1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an adjustable recoil apparatus for an automatic firearm.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In an automatic firearm, such as an automatic pistol, a round within a firing chamber is detonated by impact from a firing pin. The explosion of the detonated charge produces a rapidly expanding volume of gas. The expanding gas propels a bullet from the round longitudinally through the barrel of the weapon. In addition, the expanding gas produces a force which propels the slide of the weapon located atop the pistol frame rearwardly relative to the frame. As the slide moves rearwardly an ejection finger or ramp ejects the spent shell from the firearm through the breech. In addition to effectuating ejection of the shell, the rearward movement of the slide cocks and feeds the next round to be fired into the slide. Successive rounds are typically provided from a magazine which, in the case of an automatic pistol, is normally located in the handle of the pistol frame.
A recoil spring system is provided in an automatic firearm to return the slide forwardly along the pistol frame to position the next successive round in the firing chamber and to latch the slide relative to the frame. In conventional automatic firearms, such as automatic pistols, there is a single recoil spring located in the frame beneath the barrel. However, for some ammunition loads the recoil spring may provide too great a recoil force, and for other ammunition loads the force may be too light. If the recoil force is too great for the ammunition load the slide will not be fully propelled to the rear of the firearm frame. When this occurs the firearm will fail to eject the shell. On the other hand, if the recoil spring system is too light for the ammunition load there is an excessive amount of shock or "kick" within the firearm. This impairs the ability to accurately aim successive rounds during rapid firing.
Currently, in competition shooting a competitor will typically have at hand several alternative springs which can be interchangeably installed in an automatic firearm to provide the appropriate force for the ammunition load being used. However, in order to change recoil springs in the firearm the recoil system must be substantially disassembled. This results in a delay in shooting and also an inconvenience in locating an appropriate spring among a competitor's equipment.