Patent Publication Number: US-2021172702-A1

Title: Pistol

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,932 filed on Dec. 4, 2018, entitled “PISTOL,” which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/678,483 filed on Aug. 16, 2017 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,260,828, entitled “RECEIVER ASSEMBLY FOR LOCKED BREECH PISTOL,” which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,932 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/623,042 filed on Jan. 29, 2018, entitled “DETACHABLE AND MODULAR HANDGUN DUST COVER,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates a pistol receiver assembly. In particular, it relates to a receiver assembly for a semi-automatic pistol. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The introduction of the semi-automatic pistol having a short recoil locked breech (hereinafter semi-automatic pistol) by Glock revolutionized the pistol market for semi-automatic weaponry. While the slide, barrel, and recoil spring are made of steel, the remaining receiver assembly is a one-piece device. About 90% of the receiver assembly is plastic. The receiver assembly is manufactured as a single-piece assembly. If you wish to have a different part of the receiver assembly, it is necessary to replace the entire assembly. 
     In addition, while the lightweight nature of plastic adds some advantages, as the gun heats up during use, the differences in expansion coefficients for steel versus plastic have been known to cause some problems. In addition, if a portion of the assembly is damaged, once again, the entire assembly must be replaced. At this point, however, no one has determined how to design a multiple piece receiver assembly which overcomes the problems associated with the current technology for semi-automatic pistols. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved pistol that is modular in construction, thereby providing extensive customization options for the user without requiring replacement of the entire receiver assembly. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the pistol according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a pistol that is modular in construction, thereby providing extensive customization options for the user without requiring replacement of the entire receiver assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The current invention relates to a semi-automatic pistol assembly wherein there are multiple pieces that fit together to form a receiver assembly. Because of the nature of the design, the assembly can be plastic, as in previous models, but can also be entirely of metal, which not only allows for solving the problems noted above, but allows for further customizing of the receiver assembly without having to have a new assembly for each modification. 
     To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a body having a grip, the grip defining a magazine passage, the body having a trigger guard defining a trigger space, the body having an upper surface, the body having a first mounting facility, an upper frame assembly removably connected to the body in a connected position, the upper frame assembly including a trigger element extending into the trigger space when in the connected position, a protrusion extending upward from the upper surface of the body, the protrusion having a forward-facing first bearing surface, and the upper frame assembly having a rear-facing second bearing surface adapted to abut the first bearing surface when in the connected position to transmit recoil forces from the upper frame assembly to the body. The upper frame assembly may have a slide rail. The upper frame assembly may define a horizontal slide plane. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of the sub-receiver. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the front dust cover. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the pistol grip frame. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the grip back strap. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the magazine well funnel. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the trigger assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a slide, barrel, and recoil spring. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the trigger, slide barrel, and recoil spring mounted on the assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the assembled receiver assembly of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a top front isometric exploded view of a first alternative embodiment of the pistol constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom front isometric exploded view of the pistol of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a left side sectional view of the pistol of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a right side sectional view of the pistol of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom sectional partial view of the pistol of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 15  is a rear isometric view of the dust cover of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom front isometric view of the sub receiver of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom sectional view of the pistol of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 18  is a left side sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of the pistol constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is left side view of a first alternative embodiment of the front dust cover incorporating a laser emitter suitable for use with the pistols of  FIGS. 10 and 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is left side view of a second alternative embodiment of the front dust cover incorporating a light suitable for use with the pistols of  FIGS. 10 and 18 . 
         FIG. 21  is front isometric view of a third alternative embodiment of the front dust cover incorporating a suppressor suitable for use with the pistols of  FIGS. 10 and 18 . 
         FIG. 22  is front isometric view of a fourth alternative embodiment of the front dust cover incorporating a compensator suitable for use with the pistols of  FIGS. 10 and 18 . 
     
    
    
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals, if any, are used to describe the same, similar, or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention. 
     Definitions 
     The terms “about” and “essentially” mean±10 percent. 
     The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
     The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended. 
     Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, and “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation. 
     The term “or”, as used herein, is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B, or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive. 
     The drawings featured in the figures, if any, are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. The term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there are one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting. 
     As used herein, the term “semi-automatic pistol” refers to a semi-automatic pistol having a short recoil locked breech. These are the pistols generally referred to in the trade as Glock pistols or Glock safe “Action®” pistols. These are various caliber bullet type pistols which, in the prior art, have a one-piece metal and plastic receiver assembly. As used herein, the term “semi-automatic receiver assembly” refers to a collection or kit of parts comprising a sub receiver, a front dust cover, a pistol grip frame, and at least one of a front and rear grip strap which assemble into a receiver for accepting a trigger assembly, a slide, a barrel, a recoil spring assembly, a bullet magazine tube, and a magazine well funnel. 
     As used herein, the term “sub receiver” refers to a piece of the whole receiver that is designed to receive the barrel and the slide with the recoil spring attached. In the original Glock, this is just a molded area and not a separate piece. The front of the sub receiver has a device for removably attaching a front dust cover. In the first embodiment shown in the Figures, there are two cylindrical locking posts. These each have a spring-loaded ball bearing and front with two holes in the front dust cover to assemble the pieces together. 
     As used herein, the term “front dust cover” refers to a piece, as shown in the Figures, which attaches to the front of the sub receiver. It is a protective cover positioned below the barrel to protect the exposed bottom portion of the barrel on the pistol, the top portion covered by the slide assembly. In one embodiment, there are two holes on the back side for mounting/connecting to the receiver sub-assembly, as shown in the Figures. 
     As used herein the term “pistol grip frame” refers to the portion of the pistol, as shown in the Figures, which includes the trigger guard, the trigger mounting, the handle to hold the pistol, trigger guard, and a space to insert the magazine tube assembly. 
     As used herein the term “grip strap” refers to a detachable front and back piece which, as shown in the Figures, mounts to the front and back of the handle on the pistol grip frame in order to change the size of the grip handle for different size hands. The connection can be by any means. In one embodiment, it is a removable attachment, for example by screws, clips, or the like. 
     As used herein, the term “magazine well funnel” refers to a device at the end of the space to insert the magazine tube assembly which widens the opening in a funnel fashion to make it easier to insert a magazine with bullets into the magazine well. 
     As used herein, the term “trigger assembly” refers to the mechanism in a semi-automatic pistol that comprises the trigger and the mechanism used to transfer the trigger movement to firing a bullet. A representative example of such mechanism is shown in the Figures and mounts on the pistol grip frame. 
     As used herein, the term “slide” refers to the standard slide used with semi-automatic pistols and is well known in the art. 
     As used herein, the term “barrel” refers to a standard barrel used with semi-automatic pistols and is well known in the art. 
     As used herein, the term “recoil spring assembly” refers to the standard recoil spring used in semi-automatic pistols and is well known in the art. 
     As used herein, the term “magazine tube assembly” refers to the magazine that holds bullets, e.g. 9 mm bullets, that is inserted into the grip frame handle for delivering bullets during use. The standard semi-automatic pistol magazine is intended. 
     DRAWINGS 
     Now referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the receiver sub-assembly  1  of the present invention. In this view, there are two locking posts  2  in the front  3  of the sub-assembly  1  for mounting the front dust cover. In the back  4  of the sub-assembly, there is a slide clip  5  for mounting to the pistol grip frame. For additional mounting to the grip frame are pin holes  7  which mate with holes on the pistol grip frame. The internal mechanism  8  is designed to hold the barrel and receiver in the manner known in the art.  FIG. 1B  is a side view of the sub-assembly  1 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front dust cover  20  having channel  21  for clearance of the recoil spring and mounting holes  22  for receiving the posts of the sub-assembly and connecting the two. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the pistol grip frame  30  where the receiver mounts to the grip frame  30  at front  31 . The grip frame  30  has handle  32  for receiving a magazine in a well  33  and mounting lugs  34  for receiving a back grip strap. A front grip strap  38  is already attached to the front of handle  32 . It is designed to receive a trigger assembly and position a trigger in trigger guard  37 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a grip back strap  40  which mounts on the mounting nuts  34  of the pistol grip frame handle  32 , shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a magazine well funnel  50  which mounts on the bottom of the pistol grip frame handle for making it easier to insert a magazine quickly by increasing the size of the initial opening. Mounting is shown in  FIG. 9 . In this view, screws are used with mounting holes  51  to attach the well funnel  50 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a typical trigger assembly  60 . In this view, we see trigger  61 , connector  62 , and trigger bar  63  which is inserted into the pistol grip frame in the normal manner known in the art. 
       FIG. 7  shows a side view of the typical slide  70 , barrel  71 , and recoil spring  72  which is used in a semi-automatic pistol. These items are within the skill of the art and the present invention, as noted above, is designed to receive these items. 
       FIG. 8  shows the assembled slide  70  with the barrel  71  and spring (hidden from view) and trigger assembly  60  on an assembled receiver assembly of the invention  80 . 
       FIG. 9  is the assembled semi-automatic pistol receiver  90  of the invention. In this view, bullet magazine  91  is shown being inserted into the receiver assembly  90 . The parts from the previous figures are numbered here to show their position in the assembled product. 
       FIGS. 10-14  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the improved pistol  100  of the present invention. More particularly, the pistol has a body  112  having a forward trigger guard  114 , a rearward grip  116 , and an upper surface  296 . The trigger guard defines a trigger space  118 . A recoil lug  120  having a transverse bore  122  is located on top of the trigger guard forward of an elongated central magazine passage  124  defined by the grip. The recoil lug is a protrusion extending upward from the upper surface of the body having a forward-facing first bearing surface  292 . The magazine passage is adapted to receive a magazine and defines a magazine axis  284 . The grip has opposed left and right side walls, a front portion, and an opposed rear portion. The front portion of the pistol grip frame includes a first front grip strap attachment facility, which is a dovetail  126 . In the specification, the term dovetail feature is not limited to the traditional woodworking tapered shape. The rear portion of the pistol grip frame includes a rear protrusion  128  with a bore (not visible). A front strap element  130  has a second front strap attachment facility, which is a rear slot  132  that slidably receives the dovetail to removably connect the front grip strap element to the dovetail on the pistol grip frame. The front portion of the pistol grip frame defines a front path, and the front grip strap element is an elongated element movable along the front path, such that the front grip strap element is removable for replacement by an alternate front grip strap element. The first front grip strap attachment facility and the second front grip strap attachment facility form a sliding interface. The sliding interface includes a protrusion/male feature having a constant cross-section (the dovetail) and a recess/female element having a constant cross-section (the rear slot) adapted to closely receive the protrusion. In the specification, the term cylindrical is not limited to circular cross-section, but to forms having the same cross-sectional profile along their length. Thus, the sliding interface includes closely mating cylindrical forms defining a sliding axis  282 . The sliding interface is parallel to the front path. 
     The body  112  has a lower rim  274 . A magazine funnel element  228  is adapted for connection to the pistol grip frame at the lower rim at an installed position. The top front of the magazine funnel element  228  defines a stop portion/step  248 . The step is positioned proximate the front strap element  130  to prevent removal of the front strap element by vertical movement of the front strap element on the dovetail  126  when the magazine funnel element is secured beneath the grip in the installed position a manner to be described subsequently. The front strap element has a lower end surface  276  abutting the step. The lower rim of the grip defines a rim plane, and the front path is perpendicular to the rim plane. The front strap element is an elongated body perpendicular to the rim plane. 
     A sub receiver  134  is removably connected to the upper surface  296  of the body  112  in a connected position where the lower surface  138  of the sub receiver abuts the upper surface of the body. The sub receiver also has an upper slide interface surface  136  that acts as a slide interface facility, forward end  140 , rear end  142 , and opposed major right and left faces  144 ,  146 . A trigger element  148  protrudes downwardly from the lower surface of the sub receiver. The trigger element is received by a trigger opening  150  in the body communicating with the trigger space  118 , thereby enabling the trigger element to extend into the trigger space when the sub receiver is in the connected position. The recoil lug  120 , which is also forward of the trigger opening, is received within a slot  152  located in the lower surface of the sub receiver in front of the trigger. The slot has opposed parallel sidewalls. The slot includes a rear-facing second bearing surface  294  adapted to abut the forward-facing first bearing surface  292  of the recoil lug. A front frame pin  154  is inserted through bore  156  in the right face of the sub receiver and bore  122  in the recoil lug, which are registered when the sub receiver is in the connected position, to releasably secure the sub receiver to the body. The forward end of the sub receiver includes a forward protrusion  158  defining a bore  160  and a first mounting facility  162 . In the current embodiment, the first mounting facility is a pair of recesses  164 ,  166 . The recesses are a pair of spaced-apart connection elements, each proximate to a respective opposed major right and left face. The forward end of the sub receiver also defines a first bore  168  that is in communication with the recesses. The trigger mechanism housing  206  extends downwardly from the lower surface of the sub receiver adjacent to the rear end. The trigger mechanism housing defines a bore  208  and a downward facing slot  210 . When the sub receiver is attached to the body, the downward facing slot receives the rear protrusion  128  on the body, and a rear frame pin  212  is inserted through the bore  208  and the bore (not visible) and the rear protrusion on the body to releasably secure the rear end of the sub receiver to the body. The recoil lug being received by the slot and the rear protrusion being received by the downward facing slot both serve as mating elements on the body and on the sub receiver adjacent to the magazine passage  124  and adapted to prevent sliding motion of the sub receiver with respect to the upper surface of the body. It should be appreciated that the sub receiver can be viewed as a portion of the body from the perspective of the remaining components of the pistol  100  once the sub receiver is connected to the body. 
     A front dust cover  170 , which is an elongated form, is releasably attached to the forward end  140  of the sub receiver  134 . The front dust cover has a forward end  172 , rear end  174 , upper surface  176 , and lower surface  178 . The upper surface defines a concave channel  180 . The lower surface includes a Picatinny rail portion  182  or any other suitable type of accessory mount. The rear end includes a connection facility/second mounting facility  184  and defines a bore  186 . In the current embodiment, the connection facility/second mounting facility is a pair of posts  188 ,  190  adjacent to right and left faces  192 ,  194  of the front dust cover. The posts are sized to be slidably received within the pair of recesses  164 ,  166  that form the first mounting facility  162 . The rear end also defines a slot  196  that receives the protrusion  158  on the sub receiver when the posts are slidably received by the recesses. A screw  198  is threadedly received by the bore  186  in the front dust cover and bore  160  in the protrusion to releasably secure the front dust cover to the forward end of the sub receiver. A front dust cover pin  200  is inserted through first bore  168  in the sub receiver and second bore  202  in the front dust cover to further releasably secure the front dust cover to the forward end of the sub receiver. The first and second bores are registered when the front dust cover is in the attached position, and the front dust cover pin is closely received in the first and second bores to secure the front dust cover in the attached position. The front dust cover has a height at the rear end extending from the upper surface to the opposed lower surface. In the current embodiment, the front dust cover is cantilevered from the sub receiver. 
     A slide  204  is slidably attached to the upper slide interface surface  136  of the sub receiver  134  by slide rails  288  that define a horizontal slide plane. The slide reciprocates fore and aft in response to recoil forces resulting from the discharge of the pistol  100 . The angled shape of the recoil lug  120  directs the recoil forces transmitted from the second bearing surface  294  of the sub receiver to the first bearing surface  292  of the recoil lug downwards into the body  112  to prevent undesirable muzzle rise that would otherwise be created by the recoil forces. The second bearing surface is parallel to the first bearing surface. The slide has a selected slide length between a rear slide end  270  and a forward slide end  272 . The front dust cover  170  has a forward end  172  defining a front dust cover length with respect to the rear end  174  of the front dust cover. The length of the front dust cover is selected to extend to underlay the forward end of the slide with the forward end of the front dust cover registered with the forward end of the slide such that the front dust cover can be interchanged with a different length front dust cover to be compatible with a different length slide. The connection facility/second mounting facility  184  enables movement of the front dust cover with respect to the slide only in a vertical direction, and limits motion and all other directions. 
     A back grip strap element  214  is releasably attached to the rear end  142  of the sub receiver  134 . The top of the back grip strap element includes a second linear interface element/dovetail  216  that slidably receives a first linear interface element/dovetail slot  218  located at the rear end  142  of the sub receiver  134 . In the specification, the term dovetail feature is not limited to the traditional woodworking tapered shape. The first linear interface element is aligned with an attachment axis  286  offset from the magazine axis  284 , which is perpendicular to the rim plane defined by the lower rim  274  of the body  112 . The first linear interface element is parallel to the side plane defined by the slide rails  288 . The first linear interface element and the second linear interface element form a sliding interface. The sliding interface includes a protrusion/male feature having a constant cross-section (the dovetail) and a recess/female element having a constant cross-section (the dovetail slot) adapted to closely receive the male element. In the specification, the term cylindrical is not limited to circular cross-section, but to forms having the same cross-sectional profile along their length. Thus, the sliding interface includes closely mating cylindrical forms defining a sliding axis  290 . The back grip strap element includes pin cutouts  220 ,  222  that expose the bore  208  in the trigger mechanism housing  206  to enable rear frame pin  212  to be inserted into the bore. The bottom of the back grip strap element defines a downwardly facing slot  224  having a threaded bore  226 . It should be appreciated that the back grip strap element depends only from the rear end of the sub receiver and is not attached to the rear of the body  112 , but merely abuts the rear of the body. 
     The magazine well funnel element  228  is removably connected to the bottom of the back grip strap  214 . The top of the magazine well funnel element has an upwardly facing protrusion  230  with a passage  232  that is received within the downwardly facing slot  224  of the back grip strap  214 . A fastener in the form of screw  234  is received by the passage  232  and threadedly engaged with the threaded bore  226  in the back grip strap element  214  to releasably attach the magazine well funnel element to the bottom of the back grip strap. The sub receiver  134 , back grip strap element, and magazine well funnel element effectively form a C-clamp around the pistol grip frame  32 , which enables the back grip strap and magazine well funnel element to be held tightly against the pistol grip frame to compress the pistol grip frame without a fastener connecting the back grip strap element to the body. The top of the magazine well funnel element also includes a front tab  236 , rear tab  238 , right tab  240 , and left tab  242 . The front tab includes a forward protrusion  244 . The tabs are received within the magazine passage  124  of the body  112  at the lower rim  274  of the body with the forward protrusion within the dovetail  126  to align a magazine well opening/funnel inlet  246  in registration with the magazine passage. The tabs serve as a second engagement adapted to prevent the magazine well funnel element from sliding with respect to the lower rim of the grip. In the current embodiment, the funnel inlet is tapered to facilitate insertion of a magazine (not shown) through the funnel inlet and into the magazine passage. The magazine well funnel element also includes an engagement facility adapted to prevent separation of a forward portion of the magazine well funnel element (the front tab) away from the body. In the current embodiment, the engagement facility is a hook element  278  having an engagement surface  280  facing away from the grip. The hook element extends in a forward direction to enable removal of the magazine well funnel element from the body only in a rearward direction. 
       FIGS. 15-17  illustrate how the sub receiver  134  and the front dust cover  170  of the improved pistol  100  of the present invention form a puzzle lock to releasably secure the sub receiver to the front dust cover. More particularly, in  FIG. 15 , it can be appreciated that posts  188 ,  190  of the second mounting facility  184  are elongated protruding male elements defining a male constant cross-sectional cylindrical/profile having heads  250 ,  252  having a head width and necks  254 ,  256  having a second width less than the head width. The posts define sliding axes  258 ,  260  that are angularly offset/perpendicular to the slide interface plane defined by the upper slide interface surface  136 . In  FIG. 16 , it can be appreciated that the recesses  164 ,  166  of the first mounting facility  162  are female elements having constant cross-sections defining passages  262 ,  264  adapted to closely receive the heads and gaps  266 ,  268  adapted to closely receive the necks. Thus, the second mounting facility is adapted to removably dock with the first mounting facility in an attached position. The upper surface  176  of the front dust cover is in the slide interface plane when the front dust cover is in the attached position, and the first mounting facility and second mounting facility form a sliding interface. In the current embodiment, the sliding interface is a dovetail feature, which is defined as any feature having a wider head than an associated neck. In the specification, the term dovetail feature is not limited to the traditional woodworking tapered shape. Furthermore, in the specification, the term cylindrical is not limited to circular cross-sections, but to forms having the same cross-sectional profile along their length. Thus, sliding interface is perpendicular to the slide interface plane and includes closely mating cylindrical forms that also define the sliding axes. The sliding interface includes elongated connection elements (the posts) that extend from a lower end proximate the lower surface  178  of the front dust cover to an upper end proximate the upper surface of the front dust cover. In the current embodiment, the posts extend from the lower surface of the front dust cover to a location 0.0965 inches below the upper surface of the dust cover. The puzzle lock between the front dust cover and the sub receiver and the transverse front dust cover pin provide strength and resistance to bending. These characteristics are essential because the front dust cover is cantilevered and can receive lights or other accessories on the Picatinny rail portion  182  that add weight to the forward end of the front dust cover. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the improved pistol  300  of the present invention. More particularly, the pistol has a body  312  having a forward trigger guard  314 , a rearward grip  316 , and an upper surface  496 . The trigger guard defines a trigger space  318 . A trigger opening  350  in the body communicates with the trigger space  118 . A slot  352  having opposed parallel sidewalls is located on top of the trigger guard forward of an elongated central magazine passage  324  defined by the grip. The slot is defined by the upper surface of the body and has a forward-facing first bearing surface  492 . The magazine passage is adapted to receive a magazine and defines a magazine axis  484 . The grip has opposed left and right side walls, a front portion, and an opposed rear portion. 
     A sub receiver  334  is removably connected to the upper surface  496  of the body  312  in a connected position where the lower surface  338  of the sub receiver abuts the upper surface of the body, thereby enabling the trigger element to extend into the trigger space when the sub receiver is in the connected position. A recoil lug  320  having a transverse bore  322  is a protrusion extending downward from the lower surface of the sub receiver having a rearward-facing second bearing surface  294 . The recoil lug, which is forward of the trigger opening  350 , is received within slot  352 . The recoil lug includes a rear-facing second bearing surface  494  adapted to abut the forward-facing first bearing surface  492  of the slot. It should be appreciated that the sub receiver can be viewed as a portion of the body from the perspective of the remaining components of the pistol  300  once the sub receiver is connected to the body. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the improved front dust cover  400  of the present invention. More particularly, the front dust cover  400  is suitable for use with pistols  200  or  300 . The front dust cover  400 , which is an elongated form, is releasably attached to the forward end of the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300 . The front dust cover has a forward end  402 , rear end  404 , upper surface  406 , and lower surface  408 . The upper surface defines a concave channel (not visible). The lower surface includes a laser emitter  412 . The rear end includes the same connection facility/second mounting facility  414  as does the front dust cover  170  (a pair of posts and a slot). Thus, the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300  and the front dust cover  400  of the present invention form a puzzle lock to releasably secure the sub receiver to the front dust cover  400 . The front dust cover  400  also has the same bores as the front dust cover  170  to receive the same screw and front dust cover pin to secure the front dust cover  400  to the forward end of the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300  in the same manner. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a second alternative embodiment of the improved front dust cover  500  of the present invention. More particularly, the front dust cover  500  is suitable for use with pistols  200  or  300 . The front dust cover  500 , which is an elongated form, is releasably attached to the forward end of the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300 . The front dust cover has a forward end  502 , rear end  504 , upper surface  506 , and lower surface  508 . The upper surface defines a concave channel (not visible). The lower surface includes a light  512 . The rear end includes the same connection facility/second mounting facility  514  as does the front dust cover  170  (a pair of posts and a slot). Thus, the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300  and the front dust cover  500  of the present invention form a puzzle lock to releasably secure the sub receiver to the front dust cover  500 . The front dust cover  500  also has the same bores as the front dust cover  170  to receive the same screw and front dust cover pin to secure the front dust cover  500  to the forward end of the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300  in the same manner. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a third alternative embodiment of the improved front dust cover  600  of the present invention. More particularly, the front dust cover  600  is suitable for use with pistols  200  or  300 . The front dust cover  600 , which is an elongated form, is releasably attached to the forward end of the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300 . The front dust cover has a forward end  602 , rear end  604 , upper surface  606 , and lower surface  608 . A rear portion of the upper surface defines a concave channel  610 . A forward portion of the upper surface includes a suppressor  612  that sits in front of the muzzle of pistols  200  or  300 . The rear end includes the same connection facility/second mounting facility  614  as does the front dust cover  170  (a pair of posts and a slot). Thus, the sub receiver of pistols  300  or  400  and the front dust cover  600  of the present invention form a puzzle lock to releasably secure the sub receiver to the front dust cover  600 . The front dust cover  600  also has the same bores as the front dust cover  170  to receive the same screw and front dust cover pin to secure the front dust cover  600  to the forward end of the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300  in the same manner. Furthermore, the alignment of the connection of the front dust cover  600  to the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300  is repeatable. This enables the front dust cover  600  to be repeatedly removed and reinstalled without creating a risk of bullet strikes on the baffles (not visible) within the suppressor as the bullet enters through a rear passage (not visible) and exits through front passage  616 . 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a fourth alternative embodiment of the improved front dust cover  700  of the present invention. More particularly, the front dust cover  700  is suitable for use with pistols  200  or  300 . The front dust cover  700 , which is an elongated form, is releasably attached to the forward end of the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300 . The front dust cover has a forward end  702 , rear end  704 , upper surface  706 , and lower surface  708 . A rear portion of the upper surface defines a concave channel  710 . A forward portion of the upper surface includes a compensator  712  that sits in front of the muzzle of pistols  200  or  300 . The rear end includes the same connection facility/second mounting facility  714  as does the front dust cover  170  (a pair of posts and a slot). Thus, the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300  and the front dust cover  700  of the present invention form a puzzle lock to releasably secure the sub receiver to the front dust cover  700 . The front dust cover  700  also has the same bores as the front dust cover  170  to receive the same screw and front dust cover pin to secure the front dust cover  700  to the forward end of the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300  in the same manner. Furthermore, the alignment of the connection of the front dust cover  700  to the sub receiver of pistols  200  or  300  is repeatable. This enables the front dust cover  700  to be repeatedly removed and reinstalled without creating a risk of bullet strikes on the compensator as the bullet passes through front passage  716 . The top of the compensator defines a front vent  718  and a rear vent  720  that vent a portion of the hot gasses emitted by the muzzle of pistols  200  or  300  upwards to compensate for muzzle rise resulting from recoil forces. A potion of the lower surface of the front dust cover  700  includes a Picatinny rail portion  722  or any other suitable type of accessory mount. 
     In the context of the specification, the terms “rear” and “rearward,” and “front” and “forward” have the following definitions: “rear” or “rearward” means in the direction away from the muzzle of the firearm while “front” or “forward” means it is in the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm. 
     While current embodiments of a pistol have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.