjacent the after end of said channel and mounted on said side walls; a sear pivotally mounted on said sear shaft, said sear including a latch on one end capable of engaging said hammer hook in the lowered cocked position of said hammer, and a flange on the other end, said flange extending rearwardly in a substantially horizontal direction and spaced above said floor;

g. spring means on said housing engaging said sear, said spring means being effective to urge said flange in an upward direction away from said floor and bias said sear latch into engagement with said hammer hook;

h. a trigger rockably mounted on said housing, said trigger including a forward trigger tip overlying said flange of said sear, and a depending trigger pull;

i. trigger biasing means on said housing engaging said trigger, said biasing means being effective to maintain said forward tip of said trigger in light touching engagement with said sear flange, the force exerted by said trigger at the time of firing being sufficient to depress said trigger tip against said flange and thereby pivot said sear latch out of engagement with said hammer hook to release said hammer;

j. a spring-urged shell carrier pivotally mounted on said housing forwardly from'said hammer, said carrier being capable of supporting a shell prior to insertion into the shell chamber;

k. an elongated fore and aft safety lever pivotally mounted on said hammer shaft, said safety lever including a forward portion terminating at the forward end in a transverse projection spaced above the subjacent one of said side walls for camming engagement with the adjacent superposed action bar as the breech bolt is retracted into open position;

. a safety lever biasing spring on said housing urging said forward portion of said lever in an upward direction;

m. said safety lever also including a rearwardly extending portion terminating in an after lateral projection underlying the forward end of said trigger, the action bar being effective to cam said forward transverse projection downwardly and correspondingly to move said after lateral projection upwardly against the forward end of said trigger, thereby moving said trigger upwardly into immovable position spaced above said sear flange, said safety lever being disengaged from the action bar as the breech bolt is returned forwardly to firing position, thereby allowing said lever biasing spring to pivot said after lateral projection downwardly away from said trigger, said trigger biasing means being thereupon effective to urge said after lateral projection of said safety lever downwardly and to return said forward tip end of said trigger into light touching engagement with said flange of said sear, said forward transverse projection on said safety lever concurrently being elevated by said lever biasing spring into uppermost position.

2. A gun lock as in claim 1 wherein said forward transverse projection of said safety lever is shaped to conform to a corresponding notch formed in the after end of said adjacent action bar, and wherein said forward transverse projection is lodged in said notch with said forward transverse projection in said uppermost position and with the breech bolt and action bar in forwardmost closed position, said breech bolt and said action bar being thereby locked in closed position as firing occurs.

3. A gun lock as in claim 2 further including a trip lever rockably mounted on said housing, said trip lever including a lower finger engageable portion and an upper camming surface underlying said rearwardly extending portion of said safety lever, said trip lever being capable of elevating said rearwardly extending lever portion and correspondingly depressing said forward transverse projection out of engagement with said notch in the action bar, thereby releasing the action bar and allowing the breech bolt to be opened.

4. A gun lock as in claim 1 further including an elongated fore and aft breech bolt detent centrally pivoted on said sear shaft, said detent including a forwardly and downwardly extending tongue portion located adjacent said floor and an upwardly projecting dog capable of thereby allowing the breech bolt to return to closed position.

5. A gun lock as in claim 4 in which said camming surface of said release lever protrudes upwardly through a slot in said floor and the forward end of said tongue overlies and lightly engages said camming surface for elevation thereby as said release lever is actuated.

Claims

1. Lock for trap-type shot guns including a trigger plate assembly receiver, a breech bolt, a firing pin, a breech bolt carrier, a pair of action bars and a shell chamber, said lock comprising: a. an elongated, U-shaped in transverse section housing extending from an after end to a forward end and including a horizontal floor and a pair of vertical side walls defining an elongated channel, said housing being snugly receivable in the trigger plate assembly receiver; b. a hammer shaft transversely spanning said channel and mounted on saId side walls; c. a hammer pivotally mounted at one end on said shaft, said hammer including a hook adjacent the other end; d. a spring mounted on said housing and engaging said hammer, said spring being effective to bias said other end of said hammer from a lowered cocked position toward an elevated released position, thereby striking and actuating the firing pin; e. a sear shaft transversely disposed in said channel adjacent the after end of said channel and mounted on said side walls; f. a sear pivotally mounted on said sear shaft, said sear including a latch on one end capable of engaging said hammer hook in the lowered cocked position of said hammer, and a flange on the other end, said flange extending rearwardly in a substantially horizontal direction and spaced above said floor; g. spring means on said housing engaging said sear, said spring means being effective to urge said flange in an upward direction away from said floor and bias said sear latch into engagement with said hammer hook; h. a trigger rockably mounted on said housing, said trigger including a forward trigger tip overlying said flange of said sear, and a depending trigger pull; i. trigger biasing means on said housing engaging said trigger, said biasing means being effective to maintain said forward tip of said trigger in light touching engagement with said sear flange, the force exerted by said trigger at the time of firing being sufficient to depress said trigger tip against said flange and thereby pivot said sear latch out of engagement with said hammer hook to release said hammer; j. a spring-urged shell carrier pivotally mounted on said housing forwardly from said hammer, said carrier being capable of supporting a shell prior to insertion into the shell chamber; k. an elongated fore and aft safety lever pivotally mounted on said hammer shaft, said safety lever including a forward portion terminating at the forward end in a transverse projection spaced above the subjacent one of said side walls for camming engagement with the adjacent superposed action bar as the breech bolt is retracted into open position; l. a safety lever biasing spring on said housing urging said forward portion of said lever in an upward direction; m. said safety lever also including a rearwardly extending portion terminating in an after lateral projection underlying the forward end of said trigger, the action bar being effective to cam said forward transverse projection downwardly and correspondingly to move said after lateral projection upwardly against the forward end of said trigger, thereby moving said trigger upwardly into immovable position spaced above said sear flange, said safety lever being disengaged from the action bar as the breech bolt is returned forwardly to firing position, thereby allowing said lever biasing spring to pivot said after lateral projection downwardly away from said trigger, said trigger biasing means being thereupon effective to urge said after lateral projection of said safety lever downwardly and to return said forward tip end of said trigger into light touching engagement with said flange of said sear, said forward transverse projection on said safety lever concurrently being elevated by said lever biasing spring into uppermost position.

4. A gun lock as in claim 1 further including an elongated fore and aft breech bolt detent centrally pivoted on said sear shaft, said detent including a forwardly and downwardly extending tongue portion located adjacent said floor and an upwardly projecting dog capable of engaging and retaining the breech bolt in open position; spring means on said housing urging said dog upwardly and simultaneously urging said tongue portion downwardly against said floor; and a release lever pivotally mounted on said housing, said release lever including a camming surface engageable with the bottom of said tongue, the camming surface being effective to elevate said tongue and correspondingly disengage said dog from said bolt as said release lever is actuated, thereby allowing the breech bolt to return to closed position.