SLIDE TAKEDOWN SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FIREARM

SLIDE TAKEDOWN SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FIREARM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[9001 J The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional

Application No. 61 /568,783 filed December , 201 1, which is incorporated by reference herein in it entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

{00021 The present disclosure generally relates to firearms, and more particularly to a slide takedow system and .method of use for pistols.

[0003] Semi-automatic pistols generally include a frame having a grip portion for grasping by the user, barrel defining a chamber for holding a cartridge, firing mechanism for cocking and releasing a striker or hammer to detonate the cartridge, and an axially

reciprocating slide supported by the frame. The slide defines a breech block for forming an openable and eloseable breech with the rear of the chamber as well known to those skilled in the art.

[0004] Disassembly or "field stripping" of semi-automatic pistol for inspection and maintenance requires removal of the slide from the pistol. Removal of the slide is prevented during normal operatio of the pistol when in the ready-to-fire condition. To allow the slide to be removed, various approaches to takedown mechanisms or systems may be provided.

[0005] An improved takedown system for slide removal from a firearm is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] A slide takedown system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a takedown mechanism mounted to the pistol which interacts with the slide. The takedown mechanism is manually movable between a blocking position in which removal of the slide front the pistol is prevented and a non-blocking position which enabies remo val of the slide. In one embodiment, the takedown mechanism includes a lever pivotably mounted to the pistol that is movable into and out of engagement with the slide. The slide takedown system functions in concert with a slide guidance and. retention system to prevent or allow removal of the slide from the pistol [000?] In one embodiment, a firearm with slide takedown mechanism is disclosed including a frame, a barrel supported by the frame and defining a longitudinal axis of the firearm, a trigger movably supported by the frame, a reciprocating slide slidably engaged with the firearm, the slide moveable between a forward position and a rearward removal position, and a takedown lever pivotab^'ly mounted to the firearm and engageable with the slide. The takedown lever is pivotable in a lateral direction about the longitudinal axis between a blocking position in which the slide is not. movable from the forward position to the rearward removal position and an unblocking position in which the slide is movable to die rearward removal position. When the slide is in the rearward removal position, the slide is configured to be disertgageab!e from the frame for removal. in foregoing or another embodiment, the takedown lever is mounted about a pi vot axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame, in the foregoing embodiments, the blocking position of the takedown lever is an upward position proximate to and nested in the frame and the unblocking position is a downward position distal to and spaced away from the .frame. Embodiments may include a retaining mechanism for maintaining the takedown lever in the unblockin position.

[0008} In another embodiment, a firearm with slide takedown mechanism includes a frame, a barrel supported by the frame and defining a longitudinal axis of the firearm, a trigger movably supported by the frame, and a reciprocating slide supported by the frame for axial movement between a forward position and a rearward removal position. The slide is

configured to be removable from the frame when in the rearward removal position. Also provided is a takedown lever pivotably mounted to the firearm and engageable with the slide, the takedown lever including a mounting end pivotably coupled to the firearm, an opposite free end defining a grasping portion, and a blocking surface interposed between the mounting and free ends. The takedown lever is laterally and downwardly movable between a blocking position in which the blocking surface interposed between the mounting and free ends engages the slide to block movement of the slide from the forward position to the rearward removal position, and a unblocking position in which the blocking surface does not engage the slide and allows movement of the slide from the forward posi tion to the rearward removal, position. In the foregoing or other embodiments, the takedown lever is mounted about a. pivot pin.

defining a pivot axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame. In any of the foregoing embodiments, the takedown lever is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the firearm.

{000 1 A met o for removing the slide from a firearm is also provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: providing a. firearm having a longitudinal axis, barrel with bore, trigger, frame, and a reciprocating slide movable forwards and rearwards on the frame; locating the slide in a forward position; engaging a takedown lever with the slide wherein the slide cannot be moved rearwards past the forward position, the takedown Sever being in a blocking position; pivoting the takedown iever oirtwards from the frame and downwards from the blocking positio to an unblocking position; disengaging the takedown lever from the slide; retracting the slide rearwards on the frame to rearward removal position; and removing the slide from the frame. In one embodiment, a rearward facing blocking surface on the slide is moved past a forward facing blocking surface on the takedown lever in retracting the slide to the rearward removal position.

BRIEF .DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

00010 The features of the exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings where like elements are labeled similarly, and in which:

[000]]. I FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a firearm in the form of a pistol according to the present disclosure having a slide takedown system and showing the slide in a ready~io~fire forward position;

[OO012J FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the slide of FIG. 1 with a rear portion of slide cutaway;

[00013] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view thereof.

(00014] FIG, 4 is a bottom perspec tive view of the slide looking rearwards;

[O0015J FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view thereof looking forwards;

[OO016J FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a frame insert mounted in the pistol of FIG. 1:

[00017| FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the pistol of FIG, I showing the slide takedown system lever in the inactivated upward blocking position;

(00018] FIG. 8 is the same view thereof with the frame removed for clarity to better show the slide takedown system lever;

[000191 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the pistol of FIG. i showing the [00020} FIG. 10 is the same view thereof with the frame removed for clarity to better show the slide takedown system lever;

(00021] FIG. 11 A is another side elevation view of the pistol of FIG, 1;

(00022) FIG. 1 IB is a longitudinal cross- sectional side elevation view of the pistol of

FIG. 1 ;

1000231 FIG. 1 IC is a front elevation view of the pistol of FIG. 1 :

(00024) FIG. 1 1D is a longitudinal cross-sectional top view of the pistol of FIG. 1 taken along Line 1 1 D-l 1 D in FIG. 1 3 A;

[00025} FIG. 12 is a detailed enlarged view of the rear portion of the pistol taken from FIG. 1 I B;

[00026} FIG. 13 is a detailed enlarged view of the rear portion of the pistol taken from FIG. I I D;

[00027] FIG, 14 is a side elevation view of the pistol of FIG. i with the slide in the retracted rearward re-loading position;

[000281 FIGS. 15A-C are enlarged cross-sectional views of a rear portion of the slide with a rail and flange slide retention system in various operating positions;

(000291 FIGS. 16 is a perspecti ve view of the slide takedown Sever showing an alternative embodiment of a retaining mechanism for maintaining lever in an upward- unblocking position;

[00030} FIG. 16B is a side elevation vie thereof;

[0003.1 J FIG. 1 7 is a perspective view of the pistol of FIG. 1 showing another alternative embodiment of a retaining mechanism for maintaining lever in an upward unblocking position; and

[00032} FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the pistol of FIG. 1 showing yet another alternati ve embodiment, of a retaining mechanism for maintaining lever In a upward unblocking position.

[00033| Ail drawings are schematic and not necessarily to scale,

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[00034] The features and benefits of the invention are illustrated and described herein, by reference to exemplary embodiments. This description of exemplar embodiments is intended the entire written description. In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower." "upper ' "horizontal," "vertica "above," "below," "up," "down," "top" and

"bottom" as well as derivative thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly " etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms such as "attached," "affixed " "connected," and "interconnected," refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through

intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressl described otherwise. Accordingly, the disclosure expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features.

100035) FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a semi-automatic pistol 10 having a slide takedown mechanism according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS, 1 , 2, and 6, pistol 10 defines a longitudinal axis LA and includes a frame 12 having front 12a, rear 12b, and intermediate 12c trigger guard portions, an axially slidable and reciprocating slide 20 mounted on the pistol having a breech block 20a ( see FIG. 12k a barrel 14 with rifled bore 34c and having a front muzzle end 1 a and a rear end 14b defining a chamber 1 1 (see FIG . 6) configured for holding a cartridge, a hammer 17 pivotably mounted to the pistol, and a trigger 16 pivotably mounted to pistol and operably linked to the hammer via a conventional trigger mechanism for cocking and releasing the hammer to discharge the pistol, in other possible embodiments where pisiol 10 ma be of a striker- fired design, a striker may be provided in lieu of a hammer. Such striker designs are known to those skilled in the art without further elaboration. In some embodiments the longitudinal axis LA may be defined by the barrel bore 14c (see FIG. 6), The rear portion 12b of the frame 12 defines an elongated grip I S for holding pistol 10. Frame 12 may be made of any suitable material commonly used in the art including metal, polymers, or combinations thereof.

[00036] FIG. 6 depicts a frame insert 40 that may be removably mountabie in the frame 12. Frame insert 40 is insertable into a longitudinally-extending channel defined in the frame 12. The frame insert 40 may be rigidly and fixedly mounted in the frame 12 via any suitable means known in the art. including without limitation mechanical fasteners or pins of any type, adhesives, friction or interference fits, etc. so long as the insert remains stationary with the frame 12 when the pistol 10 is fired. In other possible embodiments, the frame insert 40 may be movably coupled to but retained in frame 12. in some embodiments, the frame insert 40 includes barrel 14 fixedly mounted thereon, trigger 16 pivotabiy mounted to assembly, and hammer 17 pivotabiy mounted to the assembly as shown. Frame insert 40 may be made of any suitable material including metal such as for example aluminum, titanium, or steel, or polymers. The barrel 14 and hammer 17 may be made of any su itable material including metals such as steel as commonly used in the art for these components. Frame insert 40 may further include a slide catch 13 which is pivotabiy mounted on a lever arm to the insert and manually moveable in upward and downward directions. Slide catch 13 interacts and cooperates with a slide catch cutout 15 (see FIG. 1) in a conventional manner to hold the breech area of the pistol open (defined at the rear of the chamber 1 1).

[00037] FIGS. 2-5 show various views of slide 20. Slide 20 is an axial y elongated and generally hollow structure defining a longitudinally-extending interna!, cavity 20a. Slide 20 includes a front end 24, opposing rear end 25, top 21 defining an ejection port 23, and downwardly open bottom 22. Front end 24 includes an enlarged, protuberant boss 26 which is vertically elongated and includes a lower lobed portion that projects outward and downward from the main body of the slide 20 as shown. Boss 26 defines an upper barrel hole 27 configured, for interacting with and slidably receiving barrel 14 therethrough and a lower guide hole 28 configured for interacting with and slidably receiving a guide rod 19 therethrough (see, e.g. FIGS. 7-10). Holes 27 and 28 extend in an axial direction parallel to longitudinal axis LA. Recoil spring 29 is mounted on guide rod 19 for biasing and returning the slide 20 forward after firing pistol 10 in a conventional manner. In alternate possible embodiments, recoil spring 29 may be mounted concentrically with and surrounding barrel .14 w hich serves as a guide rod in lieu of providing a separate guide rod 1 . Either construction is satisfactory.

[0O038J In one embodiment, reciprocating axial movement of slide 20 on pistol 10 may be guided in part by the enlarged boss 26 on the front portion of the slide (slidably interacting with the barrel 14 and guide rod 1 ) and at the rear portion of the slide by a mating set of guide rails and guide flanges 30, 43 disposed on the slide and frame insert 40, respectively. In some embodiments, there are two mating sets of guide rails and guide flanges 30. 43 disposed on each lateral side of the slide 20 and frame insert 40 (see, e.g. FIG. 13). The guide rail and flange set define both a slide guidance and retention system that operates in concert with the slide takedown system lever 50 mounted towards the front portion of the slide to either prevent or allow removal of the slide 20 from pistol 10, as further described herein.

|OO03 | Accordingly; referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the slide guidance and retention system in some embodiments includes the slide 20 having a pair of opposing guide rails 30 disposed inside cavity 20a which face and extend laterally inwards from the interior surface of the slide towards the longitudinal axis LA. Each rail 30 has a forward end 31 and rear end 32. Rails 30 are axially elongated having a greater length than lateral width or height, as shown in FIG. 5. in some embodiments, guide rails 30 may be formed proximate to the rear end 25 of slide 20 and extend forwardly.

{00940] With continuing reference to FIGS, 2-5, disposed adjacent to each guide rail 30 is a recess 35 configured for slidably receiving therein guide flanges 43 formed or disposed on frame insert 40 (best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). Each recess 35 includes a longitudinally- extending axial guide slot 33 and an enlarged receptacle 34 commuiiicating with, and formed at a forward end of the slot. In one embodiment, slot 33 may be disposed above guide rail 30 and receptacle 34 may be disposed forward of a front end 31 of rail 30 as shown. In some embodiments, receptacle 34 may have an axial length thai is at least slightl larger than the axial length of guide flange 43 on frame insert 40 to allo the flange 43 to be removably inserted vertically upwards through an. ope bottom 36 of the receptacle and axially aligned with slot 33 for mounting the slide 20 onto the frame insert 40, and conversely then withdrawn vertically downward through open bottom 36 for removing the slide from the frame for field stripping pistol 10.

[000411 Referring to FIG. 6, guide flanges 43 are opposmgly positioned on frame insert 40 near a rear portion of the frame insert as shown. Flanges 43 face and extend laterally outwards from the exterior surface of the frame insert 40 away from the longitudinal axis LA. Each flange 43 has a forward end 41. and rear end 42. Flanges 43 are axially elongated having a greater length than lateral width. Flanges 43 are each configured and dimensioned to fit in corresponding slot 33 and receptacle 34 of recess 35. In one embodiment, flanges 43 have an axial length that is shorter than the axial length of guide rails 30 and slots 33 formed in slide 20 (see also FIGS. 1 1- 13).

[00042 j Referring to FIGS. 2-6, a pair of longitudinally-extending bearing surfaces 37 are defined by the top of each guide slot 33 and receptacle 34 (best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), When slide 20 is mounted on frame insert 40, the bearing surfaces 37 engage corresponding bearing surfaces 44 defined on the top of frame insert guide flanges 43 to siidably support slide for reciprocating forward and rearward axial movement between closed, and open breech positions, respectively.

(00043] In some embodiments, as best shown in FIG. 12, sliding of giri.de flange 43 within elongated slot 33 of slide 20 may be restricted to linear axial motion by making the height of the slot just sl ightly larger than the height of flange 43. This accommodates the linear motion desired for guiding the reciprocating axial motion of slide 20 on frame insert 40 when cycling the action after discharging pistol 10. Once flange 43 is allowed to fully enter receptacle 34 of slide 20 for field stripping the pistol, movement of flange 43 is largely restricted to vertical motion until the flange exits the open bottom 36 of the receptacle.

[000441 During normal firing of pistol 10 and cycling of the action, the slide 20 reciprocates axialiy between a forward ready-to-fire operating position associated with closed breech (shown in FIG, 1) and a rearward re- loading operating position associated with an open breech (shown in FIG. 14) for extracting and ejecting a spent cartridge casing from the pistol. The guide flange 43 on frame insert 40 preferably remains at least partially within the axial, slot. 33 in the slide 20 when the slide is in the rearward re-loading position to prevent removal of slide from the pistol.

[00045] In one embodiment; the slide is further movable in a rearward direction to a second rearward axial removal position for field stripping the pistol. The slide removal, position is located farther rearward than the re-loading position of the slide.

[00046] To prevent removal of the slide from the pistol. 10 during normal pistol operation, a takedown mechanism is provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure which operates to restrict the maximum rearward movement of the slide 20 to the fa st rearward re-loading position described herein that is associated with normal cycling of the action. Accordingly, when activated, the takedown mechanism prevents rearward, movement of sl ide 20 to the second rearward removal position. In some embodiments, the takedown mechanism may be a takedown lever 50 that may be pivotabl mounted to pistol 10 as shown in FIGS. 6- 10. In one embodiment, takedown lever 50 may be pivoiabi mounted to frame 12, and in a certain embodiment to frame insert 40 as shown in FIG. 6. The takedown lever and operation thereof will now be described in further detail

fflO0471 Referring first FIGS. 6-10. takedown lever 50 may be mounted to a front portion of frame insert 40 as shown via a pivot pin 53, or alternatively pin 53 may be mounted directly to frame 12. In one embodiment, takedown lever 50 is located below slide 20 underneath and on the underside of frame 12 within a recess 12d (see, e.g. FIG. 7), and in one certain

embodiment generally within the confines of the trigger guard portion 12c and trigger guard .12e of the frame as shown in FIG. 1. Pivot pin 53 defines a pivot axis P and may be axially oriented in the direction of longitudinal axis LA (i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis) so that takedown lever 50 pivots in a lateral direction upward and downward transversely or perpendicular to longitudinal axis LA as best shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, takedown lever 50 pivots within a vertical and laterally-oriented plane that is perpendicular to and intersects longitudinal axis LA. Pivot pin 53 may be laterally offset from longitudinal axis LA and centerline of pistol 10 as shown in FIG. 6 being mounted closer to one lateral side of frame insert 40 than the other lateral side. Takedown lever 50 is movable between an upward blocking position proximate to frame 12 and a downward unblocking (non-blocking) position distal to frame 12.

j^'00048| When takedown lever 50 is hi the blocking position shown in FIGS. 7 and H, slide 20 cannot be removed from frame insert 40 and pistol 10. The maximum rearward movement of the slide is limited to the first rearward re-loading position. The slide can be moved to the re-loading position either manuall or automatically upon firing the pistol and cycling the action.

0OO49 j When takedown lever 50 is hi the unblocking position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the slide 20 can be manually moved by a distance to the second rearward slide removal position, in this position, slide 20 is fully removable from the pistol 0 and frame insert 40. 1000501 Referring to FIGS. 6-10, in some embodiments, takedown lever 50 may be maintained in the upward blocking position via retaining mechanism such as without limitation a spring loaded detent plunger 54 which engages a complementary configured detent recess 55 disposed in frame 12 either in frame insert 40 as shown in FIG. 6 or alternatively directly in frame 12. in other embodiments, the detent plunger may alternatively be disposed in the frame 12 or frame nsert 40 and the recess may be disposed in takedown lever 50. Other suitable retaining mechanisms may be used to maintain lever 50 in the upward, unblocking position, including without limitation a .flexible or resilient cantilevered portion, or protrusion formed as an integral unitary part of the lever or frame 12 that is configured to engage a complementary mating recess 55. One such non-limiting example of such an embodiment is shown for in. FIGS. 16A-B which includes a protrusion 70 formed as an integral part of takedown lever 50 such that, there is no relative movement, between the protrusion and lever.

(00051] FIG. 1.7 shows another alternative embodiment of a retaining mechanism for maintaining lever 50 in the upward unblocking position. The underside of takedown lever 50 is provided with an axia!!y extending retaining groove 82 that receives an axial iy extending moveable retaining pin 80 projecting in a rearward direction from frame 12, Retaining pin 80 is moveable in an axial direction and may be disposed, in a corresponding hole 84 in frame 12 configured to receive the pin. in one embodiment, retaining pin SO may be spring-biased rearward into a retaining position as shown and can be pushed forward back into the hole 84 in a non-retaining position wherein the takedown lever can be pivoted downwards in the manner already described herein to remove the slide 20 from pistol 10. Alternatively, a latch or similar mechanical member could alternatively be provided to achieve the same functionality as retaining pin SO.

[000521 FIG. 18 shows yet another alternative embodiment of a retaining mechanism for maintaining lever 50 in the upward unblocking position. In this embodiment, the front. nd/or rear surfaces of takedown lever 50 include tiaiisverse-oriented recesses 92 configured to receive complementary configured mating transverse-oriented raised protrusions 90 disposed on frame 12. in one embodiment, the recesses 92 may be transversely elongated in the form of slots and the protrusions 90 may be transversely elongated in the form of raised ridges that removably engage the slots. In other embodiments, the takedown lever 50 may alternatively have protrusions 90 and the frame 12 may have recesses 92.

(00053] To facilitate manually operating the takedown lever, some embodiments of takedown lever 50 may further include a cantilevered grasping portion 51 formed on a free end 57 of the lever opposite the mounting end 58 of the lever at. pivot pin 53. The grasping portion.

51 may seat substantially flush with the underside of frame 12 nested in recess 12d within the trigger guard I2e when takedown lever 50 is in the blocking position as shown in FIG. 1 to prevent interfering with the shooter's trigger finger. Accordingly, this placement and Besting locates the grasping portion 5 I in an unobtrusi ve position when not. deployed and replaces some conventional arrangements having takedown pins or lever canti levered from the sides of slide that adds to the number of exposed levers and profile of the pistol, and further creates the possibility of snagging the pistol on the user's clothing or other object.

(000541 Slide takedow lever 50 includes blocking surface 52 formed o a front face of the takedown lever 50 as shown in FIG. 6, which is interposed between grasping portio 51 on free end 5? of the lever and the mounting end 58 of the le ver at pivot pin 53, In one embodiment, the intermediate portio of takedown lever 50 defining blocking surface 52 may be physically enlarged in relation to the grasping portion 53 thereby providing a structurally robust element. Since blocking surface 52 in the present embodiment also serves to abuttingly arrest the rearward travel of slide 20 under recoil after discharging pistol 10 by engaging a mating blocking surface 38 on the rear of enlarged boss 26 (see, e.g. FIG. 8 showing an open breech position for ejecting a spent cartridge), the added structural strength helps to better absorb and distribute the recoil forces. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the material selected for takedown lever 50 preferably may be an impact resistant and energy absorbing material.

([00055] Slide takedown lever 50 may be made of any suitable material, including without limitation metals (e.g. steel, aluminum, titanium and alloys thereof) or polymers.

[OO056j An exemplary method of operating takedown lever 50 will now be described, FIGS. 7-10 depict a forward portion of pistol. 10 with and without frame 12 in place for clarity. j00057J Referring initially to FIGS. 7 and 8, the slide 20 is shown in the first rearward re- loading operating position being already moved rearwards from a forward ready-to-fire position shown in FIG. 1 either by manually retracting the slide or being held in. rearward reloading position after firing a last round (see also FIG. 14). The barrel. 14 and guide rod 19 are shown exposed and protruding forward from enlarged boss 26. The breech area to the rear of chamber 1 1 would be in the open condition to allow for extraction of a spent cartridge casing from the chamber and ejection from the pistol. These foregoing operating positions and methodology are conventional and well known to those skilled in the art.

[00058] With continuing reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. takedown lever 50 is show in the upward blocking position. When either the trigger 1 is pulled and the action is cycled upon discharging the pistol, or i f a user manually retracts the slide, the slide will move rearward by an axial distance until a blocking surface 52 formed on a front face of the takedown lever 50 abuttingly engages a mating blocking surface 38 defined on a rear face of the enlarged protuberant boss 26 on the front end 24 of the slide. Blocking surfaces 38 and 52. which may comprise at least a portion of takedown lever 50 and enlarged boss 26, are substantially planar in one embodiment. In this position, the guide flanges 43 on frame insert 40 remain at least partially trapped within axial slot 33 in slide 20 so that the flanges cannot fully enter the receptacle 34 to a point that would allow the slide to be lifted vertically upward and off of the frame insert (see also FIGS. 4 and 5). The slide 20 and frame insert. 40 are therefore still interlocked so that the slide cannot be moved vertically, if an attempt were made to lift the slide off the frame insert without the flanges being completely in the receptacle 34, the top of the front end 1 portion of guide rails 30 would ca tch on the bottom of the rear end 42 portion of the guide flanges 43 thereby preventing removal of the slide. The takedown Sever 50 therefore blocks the rearward pat of travel of the slide 20 and prevents the slide 20 from moving rearward far enough from die first rearward re-loading position to the second rearward removal posi tion that would permit complete removal of the slide from the pistol 10.

{000591 To remove the slide 20 from pistol 1 , the takedown lever 50 is first manually moved by a user to the downward unblocking position shown in FIGS . 6 and 9- 10. The takedown lever 50 is pivoted in an arcuate path about the longitudinal axis and laterally to reach the unblocking position since the pivot pin 53 is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis. The takedown lever 50 is no longer engaged with or blocking the rearward path of travel of the slide 20, With the takedown lever 50 out of the way, the slide may now be moved manual ly rearward by a greater axial distance until the blocking surface 38 defined on a rear face of the enlarged boss 26 abuts or is proximate to the front of the main body portion of the frame insert 40 as shown in FIGS. 9-10. The takedown lever 50 is preferably configured and dimensioned so that the Sower !obed portion of the front enlarged slide boss 26 is not obstructed and impeded by the lever when moving the slide to the rearward removal position. The enlarged boss 26 moves at least partially over top of and is positioned above the slide takedown lever 50 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 30. In one embodiment, takedown lever 50 has a concave top suriace 59 that Is configured to complement a downwardly convex bottom surface 26a of enlarged boss 26 (see also FIGS. 4 and 5) to allow the enlarged boss pass at least partially over takedown lever to reach the rearward slide removal position.

[90060} With the slide 20 now in the position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the slide may be removed from the pistol 10. The guide flanges 43 on frame insert 40 have left the axial slot 33 i slide 20 and have now fully entered the receptacle 34 to a position that would allow the slide to he li fted verticall upward and off of the frame insert (see also FIGS. 4 and 5). The slide 20 and frame insert 40 are no longer interlocked. The front end 31 of guide rails 30 are now positioned completely rearward and clear of the rear end 42 of the guide flanges 43 thereby allowing removal of the slide.

[00061 { To complete removal of the slide 20 and field stripping, the rear end 25 of the slide 20 may next be tilted upwards and lifted vertically off of the frame insert 40. The guide flanges 43 on frame insert 40 will leave the receptacles 35 in slide 20 through the bottom opening 36 (see, e.g. FIG. 4). The user would next move the slide forward until the front of the barrel 14 and front of the guide rod 1 emerge rearward from their respective holes 27, 28 in enlarged boss 26, thereby freeing the slide completely. The rear end of the guide rod 19 remains inserted in hole 56 formed in frame insert 40 (see FIG, 6).

[00062} The slide 20 may be re-installed cm pistol 10 by reversing the foregoing steps, [000631 FIG. 15A-C shows the slide 20 and positions of guide flange 43 on. frame insert 40 in relation to recess 35 (including guide slot 33 and receptacle 34) and guide rails 30 formed in the slide in the various operating positions of the slide described herein, FIG. 15 A shows guide flange 43 in a rear portion of guide slot 33 when slide 20 is in the ready-to-fire fully forward position (see also FIG. .1). The takedown lever 50 is in the blocking position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. I5B shows flange 43 hi a partial forward position when slide 20 in the first rearward re-loading position (see also FIG . 14). At least part of flange 43 remains in guide slot 33. The rear end 42 of flange 43 is not clear of and obstructed from vertical movement by interference from the front end 31 of guide rail 30 as shown. The takedown lever 50 would still he in the upward blocking position shown in FIGS. 7 and S. FIG. I 5C shows guide flange 43 in the full forward position and located completely within receptacle 34. The slide 20 is in the second rearward removal position. The takedown lever 50 would be m the downward unblocking position shown in FIGS, 9 and 10 to allow the slide to reach this more distant removal position as described herein. The guide flange 43 may now exit the receptacle 34 through bottom opening 36 when the slide is lifted to allow the slide to be removed from the pistol 10.

[90064} It should be noted that the frame insert 40 and guide flange 43 shown in FIGS.

15A-C actually remain stationary with the pistol frame 12 between the various positions shown for the slide 20. The slide 20 is the moveable component and the axial position of the slide 20 with respect to the frame 12 and frame insert 40 is actually changing which is what is intended to be depicted in these figures.

[00065} Advantages of the slide takedown lever system disclosed herein include a convenient and easy to deploy lever which is not obtrusive and does not require excessive manipulation or removal of pin, etc. from the pistol whic may be lost. Placement of the lever on the underside of the frame and withi the trigger guard reduces the likelihood that the takedown lever will be inadvertently actuated or snag on a user's clothing or other object. {00066) While the foregoing description and drawings represent exemplary

embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein, without departing .from the spirit and scope and range of equivalents of the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. In addition, numerous variations in the methods/processes. One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the embodiments may be used wit h many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the disclosure, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles described herein. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in ail respects as illustrative and not restricti ve. The appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the disclosure, which may be made by those skilled in the art without, departing from the scope and range of equivalents.