Trigger and hammer for automatic and semi-automatic rifles

What is this patent about?

’607 is related to the field of firearm fire control systems, specifically focusing on the mechanical interface between the trigger and the hammer. In traditional small arms, the sear engagement is typically located near the pivot points of the fire control components, which often results in a heavy or “creepy” trigger pull due to the high frictional forces and limited mechanical advantage inherent in those geometries.

The underlying idea behind ’607 is to relocate the primary sear engagement point further away from the hammer’s axis of rotation to increase the arcuate distance traveled by the sear surfaces relative to the trigger pull. By moving the engagement to the lateral sides of the hammer body—specifically between the pivot axis and the striking head—the system achieves a greater mechanical advantage that reduces perceived friction and allows for a crisper, more predictable release without requiring a dangerously light spring weight.

The claims of ’607 focus on a hammer and trigger geometry where at least one hammer sear extends laterally from the side of the hammer body in a direction parallel to the rotation axis. This sear is positioned longitudinally between the hammer’s pivot pin and its striking surface. The corresponding trigger sear is designed to extend upward and forward from the trigger frame to meet this offset hammer sear, effectively straddling the hammer body to facilitate engagement.

In practice, this arrangement allows the sear surfaces to overlap more significantly than in conventional designs, providing a more secure engagement that is nonetheless easier to break. Because the sear contact occurs at a greater radius from the trigger’s pivot, a small movement of the finger translates into a larger displacement at the sear interface. This geometry is particularly effective in two-stage configurations, where a take-up spring provides initial resistance before the user encounters the final, short-travel break of the primary sear.

This approach differs from prior art by moving away from the standard practice of placing sears on the bottom or rear of the hammer base near the pivot pin. By utilizing the lateral space alongside the hammer, the invention avoids interference with the hammer spring while providing a longer lever arm for the sear interface. This results in a fire control group that offers the precision of a match-grade trigger with the mechanical reliability and sear engagement depth required for duty or combat firearms.