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: 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 is provided that includes a frame, a barrel, a cylinder, a hammer, a trigger, and a safety lock mechanism. The safety lock mechanism includes a lockarm and a lockarm actuator. The hammer includes a normal slot and a lock slot. The lockarm includes a cam surface and hammer post, and is pivotally mounted relative to the frame. The lockarm actuator is disposed in the frame. The lockarm actuator includes a head and a cam, and the cam is aligned with the cam surface of the lockarm so as to be engageable with the cam surface. The lockarm actuator can be positioned in a safety-off condition in which the hammer post of the lockarm is received within the normal slot of the hammer and the hammer is operable. The lockarm actuator can also be positioned in a safety-on condition in which the hammer post is received within the lock slot and the hammer is inoperable.

Abstract: A revolver is provided that includes a frame, a barrel, a cylinder, a hammer, a trigger, and a safety lock mechanism. The safety lock mechanism includes a lockarm and a lockarm actuator. The hammer includes a normal slot and a lock slot. The lockarm includes a cam surface and hammer post, and is pivotally mounted relative to the frame. The lockarm actuator is disposed in the frame. The lockarm actuator includes a head and a cam, and the cam is aligned with the cam surface of the lockarm so as to be engageable with the cam surface. The lockarm actuator can be positioned in a safety-off condition in which the hammer post of the lockarm is received within the normal slot of the hammer and the hammer is operable. The lockarm actuator can also be positioned in a safety-on condition in which the hammer post is received within the lock slot and the hammer is inoperable.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an electronic sight assembly for sighting a revolver under various ambient lighting conditions comprises an elongated sight frame having front and rear sights, and means for illuminating the sights according to a measured level of ambient light. A front light guide transmits light from a light source to the front sight, and a pair of rear light guides transmit light from the light source to the rear sight. The sight frame encloses a pair of ambient light guides which transmit ambient light to a photosensitive cell that produces a signal corresponding to the ambient level of light. The light source is then energized according to the ambient level of light.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a firearm having an electronic firing apparatus adapted to produce a firing signal includes a frame with a firing chamber to receive a percussively fired cartridge, a barrel with a firing axis attached to the frame in alignment with the firing chamber and a trigger member. A linearly displaceable firing probe is disposed within the frame for linear reciprocal movement from a probe recovered position, wherein the firing probe is retracted away from said cartridge, to a probe contacting position, wherein the firing probe is disposed forwardly in contact with the cartridge. A security apparatus is in electrical communication with the firing probe and is capable of determining an operational mode of the firearm. The firearm further includes an identification assembly for determining whether an operator of the firearm is an authorized operator and is in electrical communication with the security apparatus.

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: 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 toot engaged with and complementing the rifling grooves in the barrel applies predetermined torque to the barrel to assemble it with the frame.

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.