Ruger Awarded Double Stack .22LR Magazine Patent

A new patent from Ruger illustrates an exciting update to the classic 22/45 pistol. It seems that Ruger has developed a double-stack magazine! Let's take a look at the details.

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US Patent #12498189 depicts a double-stack magazine design for Ruger rimfire pistols. This is a single-feed design that widens into two columns in the lower portion of the magazine. The cartridge stack allows the rims to rotate out to the sides while keeping the bullet centered. The cartridges also rotate to face upward from the cartridge stack so they sit level with the action at the feed location.

Looking at the images in the patent, the magazine floorplate is the width of the frame on the 22/45 pistol. These images do not have dimensions on them, but the overall layout of the gun looks very similar to existing models. If a new frame design can accept these magazines without changing the external dimensions, it will be a boon to shooters who are accustomed to shooting these guns. Also, if the frame fits a standard upper, this could be sold as an aftermarket item to add to current 22/45 pistols built on the Mark 4 architecture. And because the upper is the serialized component instead of the lower on these guns, it could be sold as an accessory without a background check! We don’t know any of this for sure yet, so don’t make plans with this information. But our hopes are up, too.

The images and application to Ruger pistols like a 22/45 are obvious, but the patent is much broader than that specific design. Rather than being a patent on one particular pistol magazine, this is a patent for a method of stacking rimmed cartridges in a detachable magazine. The patent mentions .22 WMR, .30-30, and 7.62x54r as other rimmed cartridges where this design could be used. Who needs a double-stack .30-30 magazine? I don’t know. Maybe someone out there would find a use for that.