SLIDE RETRACTION LEVERS FOR USE WITH FIREARMS

Abstract

Slide retraction levers for use with firearms are described. In one example implementation, the slide retraction lever for use with a firearm includes a first handle and a second handle. The first and second handles are used to retract the slide retraction lever. Additionally, the first and second handles are positioned on opposite sides of the slide retraction lever. The slide retraction lever further includes a locking device that is associated with the first handle. Operating the first handle releases an engagement with the firearm. Additionally, the locking device is associated with the second handle. Operating the second handle releases the engagement with the firearm independent of the operation of the first handle.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent is a continuation of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/EP2007/001005, filed Feb. 6, 2007, which claims priority to German Patent Application 10 2006 006 034.2, filed on Feb. 9, 2006, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This patent relates generally to firearms and, more specifically, to slide retraction levers for use with firearms.

BACKGROUND

Some semi-automatic hand held firearms, including lower-cost semi-automatic rifles for small-caliber cartridges, are provided with a slide retraction lever or locking device that is coupled to the breech and extends through the weapon housing. The slide-retraction lever can advantageously be used to press the breech shut if it does not fully and/or properly close. However, because the slide retraction lever is coupled to the breech, it extends through the weapon housing and must be allowed to move parallel to the firearm. Specifically, as the breech opens and closes during firing, the slide retraction lever moves along with the breech on the outside of the firearm. If the slide retraction lever collides with an obstacle, there is a tendency for the firearm to jam. Additionally, injury may occur if the slide retraction lever collides with a body part of the marksman or a person in close proximity to the marksman.

Prior to the First World War, reloading devices were manufactured that were provided with a slide retraction lever that decoupled from the breech after the breech was initially retracted to chamber a round (e.g., a bullet). By decoupling the slide retraction lever from the breech, the slide retraction lever no longer had the tendency to collide with obstacles. However, the slide retraction lever could not advantageously be used to close the breech if it did not fully and/or properly close. Today, slide retraction levers typically decouple from the breech.

Known slide retraction levers are attached to either the right side or the left side of the firearm. For example, DE 101 22 345 C1, which is assigned to the assignee of the present patent, describes a cocking lever that is attached to one side of the firearm. The cocking lever may move the breech against the force of a spring into various positions. The weapon housing is provided with a longitudinal slot with a rigid clamping rail in which the cocking lever can be inserted and clamped.

Additionally, for example DE 39 28 125 A1, which is assigned to the assignee of the present patent, describes a slide retraction lever that is rotatable between the right side and the left side of the firearm. The slide retraction lever is inserted in a slot that longitudinally extends in the weapon housing outside of the firearm.

Further, DE 19545774 C2, which is assigned to the assignee of the present patent, describes a self-loading rifle that includes a cocking lever with a hand grip that protrudes from the weapon housing. The cocking lever can only be operated on one side of the firearm. The cocking lever is biased by a spring and includes a nose that can engage a construction within the weapon housing. To disengage the nose from the construction, the hand grip can be rotated while sliding the cocking lever back.

The American M16A2 includes a slide retraction lever that has a T-shaped hand grip that can be operated from both sides of the firearm. However, an arm that is removably coupled to the weapon housing between an unlocked and a locked position is only on one side of the hand grip. Specifically, the arm includes a protrusion that engages a recess defined by the weapon housing to substantially prevent movement of the slide retraction lever relative to the weapon housing. To release the slide retraction lever, the protrusion is removed from the recess by rotating the arm.

During operation and/or firing of military rifles, conditions such as pollution and temperature vary, which impact the likelihood of a cartridge getting jammed in a cartridge chamber. If a cartridge gets jammed, the breech can no longer properly close and the rifle may become inoperable. Additionally, significant danger may be posed to the operator if the breech is unable to close.

Known reloading devices can operate only from the right side or the left side of the firearm. Specifically, in known firearms, the slide retraction lever locks (e.g., engages the recess) on only one side of the firearm. Therefore, known slide retraction levers are designed for a right handed marksman or a left handed marksman, but not a right handed marksman and a left handed marksman. Having different firearms for right handed marksmen and left handed marksmen impacts costs related to storage, distribution, logistics and administration. Additionally, firearms manufactured for left-handed marksman increase production and acquisition costs because production runs are relatively low.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partially sectional view of a portion of an example firearm including an example slide retraction lever.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example firearm and the example slide retraction lever of FIG. 1 in a locked position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example firearm and the example slide retraction lever of FIG. 1 in an unlocked position.

FIG. 4a illustrates a top view of the example slide retraction lever of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4b illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the example slide retraction lever of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the example slide retraction lever of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6a illustrates a perspective view of the example slide retraction lever of FIG. 1 and an example guide.

FIG. 6b illustrates a bottom view of the example slide retraction lever and the example guide of FIG. 6a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. In describing these examples, like or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity. Additionally, several examples have been described throughout this specification. Any features from any example may be included with, a replacement for, or otherwise combined with other features from other examples. Further, throughout this description, position designations such as “above,” “below,” “top,” “forward,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” etc. are referenced to a firearm held in a normal firing position (i.e., wherein the “shooting direction” is pointed away from the marksman in a generally horizontal direction) and from the point of view of the marksman. Furthermore, the normal firing position of the weapon is always assumed, i.e., the position in which the barrel runs along a horizontal axis.

The example methods and apparatus described herein can be used advantageously to retract a slide-retraction lever on either the right hand side or the left hand side of a firearm. In particular, the example methods and apparatus described herein can be interchangeable used by both right handed marksmen and left handed marksmen to retract the slide retraction lever to move the breech system and/or to remove jammed cartridges from a cartridge chamber. The example methods and apparatus described herein reduce costs associated with storing and distributing the firearms because the same firearms may be used by both right handed marksmen and left handed marksmen. Further, the example methods and apparatus described herein reduce costs associated with manufacturing because different parts are no longer needed to manufacture weapons for right handed marksmen and weapons for left handed marksmen.

The example methods and apparatus described herein relate to a firearm that is provided with a slide retraction lever that includes a first handle and a second handle to move the slide retraction lever. The first handle and the second handle are arranged on opposite sides of the weapon. The first handle and the second handle each include a clip that is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position to release the slide retraction lever upon operating either the first handle or the second handle.

FIG. 1 is an illustrated example of a firearm 100 including a weapon housing 2, a barrel 4, a breach system 6, a stock 8, a trigger 10, and a handle 12. For clarity, some components are not depicted and/or described herein such as, for example, a trigger mechanism.

A cartridge chamber 102 is positioned towards the rear of the barrel 4 and is adjacent the breech system 6. The breech system 6 can move within the weapon housing 2 to lock and/or move a cartridge (not shown) into the cartridge chamber 102 (e.g., the position in which the cartridge may be fired through the barrel 4). The breech system 6 includes a breach head 16 and a breach block support 18. A surface 104 of the breech head 16 defines a recess 106 that substantially corresponds to a size and/or a shape of the cartridge. An extractor (not shown) is positioned adjacent the recess 106 and engages an edge (e.g., a base edge) of the cartridge. Additionally, the extractor assists in ejecting a casing (not shown) of the cartridge from the cartridge chamber 102 after the cartridge is fired.

Towards the rear of the weapon housing 2, a slide retraction lever 22 is positioned above and substantially coaxial with the barrel 4. The slide retraction lever 22 is provided with a hand grip 24 (e.g., a T-shaped hand grip 24) that extends out of the weapon housing 2 and towards the rear of the firearm 100.

Turning to FIG. 2, the hand grip 24 includes a first handle 26 and a second handle 28 that are positioned on opposite sides of the firearm 100. The first handle 26 and the second handle 28 include a first gripping surface 202 and a second gripping surface 204, respectfully. Additionally, the first and second handles 26 and 28 are associated with unlocking the slide retraction lever 22. To unlock the slide retraction lever 22, a force is applied to either the first gripping surface 202 and/or the second gripping surface 204 in a direction generally indicted by arrows 206 and 208. In this example implementation, the first and second gripping surfaces 202 and 204 include ribs or ridges 212 or any other suitable surface structure that may assist the marksman in gripping the first and/or second handles 26 and 28. Additionally, the first handle 26 and the second handle 28 define a first aperture 214 and a second aperture 216, respectfully, that reduce the overall weight of the hand grip 24.

The hand grip 24 may be manufactured or otherwise fabricated (e.g., milled) from a single piece of material. The first handle 26 includes a protrusion 32 that substantially corresponds to a recess 34 defined by the second handle 28. The first handle 26 defines a first bore 218 and the second handle 28 defines a second bore 220. The first bore 218 and the second bore 220 each receive fasteners 222, 223 and, the first and second handles 26 and 28 respectfully pivot around the fasteners 222, 223. Additionally, the first handle 26 defines a first spring seat 224 and the second handle 28 defines a second spring seat 226. A spring 30 is positioned within a transversal bore 228 defined by the hand grip 24 between the first and second spring seats 224 and 226. The spring 30 exerts a force and/or pre-stresses the first and second handles 26 and 28. FIG. 2 depicts the first and second handles 26 and 28 in a substantially rest position.

A coupling mechanism between the first handle 26 and the second handle 28 includes the protrusion 32 and the recess 34. As discussed above, the protrusion 32 corresponds to the recess 34. Specifically, the protrusion 32 and the recess 34 are positioned adjacent each other to couple the rotational movement of the first handle 26 and/or the second handle 28 together. More specifically, the protrusion 23 includes a rounded portion 230 that engages a substantially rectangular profile 231 of the recess 34. If the first handle 26 is rotated around the fastener 222 in a direction generally indicated by arrow 208, the protrusion 32 rotates along with the first handle 26. As the protrusion 32 rotates, the rounded portion 230 of the protrusion 32 engages and exerts a force within the recess 34, which, in turn, rotates the second handle 28 around the fastener 223 in a direction generally indicated by arrow 206. Alternatively, if the second handle 28 is rotated around the fastener 223 in a direction generally indicated by arrow 206, the recess 34 rotates along with the second handle 28. As the recess 34 rotates, the rectangular profile 231 of the recess 34 engages and exerts a force against the protrusion 32, which, in turn, rotates the first handle 26 around the fastener 222 in a direction generally indicated by arrow 208. The force applied to rotate either the first and/or second handles 26 and 28 substantially overcomes the force exerted by the spring 30.

The first handle 26 is provided with a first arm 232 including a first clip 234 that corresponds to a first recess 236. The spring 30 exerts a force on the first handle 26 to urge the first clip 234 to engage the first recess 236 and to substantially lock the slide retraction lever 22 relative to the weapon housing 2 as shown in FIG. 2. However, if a force is applied to the first handle 26 as described above, the first clip 234 disengages the first recess 236 as shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, the second handle 28 is provided with a second arm 238 including a second clip 240 that corresponds to a second recess 242. The spring 30 exerts a force on the second handle 28 to urge the second clip 240 to engage the second recess 242 and to substantially lock the slide retraction lever 22 relative to the weapon housing 2 as shown in FIG. 2. However, if a force is applied to the second handle 28 as described above, the second clip 240 will disengage the second recess 242 as shown in FIG. 3.

Additionally, the coupling mechanism may unlock and/or release the slide retraction lever 22. For example, to release the slide retraction lever 22, the marksman may apply a force to the first handle 26 and the first clip 234 may disengage the first recess 236, which, in turn, causes the second clip 240 to disengage the second recess 242. Alternatively, to release the slide retraction lever 22, the marksman may apply a force to the second handle 28 and the second clip 240 may disengage the second recess 242, which, in turn, causes the first clip 234 to disengage the first recess 236. The force applied to either the first and/or second handles 26 and 28 (e.g., toward the rear of the firearm 100) to disengage the first and/or second clips 234 and 240 is substantially opposite the force applied by the spring 30.

In the rest position (e.g., the position in which the first and second clips 234 and 240 engage the first and second recesses 236 and 242), the hand grip 24 of the slide retraction lever 22 is adjacent to and/or rests on a surface 108 (FIG. 1) of the weapon housing 2. Turning to FIG. 3, if the first and second clips 234 and 240 disengage the first and second recesses 236 and 242, an elongated portion 302 of the slide retraction lever 22 may move and/or slide within a guide 44 defined by the weapon housing 2 in a direction generally indicated by arrow 304 toward the rear of the firearm 100. A size and/or shape of the elongated portion 302 substantially corresponds to a size and/or shape the guide 44. Specifically, the elongated portion 302 includes one or more ribs 56 (FIG. 6a) (e.g., horizontal ribs) that correspond to one or more grooves 602 (FIG. 6a) (e.g., transversal groove) defined by the guide 44. The interaction between the ribs 56 (FIG. 6a) and the grooves 602 (FIG. 6a) may maintain the coaxial position of the slide retraction lever 22 relative to the weapon housing 2. In some examples, the elongated portion 302 may have two ribs 56 on opposite sides of the elongated portion 302 that correspond to two grooves 602 (FIG. 6a) defined by the guide 44.

Turning back to FIG. 1, the slide retraction lever 22 includes a nose 60 on an end of the slide retraction lever 22. The nose 60 is adjacent to and may engage a surface 110 of a step 62 of the breech system 6. If the slide retraction lever 22 is disengaged and moved toward the rear of the firearm 100, the nose 60 engages the step 62 and moves and/or retracts the breech system 6 to, for example, initiate chambering a round (e.g., a cartridge). The firearm 100 includes a gas extraction rod (not shown) that interacts with the breech system 6. Specifically, after a round is fired, the gas extraction rod moves the breech system 6 toward the rear of the firearm 100 to initiate reloading.

Turning to FIG. 6a, the guide 44 defines an aperture 58 that may be substantially semi-circular. The aperture 58 enables a control bolt (not shown) to move at least partially within the aperture 58 when the breech system 6 is being guided into a locked position. To remove the slide retraction lever 22 from the guide 44, the breech system 6 (FIG. 1) is pulled and/or moved toward the rear of the firearm 100 (FIG. 1) and rotated downwards, which then provides access to the slide retraction lever 22. The slide retraction lever 22 is then moved and/or pulled toward the rear of the firearm 100 until the ribs 56 are substantially adjacent a clearance 54. Once the ribs 56 are adjacent the clearance 54, the ribs 56 may disengage the grooves 602 and, the slide retraction lever 22 may be removed from the firearm 100 (e.g., removed downwardly from the firearm 100). The slide retraction lever 22 may be removed for any suitable purpose such as, for example, cleaning and/or replacement.

Turning now to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the slide retraction lever 22 defines a slot 50 (e.g., a longitudinal slot) along the elongated portion 302 between the nose 60 and the hand grip 24. The slot 50 enables the breech block support 18 (FIG. 1) along with a gas rod (not shown) to move back and forth freely within the slot 50. As the slide retraction lever 22 is moved toward the rear of the firearm 100, the nose 60 engages and moves the breech block support 18 (FIG. 1) into the clamped and/or locked position against a force of a recoil spring (not shown). Once the breech system 6 (FIG. 1) and the breech block support 18 (FIG. 1) are retracted and in the clamped and/or locked position, the slide retraction lever 22 may then be moved back to the position in which the first and second clips 234 and 240 (FIG. 2) engage the first and second recesses 236 and 242 (FIG. 2) (e.g., the locked position). However, the breech system 6 (FIG. 1) and the breech block support 18 (FIG. 1) may remain in the clamped and/or locked position.

If the firearm 100 is a closed bolt position firearm, retracting the slide retraction lever 22 may retract the breech system 6 to guide a cartridge into the cartridge chamber 102 and then the breech system 6 may close and/or lock. Alternatively, if the firearm 100 is an open bolt position firearm, retracting the slide retraction lever 22 may retract the breech system 6 until the breech system 6 is engaged by the trigger mechanism behind a cartridge feed (not shown).

If a cartridge becomes jammed within the firearm 100, for example, within the cartridge chamber 102 and/or the breech system 6, the slide retraction lever 22 may be unlocked and pulled and/or moved toward the rear of the firearm 100, as described above. Moving the slide retraction lever 22 may engage the nose 60 with at least a portion of the breech system 6 to dislodge and/or eject the jammed cartridge and enable the firearm 100 to again be loaded and fired.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the first and second handles 26 and 28 of the slide retraction lever 22 in the locked position. Specifically, FIG. 2 depicts the first and second clips 234 and 240 engaging the first and second recesses 236 and 242 and, the spring 30 in a substantially relaxed position.

FIG. 3 illustrates the first and second handles 26 and 28 in an unlocked position and the elongated portion 302 partially removed from the guide 44.

FIG. 4a illustrates a top of the slide retraction lever 22, and FIG. 4b illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the slide retraction lever 22.

As discussed above, the firearm 100 includes the slide retraction lever 22 that has the first handle 26 and the second handle 28 that are on opposite sides of the firearm 100 and may be utilized to retract the slide retraction lever 22. The first handle 26 includes the first arm 232 with the first clip 234 that corresponds to the first recess 236. In addition, the second handle 28 includes the second arm 238 with the second clip 240 that corresponds to the second recess 242. By moving the first or second handles 26 and 28, the first and second clips 234 and 240 disengage their respective recesses 236 and 242. Specifically, the first handle 26 may independently disengage the first recess 236 even if the marksman does not move the second handle 28. Additionally, the second handle 28 may independently disengage the second recess 242 even if the marksman does not move the first handle 26.

As discussed above, the first and second clips 234 and 240 may be disengaged from the first and second recesses 236 and 242 from either the right side or the left side of the firearm 100 by moving either the first or second handles 26 and 28. Firearms that may be universally used by both right handed marksmen and left handed marksmen decrease the amount of time and cost associated with procuring, managing and distributing the firearms, specifically, for example, during military actions or in the military field.

The methods and apparatus described herein may be used with any suitable firearm or weapon such as, for example, any hand-held firearm that includes a slide retraction lever, such as, an automatic weapon, a semi-automatic weapon, a small-caliber weapon, a large-caliber weapon, a machine gun, a submachine gun, a pistol, etc. Additionally, the methods and apparatus described herein may be advantageously used to remove and/or eject a jammed cartridge within the firearm. Further, the methods and apparatus described herein may reduce some dangers posed to the marksman and those in close proximity to the marksman in addition to reducing operation failures associated with known firearms. For example, if the marksman is left handed, the marksman does not have to reach over to the right hand side of the firearm 100 to retract the slide retraction lever 22 as would be necessary if the left handed marksman was operating a known right handed firearm. Additionally, for example, if the marksman is right handed, the marksman does not have to reach over to the left hand side of the firearm 100 to retract the slide retraction lever 22 as would be necessary if the right handed marksman was operating a known left handed firearm.

As discussed above, the first handle 26 includes the protrusion 32 that corresponds to the recess 34 defined by the second handle 28. The first handle 26 is rotatably coupled to the slide retraction lever 22 via the fastener 222 and the second handle 28 is rotatably coupled to the slide retraction lever 22 via the fastener 223. The interaction between the protrusion 32 and the recess 34 are associated with coupling the rotational movement of the first handle 26 to the second handle 28 and/or coupling the rotational movement of the second handle 28 to the first handle 26. Specifically, the interaction between the protrusion 32 and the recess 34 may be similar to the interaction of the teeth on a gear wheel. However, in some example implementations, the protrusion 32 must be slightly offset relative to the recess 34 to achieve the desired leverage and to couple the rotational movement of the first and second handles 26 and 28.

As described above, the protrusion 32 includes the rounded portion 230 and the recess 34 has the rectangular profile 231. However, the protrusion 32 and the recess 34 may have any other suitable geometry such as, for example, a spherical geometry, a conical geometry, a tear-drop shaped geometry, or a geometry that includes rounded edges, etc. Additionally, the protrusion 32 and/or the recess 34 may be undercut.

As discussed above, the slide retraction lever 22 is provided with the spring 30 that pre-stresses the first and second handles 26 and 28 in the rest position. Specifically, the spring 30 engages and/or is coupled to the first handle 26 and the second handle 28. The spring 30 may be any suitable spring such as for example, a leaf spring, a disk spring, a plurality of disc springs, a compression spring, etc. Additionally, the spring 30 may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, an elastomeric material or a metal material.

As described above, the first and second handles 26 and 28 are coupled to the slide retraction lever 22 and are provided with the first gripping surface 202 and the second gripping surface 204, respectfully. Additionally, the first and/or second clips 234 and 240 may disengage the first and/or second recesses 236 and 242 by pulling either the first or second handles 26 and 28 toward the rear of the firearm 100. In other example implementations, the first and second handles 26 and 28 may be arranged in any other suitable position relative to the firearm 100 such as, for example, the first and second handles 26 and 28 may be arranged latterally or opposite the position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

As discussed above, the first and second handles 26 and 28 are provided with the first and second arms 232 and 238, respectfully. The first arm 232 includes the first clip 234 and the second arm 238 includes the second clip 240. The first and second clips 234 and 240 engage the first and second recesses 236 and 242 that are defined by the weapon housing 2. In other example implementations, the first and second recesses 236 and 242 may be defined by the barrel 4. However, it may be less expensive to manufacture the firearm 100 if the weapon housing 2 defines the first and second recesses 236 and 242.

In other example implementatiions, the slide retraction lever 22 may be provided with the first and second handles 26 and 28. However, the slide retraction lever 22 may only be provided with one arm such as, the first arm 232 or the second arm 238 that enages the respective recess 236 and 242. Specifically, both the first and second handles 26 and 28 would be operatively coupled to the arm.

As described above, the slide retraction lever 22 includes the elongated portion 302 that is movable within the guide 44 in the longitudinal direction relative to the firearm 100. Additionally, an end of the elongated portion 302 is provided with the nose 60 that is to engage a portion of the breech system 6. The first and second handles 26 and 28 are coupled to an opposite end 48 of the elongated portion 302 relative to the nose 60. In other example implementations, the slide retraction lever 22 may be positioned in any other suitable location on the firearm 100 such as, for example, on the outside of the firearm 100.

The slide retraction lever 22 and the weapon housing 2 may be manufactured from any suitable material such as, for example, a metal material, a plastic material, a plastic material that is reinforced with a fiber glass material, or a thin sheet metal material.

In some examples, the slide retraction lever 22 may directly engage the breech system 6. However, in other exmples, such as if the breech system 6 includes the breech head 16 and the breech support block 18, the slide retraction lever 22 may engage the breech support block 18.

The slide retraction lever 22 may directly or indirectly engage the breech system 6 such as, for example, the slide retraction lever 22 may be coupled to a connecting element (not shown) that is also coupled to the breech system 6. However, as discussed above, the slide retraction lever 22 may engage the breech system 6 as the slide retraction lever 22 is moved toward the rear of the firearm 100.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A slide retraction lever for use with a firearm, comprising:

a first handle;

a second handle, wherein the first and second handles are used to retract the slide retraction lever and wherein the first and second handles are positioned on opposite sides of the slide retraction lever; and

a locking device that is associated with the first handle, wherein operating the first handle releases an engagement with the firearm,

wherein the locking device is associated with the second handle, wherein operating the second handle releases the engagement with the firearm independent of the operation of the first handle.

2. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the locking device comprises a plurality of clips that removably engage a plurality of recesses defined by the firearm to substantially restrict the movement of the slide retraction lever relative to the firearm.

3. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of clips is coupled to the first handle or the second handle.

4. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the first handle engages the second handle.

5. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the first handle is coupled to the second handle.

6. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the first handle is hingeably coupled to the slide retraction lever and wherein the second handle is hingeably coupled to the slide retraction lever.

7. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the first handle is provided with a protrusion that corresponds to a recess defined by the second handle.

8. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 7, wherein the position of the protrusion relative to the recess couples the rotational movement of the first handle and the second handle together.

9. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 7, wherein the protrusion is provided with a rounded portion.

10. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 7, wherein the recess has a rectangular profile.

11. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one spring that pre-stresses the first and second handles in a rest position.

12. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the first handle is provided with a first grip and the second handle is provided with a second grip, wherein the first handle and second handle are integrated into the slide retraction lever.

13. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein operating the first handle or the second handle comprises moving the first handle or the second handle in a direction substantially opposite a force exerted by a spring.

14. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein the slide retraction lever moves relative to the firearm within a guide in a longitudinal direction.

15. The slide retraction lever as defined in claim 1, wherein a portion of the slide retraction lever removably engages a breech of the firearm and wherein the first handle and the second handle are substantially opposite the portion.

16. A hand-held firearm, comprising:

a plurality of handles that each include a clip that removably engages a corresponding recess defined by the firearm, wherein the plurality of handles are positioned on opposite sides of a slide retraction lever;

wherein independently operating one of the plurality of handles removes the clips of the plurality of handles from the corresponding recesses to disengage the slide retraction lever.

17. The hand-held firearm as defined in claim 16, wherein the engagement between the clip and the recess substantially restricts the movement of the slide retraction lever relative to the hand-held firearm.

18. A hand-held firearm, comprising:

a slide retraction lever having a first handle and a second handle for the retraction of the slide retraction lever, wherein the first handle is on an opposite side of the firearm as the second handle;

a locking device that is coupled to the first handle, wherein operating the first handle releases an engagement with the firearm;

wherein the locking device is associated with the second handle, wherein operating the second handle releases the engagement with the firearm independent of the operation of the first handle.

19. The hand-held firearm as defined in claim 18, wherein the first handle is coupled to the second handle.

20. The hand-held firearm as defined in claim 18, wherein the first handle and the second handle are hingeably coupled to the slide retraction lever and, wherein the first handle and the second handle rotationally engage one another to couple the rotational movement of the first handle and the second handle together.