Abstract: A magazine base pad having enhanced gripping features. The base pad has a left side, a front, and a right side. A left wall extends upward along the left side, a front wall extends upward along the front, and a right wall extends upward along the right side. An inward sloping surface runs along the left wall and the right wall. An inward sloping surface preferably runs along the front wall as well. The left side opens into a left side notch. The right side opens into a right side notch. Each of these notches includes a plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs. The ribs are preferably a “sawtooth” design that allows an engaging finger or thumb to move easily upward across the ribs but tends to frictionally engage a finger or thumb when it is moved downward across the ribs. The notches, ribs, and inward sloping surface cooperate to enhance a user's grip on the base pad.

Abstract: A gun magazine spring and magazine assembly having a novel design. The coils of the spring are configured to nest in certain regions and overlap in others. The result is that—as the spring nears its fully compressed state—the spring has an uneven stack height from left to right. The uneven stack height produces a predictable lateral displacement of the follower. The higher of the two stacked sides of the spring protrudes laterally outward through a lateral relief in the follower. This feature allows the spring and follower to overlap in the vertical direction to a greater extent than would be possible with conventional laterally-even spring nesting. The additional overlap produces additional internal space while also ensuring that the spring and follower assembly behave in a predictable manner.

Abstract: A novel system and method for determining when a magazine spring has exceeded a compressive set tolerance and needs to be replaced. The spring includes a visual indicator. The visual indicator is positioned so that it is visible beyond the bottom of the magazine tube when the follower and magazine spring are inserted into the tube and the follower is raised to its uppermost position. The visual indicator is not visible beyond the bottom of the magazine when the spring has exceeded its compressive set tolerance.

Abstract: A trigger system having a detachable trigger shoe. The trigger shoe is made detachable from the trigger bow while the trigger bow remains in an installed state within the pistol. A selectable detachment feature is provided for the connection between the trigger shoe and the trigger bow. The user can activate this detachment feature and remove the shoe while leaving the trigger bow in place. The user can then install a different trigger shoe while the trigger bow remains in place.

Abstract: A magazine base pad having enhanced gripping features. The base pad has a left side, a front, and a right side. A left wall extends upward along the left side, a front wall extends upward along the front, and a right wall extends upward along the right side. An inward sloping surface runs along the left wall and the right wall. An inward sloping surface preferably runs along the front wall as well. The left side opens into a left side notch. The right side opens into a right side notch. Each of these notches includes a plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs. The ribs are preferably a “sawtooth” design that allows an engaging finger or thumb to move easily upward across the ribs but tends to frictionally engage a finger or thumb when it is moved downward across the ribs. The notches, ribs, and inward sloping surface cooperate to enhance a user's grip on the base pad.

Abstract: A trigger system having a detachable trigger shoe. The trigger shoe is made detachable from the trigger bow while the trigger bow remains in an installed state within the pistol. A selectable detachment feature is provided for the connection between the trigger shoe and the trigger bow. The user can activate this detachment feature and remove the shoe while leaving the trigger bow in place. The user can then install a different trigger shoe while the trigger bow remains in place.

Abstract: A firearm magazine base pad having a significantly reduced overall height. The base pad is slidably engaged to the bottom of the magazine tube—thereby securing a magazine spring and follower inside the tube. A cantilever spring is provided to lock the base pad in place. The cantilever spring can be depressed in order to release the base pad and allow it to slide free of the magazine tube. A fixed end of the cantilever spring is attached to the base pad. A free end of the cantilever spring is free to move.

Abstract: A firearm magazine retention and release system providing a motion-limiting engagement between a firearm and a magazine. The magazine is provided with a catch opening. The firearm is provided with a magazine catch having a protrusion positioned to engage the catch opening. The protrusion includes one or more sloping surfaces that provide a greater vertical engagement as the protrusion is urged further into the catch opening. The result is that the protrusion engages one or more edges of the catch opening-thereby inhibiting vertical travel of the magazine with respect to the firearm.

Abstract: A firearm magazine retention and release system providing a motion-limiting engagement between a firearm and a magazine. The magazine is provided with a catch opening. The firearm is provided with a magazine catch having a protrusion positioned to engage the catch opening. The protrusion includes one or more sloping surfaces that provide a greater vertical engagement as the protrusion is urged further into the catch opening. The result is that the protrusion engages one or more edges of the catch opening—thereby inhibiting vertical travel of the magazine with respect to the firearm.

Abstract: A firearm magazine base pad having a significantly reduced overall height. The base pad is slidably engaged to the bottom of the magazine tube-thereby securing a magazine spring and follower inside the tube. A plunger latch mechanism is provided to lock the base pad in place. The plunger can be depressed in order to release the base pad and allow it to slide free of the magazine tube. The plunger is biased upward by a lateral cantilever spring. A fixed end of the cantilever spring is attached to the base pad. A free end of the cantilever spring moves with the plunger.

Abstract: A novel spring and follower design for a firearm magazine that produce a reduced height when the magazine is fully loaded. The preferred embodiments of the magazine spring include a triple-nested bottom three coils, followed by an alternating succession of double-nested pairs of coils. The bottom three coils and the alternating pairs are configured to remain within a double stack portion of the magazine. The magazine spring also includes a transition portion—comprising elongated coils—configured to extend into the upper portion of the magazine when the magazine is nearly empty. The follower is preferably configured to receive the transition portion of the magazine spring into a lower receiver when the magazine spring is fully compressed.

Abstract: A gun magazine spring and magazine assembly having a novel design. The coils of the spring are configured to nest in certain regions and overlap in others. The result is that—as the spring nears its fully compressed state—the spring has an uneven stack height from left to right. The uneven stack height produces a predictable lateral displacement of the follower. The higher of the two stacked sides of the spring protrudes laterally outward through a lateral relief in the follower. This feature allows the spring and follower to overlap in the vertical direction to a greater extent than would be possible with conventional laterally-even spring nesting. The additional overlap produces additional internal space while also ensuring that the spring and follower assembly behave in a predictable manner.

Abstract: A firearm magazine base pad having a significantly reduced overall height. The base pad is slidably engaged to the bottom of the magazine tube-thereby securing a magazine spring and follower inside the tube. A plunger latch mechanism is provided to lock the base pad in place. The plunger can be depressed in order to release the base pad and allow it to slide free of the magazine tube. The plunger is biased upward by a lateral cantilever spring. A fixed end of the cantilever spring is attached to the base pad. A free end of the cantilever spring moves with the plunger.