Abstract: A firearm such as a semiautomatic pistol or handgun includes a barrel and a slide with a front aperture for rearward movement of the slide around the barrel during cycling of the slide between forward and rearward positions. A wire bushing is provided between the outer diameter of the barrel and the inner diameter of the aperture of the slide for positioning the barrel within the aperture during cycling. The wire bushing is a spring-like, generally round or O-shaped member (e.g., a bent metal wire) mounted within a groove provided in the slide aperture, with portions of the bushing being bent to lie out of the groove for contacting the barrel. The wire bushing reduces the tolerances between the slide and the barrel, thereby improving operation of the firearm, improves re-location of the barrel within the slide, provides for easier maintenance, and reduces mass, cost, and complexity.

Abstract: An extractor mechanism with improved reliability is provided having an extractor arm pivotally mounted within a pocket in a firearm slide. The extractor arm includes a body portion and a hook portion, the body portion being disposed within the pocket and the hook portion extending out of the pocket from an opening proximate to the breech face. The hook portion is biased toward the firearm's firing axis and includes a distal edge sized to engage a cartridge rim. The hook portion preferably has a height greater than the body portion and the portions are preferably connected by a curved portion. Two surfaces preferably meet at the distal edge of the hook portion, with the surface more proximal to the breech face being substantially parallel to the breech face and the surface more distant from the breech face, diverging from the breech face at an acute angle.

Abstract: A firearm has a frame, a slide, a striker-type firing pin (“striker”), and a fire control mechanism including a sear to controllably release the striker and a trigger bar for actuating the sear. An automatic positive striker lock safety includes a pin-like safety element biased downwards to normally block the striker. The bottom of the pin is rounded, and cooperates with a rearwards facing, sloped surface on the trigger bar. If striker becomes free to move forward without full rearwards movement of the trigger bar, the pin blocks the striker. However, rearward movement of the trigger bar forces the pin upwards. As the trigger bar reaches its fully rearward position, the pin is moved to unblock the striker, and the sear is actuated for releasing the striker.

Abstract: A firearm includes a frame, a slide, and modular sear and trigger mechanism housings. The frame has fore and rear receptacles integrally formed therein, e.g., upwardly open compartments accessible from the top of the frame. The modular housings house one or more operational components of the firearm, e.g., trigger and sear components, and are configured for “drop in” insertion into the receptacles. Each housing also includes a set of integral slide rails. For assembly, the operational components are attached to the modular housings, and the housings are dropped into the receptacles and secured to the frame. The slide is operably positioned on the slide rails for reciprocating movement thereon. The frame is provided without integral rails and other features for supporting the operational components. Instead, the rails are provided as part of the modular, drop-in sear and trigger mechanism housings, which also support the operational components.

Abstract: A configurable firearm grip is provided in which a removable portion thereof can be selected by the user based on the user's preference. For example, backstraps of various forms, thicknesses, and textures can be fitted to a handgun depending upon if the handgun is to be used for target shooting, competitive target shooting, hunting, personal protection, or any other shooting activity, or to accommodate varying hand sizes. The backstrap can be removed and installed without the use of tools. Cooperative portions on the inner surfaces of the backstrap and the rearward portion of the grip facilitate the registration of the backstrap with a fixed portion in preparation for the insertion of a locking element. The backstrap is able to be secured on the fixed grip portion of the handgun with one hand while the locking element is inserted through the backstrap and the fixed grip portion with the other hand.

Abstract: A firearm having a slide includes a magazine for accommodating a round of ammunition and a magazine follower disposed within the magazine. The magazine follower supports the round of ammunition and includes an outwardly extending protruding lip having a distal end which extends beyond a plane defined by an outer wall of the magazine.

Abstract: A double locking handcuff includes an interior spring laterally moveable between single- and double-lock positions. A finger-operated, pivoting cam is disposed within a slot extending through the cuff frame, and has a wide upper end accessible from the top of the cuff and a narrow, leg-like lower end positioned for movement against the spring. For double locking the handcuff, the cam upper end is moved downwards by hand. This causes the cam leg to press against and laterally shift the spring to its double-lock position. Because the cam is movable by hand and without the need for the handcuff key or for finding a double lock slot or pinhole, the double lock mechanism can be easily and quickly actuated. Also, when the handcuff is double locked the cam can be freely pivoted back and forth, providing direct tactile feedback that the handcuff is double locked.

Abstract: A cylinder retaining mechanism for a firearm includes a frame having a firing bore and a cylinder having a longitudinal bore. A yoke is pivotally connected to the frame and is operatively connected to the cylinder for selectively pivoting the cylinder between a first position in which the longitudinal bore is aligned with the firing bore, and a second position in which the longitudinal bore is not aligned with the firing bore. A biasing mechanism is housed in the frame and has an engaging portion which is selectively accommodated within an engaging cavity formed in the yoke when the cylinder is in the first position.

Abstract: A locking block mechanism for a compact semiautomatic pistol includes a pair of forward guide rails, which are normally separate from the locking block. Additionally, the locking block includes transverse ribs on the sides of the locking block, which engage mating slots in the polymeric frame of the pistol and secure the block to the frame. The guide rails and transverse ribs are separated by a space or discontinuity on the side wall of the locking block. The guide rails include chamfered front and rear edge surfaces and arcuate, convex bottom surfaces. The above-mentioned features function to create a durable locking block that allows for the construction of a pistol that is more compact than prior art designs.

Abstract: A round of high velocity ammunition contained within a modified chamber of a conventional firearm has a cartridge case, a sabot mounted within the forward-end of the case and a carrying projectile matching the caliber of the firearm for engaging rifling in the firearm bore, and a quantity of a propellant charge sufficient to impart a muzzle velocity in excess of 25,000 (ft./sec.) to the projectile. The cartridge case and the projectile cooperate with a rearwardly facing abutment surface of the chamber to confine the sabot which has an forwardly facing bearing surface coaxially surrounding a portion of the projectile and in abutting engagement with the abutment surface. When the round is fired substantially instantaneous dynamic forces generated by the gases of explosion propel the projectile from the chamber into and through the bore while simultaneously comprising the sabot to a fracture point.

Abstract: A semi-automatic firearm includes a frame and a movable slide mounted on the frame. The slide defines an ejection port and lateral walls that extend longitudinally from a rear face of the slide to adjacent a front face through which an opening is formed to permit egress of a round of ammunition, the rear face and the front face being generally perpendicular to the lateral walls. The firearm further includes a firing mechanism and an access port formed in the lateral walls of the slide.

Abstract: A method for removing the slide from a semi-automatic firearm is provided that includes the steps of: (1) providing an access port within the slide of the firearm that is positioned to align with the firing mechanism of the firearm; (2) inserting a probe into the access port; and (3) manipulating the firing mechanism with the probe, and thereby enabling the slide to be removed from the frame. A semi-automatic firearm is also provided that includes a frame, a slide removably mounted on the frame, a striker firing-pin mounted within the slide, a firing mechanism, and an access port disposed in the slide. When the slide is in a predetermined position, the firing mechanism can be accessed through the access port with a probe and manipulated to allow removal of the slide from the frame.

Abstract: An electronic firearm comprises a barrel assembly and a handle assembly coupled to the barrel assembly. The handle assembly includes a grip portion defining a cavity and at least one opening disposed generally at a rear side of the grip portion, and a biometric sensing device disposed within the cavity and aligned with the at least one opening of the grip portion for scanning the skin of a portion of the user's hand opposing the opening to determine whether the user is authorized to discharge the electronic firearm.

Abstract: Firearms having scandium containing aluminum alloy components having alloying elements including light weight metals, such as magnesium, chromium, copper and zinc, heavier metals, such as zirconium, and other rare earth metals. The components have yield strengths of 82 to 100 KSI, tensile strengths of 88 to 106 KSI, 12 to 19% elongation's, and 7 to 10% reduction areas, and a method for heat treating the scandium containing aluminum alloy. The alloy is composed of 0.05% to 0.15% scandium, 7.5% to 8.3% zinc, 1.6% to 2.2% magnesium, 1.6% to 2.0% copper, 0.02% to 0.04% chromium, 0.05% to 0.15% zirconium, and 87 to 90% aluminum. A method for making the components involves exposure to solution heat treatment of 875° F. for an hours or two, followed by water quench, natural aging at ambient temperature for 24 to 72 hours, artificial aging at 250° F. for 24 hours, and allowed to air cool.

Abstract: Firearms having scandium containing aluminum alloy components having alloying elements including light weight metals, such as magnesium, chromium, copper and zinc, heavier metals, such as zirconium, and other rare earth metals. The components have yield strengths of 82 to 100 KSI, tensile strengths of 88 to 106 KSI, 12 to 19% elongation's, and 7 to 10% reduction areas, and a method for heat treating the scandium containing aluminum alloy. The alloy is composed of 0.05% to 0.15% scandium, 7.5% to 8.3% zinc, 1.6% to 2.2% magnesium, 1.6% to 2.0% copper, 0.02% to 0.04% chromium, 0.05% to 0.15% zirconium, and 87 to 90% aluminum. A method for making the components involves exposure to solution heat treatment of 875° F. for an hours or two, followed by water quench, natural aging at ambient temperature for 24 to 72 hours, artificial aging at 250° F. for 24 hours, and allowed to air cool.

Abstract: A semi-automatic breech locking pistol has a reciprocally movable slide which includes an integral bolt and defines an upwardly and laterally outwardly open ejection port forward of the bolt. A barrel at least partially disposed within the slide has a chamber and a rearwardly extending headspace extension hood and provides a closure for the ejection port in locked breech condition. A chamber status indicator formed by a rearwardly open notch in the headspace extension hood facilitates determination of chamber status by direct visual observation and may also include a forwardly open groove in the bolt which cooperates with the notch in locked breech condition.

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 revolver includes a cylinder pivotally attached within an opening of a frame. The cylinder has a plurality of firing chambers sized to receive electrically fired cartridges. Each firing chamber is indexable to a carry-up position. A firing mechanism includes a trigger to actuate the firing mechanism from a recovered position to a fired position. A hand is attached to the trigger and engages the cylinder to index the chambers to their carry-up positions during actuation of the firing mechanism. A hammer is pivotally attached to the frame. A latch mechanism is pivotally attached to the frame wherein the latch mechanism engages the hammer in a set position during actuation of the firing mechanism. When the chambers reach their carry-up positions, the latch releases the hammer from the set position to displace the firing mechanism to the fired position to fire the revolver.

Abstract: Firearms having scandium containing aluminum alloy components having alloying elements including light weight metals, such as magnesium, chromium, copper and zinc, heavier metals, such as zirconium, and other rare earth metals. The components have yield strengths of 82 to 100 KSI, tensile strengths of 88 to 106 KSI, 12 to 19% elongation's, and 7 to 10% reduction areas, and a method for heat treating the scandium containing aluminum alloy. The alloy is composed of 0.05% to 0.15% scandium, 7.5% to 8.3% zinc, 1.6% to 2.2% magnesium, 1.6% to 2.0% copper, 0.02% to 0.04% chromium, 0.05% to 0.15% zirconium, and 87 to 90% aluminum. A method for making the components involves exposure to solution heat treatment of 875° F. for an hours or two, followed by water quench, natural aging at ambient temperature for 24 to 72 hours, artificial aging at 250° F. for 24 hours, and allowed to air cool.

Abstract: A backstrap assembly for a firearm includes a backstrap housing for accommodating electronic circuitry. The backstrap housing defines a rearward gripping portion and an open-ended frontward portion. The gripping portion defines apertures for receiving therein switch activators such as push buttons or keypads. A circuit assembly is disposed within the backstrap housing, and includes electrical switches including switch activators within respective apertures of the backstrap housing. A retaining element is coupled to the backstrap housing for holding in position at a rearward end the plurality of switch activators. Preferably, the retaining element includes sidewalls having a plurality of projections received within respective openings defined by at least one opposing wall of the backstrap housings Further, the rearward gripping portion of the backstrap housing defines a plurality of ribs between the plurality of apertures for an improved gripping surface and to prevent pull-out of the switch activators.