US12372322 - Auto-loading firearm with selectable live fire and training modes

This patent describes an auto-loading firearm that can switch between live fire and training modes, allowing for realistic training without discharging ammunition. In training mode, the firearm features an automatic trigger resetting mechanism that simulates the trigger’s function without firing.

Claim 1

1. A method of operating an auto-loading firearm comprising: loading a live fire magazine into the firearm, the live fire magazine having a bullet therein; thereafter, moving a trigger of the firearm from a home position to a depressed position and firing the firearm and discharging the bullet therefrom; thereafter, loading a training magazine into the firearm, the training magazine having no bullets for discharge therein; in response to loading the training magazine, releasing a first portion and a second portion of a trigger bar of the firearm from one another; in response to loading the training magazine, moving the first portion of the trigger bar and an automatic trigger resetting mechanism into operational proximity to one another; thereafter, moving the trigger from the home position to the depressed position with the training magazine loaded in the firearm; and thereafter, in response to moving the trigger to the depressed position with the training magazine in the firearm, automatically moving the trigger from the depressed position to the home position. loading a live fire magazine into the firearm, the live fire magazine having a bullet therein; thereafter, moving a trigger of the firearm from a home position to a depressed position and firing the firearm and discharging the bullet therefrom; thereafter, loading a training magazine into the firearm, the training magazine having no bullets for discharge therein; in response to loading the training magazine, releasing a first portion and a second portion of a trigger bar of the firearm from one another; in response to loading the training magazine, moving the first portion of the trigger bar and an automatic trigger resetting mechanism into operational proximity to one another; thereafter, moving the trigger from the home position to the depressed position with the training magazine loaded in the firearm; and thereafter, in response to moving the trigger to the depressed position with the training magazine in the firearm, automatically moving the trigger from the depressed position to the home position.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12372322

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12372322