Abstract: A frame plug or closure member which is fitted into a cavity of a handgrip of a handgun is used to provide added reenforcement and to extend the handgrip. The plug has a tapered, semi-circular shaped base which is integrally connected to one end of a flexible flat, elongated member which has a foot at the other end thereof. The curvature of the base matches the curvature of the lower edge of the handgrip to provide a natural extension to the handgrip. The plug has a spine integrally connected to both the base and flexible elongated member so as to provide stiffness thereto. The handgrip has a plug cavity and an adjacent gun magazine cavity which open to the lower edge or butt thereof. The two cavities are separated by an internal wall having a through opening. The frame plug is fitted into the plug cavity until the foot reaches the opening at which time the foot snap fits into the opening thus securing the frame plug to the handgrip.

Abstract: The firearm comprises a manual control (13) for deactivation of the retainer of a cartridge magazine (8) by release of a tooth (16) from a notch (17) of the magazine and a device for the automatic ejection of the magazine. The automatic ejection device comprises a finger (25) for the actuation of the tooth (16), which is integral with the cartridge elevator piston (19) of the cartridge magazine (8), to come against the retainer of the latter and cause its ejection before the end of the elevation stroke of the cartridge elevator piston during the chambering of the last cartridge (12) under the thrust of the spring (20) of this piston against an activation spring (18) of the retainer. After the ejection of the empty cartridge, the retainer (13) is again activated by its spring (18) and, during the replacement of this magazine, a cartridge (12) is thus chambered and the firearm is ready to fire.

Abstract: The loader contains a flat case provided at its top end with two detention ips keeping back the cartridges in the latter whereas they can still be taken up by the recoil slide of the arm by pushing them forward in a transversal direction of the case, outside the case, a mobile feeder in the case, and a spring provided between this feeder and the lower end of the case. The top side of the feeder contains a front part extending more or less in the above-mentioned transversal direction and a back part which is inclined with regard to the front part toward the lower end in the direction of the back partition, whereby this partition contains a fixed exterior part and a mobile interior part, whereby the above-mentioned spring rests upon this interior part, the top end of the latter being provided with at least one protrusion situated at the height of the upper detention lips when the interior part is in the inserted position.

Abstract: The firearm comprises a manual control (13) for deactivation of the retainer of a cartridge magazine (8) by release of a tooth (16) from a notch (17) of the magazine and a device for the automatic ejection of the magazine. The automatic ejection device comprises a finger (25) for the actuation of the tooth (16), which is integral with the cartridge elevator piston (19) of the cartridge magazine (8), to come against the retainer of the latter and cause its ejection before the end of the elevation stroke of the cartridge elevator piston during the chambering of the last cartridge (12) under the thrust of the spring (20) of this piston against an activation spring (18) of the retainer. After the ejection of the empty cartridge, the retainer (13) is again activated by its spring (18) and, during the replacement of this magazine, a cartridge (12) is thus chambered and the firearm is ready to fire.

Abstract: A fire arm includes a casing, a barrel mounted on a recoil slide which slides over this casing, a loading and trigger mechanism and a loader including a case closed at one end by a bottom, a mobile feeder inside the case and a feeder spring (13) between the feeder and the bottom. The fire arm has a grip, a cavity for the loader extending through the grip from a charging opening to the inside of the fire arm. A loader stop is mounted on the casing in order to keep the loader inside the cavity. In addition, the fire arm includes an ejection spring situated at the height of the charging opening of the cavity, at least partly on the outside of the case, such that the ejection spring is stretched when the loader is inserted right to the bottom of the cavity so as to aid in ejecting the loader from the cavity, independent of the number of cartridges in the loader.

Abstract: A stock extender for a handgun, such as, for example, a Colt 0.45 Officer's Model, comprises a collar which may be fit around and securely tightened to an ammunition magazine for a corresponding larger model of the same handgun, such as, for example, a Colt 0.45 Standard Model. The stock extender provides the handgun with a grip having the same length as that of the larger model handgun, and enables the handgun to be more comfortably and reliably handled and discharged by persons having large hands. The stock extender may be shaped to correspond to and match the circumferential shape of the stock of the gun with which it is used.

Abstract: A semi-automatic piston construction of blow-back type configuration to effect directing of projectiles from within includes construction of the pistol to employ application of the breech bolt within the upper receiver, with a return spring arrangement mounted to the breech bolt in an axially spaced and parallel relationship relative to the firing pin. The upper receiver includes a generally U-shaped trough projecting from the receiver into the handle portion of the lower receiver to accommodate the main spring and magazine holder structure.

Abstract: A frame/handgrip assembly is provided for autoloading handguns of the Model 1911 A1 type which incorporates a gripless preferably metal frame structure having guide rails for receiving a conventional slide and having a configuration for receiving other standard 1911 A1 components. The frame structure defines opposed handgrip seats including one or more keyways. An integral handgrip structure is provided having spaced connector elements having one or more internal keys for establishing mating, interlocked structural relationship with the handgrip seats. The handgrip structure incorporates an integral trigger guard and both the trigger guard and the connecting elements of the handgrip are physically interlocked with the frame structure by means of screws, pins, etc. The frame and handgrip structures may cooperatively define a wide internal cartridge magazine receptacle for receiving a wide, staggered row, enhanced volume cartridge magazine.

Abstract: A display device for showing the exact number of rounds remaining in a firearm magazine without removing the magazine from the weapon. The device comprises a grip panel assembly attachable to the frame of an automatic pistol. The assembly includes a grip having a transparent window through which a numbered scale can be seen. The frame and magazine of the firearm are modified, if necessary, to include elongate slits through which a portion of the follower is visible. As the weapon is fired a highly visible marker, strategically placed on the exposed follower, points to succeeding numbers on the calibrated scale, indicating the number of rounds in the magazine at any given time while the magazine remains in the firearm. This method of counting rounds is adaptable to automatic rifles having exposed magazines.

Abstract: A grip safety for use in a Model 1911-type semiautomatic pistol having a staggered double-column magazine includes a grip safety having extensions for filling the posterior ends of slots accommodating translational movement of the trigger body.

Abstract: A thumb release for pistol magazines includes a kit for modifying a conventional pistol. The modification kit includes a release lever which is mounted for slidable movement within the rectangular opening existing in the handle housing of the pistol. The conventional magazine catch is removed and replaced with a modified magazine catch which has a lever projecting so as to be contacted by vertical movement of the release lever. The grip plate on the pistol handle is substituted with a modified grip plate having an opening through which a thumb rest will project, the thumb rest being connected to the release lever for operation of the release lever.

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.

Abstract: A guide for the insertion of gun magazines with a mounting extension insertable into a bottom opening in the butt of the gun with a butt bottom rim receiving opening with a bottom at the back end extended to opposite side shoulders with opposite sides engaging the rim profile of the gun butt bottom when mounted in place on the gun butt. The guide forms a lower flanged out bottom of the gun butt for improved grip and presents a wide angled opening extending out wider to opposite sides than the projected profile of the gun butt bottom making it easier and faster to insert a fresh magazine into the gun receiver. This magazine entrance guide has bifurcated sides extending forward from the rear in one embodiment and in another embodiment the front end is closed with the opposite sides joined together at the front. In either form this gun magazine entrance guide is quite useful for pistols such as the GLOCK pistol (U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,889) for faster loading and improved pistol grip.

Abstract: The safety of semi-automatic pistols and like firearms is improved by making them double action only combined with novel features that include use of roller bearings for support of trigger and sear assemblies, structuring them for constant pressure trigger pull, automatic blocking the firing pin from reaching the cartridge until the firearm is fully locked in the battery position and structuring operation of the sear so it can engage the firing pin only when the trigger pulls it rearward.

Abstract: A SigSauer pistol is modified to hold on the inside of its plastic handle grip an antenna assembly and spring contacts connected conductively to the antenna assembly. A modified magazine casing in the handle of the pistol has a chamber below a false bottom for receiving batteries and a printed circuit board carrying a radio transmitter and microphone. Electrical contacts on the outside of the magazine casing engage the spring contacts on the inside of the handle grip when the magazine casing is slidably inserted into the usual metal handle body on the pistol. Corresponding contacts on the inside of the magazine casing engage contacts on the printed circuit board that are connected electrically to the transmitter. Downwardly-facing battery switch contacts in the chamber are connected electrically to the transmitter and are positioned to engage respective terminals of two series-connected batteries.

Abstract: An automatic machine pistol is provided, which is not subject to fouling, which is compact and light while incorporating a pneumatic recoil buffer, which resists muzzle climb, and which can be accessed and cleaned without disassembly. The machine pistol is comprised of a reciprocating bolt within a housing of the pistol. The reciprocating bolt is carried within the housing on four rails by eight roller bearings. No sliding contact is made between the bolt and any other portion of the pistol. A portion of the high pressure gas from the barrel is bled through a bleed hole in the barrel block or barrel into a gas port tube which is telescopically inserted into the bolt. The gas port tube delivers the portion of the discharge gas in a forward direction in opposition to the motion on recoil. An upwardly directed nozzle is communicated to the receiving bore within the bolt.

Abstract: A mechanism including a thumb operated pivotable lever mounted on the side of an automatic piston grip to release the magazine; the lever including an inclined plane which engages a roller on the end of a magazine catch rod and causes the rod to slide inwardly of the handle grip portion to release the magazine; the magazine catch rod being spring biased to urge the roller outwardly toward the inclined plane of the lever.

Abstract: A reversible magazine catch mechanism for handguns includes a knurled actuator button removably screw-fitted onto a shaft which is disposed for slidable axial movement in a bore which extends laterally through the frame of the gun. An enlarged head portion is disposed on the end of said shaft opposite the actuator button and an arm extends radially from the head for interlocking engagement with cutouts provided in opposite sides of the magazine. A spring-biased detent engages a recess in the undersurface of the actuator button to prevent unscrewing of the button from the shaft and to bias the latch arm of the laterally movable shaft into engagement with one of the magazine cutouts.

Abstract: This kit is to convert a semi-automatic hand-gun, such as the Colt model 1911A1, into a hand-gun of increased round capacity from the original seven-round to thirteen round by replacing the conventional frame, magazine, magazine catch, grip covers, and trigger assembly by new similar parts, while still retaining the remaining parts of the hand-gun, including the slide, barrel, breech block, firing pin and hammer mechanism, manual safety catch and take-down latch.

Abstract: A magazine adapter comprising a one piece cast or molded magazine encircling element for use with extended magazines for firearms and including lock means to secure the magazine adapter to the magazine by utilization of the existing floor plate of the sliding type. The adapter is externally faired to the contour of the butt and grip of the firearm so that the adapter, in use, appears to be an extension of the butt and contoured to the butt configuration.

Abstract: An ambidextrous magazine latch arrangement for a pistol in which a hand-operable cross lever is positioned by resilient means against a frame portion of the pistol handle with lever ends protruding on either side of the handle. The lever has a latch protrusion which protrudes into the magazine to hold the magazine. By applying hand pressure to either lever end the lever twists against the resilient means to withdraw the latch protrusion out of the magazine to release the magazine.

Abstract: A firearm cartridge magazine which holds a larger number of cartridges than corresponding magazines of existing design but without changes in the external size of the magazine is provided. A spring for moving the follower is run out of attenuated when the follower is in the lowest position so that, in the lowest follower position, the spring extends below the follower a distance less than about the diameter of a cartridge, and preferably about one thickness of the follower spring. A device for storing energy is provided to assist in lifting the follower from the lowermost position. Preferably, the device for storing energy is in the form of one or more follower legs which are spring-urged towards an unfolded or extended position. Preferably, the legs themselves are resilient so as to form leaf-type springs. When the follower is moved to the lowest position, energy is stored by folding or compressing the spring-loaded legs.

Abstract: Magazine locking means for firearms of the type having a pistol grip or a corresponding part to be grabbed by the firing hand of the marksman, and in which an exchangable magazine (5) is adapted to be introduced, and in which a magazine catch (9) is adapted to releasably lock the magazine a position introduced in a magazine guide of the pistol grip or in a corresponding inner position, and in which the magazine catch (9) is movable mounted (10) at the front edge of the magazine guide and is formed so as to engage (by 16 ) under a projecting part (17) at the front side of the magazine (5) when the magazine catch is in its locking position. The magazine catch is formed with an upper yoke part (12) having two grab parts (13, 14), which project on each side of the magazine guide, and which readily and without the need of changing hand grip can be actuated optionally the thumb of the left hand or the right hand for releasing the magazine.

Abstract: An important factor in firearms suitable for combat is the capability to permit replacing the magazine with one hand, that is, to permit the user to eject an emptied magazine by releasing it with the shooting hand and permitting it to drop out automatically, so that a full magazine can be inserted with the free hand. To accomplish this, a latch mechanism is arranged in a through hole formed transversely to the magazine opening and to the longitudinal axis of the barrel of the gun and includes two positive detent latches in a concave or arched portion, the detents being separated by a central groove. The detents have an outer arched or curved surface and on the inside provide straight walls for the groove, in this way a straight magazine can displace the latch axially. The magazine has two pairs of recesses in a rounded leading surface that are arranged so that the two detents seat in the recesses, thereby to accurately support the magazine in two dimensions.

Abstract: An ambidextrous release for gun magazines for semi automatic pistols such as Colt, government Model "Colt", and other semi automatic pistols. The new release is built into conventional gun magazine release structures and it only requires a catch lock release lever which is positioned externally of the gun butt or grip on the right side thereof as one holds the pistol operatively.

Abstract: This invention relates to a firearm having an improved catch arrangement for retaining a magazine in a well in a grip portion of the firearm. A single spring (56) operates simultaneously pivotally to urge a catch member (18) into a magazine engaging position, to retain the catch member on a pivot and to urge outwardly catch release buttons (19 and 20) which can be depressed to engage inclined cam surfaces (18G and 18H) to cause retraction of the catch (18F) from a magazine detent engaging position.

Abstract: A modified handgun or pistol provided with a magazine catch operable equally conveniently by a right or left-handed shooter in competitive shooting. The magazine catch mechanism includes a lever to draw out the catch. The lever is positioned for operation by the shooter's left thumb in addition to the button release positioned for the right thumb. Although on the opposite side of the gun handle, the lever moves the catch in the same direction as the button. The lever may be mounted in either of two positions for the left-handed shooter and can be added to an existing handgun having the right-handed button release with only minor modification to the gun. The lever is particularly adapted for the Colt 0.45 pistol, however, it is not limited to this particular gun.

Abstract: A handgun frame is provided for receiving a barrel and slide of the type operating on the Browning short recoil principle. The frame includes a magazine well defined within a grip formation. An elongated cantilever support extends forwardly from the grip formation to a position beyond a forward end of the barrel. A barrel bushing is rigidly fixed to and directly mounted on a forward end of the cantilever support for slidably supporting a front end of the barrel therein. Slide support means slidably support the slide.

Abstract: A pistol having a frame including a grip portion defining a magazine well and a trigger guard portion forward of the magazine well. A magazine catch disposed within an opening which extends transversely through the frame is biased toward a magazine retaining position and generally restrained against lateral movement relative to the frame. The magazine catch is further supported on the frame for pivotal movement about either one of its ends and toward a magazine releasing position in response to forwardly directed force applied to the end of the said catch opposite said one end.

Abstract: A pistol that has a barrel and bolt is provided and consists of a mechanism for revolving a cylindrical magazine that has a plurality of radial chambers which hold a plurality of cartridges within a cylindrical bore of a handle. Each chamber in turn will be in alignment with the barrel and the cartridges in turn will be in position to be pushed by the bolt to be fired from the barrel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retaining mechanism for the magazine of automatic and/or semi-automatic rifles, in particular to a type of magazine which is provided with a lateral securing slot. The hook (6) which is designed to engage in the slot (4) of the magazine (3) is fixed to a spring-loaded arm (8) located transversely in the body (1) of the weapon and can be moved either by means of a button (9) attached to one end of the said arm (8) or by means of a rocking lever (12) mounted at the other end of the arm (8). The hook (6) can thus be operated from both sides of the weapon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magazine catch for a pistol. The catch is reversible for operation from one or the other side of the pistol to release the magazine from the pistol. The catch includes a pin carrying a pair of projections. One of the projections engages a slot in the side of the magazine to retain the magazine in the pistol handle. The pin has a radially offset chamber which receives a locking screw. A spring in the chamber biases the screw and the pin axially away from one another. The screw carries a locking cam which projects through a slot in the pin for engagement in a locking grooves carried by the seat. By pressing the button on the end of the pin, the projection is displaced from the magazine slot to release the magazine. To operate the magazine catch from the opposite side of the pistol, the locking screw is rotated to withdraw the locking cam from the locking grooves. The catch is then axially removed from its seat, reversed in orientation, and inserted into the seat from the opposite of the pistol.

Abstract: The pistol handle has a recess for housing a mainspring housing which is also a lanyard loop body and hammer strut unit in a releasable catch arrangement. The lanyard loop body, hammer strut, and mainspring are telescopically aligned and are withdrawn from the pistol as a unitized system during disassembly. Connector means between the loop body and strut are operative only during disassembly to prevent separation of the loop body and strut upon their removal from the pistol handle. The unit is secured in the handle recess through a bayonet joint and the unit may be turned and removed only when the magazine has been previously withdrawn.

Abstract: Means for attaching a pommel to a cartridge magazine assembly which is releasably received within the grip of a handgun. The pommel (16) has a face (79) which is engageable with the base of the magazine. A plateau (87) rises from the face and has slots (100) formed in it. Complimentary flanges (54) are formed on the base of the magazine and are engageable with the slots in the plateau to join the pommel and magazine together. There are means (58) to releasably interlock the pommel and the magazine assembly when they are in assembled relationship.

Abstract: A self loading fire arm having manually releasable means for holding a box magazine in a well in the fire arm frame which is operable by either hand on either side of the fire arm. The releasable means comprises an aperture (T1) in the front wall of the magazine which is engaged by the nose (VV1) of a catch (VV) pivotable in a slot in the wall of the well from a central position in which the catch nose engages the aperture (T1) to either of two extreme positions in which the nose is withdrawn from the aperture, pivoting of the catch being effected from either side by means of a double plunger (UU).

Abstract: A pistol comprises a substantially U-shaped magazine catch, which is slidably mounted in a track that extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the magazine. One leg of the magazine catch constitutes a pushpiece. The other leg of the magazine catch constitutes a locking member, which extends into a lateral slot of the magazine. A compression spring is provided, which extends along the track and holds the magazine catch in engagement with the magazine. To facilitate the alteration of the pistol from a condition for use by a right-handed person to a condition for use by a left-handed person, the track is provided in the detachable trigger guard and is open toward that surface of the trigger guard which adjoins the grip. The crosspiece of the magazine catch has a recess, which receives an abutment member, which is held in the track by stop noses against a movement along the track.

Abstract: A guide for the insertion of gun magazines that is an extension of a pistol mainspring housing with a wide angled bifurcated opening making it easier and faster to insert fresh magazine clips into the gun receiver. This guide extension that is quite useful for pistols such as the Colt Government Model pistols advantageously also lengthens the pistol grip enhancing stability of the gun in hand.

Abstract: A pressable magazine latch for semiautomatic pistols adaptable for use by either right or left-handed persons includes a guide-tube anchored wihtin the pistol frame which contains a displaceable rigidly connected two-part latch member therewithin. A spring normally maintains the latch member engaged with the magazine and presents a latch member button projecting beyond one end face of the guide-tube. Despressing this button substantially flush with the adjacent guide-tube end wall releases the latch from the magazine while further axial displacement of the latch member allows subsequent disassembly of the two latch parts to permit re-assembly thereof in a reverse position within the guide-tube.

Abstract: A firearm assembly comprising a frame assembly, a modular hammer and safety assembly, a slide receiver, and a barrel assembly, said hammer and safety assembly and said frame assembly having slide structures for cooperative connection to the slide receiver, the hammer and safety assembly further including an ejector mechanism, a hammer, a spring biasing the hammer, a sear for retaining the hammer in a cocked position, a disconnector assembly operable to prevent actuation of the sear during a cocking operation, and a safety device selectively moveable to a position preventing firing of the firearm, the slide receiver having safety actuator means thereon to actuate the hammer and safety assembly safety means, and having cam means thereon for actuation of the hammer and safety asssembly disconnector assembly, the hammer and safety assembly being interconnected such that the hammer and safety assembly may be withdrawn, or inserted into, the frame assembly as a unitary modular unit, the frame assembly being adapted

Abstract: An ambidextrous release for gun magazines in a retrofit design is provided for Colt government model pistols and other similar design semi automatic pistols. The new magazine release catch has much of the basic configuration of the original equipment catch but instead of a solid catch it has a pivotal lever, with a cam surfaced catch on the end to engage the magazine, that is pivot pin mounted in the gun magazine catch lock release structure. The structure is lengthened to also extend outward beyond the gun right hand surface with a right side button on the right hand end. The magazine lock release right side button with proper manipulation combined with pressure from the other end and turning achieves dog projection release removal and, in reverse, installation thereof without requiring the use of a screw driver or any other tools. A simple dog slot extension is machined within the gun receiver to allow for installation and movement of the new magazine release catch.

Abstract: A pistol which is loaded through a magazine receiving opening in the butt of the frame of the pistol handle is provided with an improved loading guide. The guide is equipped with a funnel which aids in guiding a magazine into the magazine receiving opening. The guide embraces the walls of the pistol frame and defines transverse openings on its opposite sides arranged in coaxial alignment with the magazine spring housing pin bores in the pistol frame. A mounting rod is engaged with the guide through the transverse openings therein and passes through the magazine spring housing pin bores to both secure the guide to the pistol frame and to function as a magazine spring housing pin.

Abstract: A gun magazine including a magazine body for holding a series of rounds of ammunition, and a floor plate at the lower end of the magazine body detachable therefrom by generally horizontal sliding movement relative to the body, with the floor plate preferably containing a recess extending downwardly into the floor plate beneath the lower extremity of the magazine body and into which the main ammunition follower spring projects downwardly. The floor plate may be connected to the magazine body loosely, in a manner enabling slight upward and downward shifting movement of the plate relative to body, and be provided with locking means for blocking lateral separation of the floor plate from the magazine body but adapted to be released to permit such separation by a slight shifting movement of the floor plate against the tendency of the main follower spring.

Abstract: A pommel and means for mounting it to the closed end of a magazine which is releasably contained within a recess in the butt end of the grip of a handgun. The pommel (16) has a recessed interior (80) and exterior periphery (26, 27) which is complementary to and coincident with the shape of the butt end (13) of a handgun. There are releasable interlock means (72, 74) on the magazine (14) and complementary releasable interlock means (72, 74) on the magazine (14) and complementary releasable interlock means (98, 99) within the internal confines of the pommel.

Abstract: A reversible magazine latch system for pistols having a grip portion in which there is provided a cavity for a magazine, the system comprising a latch seat extending through the pistol, a magazine latch assembly adapted for disposition in and retention by the seat in selectively a right or left hand orientation, and a magazine adapted to be engaged by the latch assembly.

Abstract: A combined function mechanism for an automatic pistol including a magazine and a magazine housing, which mechanism interrupts the kinematic chain between the trigger and the hammer when the magazine is not fully engaged within its housing, thereby preventing operation of the hammer by the trigger, the mechanism also serving to eject the magazine from the housing when the magazine locking/unlocking device is actuated.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a cartridge magazine for pistols which includes a generally elongated magazine sleeve adapted to receive cartridges therein, upper and lower abutment plates housing therebetween a spring, a slide plate for retaining the magazine sleeve operatively associated with a pistol handle, and a finger support at a lower end of the magazine sleeve having a forwardly directed bead-shaped extension, the improvement being forming the finger support as a generally annular configuration disposed in external surrounding relationship to the magazine sleeve with a lower edge of the magazine sleeve and a lower edge of the bead-shaped extension lying in generally contiguous planes and the side plate lying in the plane of the bead-shaped extension lower edge.

Abstract: A hand firearm, such as an automatic pistol, has a butt or handle in which a magazine is mounted. The magazine is retained in position by a locking member which can be actuated from either side of the pistol by the hand of the user holding the firearm. The locking member is a spring-loaded lever which has a projection received in an opening in the wall of the magazine to lock the magazine in position. An actuating member extends on both sides of the firearm and is operatively connected with the locking lever so that actuation of the actuating element will pivot the lever to unlock the magazine.

Abstract: A magazine catch for firearms in which a latch member is spring urged into wedging engagement with a portion of the magazine to hold the magazine rigidly against a positioning stop on the frame of the firearm. The latch member consists of a latch pin having rollers for reducing friction when the magazine is inserted into place in the gun and a spring-loaded locking pin, which drives the latch pin into latching engagement with the magazine.

Abstract: A pistol is disclosed that may be used by either right or left handed individuals. A spring biased U-shaped latch is located in the pistol handle and may be reversed in position without any special skills or tools. In either position the latch temporarily blocks the removal of the magazine. A force exerted on the latch in opposition to the biasing force permits removal and reversal of the latch.

Abstract: A pistol design is provided which makes it possible to make a small sized pistol for firing relatively large size cartridges, e.g., a .45 pistol. The pistol is manually cycled for reloading and is characterized by a barrel which must be moved forward to remove a spent case and backward to chamber a new cartridge, and novel means for (a) firing the weapon, (b) preventing accidental discharge of the weapon, and (c) preventing forward movement of the barrel when the trigger is pulled.