Pistol

Abstract

A pistol has a frame having a grip, an elongated slide connected to the frame and operable to reciprocate on the frame between a forward battery position and a rear position, the elongated slide having opposed forward and rear ends, a rear sight connected proximate the rear end of the elongated slide, the frame including a front sight support element at a forward frame end forward of the forward end of the elongated slide when the elongated slide is in the forward battery position, and the front sight support element including a front sight operably registered with the rear sight when the elongated slide is in the forward battery position. The elongated slide may define a passage receiving a barrel defining a muzzle aperture, and wherein the front sight support element defines an opening registered with the muzzle aperture.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A pistol comprising:
 a frame having a grip;   a barrel operably connected to the frame and movable with respect to the frame and having a forward muzzle end;   an elongated slide connected to the frame and operable to reciprocate on the frame between a forward battery position and a rear position;   the elongated slide having opposed forward and rear ends;   a rear sight connected proximate the rear end of the elongated slide;   the frame including a front sight support element rigidly connected to the frame at a forward frame end, the entire front sight support element being forward of the forward end of the elongated slide when the elongated slide is in the forward battery position;   the front sight support element being spaced apart from the barrel and free of contact with the barrel;   the front sight support element defining a aperture, and a forward portion of the barrel extending through the aperture; and   the front sight support element including a front sight operably registered with the rear sight when the elongated slide is in the forward battery position.   
     
     
         2 . The pistol of  claim 1  wherein the elongated slide defines a passage receiving a barrel defining a muzzle aperture, and wherein the front sight support element defines an opening registered with the muzzle aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The pistol of  claim 2  wherein a forward portion of the barrel is received within the opening of the front sight support element when the elongated slide is in the forward battery position. 
     
     
         4 . The pistol of  claim 2  wherein a forward portion of the barrel is received within the opening of the front sight support element when the elongated slide is in the rear position. 
     
     
         5 . The pistol of  claim 1  wherein the front sight support element and front sight are connected by way of a dovetail joint. 
     
     
         6 . The pistol of  claim 1  wherein the front sight and rear sight are spaced apart by a first distance when the elongated slide is in the forward battery condition and by a greater second distance when the elongated slide is in the rear position. 
     
     
         7 . The pistol of  claim 1  wherein the front sight does not move when the elongated slide reciprocates. 
     
     
         8 . The pistol of  claim 1  including a barrel extending to a forward end of the frame and within the front sight support element when the elongated slide is in the forward battery position. 
     
     
         9 . The pistol of  claim 1  including a barrel extending forward of the forward end of the elongated slide when the elongated slide is in the forward battery position. 
     
     
         10 . The pistol of  claim 1  wherein the frame has a lower portion entirely below the slide and having a forward end supporting the front sight support element, such that a connection between the front sight element and the slide is external to the pistol.