The present invention relates to firearms in general and in particular to a novel safety mechanism, a magazine-latching mechanism and a firing trigger mechanism in a 45 caliber recoil-operated blowback type semi-automatic pistol and the like.
In conventional automatic and semi-automatic firearms there is generally provided a magazine for holding a plurality of rounds. Each of the rounds is automatically loaded into a chamber in the firearm and ejected therefrom upon the firing thereof. The magazine-latching mechanism and in particular the control for operating the magazine-latching mechanism, depending on the type of firearm, is typically located on the handle or the frame of the firearm. Similarly, the control for operating the firing safety mechanism of prior known firearms typically comprises a non-self-retracting lever, a button or the like which is located on the frame of the firearm. The controls of the magazine-latching mechanism and the safety mechanism of prior known firearms, being in exposed positions, are subject to being inadvertently dislodged. If these controls are dislodged inadvertently, serious safety-related problems can result. For example, if the control for the magazine-latching mechanism is dislodged inadvertently, it could result in a dislodging of the magazine itself from the firearm during a firing of the firearm. Similarly, if the control for the safety mechanism is dislodged inadvertently, the firearm could be placed in a condition for firing at a time when an operator of the firearm believes that the safety mechanism is on.
In addition to firearm safety related features, the appearance of a firearm is also very important. In the minds of many users, a firearm with clean lines and a minimum of externally protruding controls is pleasant to view and a pleasure to operate.