Extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun

Abstract

A system and method for extracting a round of ammunition from a semi-automatic handgun having a slide with an opening are provided. A single piece extractor assembly includes an elongate extractor body configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide such that the slide encloses the extractor body. The elongate extractor body includes a first end and a second end. The second end of the extractor body is resiliently biased in a direction toward a round of ammunition and includes a portion configured to engage a rebate on a round of ammunition.

1 . An extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun having a slide with an opening, comprising: 
 an elongate extractor body configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide, the slide enclosing the elongate extractor body, the elongate extractor body including a first end and a second end;    the second end of the elongate extractor body being resiliently biased in a direction toward a round of ammunition to thereby engage the round of ammunition; and    wherein the second end of the elongate extractor body includes a portion configured to engage a rebate on a round of ammunition.    
   
   
       2 . The extractor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the slide includes a rear end face and a breech face and the elongate extractor body extends from the first end at the rear end face of the slide to the second end terminating beyond the breech face.  
   
   
       3 . The extractor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the portion configured to engage the round of ammunition is a hook.  
   
   
       4 . The extractor assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the second end of the elongate extractor body includes a groove adjacent the hook that is configured to engage the round of ammunition.  
   
   
       5 . The extractor assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the hook includes an engagement surface that is angled with respect to a rim of the round of ammunition.  
   
   
       6 . The extractor assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the engagement surface is angled rearwardly at an angle of about 3-5 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . The extractor assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the hook includes a second engagement surface engaging the rebate on a round of ammunition.  
   
   
       8 . A semi-automatic handgun, comprising: 
 a frame;    a slide disposed on the frame for movement between a forward position and a rearward position, the slide including an opening; and    a single piece extractor assembly adapted to be disposed in the opening of the slide, the single piece extractor assembly including:    an elongate extractor body configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide, the slide enclosing the elongate extractor body wherein the elongate extractor body includes a first end and a second end;    the second end of the elongate extractor body being resiliently biased in a direction toward a round of ammunition to thereby engage the round of ammunition; and    wherein the second end of the elongate extractor body includes a portion configured to engage a rebate on a round of ammunition.    
   
   
       9 . The extractor assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the slide includes a rear end face and a breech face and the elongate extractor body extends from the first end at the rear end face of the slide to the second end terminating beyond the breech face.  
   
   
       10 . The extractor assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the portion configured to engage the round of ammunition is a hook.  
   
   
       11 . The extractor assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the second end of the elongate extractor body includes a groove adjacent the hook that is configured to engage the round of ammunition.  
   
   
       12 . The extractor assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the hook includes an engagement surface that is angled with respect to a rim of the round of ammunition.  
   
   
       13 . The extractor assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the engagement surface is angled rearwardly at an angle of about 3-5 degrees.  
   
   
       14 . The extractor assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the hook includes a second engagement surface engaging the rebate on a round of ammunition.  
   
   
       15 . A method of extracting a round of ammunition from a semi-automatic handgun, comprising: 
 loading a round of ammunition having a casing into a chamber of the semi-automatic handgun;    engaging the round of ammunition with a single piece extractor assembly disposed in an opening in a slide such that the slide substantially encloses the single piece extractor assembly, the single piece extractor assembly including an elongate extractor body extending between a first and a second end, the second end having a hook configured to engage a rebate on the round of ammunition; and    resiliently biasing the elongate extractor body toward the round of ammunition such that the hook engages a rebate on the round of ammunition.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the single piece extractor assembly engages the round of ammunition as the round of ammunition is loaded into the chamber of the semi-automatic handgun.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further including resiliently biasing the elongate extractor body toward the round of ammunition to allow the hook at the second end of the elongate extractor body to engage a round of ammunition loaded into the chamber of the semi-automatic handgun as the slide moves towards a forward position.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further including resiliently biasing the elongate extractor body toward the round of ammunition such that the hook engages a rebate on a round of ammunition.  
   
   
       19 . An extractor assembly for a semi-automatic handgun having a slide with an opening, comprising: 
 an elongate extractor body configured to be disposed in the opening of the slide, the slide enclosing the elongate extractor body, the elongate extractor body including a first end and a second end;    wherein the second end of the elongate extractor body includes a hook adapted to be positioned forwardly of a rim of a round of ammunition, the hook including an engagement surface that is angled rearwardly to engage the rim of a round of ammunition.    
   
   
       20 . The extractor assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the hook engages substantially the entire rim of a round of ammunition.  
   
   
       21 . The extractor assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the hook includes a second engagement surface engaging the rebate of a round of ammunition.