Modular Firearm System with Interchangeable Grip and Slide Assemblies and an Improved Firing Pin Safety for Firearm

Abstract

In one aspect, a firearm system allows multiple modular firearm configurations, thereby providing significant customizability of the firearm by the user. All of the components necessary to fire the weapon are carried on a common receiver assembly. Interchangeable slide assemblies and handgrip modules can be detachably connected to the common receiver to substitute one firearm size, handgrip circumference, and/or munitions caliber for another. For example, the handgrip module can be substituted so as to change the size of the firearm and/or the slide assembly can be changed for purposes of changing the caliber of the firearm. In another aspect, an improved firing pin safety, which is capable of use in a one-piece machined slide, and which is additionally capable of being manufactured as a stamped sheet metal part, is provided.

1 . A modular, customizable firearm system comprising:
 a receiver assembly including a receiver having a trigger assembly pivotally mounted thereto, a hammer assembly mounted thereto, and a mechanical linkage between the trigger assembly and the hammer assembly;   a plurality of differently sized handgrip assemblies, each of said differently sized handgrip assemblies having a receiver channel for removably and interchangeably receiving said receiver assembly and a handgrip portion having a hollow interior for removably receiving a magazine assembly; and   at least one slide assembly removably and slidably attachable to said receiver assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The modular, customizable firearm system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said differently sized handgrip assemblies selectable by a user, wherein interchange of said differently sized handgrip assemblies alters one or both of a size of the firearm and a circumference of said handgrip portion.   
   
   
       3 . The modular, customizable firearm system of  claim 2 , wherein the size of the firearm is selected from full size, compact, and sub compact. 
   
   
       4 . The modular, customizable firearm system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said at least one slide assembly including a plurality of differently sized slide assemblies selectable by a user, wherein interchange of said differently sized slide assemblies alters one or both of a size of the firearm and a caliber of the firearm.   
   
   
       5 . The modular, customizable firearm system of  claim 4 , wherein the size of the firearm is selected from full size, compact, and sub compact. 
   
   
       6 . The modular, customizable firearm system of  claim 4 , wherein the caliber is selected from the group consisting of 9 millimeter, .357 Sig, S&W .40, and .45 Auto. 
   
   
       7 . The modular, customizable firearm system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one slide assembly includes a one-piece machined slide. 
   
   
       8 . The modular, customizable firearm system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 serialized indicia on an outward facing surface of said receiver; and   each handgrip assembly having a window aligned with said serialized indicia when the receiver assembly is received within the receiver channel of the handgrip assembly to allow transvisualization of the serialized indicia through said window.   
   
   
       9 . A modular, customizable firearm system comprising:
 a receiver assembly including a receiver having a trigger assembly pivotally mounted thereto, a hammer assembly mounted thereto, and a mechanical linkage between the trigger assembly and the hammer assembly;   at least one handgrip assembly having a receiver channel for removably receiving said receiver assembly and a handgrip portion having a hollow interior for removably receiving a magazine assembly; and   a plurality of differently sized slide assemblies, each of said differently sized slide assemblies removably and slidably attachable to said receiver assembly.   
   
   
       10 . The modular, customizable firearm system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 said plurality of differently sized slide assemblies selectable by a user, wherein interchange of said differently sized slide assemblies alters one or both of a size of the firearm and a caliber of the firearm.   
   
   
       11 . The modular, customizable firearm system of  claim 10 , wherein the size of the firearm is selected from full size, compact, and sub compact. 
   
   
       12 . The modular, customizable firearm system of  claim 10 , wherein the caliber is selected from the group consisting of 9 millimeter, .357 Sig, S&W .40, and .45 Auto. 
   
   
       13 . The modular, customizable firearm system of  claim 9 , wherein each of said slide assemblies includes a one-piece machined slide. 
   
   
       14 . A safety mechanism for firearm having a slide, comprising:
 a firing pin having a groove;   a firing pin safety having a projection, said firing pin safety being movable between a locked position wherein said projection is received within said groove and an unlocked position wherein said projection is not received with said groove, wherein axial movement of said firing pin is blocked when the firing pin safety is in the locked position;   a spring member urging said firing pin safety into the locked position; and   a safety lever coupled to a trigger assembly including a pivotally moveable trigger, said safety lever moving said firing pin safety from the locked position to the unlocked position against the urging of the spring member in response to pivoting movement of the trigger.   
   
   
       15 . The safety mechanism of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a firing pin safety retainer received within a machined slot in the slide, the firing pin safety retainer having an axially-extending opening aligned with an axially extending opening in the slide for receiving said firing pin;   a first generally vertically-extending recess formed on said firing pin safety retainer; and   a second vertically extending recess formed in an aligned and facing surface of said machined slot, said first and second vertically extending recess cooperating to define a cavity for capture of said spring member.   
   
   
       16 . The safety mechanism of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 said firing pin safety retainer further including a hammer stop portion.   
   
   
       17 . The safety mechanism of  claim 14 , wherein said firing pin safety is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of sheet metal, machined metal, a metal injection molded material, a plastic material, and a composite material. 
   
   
       18 . The safety mechanism of  claim 17 , wherein said firing pin safety is formed of stamped sheet metal. 
   
   
       19 . The safety mechanism of  claim 14 , wherein said spring member is a spring having a low spring force. 
   
   
       20 . A method for securing a rear sight assembly within a slide assembly of a handgun, the slide assembly having an extractor assembly including an extractor, and extractor pin, an extractor spring, said method comprising:
 mounting an extractor spring pin within the slide assembly, said extractor spring pin having a conical portion;   securing a first end of the extractor spring to the extractor spring pin and a second end of the extractor spring to the extractor pin; and   positioning the conical portion of the extractor spring pin in aligned, facing, and contacting relation with a partial conical recess in the rear sight assembly, wherein the extractor spring cooperates with the conical portion to create a bearing force against the partial conical cutout, thereby securing the rear sight assembly within the slide assembly.