Abstract: A handgun has a frame which includes a hollow pistol grip with an opening through one of its sides to provide access to mechanism contained therein. A grip panel provides a closure for the opening and is releasably secured to the pistol grip by a single fastener which extends centrally through the panel and is threadably engaged with a retaining strip which extends across the opening. One end of the retaining strip is anchored by a pin mounted on the pistol grip. The other end of the retaining strip bears against the inner end of a marginal flange which surrounds the opening in the pistol grip. The pin may comprise a pivot pin which supports a part of the mechanism contained within the pistol grip.

Abstract: A new and improved handgun providing a strut assembly which engages the hammer assembly at two contact points, one of which is at the hammer pivot point which acts as a stop. An improved sequential firing mechanism is disclosed making use of notches on a ratchet engaged by a detent to secure proper alignment and positioning of the hammer firing mechanism with the firing pin. The invention also provides a safety mechanism for preventing the accidental firing of additional shots in a multibarrel handgun.

Abstract: A new and improved handgun providing a strut assembly which engages the hammer assembly at two contact points, one of which is at the hammer pivot point which acts as a stop. An improved sequential firing mechanism is disclosed making use of notches on a ratchet engaged by a detent to secure proper alignment and positioning of the hammer firing mechanism with the firing pin. The invention also provides a safety mechanism for preventing the accidental firing of additional shots in a multibarrel handgun.

Abstract: A multi-barrel, breach loaded pistol having a double action firing mechanism includes an L-shaped sear carried by the hammer and released from engagement with the trigger by engagement of a portion of the sear with the gun frame.

Abstract: A four barrel, breech loaded pistol having a double acting firing mechanism includes an inertia responsive pendulum-like safety which swings into blocking relation to the hammer to arrest hammer movement in response to a suddenly arrested rearward motion of the pistol.

Abstract: A double action multi-barrel handgun has a hammer assembly which includes a hammer and a rotary firing element carried by the hammer. The firing element is retained in assembly with the hammer by a detent mechanism which continuously urges the firing element into face-to-face engagement with the hammer whereby to eliminate play between the firing element and hammer.

Abstract: The trigger of a handgun is retained and stabilized for longitudinal sliding movement between ready and firing positions within an upwardly opening guideway in the gun frame by longitudinally spaced apart lugs which project from the trigger into a guide track formed in the frame and opening laterally into the guideway. When the trigger is in an assembly position relative to the frame one of the lugs is vertically aligned with an upwardly and laterally inwardly opening notch in the frame which communicates with the guideway and the guide track. A pin carried by the trigger and engageable with an abutment on the frame prevents movement of the trigger to its assembly position after assembly with the frame.

Abstract: A magazine loaded pistol has a safety mechanism for disabling its trigger when its magazine is removed. A disabling member supported for reciprocal sliding movement on the pistol frame extends through and moves within a passageway in the trigger and is retained by the trigger pivot pin. When the magazine is removed the disabling member is biased to a safety position wherein an abutment surface thereon is aligned with a stop surface on the trigger to block trigger movement.

Abstract: Non-metallic grip panels slidably received within recesses in opposite sides of a pistol handle are releasably retained in assembly with the handle by a flat retaining spring. Each panel carries an associated retaining spring which has a free end portion biased into an associated cavity in the handle. The retaining springs are wholly concealed when the grip panels are assembled with the handle and are accessible through a magazine well formed in the handle to facilitate release.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a firearm includes a hammer block engageable with the hammer to prevent the hammer from moving into engagement with the firing pin. The hammer block is manually shifted between its active and inactive positions through a safety cam having a positive driving connection with the block. As the cam is moved to shift the block from its non-blocking to its blocking position, the cam also engages the sear to release the sear from the trigger and to allow the hammer to move from its cocked position into a safety position in engagement with the hammer block. A compact arrangement is obtained by having the safety cam non-rotatably carried by an operating shaft which also serves as the pivot pin for the hammer and by having the hammer spring received in a hammer recess in surrounding relation to the safety cam operating shaft. The hammer block and sear are also mounted on a single pivot pin common to the two parts.

Abstract: A magazine isolator is provided for a shutgun having a pump action of conventional type, including sliding linkage, operable sequentially from a battery position through an eject position and loading sequence back to the battery position. The magazine isolator has a selector adapted to the tubular magazine of the shotgun. The selector is movable between a single shot position and a repeat position. A stop surface is fixed to the sliding linkage of the pump action for contact with a shoulder associated with the selector. Upon positioning the selector in the single shot position, the shoulder is positioned for contact with the stop surface to inhibit the pump action from operating past the eject position. A spring loaded detent arrangement is adapted to selectively latch the selector in either the repeat or single position.

Abstract: A pistol-type signal launcher having a spring-actuated hammer carrying the firing pin, a pivotally mounted barrel releasably retained in firing position by a plunger which is biased toward the barrel support cam by a spring which may also bias the trigger toward cocked position with the sear in engagement with the hammer base, and a dog suspended at a point in the breech in a position to prevent the sear from releasing the hammer when the launcher is aimed in any direction except upward at an angle of at least 45.degree., such upward aiming of the launcher causing the dog to swing by gravity out of the path of the sear, permitting the hammer to be fired.