Abstract: A combined handgrip and trigger guard for a firearm has a handgrip section and a trigger guard section. Preferably, the handgrip section and trigger guard section are provided as an integral one-piece polymer member. The trigger guard section extends from the handgrip section in a general cantilevered configuration. A free end of the cantilever trigger guard section has an integral pin section that is located in a hole of a frame of the firearm. Locating the free end of the trigger guard section against the frame with the pin section in the hole of the frame is the only direct connection of the trigger guard section to the frame and does not use additional fasteners directly between the trigger guard section and the frame.

Abstract: A pistol with a barrel assembly having a barrel, a barrel rib, and a front sight. The barrel rib is removably connected to the barrel. The front sight is stationarily connected to the barrel by entrapment of a portion of the sight by the rib against the barrel. The entrapment by the rib is the sole connection of the sight to the barrel and barrel rib.

Abstract: A revolver having a barrel and a cartridge cylinder. The barrel has a rifled barrel bore, a barrel throat, and an entrance into the barrel throat. The barrel throat is located at a rear end of the barrel bore and has a general cone shape. The entrance is located at a rear end of the barrel throat and has a uniform constant diameter. The rear end of the barrel can be reduced to adjust a gap between the rear end of the barrel and the cylinder without having to re-work the barrel throat.

Abstract: A firearm cartridge with a pre-pressurizing charge and a main propellant charge. The pre-pressurizing charge is located adjacent the rear end of the projectile. The pre-pressurizing charge can burn and exert pressure on the main propellant charge without igniting the main propellant charge.

Abstract: An light-energy initiated firing system for a firearm in which optical light-conducting fibers extend from a source of high frequency energy to adjacent a cartridge so that energy passes through the fibers will pass into the cartridge and initiate a propellant therein. The firearm cartridge may include a ignition composition (e.g., a primer) position forward of at least part of the propellant and be constructed so that high frequency (e.g., laser) energy will pass into the cartridge and initiate the forward-positioned propellant. The system includes safety systems for interrupting the energy path to prevent primer initiation when the action of the firearm is not in battery or when such initiation otherwise is undesired.

Abstract: A cartridge magazine for use with a firearm includes a housing, a spring, and a follower. The follower is comprised of sheet metal that is cut and stamped to form a top section and two side sections. The top has a cartridge trough on its top side and a spring trough on its bottom side. The side sections and top section establish a spring receiving cavity.

Abstract: A firearm cartridge magazine comprising a housing and a battery. The magazine is adapted to be removably connected to a firearm to house and dispense firearm cartridges. The battery can supply power to the firearm such as for a battery operated firing system. In a preferred embodiment, the battery is the sole power source for the firearm such that the firearm can only fire when the magazine is properly connected to the firearm.

Abstract: A spring and plunger assembly for use with a barrel bushing and slide of a firearm for axially positioning the bushing and slide relative to each other. The bushing has a frame with a locking plunger hole. Located in the plunger hole is a coiled spring with a plunger connected thereto. The coiled spring has a first end that has a tight coil shape that is frictionally mounted over an end shank of the plunger. The coiled spring also has a second end with an enlarged coil shape that is compressed and press fit into the plunger hole to frictionally hold the spring and plunger to the bushing.

Abstract: A cartridge magazine for use with a firearm includes a housing, a spring, and a follower. The follower is comprised of sheet metal that is cut and stamped to form a top section and two side sections. The top has a cartridge trough on its top side and a spring trough on its bottom side. The side sections and top section establish a spring receiving cavity.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a firearm to prevent the firearm from firing except when the trigger has been moved to a predetermined position. The mechanism includes a plunger and a blocker. The blocker is movably mounted to the slide at a position in front of a striker to prevent the striker from moving forward to strike a cartridge. The plunger is movably mounted to a portion of the frame and is adapted to be moved by the trigger. The plunger, in turn, is adapted to move the blocker to allow a clear path for the striker to move forward to strike a cartridge.

Abstract: An adapter for use with a rifle mountable grenade launcher unit to form a stand alone hand held grenade launcher. The adapter includes a rod to be inserted into a rifle barrel receiving hole of grenade launcher unit and a recoil surface that can be located, at least partially, behind the barrel bore of the grenade launcher unit. The recoil surface intersects the center axis of the grenade launcher unit barrel bore such that recoil after firing can be absorbed in line with the barrel bore to thereby minimize muzzle climb.

Abstract: An anti-conversion block for use with a semi-automatic firearm and a method of manufacturing a semi-automatic firearm. The anti-conversion block prevents the conversion of the firearm into a fully automatic firearm. The block is fixedly mounted in the lower receiver of the firearm with pins press fit through the lower receiver into blind holes in the block. The block has a first section for preventing operational installation of a trigger other than a predetermined type of trigger into the firearm, a second section for preventing operational installation of a hammer other than a predetermined type of hammer into the firearm, and a third section for preventing operational installation of a bolt assembly other than a predetermined type of bolt assembly into the firearm.

Abstract: An assembly for testing the inner diameter of a rifled barrel of a firearm and a method of manufacturing the same. The assembly has a frame with side air discharge apertures and is intended to be connected to an air gauge. The assembly has a timing sleeve that is removably mounted to the frame such that the sleeve can be replaced when it becomes worn or when the assembly is intended to be used with a barrel having a different type of rifling. The assembly also comprises a wear ring such that the wear ring and timing sleeve absorb abrasive contact in the barrel to reduce abrasive contact by the barrel on the frame.

Abstract: A recoil spring assembly for use with a semi-automatic firearm having a slide. The assembly has an elongate guide, an elongate coil spring mounted over the guide, and an end cap snap locked onto the guide. The assembly also has a washer movably mounted on the guide. The spring is retained on the guide between the end cap and the washer. The guide has a ledge to prevent the washer from being pushed off a first end of the guide by the spring. The assembly can be inserted into and removed from the firearm without risk of the spring becoming dismounted from the guide.

Abstract: A spring assembly for use in a firing pin assembly of a firearm and a method of manufacturing the spring assembly. The spring assembly has two spring guides with longitudinal slots. One of the guides has a side aperture such that the two guides can be connected to each other with portions of the guides located in the other guide's slot. A spring is located between portions of the two guides. The guides can move relative to each other with a limited range of motion in a substantially linear path and the spring can bias the guides back to an extended position.

Abstract: A spring for positioning a sear of a firearm and a method of manufacturing a firearm. The spring has a first section that is connected to the frame of the firearm, a second section that exerts a biasing force against the sear in a first direction, and a third section adapted to move in a direction relatively perpendicular to the direction of the second section. The second and third sections are preferably leaf springs and are adapted to position the sear in two positions depended upon movement of the trigger.

Abstract: A system for movably positioning a first member relative to a second member. The system has a hole in the first member and a coiled spring/plunger member positioned in the hole. The coiled member has a section that extends out of the hole that does not possess significant spring properties and thus can act as a plunger. The plunger section of the coiled member can be moved in and out of an aperture to the hole without risk of damage. Thus, the second member can be moved relative to the first member by compressing the coiled member or moving away from the coiled member and, the coiled member can position the second member relative to the first member while at rest.

Abstract: A reversible magazine catch assembly has a housing, a movable mounting pin and a coiled spring. The housing has a spring channel generally perpendicular to and intersecting a pin hole, and a magazine locking rib. The spring channel is formed by drilling three parallel holes into the housing at different directions to provide lateral support for the coiled spring. The spring biases the housing relative to the pin and forms a slidable friction hold of the pin. The pin has ledges that interact with the spring and housing to prevent it from being pushed out of the housing.