Slides and methods for finishing a lock surface of a slide in a firearm

Abstract

Slides and methods for finishing a lock surface of a slide in a firearm are disclosed. A disclosed method of finishing a lock surface comprising a rearward facing wall adjacent an ejection window of a slide of an automatic firearm includes: (a) pointing a laser at at least one of the lock surface and a material surface bordering the lock surface; and (b) heating the at least one of the lock surface and the material surface bordering the lock surface with a laser beam to harden the lock surface.

1 . A method of finishing a lock surface comprising a rearward facing wall adjacent an ejection window of a slide of an automatic firearm, the method comprising: 
 pointing a laser at at least one of the lock surface and a material surface bordering the lock surface; and    heating the at least one of the lock surface and the material surface bordering the lock surface with a laser beam to harden the lock surface.    
     
     
         2 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the laser beam is directed toward an edge between the lock surface and the material surface.  
     
     
         3 . A method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the laser beam is oriented at an angle of approximately 45° relative to a line parallel to the lock surface.  
     
     
         4 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the laser beam is directed toward a corner between the lock surface and the material surface.  
     
     
         5 . A method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the laser beam is oriented at an angle of approximately 45° relative to a line parallel to the lock surface.  
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein pointing the laser at the least one of the lock surface and the material surface bordering the lock surface comprises pointing the laser beam at a point that cannot be seen from outside of the firearm.  
     
     
         7 . For use with a firearm, a slide having a lock surface adjacent a side of an ejection window, the slide being finished by a process comprising: 
 pointing a laser at at least one of the lock surface and a material surface bordering the lock surface; and    heating the at least one of the lock surface and the material surface bordering the lock surface with a laser beam to harden the lock surface.    
     
     
         8 . A slide as defined in  claim 7  wherein the slide has a nitrocarburized and oxidized outer surface.  
     
     
         9 . For use with a firearm, a slide comprising: 
 a lock surface adjacent a side of an ejection window; and    a hardened area located in the lock surface, the hardened area having a first surface extending from a lower edge of the lock surface toward an upper edge of the lock surface, and a second surface extending from the lower edge of the lock surface along a bottom of the slide.    
     
     
         10 . A slide as defined in  claim 9  wherein the first and second surfaces are joined via a laser-hardened portion of the slide.  
     
     
         11 . A slide as defined in  claim 10  further comprising a structural separation area between a non-laser-hardened portion of the slide and the laser-hardened portion of the slide.  
     
     
         12 . A slide as defined in  claim 9  wherein the hardened area comprises a gusset-shaped strip.  
     
     
         13 . A slide as defined in  claim 9  wherein the hardened area has a generally triangular cross-section  
     
     
         14 . A slide as defined in  claim 9  wherein a width of the first surface is less than approximately 1.5 mm, and a width of the second surface is less than approximately 1.5 mm.  
     
     
         15 . A slide as defined in  claim 9  wherein the slide comprises a high-alloy steel.