Semiautomatic pistol

The invention relates to the trigger and firing mechanisms for pistols. The inventive pistol comprises a frame (1), a barrel (2) with a cartridge chamber (3), a cartridge feeding mechanism (4), a fired case removing mechanism and a breech block return spring (12). The breech block (13) is slidable parallel to the barrel axis and comprises a firing mechanism, which consists of a firing spring stop (14), a firing spring (15), a striker (16) having a firing pin tip (17), a cocking notch (18) and rest pads for a firing spring (19) and for a striker spring (20). The breech block (13) includes a mechanism for sinking the firing pin tip (17) in a position, which makes possible the chambering of a cartridge, said mechanism having a striker spring (21), the force of which in a precompressed condition is greater than the precompressed force of the firing spring (15). The striker spring stop (22) is installed in the breech block (13) for fixing the precompressed force of the striker spring (21). The invention improves the positioning accuracy of the striker during the loss of resilience of the spring thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nationalization in the United States of PCT Application No. PCT/UA 2008/000051, filed 18 Aug. 2008, based on Ukraine Patent Application a 2008 06212 filed 12 May 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of small arms, more particularly to trigger and firing mechanisms for pistols.

Pistols having a combination of single-action and double-action trigger and firing mechanisms are known in the art. For example, the Walther P-99 pistol has such a combination and is well known. The pistol comprises a barrel with a cartridge chamber, a slide that is movable substantially parallel to the barrel axis under the action of a return spring. The slide includes a firing mechanism that consists of a firing spring stop, a firing spring, a striker having a firing pin tip, a cocking notch, rest pads for a firing spring and for a striker spring. The slide further includes a mechanism for sinking the firing pin tip having a striker spring.

Also known in the art is a double-action trigger mechanism comprising a trigger, a trigger slide that has an inclined surface for interaction with a frame, a projection for double-action (nose of sear), and a trigger spring. In addition, the pistol comprises a frame, a cartridge feeding mechanism represented by a box magazine and a spent case removing mechanism represented by extractor and ejector (<<Master gun>> magazine, No 22, 1998, p. 19-26).

Another feature of known pistols is the equality of efforts, applied to a striker in opposite directions by a firing spring and a striker spring in the uncocked condition of a striker and also an increased clearance between the cocking notch and projection for double-action (nose of sear) to make up for the shift of a cocking notch towards a cartridge chamber due to loss of resilience of a striker spring. Hence the disadvantage of said pistol is the increased trigger stroke, when shooting with double-action.

The closest analogue for the present invention that includes a combination of substantial features is known in the prior art and to the applicant. The instant analogue is the Saint-Etienne (Le Francais) pistol, 1927 year model. This pistol has a double-action only trigger and firing mechanism.

The Saint-Etienne pistol comprises a frame, a barrel with a cartridge chamber, a cartridge feeding mechanism represented by a box magazine, a fired case removing mechanism, utilizing powder gases and having an ejector fixed on a frame, a double-action trigger mechanism, including a trigger with a trigger slide, on which a projection for double-action is formed, as well as a projection for interaction with a frame. In addition, the trigger mechanism includes a trigger spring on its guiding rod and a pin. The pistol also has a breech block return mechanism consisting of a return spring on its guiding rod and two levers having journals.

The breech block of the pistol is movable substantially parallel to a barrel axis and comprises a firing mechanism including a stop nut, a firing spring, a striker having a firing pin tip, a cocking notch and rest pads for a firing spring and for a striker spring. In addition, the breech block contains a mechanism for sinking the firing pin tip in a position that makes it possible for the chambering of a cartridge. The breech block also has a striker spring which acts upon the striker and via same on a firing spring. When the firing pin tip is in a sunken position and the striker is in the uncocked condition, the striker spring and firing spring are in a state of preliminary compression (Blagonravov AA Material part of small arms Book 1—M. Oborongiz, 1945.-p. 364-369).

A further feature of the pistol is the equality of efforts exerted on a striker in opposite directions by a firing spring and a striker spring, when in a state of preliminary compression, and an increased clearance between the cocking notch and projection for double-action (nose of sear). This is necessary in order to compensate for a shift of a cocking notch towards a cartridge chamber, as the striker spring loses its resilience. The decrease of resilience of the striker spring emerges owing to the fact that the said spring, as different from a firing spring, functions under conditions of a shock dynamic loadings of compression and, therefore, is more disposed to loss of resilience, that is the lessening of the force as well as linear dimension along its axis. An increased gap between a cocking notch of the striker and projection for double-action (nose of sear) results in increased trigger stroke, which is a disadvantage of known pistols.

Thus, a need exists for a pistol and in particular for a trigger/striking mechanism that overcomes the problems of the prior art. Therefore, an object of the present invention is the improvement of positioning accuracy of the striker and prevention of striker spring loss of resilience. This is achieved by means of limiting the striker displacement, in its uncocked condition, towards a cartridge chamber. Thus, in a semiautomatic pistol with a double-action trigger and firing mechanism according to the present invention, the trigger stroke is reduced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems present in the prior art are overcome by the present invention. These problems and limitations present in the prior art are solved by the present invention. The present invention is in its most general form a semiautomatic pistol, comprising a frame, a barrel with a cartridge chamber, a cartridge feeding mechanism, a fired case removing mechanism, a double-action trigger mechanism, a breech block return spring, the force of which ensures the closed position of breech block before a shot is fired. The invention further includes a breech block installed with a possibility of sliding substantially parallel to the barrel axis and containing a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism comprises a firing spring stop, a firing spring, a striker having a firing pin tip, a cocking notch, rest pads for a firing spring and for a striker spring. The breech block further includes a mechanism for sinking the firing pin tip in a position, which makes it possible to chamber a cartridge. The said mechanism having a striker spring installed with possibility of interaction with a striker and via same with a firing spring, the direction of forces exerted on a striker by said springs being opposite. In addition, in a sunk position of a firing pin tip and uncocked condition of a striker, the striker spring and firing spring are mounted in a position ensuring a precompressed state thereof.

Further, according to the invention, in a breech block a striker spring stop is additionally installed in a position ensuring that the precompressed force of striker spring is greater than the precompressed force of the firing spring, but not to the extent as to prevent the firing mechanism from igniting a cartridge primer. As a result, as the striker spring lessens its resilience, in the uncocked condition of a striker, the cocking notch has no possibility of displacement towards the cartridge chamber, as long as a precompressed force of a striker spring exceeds the precompressed force of a firing spring.

The unchangeable position of the striker cocking notch rules out the necessity of increasing the gap between same, and a projection for double-action in order to compensate for a shift of a cocking notch towards a cartridge chamber due to loss of resilience of a striker spring. This results in a diminished trigger stroke.

The technical result, thus attained, is the improvement of the positioning accuracy of the striker. Further, the improvement results in preventing the striker spring from experiencing a loss of resilience. This is achieved by means of limiting the striker displacement, in its uncocked condition, towards the cartridge chamber. As such in a semiautomatic pistol with a double-action trigger and firing mechanism, the invention succeeds in creating a reduction of the trigger stroke.

In general, the present application is directed to a trigger mechanism for a double-action, semi-automatic pistol. The invention also has a trigger, a firing spring, and a striker that is slidably engaged in the pistol. The striker has a firing pin tip and a cocking notch and is positioned against a rest pad such that the striker spring exerts force on the striker in a direction away from a loaded cartridge. The invention also contemplates a firing spring positioned against a rest pad such that the firing spring exerts force on the striker in a direction toward the loaded cartridge. The precompressed force of the striker spring exceeds the precompressed force of the firing spring.

The present application is further directed to a trigger mechanism including a breech block. The breech block has a mechanism for sinking the firing pin tip in a position which makes it possible to chamber a cartridge. The breech block of the invention also includes a striker spring stop.

The present invention further contemplates a semi-automatic pistol that has a frame, a barrel with a cartridge chamber, a cartridge feeding mechanism, a fired case removing mechanism, a double-action trigger mechanism, a breech block that is slidable substantially parallel to the barrel axis, and a breech block return spring where the force of the spring ensures the closed position of the breech block before firing. The present invention also includes a firing mechanism with a firing spring stop, a firing spring, a striker having a firing pin tip, and a cocking notch, rest pads for the firing spring and for the striker spring. The breech block further includes a mechanism for sinking the firing pin tip in a position which makes it possible for the chambering of a cartridge. The mechanism has a striker spring adapted to interact with the striker and the firing spring where the direction of forces applied to the striker by the springs is opposite. The invention further contemplates that when the striker is in an uncocked position and the firing pin tip is in a sunk position, the striker spring and firing spring are mounted in a precompressed state ensuring that the precompressed force of the striker spring exceeds the precompressed force of the firing spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The pistol has a frame1, a barrel2with a cartridge chamber3, a cartridge feeding mechanism4(represented by a box magazine), and a spent case removing mechanism by means of powder gases having an ejector5. The trigger mechanism consists of a trigger6formed unitarily with a trigger slide7, on which is formed a projection for double-action (nose of sear)8, an inclined surface9for interaction with a frame surface23. In addition, the trigger mechanism contains a projection10for interaction with a trigger spring11.

In the frame1a breech block return spring12is mounted. The breech block return spring12acts upon a breech block13, installed on a frame1, adapted to slide substantially parallel to the barrel2axis. Inside of the breech block13, a firing mechanism is located. The firing mechanism includes a firing spring stop14, a firing spring15, and a striker16with a firing pin tip17and cocking notch18. Integral to the striker16is a rest pad for a firing spring19, against which bears the firing spring15, as well as a rest pad for a striker spring20. The striker spring21bears in a direction opposite that of the firing spring15.

Further included in the breech block13is a striker spring stop22. The striker spring stop22is installed in a position ensuring that the precompressed force of the striker spring21is greater than the precompressed force of the firing spring15. However, the force cannot be so much greater as to impede the firing mechanism from igniting the cartridge primer24. The striker spring21rests against the striker spring stop22.

The pistol functions as follows. Pulling the trigger6moves the trigger slide7rearwards from a cartridge chamber3, and pressing against the trigger spring11. The projection for double-action (nose of sear)8closes the gap between the projection8and the striker cocking notch18. The projection8comes into contact with the striker cocking notch18urging the striker16rearwards away from the cartridge chamber3. This compresses the firing spring15via the rest pad for the firing spring19. Simultaneously, the rest pad for the striker spring20disengages from contact with the striker spring21, and is braced only against the striker spring stop22. The breech block13doesn't move because its movement is arrested by the action of the breech block return spring12.

On further displacement rearwards from the cartridge chamber3, the trigger slide7starts to contact frame surface23. This urges the rear part of said trigger slide7and the integral projection for double-action (nose of sear)8downwardly, away from the breech block13. This also loads the trigger spring11. The projection for double-action (nose of sear)8disengages from the striker cocking notch18thereby releasing the striker16. Under the action of the firing spring15on a rest pad for firing spring19, the striker16and the integral firing pin tip17are propelled forward toward the cartridge chamber3. Further, the rest pad for the striker spring20comes into contact with the striker spring21causing the striker spring21to compress. Striker16with the firing pin tip17contacts the cartridge primer24, and owing to the energy accumulated when cocked, strikes that cartridge primer24with sufficient force to activate the cartridge primer24, thus firing the cartridge25.

Under the action of the striker spring21on the rest pad for the striker spring20, the striker16with the firing pin tip17is sunk in a position, ensuring an unimpeded chambering of a cartridge. Striker spring21is braced against the striker spring stop22, and striker16bears via rest pad for a striker spring20against said spring, reassuming with the firing pin tip17and cocking notch18the uncocked position.

Once a shot is fired, the breech block13moves rearwards from the cartridge chamber3under the action of powder gases on a cartridge case25. The explosive force of the cartridge25discharging compresses the breech block return spring12and allows for ejecting the fired case25from the pistol when the fired cartridge25collides with the ejector5. Following the ejection of cartridge25, the breech block13, under the action of the breech block return spring12, is returned to the closed position, thus chambering another cartridge25to the cartridge chamber3. Because the projection for double-action (nose of sear)8is down from the path of a striker16, the projection for double-action8is not engaged and the pistol is not cocked.

When the trigger6is released, the trigger slide7, under the action of the trigger spring11pressing on projection10, returns backwards to the cartridge chamber3, simultaneously lifting its rear part upwards. The projection for double-action (nose of sear)8comes in front of the striker cocking notch18and all the parts of the pistol assume the uncocked position already described.

The foregoing discussion has been proffered as an exemplary description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The description has discussed and illustrated how the present invention works and can be applied to and used for its intended purpose. It is the intention of the inventors to claim the present invention in its broadest sense, and not be limited to the exemplary facets discussed above. The invention in its broadest sense is encompassed by the following claims which should be read.