Abstract: A fire control system with a decocking lever that operates to decock the hammer and also as a safety. The fire control system also has a magazine safety to complement the decocking lever's dual functions. The magazine safety is in the “safety on” position when a magazine is not fully seated in the magazine well and in the “safety off” position when the magazine is fully seated. In one embodiment, rotating the decocking lever by lifting one of the thumb tabs applies the safety if the hammer is cocked and rotating the decocking lever in the other direction causes the sear to release the hammer but catch it before it reaches the firing pin. In an alternate embodiment, the decocking lever can be used as a safety regardless of whether the hammer is cocked or not. Further rotation lowers a cocked hammer.

Abstract: A firearm is described which has a trigger mechanism, a cock and a cocking actuator that is separate from the cock. A striker spring acts on the cocking actuator to drive the cock. A cocking actuator safety mechanism, which is independent of the trigger mechanism, is provided for securing the cocking actuator in its cocked position. The illustrated safety mechanism has an operating handle which sits next to the lug of the cock, so that the safety mechanism can optionally be operated together with the cock.

Abstract: A friction minimizing element such as a smooth hardened ball, a dimple in the sear spring (steel, stainless, plastic, carbon fiber or titanium material) is employed to minimize sliding friction between the spring and the disconnector or between other sliding components of a firearm mechanism, particularly the trigger mechanism of a handgun or other firearm. In addition, the same technology can be applied to the trigger bow of a semi-automatic handgun by placing an additional ball or dimple in the trigger bow that minimizes sliding friction between the rear transverse element of the trigger bow and the disconnector of the trigger mechanism. The benefits of the sear spring or the trigger bow modifications can be applied together or separately in the trigger mechanism. Each adds an individual benefit of minimizing sliding friction between engaging trigger components and thus preventing trigger creep as the trigger mechanism is actuated.

Abstract: A firearm is described which has a trigger mechanism, a cock and a cocking actuator that is separate from the cock. A striker spring acts on the cocking actuator to drive the cock. A cocking actuator safety mechanism, which is independent of the trigger mechanism, is provided for securing the cocking actuator in its cocked position. The illustrated safety mechanism has an operating handle which sits next to the lug of the cock, so that the safety mechanism can optionally be operated together with the cock.

Abstract: A double action pistol having a frame is disclosed. A sear is mounted on the frame. A hammer cam is position adjacent the sear and linked to a hammer spring. The hammer cam is engageable with the sear to hold the hammer spring in a compressed position. A hammer is detachably coupled to the hammer cam. A return spring biases the hammer away from the hammer cam when the hammer spring is compressed. A drawbar is operable to engage the hammer to retract the hammer and disengage the sear from the hammer cam to release the hammer spring. The hammer spring acts on the hammer through the hammer cam to move the hammer to fire the pistol.

Abstract: A trigger stop connector for semi-automatic firearms that have an enclosed striker assembly. Incorporated into firearms without major structural changes, the trigger stop connector is designed to increase firing speed and prevent a fulcrum effect caused when a trigger mechanism travels a distance beyond the point of firing of the firearm, thus increasing target precision when discharging the firearm. The trigger stop connector, replacing a common connector, is designed with specific contact points to prevent overtravel of the trigger bar when operating in cooperation with the trigger of the firearm.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved trigger return spring system via an interchangeable, replacement gun trigger return system mechanism for use in firearms, particularly a Beretta® Model 92/96 series firearm and similar firearms. The interchangeable, replacement gun trigger return system comprises a trigger return pin having a first end and a second end, a trigger return cam having a first cavity adapted to receive a trigger bar and a second cavity adapted to receive the second end of the return pin, and a spring. The invention includes methods of replacing the existing, factory installed spring, as well as using the present invention in originally manufactured firearms.

Abstract: A double action pistol having a frame is disclosed. A sear is mounted on the frame. A hammer cam is position adjacent the sear and linked to a hammer spring. The hammer cam is engageable with the sear to hold the hammer spring in a compressed position. A hammer is detachably coupled to the hammer cam. A return spring biases the hammer away from the hammer cam when the hammer spring is compressed. A drawbar is operable to engage the hammer to retract the hammer and disengage the sear from the hammer cam to release the hammer spring. The hammer spring acts on the hammer through the hammer cam to move the hammer to fire the pistol.

Abstract: A hammer release apparatus for a hand held firearm which reduces the force required to discharge the firearm is disclosed which includes a hammer, a pivotably mounted trigger, and a restraining lever. The restraining lever engages the cocked hammer which is biased towards a firing position by a hammer spring. The restraining lever counteracts the force of the hammer spring to reduce the pull resistance associated with the trigger of the firearm.

Abstract: An authorization system for a firearm includes a personal device worn by the authorized user, modifications to the firearm's fire control system, and an authorization control circuit carried in the backstrap of the firearm handle. The authorization control circuit controls the fire control system and communicates with the personal device. In particular, the authorization control circuit will send a first signal to the personal device via an ultrasonic transponder and wait for a coded response. If the personal device is worn by a user and is within range and properly oriented, it will respond to the first signal. If the correct coded response is not received, the authorization control circuit signals a bi-stable solenoid located near the trigger arm to move its plunger to an extended position where it will cam the edge of the trigger bar out of engagement with the sear when the trigger is pulled. Consequently, the trigger bar will not move the sear.

Abstract: The breech lock unit has a housing in which a strike hammer is mounted so that it can be pivoted around a shaft. A drive lever can be pivoted on the same shaft to a limited extent in both directions with respect to the hammer. The hammer is biased by a spring against the one stop with the lever. Connected to the lever is a connecting rod which is biased by a striker spring and in the base position is in contact with a stop surface on the housing. The configuration described above makes possible a slim construction and optimum drive conditions. A plurality of functions that conventionally require separately installed components can be realized in the one breech lock unit.

Abstract: A double action pistol having a frame is disclosed. A sear is mounted on the frame. A hammer cam is position adjacent the sear and linked to a hammer spring. The hammer cam is engageable with the sear to hold the hammer spring in a compressed position. A hammer is detachably coupled to the hammer cam. A return spring biases the hammer away from the hammer cam when the hammer spring is compressed. A drawbar is operable to engage the hammer to retract the hammer and disengage the sear from the hammer cam to release the hammer spring. The hammer spring acts on the hammer through the hammer cam to move the hammer to fire the pistol.

Abstract: A firing mechanism for fire arms comprising a casing (1) and a trigger guard (1′), a barrel (3), a mobile bolt (5) in the casing (1), comprises a hammer (7) controlling a striker (10), a spring (9) pushing the hammer (7) in its tumbled position, a tumbler (11), a trigger (14) controlling the tumbler (11) by means of a separator (15), a bolt stop (19) which stops the backward movement of the bolt (5) in a locked position and makes the bolt (5) assume another position, a control lever (20) which co-operates with the bolt stop (19) which is also mounted in a revolving manner in the trigger guard (1′).

Abstract: A semi-automatic handgun that includes a firing pin locking assembly is disclosed. The firing pin locking assembly includes a firing pin plunger that has a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the firing pin plunger locks the firing pin in place. A trigger assembly is provided to selectively move the firing pin plunger to the unlocked position, where the firing pin plunger is disengaged from the firing pin. The trigger assembly is also operable to release the firing pin plunger to allow the firing pin plunger to be biased into the locked position after each round is fired.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for reducing recoil on a firearm or gun and to increase rate of firing. The invention uses a dual mass system to dynamically balance the gun wherein some of the energy of firing is absorbed within springs and thereby reduces the recoil force imparted to the gun user. The apparatus also comprises an ejector mechanism for ejecting a spent round and reloading a new round from the gun magazine with increased speed over conventional designs. The apparatus is applicable to automatic and semiautomatic handguns as well as rifles and machine guns.

Abstract: An externally adjustable coil hammer mainspring assembly for pistols having several different mechanisms for clearing obstructing internal and external pistol design features. These mechanisms make it possible to incorporate external coil hammer mainspring adjustment on many popular pistols. Finger-adjustable drive mechanisms (44, 46, and 30) as well as tool driven drive mechanisms (12) are provided to allow the pistol user to adjust coil hammer mainspring tension. This capability allows the user to adjust trigger-pull and hammerfall force in the field and provides a locking safety mechanism which locks down the pistol firing train including the trigger, sear, hammer and hammerstrut.