Abstract: A slide for a semiautomatic handgun includes a slide body extending along a bore axis and having a top wall, side walls extending downward from lateral margins of the top wall, and a distal end defining a distal opening intersected by the bore axis. The slide body defines an open region between the top wall and the side walls, the open region sized and configured to receive a barrel of the semiautomatic handgun extending along the bore axis and so that a muzzle end of the barrel is spaced axially from the distal end of the slide body. A distal end portion of the top wall defines one or more ports positioned between the distal end of the slide body and the muzzle end of the barrel to be received in the open region.

Abstract: A spring for a firearm magazine includes a top attachment leg, a plurality of upper coils connected to the top attachment leg, a plurality of intermediate coils below the upper coils, and a bottom attachment leg below the plurality of intermediate coils. The upper coils are sized and shaped to nest within the intermediate coils when the spring is fully compressed, reducing the solid height of the spring. In some embodiments, at least two complete upper coils and/or at least two complete lower coils nest within intermediate coils. In one example, at least some coils have a rectangular coil shape. The spring can be configured for use in a handgun magazine or a rifle magazine, for example. A handgun magazine and a magazine components kit including the spring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A handgun sear has a sear body extending between a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. The sear defines a first engagement surface adjacent the proximal end portion and a second engagement surface positioned distally of the first engagement surface. The sear can pivot about the distal end portion between a cocked position and a displaced position. The second engagement surface can be used to arrest forward movement of the striker in the event of an impulse that causes the striker to disengage from the first engagement surface. The sear may be incorporated into a fire control assembly of a semiautomatic handgun or other firearm.

Abstract: A handgun sear has a sear body extending between a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. The sear defines a first engagement surface adjacent the proximal end portion and a second engagement surface positioned distally of the first engagement surface. The sear can pivot about the distal end portion between a cocked position and a displaced position. The second engagement surface can be used to arrest forward movement of the striker in the event of an impulse that causes the striker to disengage from the first engagement surface. The sear may be incorporated into a fire control assembly of a semiautomatic handgun or other firearm.

Abstract: A firearm slide includes a mounting plate that is removably connected to a planar mounting surface of the firearm slide. A rear sight is removably attached to the mounting plate so that different types or styles of rear sights may be used with the firearm. Upon removing the mounting plate itself, various mounting features defined in the planar mounting surface of the slide are exposed. These mounting features can be used to attach any of a variety of accessories (whether a telescopic sight, a red dot sight, a light, or other accessory) directly to the exposed planar mounting surface of the slide.

Abstract: A firearm slide includes a mounting plate that is removably connected to a planar mounting surface of the firearm slide. A rear sight is removably attached to the mounting plate so that different types or styles of rear sights may be used with the firearm. Upon removing the mounting plate itself, various mounting features defined in the planar mounting surface of the slide are exposed. These mounting features can be used to attach any of a variety of accessories (whether a telescopic sight, a red dot sight, a light, or other accessory) directly to the exposed planar mounting surface of the slide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for substituting a different forend assembly in a long gun (e.g., a shotgun) without the use of tools by a user in the field. Applicants' preferred apparatus for substituting a forend comprises: a modified forend carrier that is affixed to the long gun (e.g., the illustrated shotgun); a forend; and tool-less means for removably attaching the forend onto the carrier, or removing the forend off the carrier, without the use of tools, wherein the tool-less means comprises: (i) a tongue-and-groove arrangement in the forend and carrier, and (ii) a releasable lock contained, at least in part, in the carrier. This permits the forend to be swapped out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for substituting a different forend assembly in a long gun (e.g., a shotgun) without the use of tools by a user in the field. Applicants' preferred apparatus for substituting a forend comprises: a modified forend carrier that is affixed to the long gun (e.g., the illustrated shotgun); a forend; and tool-less means for removably attaching the forend onto the carrier, or removing the forend off the carrier, without the use of tools, wherein the tool-less means comprises: (i) a tongue-and-groove arrangement in the forend and carrier, and (ii) a releasable lock contained, at least in part, in the carrier. This permits the forend to be swapped out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for substituting a different stock, or a different receiver assembly, in a long gun (e.g., a shotgun) without the use of tools by a user in the field. Applicants' preferred apparatus comprises: a long gun (e.g., an illustrated shotgun) having a stock and a receiver assembly; and an adaptor assembly which removably interconnects the stock to the receiver assembly, wherein the adaptor assembly includes: an adaptor base affixed to the receiver; an end of the stock is mounted onto the adaptor base; and a rotatable locking pin, continuously attached to the base, which can be lifted up and rotated or turned on its axis by 90° to unlock the adaptor assembly. The stock can then be pulled off the adaptor base. Upon a new stock being mounted on the adaptor base, the locking pin can be rotated back to its original orientation and pushed down to lock the adaptor assembly, whereupon the adaptor assembly interconnects the substitute stock with the receiver assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for substituting a different stock, or a different receiver assembly, in a long gun (e.g., a shotgun) without the use of tools by a user in the field. Applicants' preferred apparatus comprises: a long gun (e.g., an illustrated shotgun) having a stock and a receiver assembly; and an adaptor assembly which removably interconnects the stock to the receiver assembly, wherein the adaptor assembly includes: an adaptor base affixed to the receiver; an end of the stock is mounted onto the adaptor base; and a rotatable locking pin, continuously attached to the base, which can be lifted up and rotated or turned on its axis by 90° to unlock the adaptor assembly. The stock can then be pulled off the adaptor base. Upon a new stock being mounted on the adaptor base, the locking pin can be rotated back to its original orientation and pushed down to lock the adaptor assembly, whereupon the adaptor assembly interconnects the substitute stock with the receiver assembly.