Abstract: A charging handle for a rifle has a grip that is pivotable and slidable on a base connected to a bolt carrier through a rod. A latch mounted on the base engages the receiver of the rifle. The latch is pivotable on the base to release the charging handle from the receiver when cocking the bolt carrier. Pivoting of the latch is effected through a cam attached to the grip. The cam contacts a cam follower on the latch. Both pivoting and sliding motion of the grip relative to the base pivot the latch to effect release of the charging handle from the receiver.

Abstract: A revolver has a detent mechanism providing positive mechanical engagement between the cylinder yoke and the frame. A housing mounted on the frame has a spring biased plunger that transversely engages a pin. The pin projects from the housing and engages a recess on the yoke when the revolver cylinder is closed. The pin is biased into engagement with the recess by the plunger to maintain the revolver closed and the chambers of the cylinder in precise alignment with the barrel during firing. Manual force applied to the cylinder can overcome the biasing force and permit the revolver to be opened and closed.

Abstract: A revolver has a detent mechanism providing positive mechanical engagement between the cylinder yoke and the frame. A housing mounted on the frame has a spring biased plunger that transversely engages a pin. The pin projects from the housing and engages a recess on the yoke when the revolver cylinder is closed. The pin is biased into engagement with the recess by the plunger to maintain the revolver closed and the chambers of the cylinder in precise alignment with the barrel during firing. Manual force applied to the cylinder can overcome the biasing force and permit the revolver to be opened and closed.

Abstract: A revolver has a shroud for housing a barrel. The shroud has a receptacle formed on an upper surface. The receptacle is aligned with one sight receiving flat on an exterior periphery of the barrel. The flat is located adjacent to the muzzle end of the barrel. A front sight is disposed within the receptacle. A bottom portion of the sight is in registration with the flat so as to prevent rotation of the barrel.

Abstract: A revolver has a detent mechanism providing positive mechanical engagement between the cylinder yoke and the frame. A housing mounted on the frame has a spring biased plunger that transversely engages a pin. The pin projects from the housing and engages a recess on the yoke when the revolver cylinder is closed. The pin is biased into engagement with the recess by the plunger to maintain the revolver closed and the chambers of the cylinder in precise alignment with the barrel during firing. Manual force applied to the cylinder can overcome the biasing force and permit the revolver to be opened and closed.

Abstract: An end cap for a semiautomatic pistol is mounted at the breech end of a slide to maintain the striker assembly in place when subject to inertial loads. The end cap includes a body with a base and a cover. A metal plate is mounted between the base and cover to prevent striker blow-out in the event that a primer is pierced. Flexible, resilient projections extend from the base and engage the slide within a recess, the projections extending transversely to the firing axis to counter inertial forces that might otherwise dislodge the end cap and cause a stoppage.

Abstract: A sight for a pistol has a sliding fit within a channel in the slide of the pistol. A fastener retains the sight to the slide. The fastener passes through a slot in the slide. The slot is surrounded by a countersink surface and has a major dimension oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the slide. The fastener has a conical head with a cone angle which may be the same as or different from the angle of the countersink surface.

Abstract: A revolver has a shroud for housing a barrel. The shroud has a receptacle formed on an upper surface. The receptacle is aligned with one sight receiving flat on an exterior periphery of the barrel. The flat is located adjacent to the muzzle end of the barrel. A front sight is disposed within the receptacle. A bottom portion of the sight is in registration with the flat so as to prevent rotation of the barrel.

Abstract: A charging handle for a rifle has a grip that is pivotable and slidable on a base connected to a bolt carrier through a rod. A latch mounted on the base engages the receiver of the rifle. The latch is pivotable on the base to release the charging handle from the receiver when cocking the bolt carrier. Pivoting of the latch is effected through a cam attached to the grip. The cam contacts a cam follower on the latch. Both pivoting and sliding motion of the grip relative to the base pivot the latch to effect release of the charging handle from the receiver.

Abstract: A revolver has a spring biased rod that extends from the cylinder, the rod having a tip that engages a portion of the frame to retain the cylinder within the aperture of the frame during firing. The rod is movable out of engagement with the frame portion to release the cylinder and allow it to pivot on a yoke for ejection of spent shells and reloading. A pin is mounted in the yoke so as to engage a recess in the frame when the cylinder is within the aperture of the frame. The pin retains the cylinder within the aperture and is spring loaded and movable out of engagement with the recess to permit the cylinder to pivot on the yoke for ejection of spent shells and reloading.

Abstract: A barrel for a semiautomatic firearm operating under the short recoil system has one or more cam followers projecting outwardly to engage one or more cams positioned on an inner surface of a slide surrounding the barrel. Interaction between the cams and the cam followers controls the angle between the longitudinal axis of the barrel and the axis of motion of the slide to prevent the breech end of the barrel from moving too far as the barrel tilts as it unlocks from the slide, ensuring that the extractor will engage the rim of a spent casing and extract it from the chamber during recoil.

Abstract: A barrel for a semiautomatic firearm operating under the short recoil system has one or more cam followers projecting outwardly to engage one or more cams positioned on an inner surface of a slide surrounding the barrel. Interaction between the cams and the cam followers controls the angle between the longitudinal axis of the barrel and the axis of motion of the slide to prevent the breech end of the barrel from moving too far as the barrel tilts as it unlocks from the slide, ensuring that the extractor will engage the rim of a spent casing and extract it from the chamber during recoil.

Abstract: To prevent inertial forces from inadvertently releasing the slide of a semi-automatic pistol into battery, a slide stop retention mechanism is mounted on the frame. A finger extends from the mechanism and pivots under the force of a biasing spring into engagement with the slide stop when the slide is in the open position. The finger supports the slide stop. A force applied to the slide stop, either manually or via a cam on the slide when the slide is pulled back and released, will move the finger out of its supporting position and allow the slide to move to battery.