Patent ID: 7305786
Filing Date: 2007-12-11
Classification: F41A

Abstract:
1. A centerfire autoloading pistol with loaded chamber indicator comprising: a housing having an external surface and defining a chamber to receive a cartridge, the housing defining a fulcrum; and a movable indicating element having a first front end, a second rear end, and a center equally-spaced therebetween, the front end located closer to the chamber than the rear end, the indicating element pivotally engaged with the fulcrum at the rear end, the indicating element being movable from a first position in which the indicating element does not protrude outwards from the external surface of the housing to a second position in which the indicating element protrudes outwards from the external surface of the housing, the indicating element being positioned generally behind the chamber; wherein the indicating element is positioned in the housing to contact the cartridge and is movable to a position in which the indicating element protrudes outwards from the external surface of the housing to provide a user of the pistol with a visual and tactile indication that the cartridge is loaded in the chamber; wherein the indicating element is retained within the housing by a horizontal surface located adjacent to the second end which mates with a corresponding horizontal surface in the housing, the horizontal surface in the housing being the bottom surface of a rear sight attached to the housing.