Abstract: A slide block mechanism for a semi-automatic pistol that locks the slide in battery and prevents the slide from reciprocating when the pistol is discharged. The slide block mechanism consists of a pair of aligned notches formed in the bottom edge of the slide and the top of the frame, and a pivoting slide block lever mounted to the frame that selectively seats within either of the aligned notches. The slide block lever can be manually switched to engage and disengage the slide block mechanism and is independent of the fire control and slide stop assemblies. The slide block lever has a protrusion that seats within the slide notch when engaged to prevent the slide from moving rearward and seats within the frame notch when disengaged for allowing normal operation of the slide.

Abstract: A slide block mechanism for a semi-automatic pistol that locks the slide in battery and prevents the slide from reciprocating when the pistol is discharged. The slide block mechanism consists of a pair of aligned notches formed in the bottom edge of the slide and the top of the frame, and a pivoting slide block lever mounted to the frame that selectively seats within either of the aligned notches. The slide block lever can be manually switched to engage and disengage the slide block mechanism and is independent of the fire control and slide stop assemblies. The slide block lever has a protrusion that seats within the slide notch when engaged to prevent the slide from moving rearward and seats within the frame notch when disengaged for allowing normal operation of the slide.

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: 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: 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: A modular firearm according to the present invention includes a breach face module receiver adapted for receiving a fully assembled breach face module. The breach face module includes a breach face and an extractor arm precisely located relative to the breach face for engaging a cartridge rim and ejecting the cartridge from the firearm. The extractor arm is pivotally mounted in the breach face module and is rotationally biased by an extractor spring to effect cartridge engagement. The location of the extractor arm and the size of the breach face are variable so that the breach face module can be adapted for use with a range of calibers. The exterior dimensions of the breach face module remain constant so that a single breach face module receiver may be used to manufacture firearms of various calibers.

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.