Abstract: A removable blast shield for a firearm is presented. The firearm comprises a frame, a barrel affixed to the frame, a receiver having a chamber for receiving a cartridge therein, and the blast shield. The receiver aligns the chamber with the barrel and has a forward end, which is spaced from a rear end of the barrel to provide a gap through which propellant gases from the cartridge pass. The blast shield has a forward portion and a bridging portion. The forward portion of the blast shield engages against a surface of the barrel and a surface of the frame such that the barrel secures the blast shield to the frame. The bridging portion extends rearwardly from the forward portion to bridge the gap. The bridging portion is formed substantially harder than the frame for resisting erosion by the propellant gases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a firearm adapted to utilize an ammunition round having a non-impact primer adjacent one end thereof. The firearm includes a frame, a movable slide assembly, a power source, and a control module for selectively permitting communication of an ignition signal from the power source to the non-impact primer. The firearm further includes an ammunition chamber formed in the movable slide for releasably housing the ammunition round, as well as including an electrically conductive ignition probe housed within the movable slide for permitting communication of the ignition signal from the power source to the non-impact primer when the ammunition round is disposed in the chamber. A sensor assembly is utilized to generate a status signal to the control module indicative of an operational mode of the firearm.

Abstract: A firearm for firing non-impact primer ammunition includes an electrically-conductive firing probe adapted to deliver a firing charge to ignite the primer and cause firing. The firing signal is controlled by a computer control system located in the firearm that determines firing ready conditions, including operator identification, and causes the firing signal to be delivered in response thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a security apparatus for a firearm including a frame, a power source, a firing chamber adapted to receive a round of ammunition having a primer oriented adjacent a distal end thereof, and a trigger assembly for selectively initiating communication between an ignition system and the primer. The security apparatus further comprises an authorization device for selectively generating a pass signal indicating that an operator of the firearm is an authorized operator, and a firearm sensor for selectively generating a control parameter signal indicating an operational mode of the firearm. An electronically programmable locking device receives the authorization signal and the control parameter signal, and permits communication between the ignition system and the primer only if the authorization signal generates the pass signal and the control parameter signal indicates the firearm is in a standby mode.

Abstract: Revolver frame and barrel assembly including a frame, a barrel shroud carrying a sight and keyed in sight alignment with the frame, and a generally cylindrical barrel having a rifled bore and extending through the barrel shroud and threadably engaged in the frame retaining the shroud in assembly with the frame. An assembly tool engaged with and complementing the rifling grooves in the barrel applies predetermined torque to the barrel to assemble it with the frame.

Abstract: A method for treating metal workpieces, including non-ferrous metal workpieces such as Titanium. The metal workpieces are heat soaked for a predetermined amount of time in a furnace at a predetermined temperature. An interstitial element is introduced into the area adjacent to the surface of the metal workpieces until a predetermined concentration of the interstitial element exists in the area adjacent to the metal workpieces. The treated metal workpieces are then cooled, resulting in the metal workpieces having a diffusion region formed which extends into the body of the metal workpieces. The region has a gradient of the interstitial element formed therein.

Abstract: A system for locking, storing, enabling and disabling a device such as a conventional firearm, or an electronic firearm through the use of a control system that is responsive to biometric data input utilizes biometric data input devices to enable both unlocking of a locking box or a trigger lock apparatus, as well as operation and firing of an electronically-controlled firearm that has such features as an electronic locking system onboard or an electronic firing system, in a single authorization entry of biometric data.

Abstract: Semi-automatic breech locking pistol having a reciprocally movable slice defining an upwardly and laterally outwardly open ejection port and a barrel including a rear part having a rearwardly extending headspace extension hood and exposed within and providing a closure for the ejection port in locked breech condition. A rearwardly open notch formed in the headspace extension hood facilitates determination of chamber status by direct visual observation.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for electrochemically etching the rifling of a gun barrel and method of manufacturing the electrode assembly is disclosed. The electrode assembly includes a unitary cage formed of insulative material, such as a thermoplastic polymer like Nylon, disposed about an electrically conductive core member. The core member includes a generally cylindrical body portion that has an outer generally cylindrical surface with a plurality of helical grooves disposed the length of the body portion, and a threaded member that coaxially extends from one end of the body portion for connecting to a rifling rod. The grooves have a generally dovetail cross-section and at least one radially extending recess disposed therein. The unitary cage has a strip portion disposed within each helical groove and end portions disposed at each longitudinal end of the body portion of the core member.

Abstract: A front sight assembly releasably secured to a handgun has a sight body including an integral, resilient, axially elongated and radially expandable anchor pin slideably received within an outwardly open anchor pin retaining bore formed in the muzzle end of the gun barrel. A set screw threadably engaged within the sight body radially expands the anchor pin and maintains it in expanded condition within the retaining anchor pin bore in frictionally gripping engagement with the wall of the retaining bore. An alignment pin projecting form the sight body and slideably received within an outwardly open alignment bore formed in the gun barrel cooperates with the anchor pin to maintain the sight body in a predetermined position of alignment with the gun barrel.

Abstract: A method of reversibly converting pistols that have been manufactured as double action pistols to single action, target pistols. The double action pistols have an initial trigger stroke for the double action performance thereof. The length of the trigger stroke is substantially reduced by the removable placement of an abutment between opposed portions of the trigger and the frame, i.e., to the top of the trigger, to substantially shorten the full length of the trigger stroke. The hammer is modified to include an intermediate notch of sufficient depth and positioned to serve as a safety in the event that the hammer is dislodged in its fully cocked position. Any other mechanisms that inhibit the conversion to single action are removed, depending upon the pistol's structure. Such mechanisms may include the firing pin safety mechanism. The trigger, sear and hammer may be modified by replacement with parts having the desired features.

Abstract: A semi-automatic pistol includes a polymeric frame, a barrel secured to the frame medially of its front end and rear end. A slide is slidable relative to the frame without direct engagement therewith. A retainer and guide member is removably secured adjacent a rear portion of the frame and includes a pair of outwardly extending guides. Each of the guides slidably fits within one of a pair of opposing inwardly facing longitudinal grooves. Each of the grooves is disposed along opposed inner surface portions of the slide for retaining and guiding the slide in generally parallel spaced relation to the frame. The pistol includes a second retainer and guide means adjacent the front end and includes, at least in part, a generally circular aperture in a depending front wall of the slide and wherein the muzzle end of the barrel extends through the aperture. The aperture has a predetermined chamfer to enable the slide to disassembled from the pistol after the first retainer has been disconnected from the frame.

Abstract: An improved magazine for a semi-automatic pistol adapted to be loaded with a plurality of horizontally oriented and vertically stacked cartridges or bullets. A follower on the upper end of a coil spring supports the stack of rounds which are fitted individually into the top opening of the magazine with the first being disposed on the follower and subsequent rounds being supported by the body of the previous round. The last loaded, or uppermost round, when the magazine is fitted into the gun, will be the first round to be loaded into the chamber of the gun for firing. At the upper sidewalls thereof, the magazine includes lips which, at upper edges, are spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the cartridges to be used in the pistol. A ridge disposed in each of the side walls of said magazine parallel to the upper edges of said lips, the ridges are spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the cartridges which are held thereby.

Abstract: Unitary polymeric butt plate with an integral latch and catch mechanism is used for a magazine of a semi-automatic pistol. A frame of the pistol includes a handgrip defined by a backstrap, a front strap and laterally spaced side walls and a downwardly opening magazine chamber within the handgrip. A downwardly open slot provided through opposed side wall portions of said frame, one portion of a catch disposed within said frame and interengageable with another portion of said catch mechanism. The latch mechanism is adapted to interlock with a slot through opposed wall portions adjacent the lower end of the magazine. The catch includes a pair of spaced, opposed and resiliently flexible arms extending upwardly and outwardly in divergent relation from opposite side portions of the butt plate portion.

Abstract: A magazine for a semiautomatic handgun is provided which includes a butt plate being slidably secured to the bottom thereof by side walls having slots which engage flanges on the lower edge of the magazine tube. A floor plate which serves as a seat for the magazine spring has a tang disposed on its leading edge which interfits with a slot disposed on the forward edge of the magazine tube and which serves to secure the leading edge therein. The floor plate also includes a lug which is biased by the magazine spring to interfit with a hole in the butt plate to prevent the butt plate from being slidably removed from the magazine tube.

Abstract: A magazine safety for a semi-automatic pistol with a double-action firing pin striker mechanism having a lever pivotable to the frame of said pistol so that the forward end thereof will sense the presence of the magazine in the pistol. The lever is provided with a downwardly opening recess on its underside and a spring disposed to urge the lever to engage a pin extending laterally from the sear of the firing mechanism of said pistol. The pistol further includes a trigger bar movable in response to the trigger and is engageable with the sear for cocking and releasing the firing pin to fire the pistol. When engaged with a sear pin, the recess in the lever serves to prevent movement of the sear for firing the pistol whenever the magazine has been removed from the pistol. The lever having its center of gravity disposed to ensure that the lever will engage the sear to prevent firing of the pistol even in the event the safety spring is rendered inoperable.

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.