Firearm component having improved grippability

Abstract

The present invention provides a firearm component having improved grippability for use with a firearm, such as a pistol, revolver, or other suitable handgun, and a method for manufacturing same. The firearm component hereof includes an abrasive material deposited onto at least a portion thereof. The abrasive material is selected from the group consisting of natural diamond, synthetic diamond, cubic boron nitride, sapphire, and carbide. Preferably, the abrasive material is either natural or synthetic diamond ground down to micron-sized diamond particulates. The diamond particulates are then deposited onto at least a portion of the firearm component by way of electroplating, electroless plating, or brazing.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm component having improved grippability, the firearm component comprising:
 an abrasive material deposited onto at least a portion of the firearm component, the abrasive material being natural diamond.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm component of  claim 1  wherein the size of the abrasive material ranges from 0.25 microns to about 2500 microns. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm component of  claim 2  wherein the size of the abrasive material ranges from 2000 microns to about 2500 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm component of  claim 2  wherein the size of the abrasive material ranges from about 0.25 microns to about 1 micron. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm component of  claim 1  wherein the abrasive material is deposited onto an adhesive strip, the adhesive strip being disposed onto the firearm component. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm component of  claim 5  wherein the adhesive strip is metal. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm component of  claim 5  wherein the adhesive strip is plastic. 
     
     
         8 . A firearm utilizing the firearm component of  claim 1  wherein the firearm component is a slide, the firearm including a frame having a grip and a barrel, the slide slidably mounted atop the barrel of the frame for arming the firearm. 
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing a firearm component having improved grippability, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a firearm component;   (b) providing an abrasive material, the abrasive material being a natural diamond; and   (c) depositing the abrasive material onto at least a portion of the firearm component.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the size of the abrasive material ranges from 0.25 microns to about 2500 microns. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the size of the abrasive material ranges from 2000 microns to about 2500 microns. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the size of the abrasive material ranges from about 0.25 microns to about 1 micron. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the depositing of the abrasive material onto the firearm component is performed by electroplating. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the depositing of the abrasive material onto the firearm component is performed by electroless plating. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the depositing of the abrasive material onto the firearm component is performed by brazing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the adhesive material is deposited onto an adhesive strip, the adhesive strip being adhered onto the firearm component. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the adhesive strip is metal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the adhesive strip is plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 (a) masking the firearm component with tape, paint, and plating wax to create a seal around the firearm component; and 
 (b) carving out a portion of the seal to provide limited access to an area of the firearm component.