Pistol

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a pistol construction having semi-automatic and full automatic firing modes.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Semi-automatic and automatic pistols are well represented in the patent literature. Examples may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,654,519 and 5,717,156.

A common problem with such pistols is the reaction or recoil force experienced by the user when the pistol is fired. More specifically, the firing action/reaction creates a force moment couple which drives the pistol rearwardly and upwardly. The problem is particularly acute in automatic pistols where multiple rounds are fired per second. Attempts have been made to solve this problem by incorporating recoil compensation devices, usually added to the muzzle of the pistol. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,976,184 and 5,549,030.

Other persistent problems with semi-automatic and automatic pistols relate to difficulty encountered in changing barrels, field stripping for cleaning, and the like.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the above mentioned problems through the incorporation of several unique features. For example, the pistol in accordance with this invention is provided with a rotatable slide, unlike the axially reciprocable slides typically used. The slide is arranged to rotate (upwardly and rearwardly about a pivot axis located at the lower end of the grip) when the pistol is fired, the upward pivoting movement creating a downward reaction force, thus substantially balancing the recoil forces.

Another unique feature is a fast and easy barrel changing configuration, which does not require removal of the slide. This feature enables the user to change the barrel quickly, for example, for a longer or silenced barrel. The barrel itself is secured to the pistol frame by a tongue and groove keying arrangement, with a readily accessible lever connected to a rotating lock mechanism. This feature is coupled with an associated safety mechanism which prevents the pistol from being fired when the barrel is absent and/or when the locking mechanism is in the open position. The barrel per se is spaced from the frame along a portion of the length thereof, creating an air space which advantageously cools the barrel.

Another feature relates to quick and safe field stripping which allows easy removal of the magazine and slide without having to remove the barrel, and without having to liberate or release any springs or other small parts.

Another feature of the invention relates to the incorporation of a conventional laser aiming system into the pistol frame, which can be operated without moving the trigger finger from within the trigger guard, and without any barrel deviation. The latter occur in conventional configurations where operation requires the action of finger(s) other than the one operating the trigger. To achieve this end, the laser aiming device is integrated into the frame forward of the trigger guard, just below the barrel. The laser actuator button is located within the perimeter of the trigger guard.

It is another feature of the invention to provide a safety lever which is movable between locked, semi-automatic mode and full automatic modes. Thus, the safety lever acts in concert with a trigger actuator bar operatively connected between the trigger, the hammer, and an associated sear mechanism which allows the hammer to be cocked and released via its interaction with the hammer. The trigger bar is operable for a single shot or multiple successive shots in the semi-automatic firing mode, while a separate sear bar actuator, inoperable during the single shot and semi-automatic mode, is operable in the full automatic mode via interaction with the sear mechanism and the slide to effect continuous firing with the trigger held in the firing position.

It is another feature of the invention that the recoil spring which returns the slide to its normal closed position after firing, and the hammer spring which drives the hammer into engagement with the firing pin are interrelated in a unique manner. Specifically, the hammer spring guide rod moves into and out of the recoil spring guide in telescoping fashion, thus providing a compact arrangement of parts which can be left undisturbed during barrel removal/assembly, field stripping, and/or magazine removal and insertion.

Another feature of the invention relates to ambidextrous operation in the sense that the safety lever, slide release lever and barrel release lever can be accessed easily from either side of the pistol.

It is a further feature of the invention to provide a cartridge extractor which is raised out of the plane of the frame when a cartridge is chambered, thereby giving the user a safe indication, even in total darkness, that the gun is ready to be fired. The extractor works in combination with a fixed ejector which throws empty cartridge casings upwardly, slightly forwardly and to one side of the pistol.

Still another feature of the invention relates to the use of plastic or similar bearings or inserts to aid in reducing noise associated with movement of the slide.

Accordingly, in its broader aspects, the present invention relates to a slide action pistol including a frame; a barrel supported on the frame and having a bore on an axis of the barrel; a handgrip portion of the frame provided with a chamber therein for receiving a magazine; a firing assembly including a trigger, hammer and firing pin arranged in operative relationship; and, a slide having one end engaged with the barrel and an opposite end pivotally connected to the handgrip, the slide arranged to pivot upwardly and rearwardly when the pistol is fired.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a slide action pistol including a frame; a barrel supported on the frame and having a bore on an axis of the barrel; a movable slide mounted in the frame; a handgrip portion of the frame provided with a chamber therein for receiving a magazine; a firing assembly including a trigger, hammer and firing pin arranged in operative relationship; and a safety lever comprising two operatively connected lever arms extending along opposite sides of the pistol, the lever arms connected by a pivot pin extending transversely through the frame.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a slide action pistol including a frame; a barrel supported on said frame and having a bore on an axis of the barrel; a handgrip portion of the frame provided with a cavity therein for receiving a magazine; a firing assembly including a trigger, hammer and firing pin arranged in operative relationship; and a locking assembly for the barrel, the locking assembly comprising a rotatable lock operatively connected to a barrel release lever, the rotatable lock freeing the barrel and locking the trigger in one position, and freeing the trigger and locking the barrel in another position.

In still another aspect, the invention relates to a slide action pistol including a frame; a barrel supported on the frame and having a bore on an axis of the barrel; a handgrip portion of the frame provided with a cavity therein for receiving a magazine; a firing assembly including a trigger, hammer and firing pin arranged in operative relationship, and a sear element pivotally mounted the frame, the sear element having a tooth engageable with the hammer; a trigger bar operatively connected at one end to the hammer and at an opposite end to the trigger; and a sear bar connected at one end to the sear element, an opposite end of the sear extending forwardly to the trigger.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a pistol in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2

is an exploded partial perspective view of the pistol barrel and barrel locking mechanism taken from the pistol shown in

FIG. 1

;

FIG. 3

is a simplified side elevation, partly in section, illustrating the barrel and barrel locking mechanism in an unlocked or release position;

FIG. 3A

is a partial front elevation of

FIG. 3

;

FIG. 4

is a side elevation, partly in section, similar to

FIG. 3

but illustrating the barrel locking mechanism in the locked position;

FIG. 4A

is a partial front elevation of

FIG. 4

;

FIG. 5

is a rear, top perspective view of the slide component of the pistol shown in

FIG. 1

;

FIG. 6

is a front top perspective view of the slide component;

FIG. 7

is a simplified side elevation, partly broken away, illustrating internal components and a fully loaded magazine in the pistol;

FIG. 7A

is an enlarged end elevation of a recoil spring assembly taken from

FIG. 7

;

FIG. 7B

is an enlarged partial bottom plan of the grip portion of the frame, with parts removed, to show the recoil spring assembly of

FIG. 7A

in place;

FIG. 8

is an enlarged perspective view of a field stripping lever taken from

FIG. 1

;

FIG. 9A

is an enlarged front elevation of the magazine shown in

FIG. 7

;

FIG. 9B

is a partial section of the magazine of

FIG. 9

, illustrating a lock/release mechanism in the magazine;

FIGS. 10-13

are simplified side elevations partly broken away, illustrating a step-by-step sequence for removal of the slide in a field stripping procedure;

FIGS. 14 through 24

are simplified side elevations, partly broken away, illustrating a step-by-step sequence of feeding cartridges from the magazine into the chamber, with accompanying slide action;

FIG. 25

is a perspective view of the dual safety lever arrangement, in combination with alternative configurations for the laser aiming device actuator lever and for the barrel locking device;

FIG. 26

is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the manner in which the safety lever incorporating a ball-detent mechanism to define its operative positions;

FIG. 27

is a perspective view of the trigger;

FIG. 28

is an exploded view of the actuator assembly including the trigger bar, sear bar, sear mechanism and hammer;

FIGS. 29-37

are simplified side elevations illustrating the positions of the various actuating components during the firing of the pistol in both semi-automatic and automatic modes;

FIG. 38

is an exploded perspective illustrating a laser aiming mechanism in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 39

is a partial side elevation, partly in section, illustrating the laser aiming device of

FIG. 38

in place with the pistol frame;

FIG. 40

is a partial perspective illustrating a modified barrel for use with an alternative barrel locking mechanism;

FIG. 41

is a simplified side elevation illustrating the alternative barrel locking lever for use with the barrel of

FIG. 40

in a locked position; and

FIG. 42

is a simplified side elevation illustrating the alternative barrel locking lever for use with the barrel of

FIG. 40

in a release position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to

FIG. 1

, the pistol

10

in one embodiment of the invention includes, generally, a frame

12

including an integral grip or stock portion

14

(shown covered with wood trim pieces, one shown at

16

); a barrel

18

, a slide

20

, a trigger

22

, a hammer

24

, and a magazine or clip

25

. The components

18

,

20

,

22

and

24

are all supported on or within the frame

12

. In addition to these operative components, the pistol also includes a front sight

26

, rear sight

28

and a commercially available laser aiming device

30

actuated by lever

32

, located within the confines of the trigger guard

23

. In a preferred embodiment, the laser aiming device

30

is one which is commercially available under the name “Tekstar 2000 Laser.” It is located within a recess formed in the frame below and parallel to the barrel

18

. Adjustment screws S

1

and S

2

are provided to laterally and vertically adjust the aiming device as necessary.

A safety lever

34

moves between locked, semi-automatic and full automatic positions as will be described in greater detail further herein. A field stripping lever

36

and magazine release button

37

permit removal of the magazine (enclosed within the stock

12

) and subsequent removal of the slide

20

for cleaning. A barrel locking lever

38

permits quick and easy removal of the barrel

18

for substitution of a longer or silenced barrel, as will also be described in detail below.

The various external and internal components of the pistol will now be described in detail.

The frame

12

and handle

14

may be cut and machined from a solid steel block (or other material, such as aluminum or suitable polymer), or it may be cast in two halves which may be secured together by screws or the like. It will be appreciated that the illustrated frame

12

comprises a solid block, hollowed out (by machining or cutting) and drilled to accommodate the barrel

18

, magazine

25

, laser aiming system

30

, firing mechanism, and other internal components as described further below.

With reference now especially to

FIGS. 2-4

, the frame

12

has a generally flat top surface

40

which supports the barrel

18

. More specifically, the frame

12

is formed with a pair of longitudinally extending guide rails

42

,

44

, undercut at

46

,

48

, respectively, to thereby provide an axial keyway. Approximately midway along the guide rails, there is a cut out or recess

50

which has a width dimension greater than the distance between the undercuts or grooves

46

,

48

, and which extends downwardly into the frame. The barrel

18

is formed with an axial bore

19

enlarged at the forward end thereof by a tapered edge

19

′, the latter serving to reduce blast noise. The barrel is also provided on its lower side with mating, laterally extending tracks or tongues

52

,

54

which are adapted to slide within the keyway as defined by the undercuts

46

,

48

of the guide rails

42

,

44

. A cut out or recess

56

interrupts the longitudinal continuity of the tracks

52

,

54

, and is adapted to vertically align with recess

50

. This “tongue and groove” or “keyway” arrangement serves to accurately locate the barrel on the frame, and to prevent any lateral movement of the barrel relative to the frame. A forward boss

58

is formed with a bore

60

for receiving the forward tip of a barrel lock shaft

64

. The latter is formed with a part-cylindrical locking boss

66

having a flat surface

68

. The shaft

64

is slidably received within a bore

70

in the frame, below and axially aligned with the barrel

18

, with the boss

66

received within the recess

50

. The barrel release/lock lever

38

is telescoped over and attached to the forward tip of the shaft

64

via hollow cylindrical portion

72

, permitting the user to rotate the shaft

64

. Note that the lever

72

is easily accessed from either side of the pistol.

When the barrel

18

is slidably pushed into place on the frame, the bore

60

of boss

58

will slide over the forward, cylindrical portion

72

of lever

38

, and recess

56

will align vertically with recess

50

. A block or barrel support

62

located behind the boss

58

will rest on the forward end of frame surface

40

. Of course, the locking shaft

64

must be rotated so that flat surface

68

is uppermost, as shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

so that it lies flush with, or just below, surface

40

, to thereby permit insertion (or removal) of the barrel along the keyway. When lever

38

is rotated clockwise (see

FIG. 3A

) to the position shown in

FIG. 4

, the cylindrical portion of the boss

66

projects upwardly into the recess

56

in the barrel, with close tolerance, thereby locking the barrel

18

against any axial movement. As apparent from

FIG. 3

, and as described in detail further below, when the locking shaft

64

is rotated to the open or barrel release/install position, the cylindrical portion of boss

66

interferes with movement of the trigger

22

so that firing of the pistol is prevented when the barrel is removed, or installed but not locked (even if there is a cartridge in the barrel chamber).

Note also that when the barrel is installed as shown in

FIG. 3

, the manner in which tracks

52

,

54

interact with guide rails

42

,

44

creates a space S

1

between surface

40

and a forward portion of the barrel through which air can circulate to cool the barrel.

With reference now to

FIGS. 1

,

5

,

6

and

7

, the slide

20

is a generally L-shaped, forked component, with a pair of parallel, forward sides

74

,

76

which extend along opposite sides of the frame

12

and barrel

18

. A pair of parallel rearward sides or legs

78

,

80

are substantially perpendicular to sides

74

,

76

and extend downwardly, along opposite sides of the grip portion

14

of the frame. It is preferred that the legs

78

,

80

be enclosed behind grip trim pieces

16

and, in order to facilitate movement of the slide as described herein, the legs

78

,

80

may be seated within oversize grooves or shallow recesses in the sides of the grip portion

14

of the frame. In a most preferred arrangement, the legs

78

,

80

may be accommodated on the inside of the frame wall to further isolate the user's hands from the sometimes rapid movement of the slide and the heat generated by such movement.

The respective sides

74

,

78

and

76

,

80

of the slide are joined by a “yoke” or web portion

82

, the latter supporting a cartridge case extractor

84

within an elongated slot

86

. The extractor

84

is pivotally supported by a pin

88

and is biased in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in

FIG. 7

) by a coil spring

90

seated within the yoke, at the rearward end of the ejector. Below the extractor

84

, the yoke is provided with a countersunk, axially extending bore

92

which is adapted to receive a firing pin

192

described in greater detail below. The yoke portion

82

also mounts the rear sight

28

.

The lower ends of the rearward sides

78

,

80

of the slide are angled back toward the front of the grip, and are provided with apertures

94

,

96

by which the slide is pivotally mounted to the frame. Referring especially to

FIG. 5

, the inside surface of each leg is machined to provide an entry slot

98

, leading to a generally circular seat

100

.

Referring now also to

FIGS. 1

,

7

and

8

, the T field stripping lever

36

includes a transverse actuator bar

102

and a perpendicular stem

104

. The latch also mounts a transverse pin

106

having a generally elongated, or rounded rectangular cross sectional shape. The lever is seated within a slot

108

formed at the forward, lower end of the grip portion

14

of the frame. The latter is formed with aligned holes

110

(see

FIG. 13

) which receive the pin

106

such that the lever

36

is pivotable between lock and release positions, described further below. The otherwise open slot

108

is closed at its lower open end, after installation of the lever

36

, by a plate

109

attached to the frame by screws or other suitable fasteners.

Because the pin

106

is elongated in cross section, the slide

20

must be accurately located for the pin

106

to be received in the entry slots

98

formed on the inside surfaces of rearward sides

78

,

80

. Accordingly, the pin

106

is oriented relative to the latch lever

36

so that, when the lever

36

is in the open or release position, the slide can be installed on the frame, with legs

78

,

80

pushed over the pin

106

, and with entry slots

98

permitting the pin to be received within the circular seats

100

. The lever

36

is pivotable to the closed or lock position, with pin

106

lying transverse to the entry slots

98

, so that the slide is now locked in place. It will be appreciated, however, that the slide is free to pivot about the pin

106

to a limited degree during firing of the pistol as explained further below.

It should also be pointed out that the lever

36

has a surface

112

which lies substantially flush with (or at least does not protrude into) the interior frame cavity

114

which receives the magazine or clip

25

(see FIG.

7

). On the other hand, because of the close sliding fit between the magazine

25

and the interior surface of the frame cavity, the lever

36

cannot be pivoted to an open position unless the magazine is first removed. This is because the latch is so configured that a projecting portion

116

moves into the magazine cavity in order to pivot to the open position. This also means, of course, that the magazine cannot be inserted unless the lever

36

is closed.

As already indicated above, the magazine

25

(see

FIGS. 7

,

9

A and

9

B) is inserted into a cavity

114

in the frame from below the grip. The magazine

25

is of conventional construction including a generally rectangular, hollow housing, with an enlarged base

118

, an internal cartridge pusher

120

and a coil spring

122

located between the base

118

and the pusher

120

(see also FIGS.

14

-

24

). In

FIG. 9A

, the pusher

120

is at the uppermost end of the cartridge since there are no cartridges in the magazine. The upper end of the magazine

25

terminates at two upwardly and slightly outwardly tapering “ears”

124

,

126

which prevent the cartridges from escaping the magazine in the upward or feeding direction. In other words, once a cartridge is in the uppermost position within the magazine

25

, it can only move forwardly into the pistol chamber, through interaction with the slide

20

as described further below. The magazine may hold fifteen cartridges, but an additional cartridge may be accommodated in the barrel chamber.

When the magazine

25

is inserted into the frame, a spring loaded retainer is employed to lock the magazine in place. More specifically, and with reference to

FIGS. 9A and 9B

as well as

FIG. 1

, it will be seen that the forward wall

128

of the magazine

25

has a pair of aligned apertures

130

,

132

which also extend partly into adjacent side walls

134

,

136

. At the same time, the grip portion

14

of the frame

12

is formed with a forward, transverse projection

138

with aligned openings supporting a retainer pin

140

. Pin

140

is aligned with magazine apertures

130

,

132

when the magazine

25

is fully inserted into the cavity

114

of the frame

12

. The pin

140

lies in front of the magazine, however, and is surrounded by a partitioned, generally semi-cylindrical sleeve

142

fixed to the frame which allows a spring

144

acting between the magazine wall

134

and partition

146

to bias the pin

140

to the left as viewed in FIG.

9

A. The pin

150

includes the button

37

formed or fixed at one end thereof, projecting from the frame and thus easily accessible to the user. The pin

150

has an enlarged head

148

on its opposite end which, in its normal position, projects into the frame cavity and, into the aperture

132

in the magazine

25

, thus holding the latter in place. It will be appreciated that when the button

37

is pressed inwardly against the action of spring

144

, the head

148

will move out of the aperture

132

(to the right in

FIG. 9A

) and, because the pin itself lies forward of the magazine

25

(see FIG.

1

), the magazine

25

can be removed by simply pulling on the base

118

. Movement in the opposite direction, i.e., during insertion of the magazine

25

, the forward tapered surface

150

thereof will ride over the head

148

, causing it to move to the right (as viewed in FIG.

8

A), until it reaches aperture

132

and snaps back to the left, into its locking position within aperture

132

of the magazine.

Having described the slide assembly and the magazine construction, a typical field stripping operation can be described now in connection with FIGS.

10

-

13

.

FIG. 10

illustrates the pistol prior to starting the field stripping operation. Note that the slide

20

is in its normal closed position, the field stripping lever

36

is closed, the magazine

25

is inserted into the grip portion of the frame, and the hammer

24

is in its forward position. Turning to

FIG. 11

, the pistol is shown with the hammer

24

pulled rearwardly to a first cocked position so as to allow the slide to be pulled upwardly and rearwardly during its removal, and with the magazine

25

having been removed as described above. In

FIG. 12

, the slide release lever

36

has been rotated partially in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in the FIG., and note the position of surface

116

within the magazine cavity, confirming that it would be impossible to open the lever with the magazine in place.

As shown in

FIG. 13

, the field stripping lever

36

is in its fully open position wherein the pin

106

is aligned with the entry grooves

98

in the slide legs

78

,

80

, allowing the slide

20

to be lifted upwardly and rearwardly off the pistol frame

12

. Note that no other parts need be removed in order to remove the slide

20

including the barrel

18

. In other words, the installation and removal of the barrel

18

and slide

20

are independent of each other in that the barrel

18

can be removed and/or replaced without removing the slide

20

, and, conversely, the slide

20

can be removed and/or installed without having to first remove the barrel

18

. As in the case of barrel release lever

38

, the field stripping lever

36

is easily accessed by both right and left handed users by reason of its central location in the grip portion of the frame, and especially by the lateral extent of the actuator bar

102

. Here again, no springs or other small parts need be removed in the field stripping procedure.

Returning to

FIG. 7

, as well as to

FIGS. 7A and 7B

, the frame portion

14

is provided with another slot

152

to the rear thereof, open on both sides of the grip portion and extending upwardly from the bottom of the grip portion to a location about midway therealong. Adjacent forward and rearward surfaces of the slot are grooved (at

152

a

,

152

b

) to permit location of a spring assembly including a hollow sleeve

154

(or recoil spring guide) on which a recoil spring

156

is seated, the lower end of the spring engaging an enlarged shoulder or boss

158

on the exterior of the sleeve. A spring cap bar

160

is secured toward the upper end of the sleeve

154

, the cap extending transversely so that opposite ends of the cap bar are free to slide within, and project outwardly of, the slot

152

in the frame. These outward ends of the cap are adapted to engage rearward projections

122

,

124

on the rearward sides of the legs

78

,

80

of the slide

20

. In this way, the slide is biased counterclockwise about the pin

102

to a normal position as shown in, e.g.,

FIGS. 1 and 7

. Spring

156

is confined at its upper end by a collar

157

, also fixed to the sleeve

154

, and from which the bar

160

extends. A boss

159

is provided at the uppermost end of the sleeve

154

to serve as a seal for the hammer spring as described further below. As will be explained in greater detail below, gas expansion upon firing will cause the slide

20

to rotate in a clockwise direction about the pin

106

and, against the action of spring

156

. The rotating slide

20

thus acts as a recoil compensation device insofar as the upward (or clockwise) rotation of the slide

20

causes a downward reaction force in the barrel

18

, thus balancing the upward component of the usual recoil forces. The recoil spring

156

will return the slide to its normal position. Other features and functions of the slide will be described further below.

Before discussing the manner in which cartridges C are fed to the firing chamber, and the manner in which spent cartridges are extracted and ejected from the pistol, it will be helpful to provide a brief description of the hammer

24

, recoil and hammer springs, and an associated sear mechanism. With particular reference again to

FIG. 7

as well as

FIG. 28

, the hammer

24

is pivotally mounted within a slot in the frame

12

by a pin

162

extending through a transverse bore

164

formed in the hammer body, at its lower end. Adjacent the bore

164

, and located about a lower peripheral portion (generally on the forward side thereof), there are formed three teeth

166

,

168

and

170

. Tooth

166

is relatively shallow; intermediate tooth

168

projects somewhat farther, while tooth

170

projects the farthest. On the rearward side of bore

164

, there is an adjacent, parallel bore

172

extending through a bifurcated portion of the hammer body, so that a pin

173

of a crank

174

can be pivotally mounted to the hammer. As best seen in FIGS.

7

and

16

-

21

, a generally reverse L-shaped upper crank portion

176

extends downwardly into the grip portion

14

of the frame where a shoulder

178

is provided at the interface of the upper crank portion

176

and a lower hammer spring guide portion

180

. The shoulder

178

serves as a stop for a hammer spring

182

telescoped over the spring guide portion

180

of the crank, the spring guide portion comprising a solid rod. The hammer spring

182

is thus confined between the shoulder

178

and collar

159

on the sleeve

154

. The latter is free to slide, in telescoping fashion, within the hollow recoil spring guide

154

, but the hammer is biased in a forward or firing direction by spring

182

, so that when the hammer

24

is pulled rearwardly in a cocking direction, the hammer spring guide

180

slides into the hollow recoil spring guide

154

against the bias of hammer spring

182

. Conversely, when the hammer

24

is released, the hammer spring

182

will act through the crank

174

to drive the hammer forwardly, in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in

FIG. 7

to strike the firing pin

192

as described further below. Note that hammer

24

does not extend beyond the outline of the pistol frame.

A sear element

184

is also pivotally mounted within the frame by a pin

186

, and includes a ratchet tooth

188

engageable with select ones of the hammer teeth

166

,

168

and

170

. A wire spring

190

supported on pin

186

urges the sear

184

in a clockwise direction, toward the hammer teeth, as viewed, e.g., in FIG.

7

. The lower stem

191

of the spring is confined within a groove (not shown) in the pistol frame. Additional details concerning the sear

184

will be provided further below.

Returning to

FIG. 7

, the pistol is shown with a fully loaded magazine

25

, with a series of stacked cartridges C biased upwardly by the internal coil spring

122

via pusher

120

. Note, however, that there is no chambered cartridge in

FIG. 7

, i.e., a cartridge within the barrel

18

just forward of the firing pin

192

, ready for firing. As already mentioned, firing pin

192

is slidably mounted in bore

92

in web portion

82

of slide

20

. Because there is no chambered cartridge, it can also be seen that the extractor

84

is in its lowered position which, as explained further below, is an indicator to the user that there is no cartridge in the chamber. Note also that the hammer

24

is in a forward, uncocked position and that the slide

20

is in its forward most position. The lower edge or face

194

(see also

FIGS. 5

,

6

) of the slide yoke or web portion

82

holds the uppermost cartridge C

1

in the magazine below the chamber, and below the uppermost portion of the magazine.

With

FIG. 7

as a base reference, attention is now directed to

FIG. 14-24

which illustrate, in sequence, the manner in which cartridges C are fed from the magazine

25

to the firing chamber in the barrel

18

. It should also be noted that

FIGS. 14-24

which illustrate the cartridge feeding sequence, do not illustrate the linkage between the trigger

22

and the sear/hammer assembly so that the cartridge feeding sequence can be more easily understood.

Turning now to

FIG. 14

, as the slide

20

is rotated manually in a clockwise direction about pin

106

and against the bias of recoil spring

156

, the forward face

196

of the hammer is engaged by a back face portion

200

of the yoke portion

82

of the slide

20

(see also

FIG. 5

) and is therefore also rotated rearwardly in a clockwise direction. As the hammer

24

moves rearwardly, the hammer teeth also rotate in a counterclockwise direction, and the ratchet tooth

188

of the sear

184

rides over teeth

166

,

168

, thus cocking and holding the hammer

24

in the fully cocked position as shown in FIG.

15

. With the slide

20

rotated as described, the cartridges C are free to move upwardly under the biasing action of coil spring

122

located in the lower portion of the magazine, so that the uppermost cartridge C

1

moved to the uppermost portion of the magazine, ready to be pushed forwardly into the chamber.

With the hammer

24

held in the cocked position by the sear

184

, the slide

20

is now permitted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction back toward its normal position under the influence of the recoil spring

156

acting on projections

122

,

124

of the slide legs

78

,

80

via the transverse spring cap

160

. During this time, the forward face

198

of the yoke portion

82

of the slide

20

is pushing the uppermost cartridge C

1

forwardly into the chamber as shown in the sequence illustrated in

FIGS. 15-18

. In

FIG. 15

, the cartridge C

1

is shown being moved forwardly, with the bullet B just beginning to enter the chamber portion of the barrel.

FIG. 16

shows continued movement of the cartridge, and note that the forward edge

202

of the extractor

84

has not yet engaged the radial flange

204

at the rearward end of the cartridge.

FIG. 17

shows further progression of the cartridge C

1

into the chamber, and the extractor has now engaged the flange

204

.

FIG. 18

shows the cartridge C

1

fully seated within the chamber and note that the extractor edge

202

remains engaged with flange

204

, because as the slide

20

closes, it moves forward with the cartridge. The remaining cartridges are held down in the magazine

25

by the lower surface

194

of the slide, as best seen ion

FIGS. 18 and 19

. Note that the spring loaded extractor

84

is now pushed slightly upwardly to its highest position (approximately 1 mm higher than the slide) by the cartridge C

1

, providing a visible indicator that a cartridge C

1

in this case) is fully chambered. This is especially helpful especially in total darkness where the user can ascertain quickly and unobtrusively that the pistol is ready to fire.

With reference to

FIG. 19

, when the trigger

22

is pulled and the hammer

24

released (as described in further detail below), the latter rotates in a counterclockwise direction under the influence of the hammer spring

182

, driving the firing pin

192

, located in slide bore

92

, into engagement with the chambered cartridge C

1

to fire the shot. Note that the forward hook-like edge

202

of the extractor

84

remains engaged with the radial flange

204

. The resulting expansion will cause the slide

20

to rotate in a clockwise direction, upwardly and away from the barrel

18

as illustrated, sequentially, in

FIGS. 20-24

. At the same time, the bullet B has separated from the now empty cartridge casing C

1

, and the latter is moving rearwardly with the slide under the impetus of the gas expansion, and by reason of the engagement of edge

202

of extractor

84

with the flange

204

of the cartridge. As the slide

20

is rotated to its open most position as shown in

FIG. 24

, the empty cartridge casing is engaged by a fixed ejector

206

(see

FIG. 23

) which effectively pushes the cartridge forwardly, relative to the slide and away from the extractor edge

202

. Because the extractor edge

202

is engaged with the radial flange

204

on the cartridge, the latter pivots upwardly and is ejected. Note also that the fixed ejector is offset to the left of the barrel axis so that the cartridge will be ejected upwardly and to the right (FIG.

24

), and slightly forwardly. Specifically, the ejector

206

is formed as part of, or fixed to, the frame

12

, on one side of the slot formed in the frame in which the hammer

24

is mounted for pivotal motion. Note also that during the recoil action of the slide

20

, the hammer

24

is recocked and the next cartridge C

2

is fed into the chamber in the same manner as described above.

With reference now to

FIG. 25

, a double safety lever assembly

208

includes the left side lever

34

seen in

FIG. 1 and a

right side lever

210

fixed relative to each other by a cross-pin

212