Abstract:
The invention relates to a grip for a handgun, in particular a pistol, having a grip module ( 1 ) made of plastic and a metal carrier element ( 2 ) that is insertable into said grip module ( 1 ). In order to enable a simple and cost-effective adaptation to the widest variety of demands of the marksman, a magazine shaft ( 4 ), projecting downward from the grip module ( 1 ) and onto which is slipped a grip shell module ( 3 ), is formed as a part of the carrier element ( 2 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a grip for a handgun, in particular a pistol.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A grip of this type is known from EP 0 979 986 A2. There, a single multi-function part made of metal is inserted in a removable way in a housing made of plastic. However, the multi-function part serves here only for guidance and support of the elements of the trigger mechanism and contains the guides for the barrel slide, which is slidable on the grip. The magazine shaft is formed in a plastic housing designed as a single-piece. For this known weapon, adapting the grip to differing specifications of the weapon is not possible straight away, since the plastic housing is of integral design, and in the event of potential changes or adaptations must always be replaced in its entirety.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The objective of the invention is to create a grip that enables a simple and cost-effective adaptation to the widest variety of demands of the marksman.  
         [0004]     This problem is solved by means of a grip having the features of Claim  1 .  
         [0005]     The grip according to the invention has a modular construction and is composed of a grip module, preferably manufactured of plastic, a metallic carrier element insertable into said grip module and having a magazine shaft projecting downward out from the grip module, and a grip shell module slipped onto the magazine shaft. The carrier element, preferably executed as a sheet metal construction, forms a universally applicable basic part, in which or on which are arranged the parts of the handgun essential to function, such as the trigger mechanism or the guides for a barrel slide or action. Interchangeable grip shell modules and even interchangeable grip modules for length adaptation and accessory accommodation can be mounted to the universally applicable carrier element. The magazine shaft formed on the carrier element serves not only to receive a magazine, but at the same time also to form a stable carrier for a grip shell module that can be replaced or exchanged easily according to need. The grip shell module and the grip module forming an upper shell are simple and cost-effective to manufacture and can also be exchanged quickly and with no problem without changing the parts of the weapon essential to function. The grip according to the invention enables a limited grip circumference with the highest possible strength and stability, as well as an optimum adaptability with cost-effective construction.  
         [0006]     Expedient configurations and advantageous improvements of the invention are given in the subclaims.  
         [0007]     A grip shell module is thus designed, e.g., in such a way that it also encloses the rear side and the front side of the magazine shaft. It is expedient to design the grip shell module as a hollow body slipped onto the magazine shaft from below.  
         [0008]     In a particularly advantageous design, the carrier element is manufactured as a sheet metal construction of two side parts connected to one another by means of connecting webs. The side parts of the carrier element feature two parallel sections extending downward, which project downward from the grip module and together with the front and rear connecting webs delimit the magazine shaft formed integrally with the carrier element. The magazine shaft is preferably dimensioned to be able to receive the entire or nearly the entire length of a magazine.  
         [0009]     In an expedient configuration, the guides for a barrel slide or action that is slidable on the carrier element can also be mounted to the carrier element that receives the control elements and functional element of the handgun. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     Additional features and advantages of the invention arise from the following description of a preferred embodiment with the aid of the drawing. Shown are:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1 , a grip of a handgun in an oblique view and  
         [0012]      FIG. 2 , the grip of  FIG. 1  with the individual parts in exploded view and  
         [0013]      FIG. 3 , a grip shell module of the grip shown in  FIG. 1  in an oblique view from the front. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The grip of a pistol depicted diagrammatically in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is composed of a grip module ( 1 ), a carrier element ( 2 ) insertable in said grip module ( 1 ), and a grip shell module ( 3 ) capable of being slipped onto the carrier element ( 2 ). As emerges from  FIG. 2  in particular, a downward extending magazine shaft ( 4 ) is formed on the carrier element ( 2 ) that is insertable in the grip module ( 1 ).  
         [0015]     The grip module ( 1 ), preferably manufactured as an injection-molded part of plastic, comprises simply an upper retainer part ( 5 ) in the form of a frame, on the underside of which is molded a trigger guard ( 6 ) and a front cover ( 7 ) in the shape of a half shell for the upper part of the magazine shaft ( 4 ). The action or slide of the handgun, not represented here, is slidably arranged on the retainer part ( 5 ). Various openings or recesses or hollows for different control elements or functional elements are provided in the two sidewalls ( 8 ,  9 ) of the upper retainer part ( 5 ). Thus a lateral recess ( 10 ) for a slide release is arranged, e.g. in the left sidewall ( 8 ) viewed in the firing direction. Moreover, located in the area of the recess ( 10 ) in the sidewall ( 8 ) is a slot ( 11 ) open at the top for a bearing pin of a slide release which is known and therefore not shown. Provided in the right sidewall ( 9 ), viewed in the firing direction, opposite the slot ( 11 ) is a mounting hole ( 12 ) for the bearing pin of the slide release. Arranged to the rear of the grip module ( 1 ) are through openings ( 13 ) in the sidewalls ( 8 ,  9 ) for a hammer spindle. In addition, two oblong holes ( 14 ), positioned aligned with one another in front of the two openings ( 13 ) in the sidewalls ( 8 ,  9 ) are provided for the actuating cams of two control elements pivotably mounted on the hammer spindle. Also provided in the front cover ( 7 ) are through-holes ( 15 ) aligned with one another for a magazine holder. The rear wall (  16 ) of the grip module ( 1 ) features a recess ( 17 ) for a hammer.  
         [0016]     As emerges from  FIG. 2 , the carrier element ( 2 ) features two side parts ( 23 ,  24 ) connected to one another by means of connecting webs ( 18 - 22 ). The side parts ( 23 ,  24 ) of the carrier element ( 2 ) include downward extending parallel sections ( 25 ) and ( 26 ), respectively, which in an assembled state project downward from the upper retainer part ( 5 ) of the grip module ( 1 ) and together with front and rear connecting webs ( 18 ,  19 ,  22 ) delimit the magazine shaft ( 4 ) formed integrally with the carrier element ( 2 ). The parallel sections ( 25 ,  26 ) reach far enough downward that the magazine shaft ( 4 ) is formed to receive the entire or nearly the entire length of a magazine. In order to save weight, appropriate openings ( 27 ) are provided in the sections ( 25 ,  26 ). The carrier element ( 2 ) is preferably manufactured as a diecut bent component of sheet metal or the like. Also provided in the side parts ( 23 ,  24 ) of the carrier element ( 2 ) are drilled holes ( 28 ) aligned with one another for the slide release, oblong holes ( 29 ) for the cams of the control elements, and additional recesses and openings for diverse control elements and functional elements. Shaped at the upper side of the rear ends of the two side parts ( 23 ,  24 ) of the carrier element ( 2 ) are two outwardly bent guiding ridges ( 30 ) that form the rear guides for a barrel slide or action that is slidable in a longitudinal direction on the carrier element ( 2 ). The front guides can be attached to a separate mounting part or also to the carrier element. Attached to the bottom end of the magazine shaft ( 4 ) at the rear side of it are two parallel holding stays ( 31 ) for a hammer spring abutment. The carrier element ( 2 ) can be mounted in the grip module ( 1 ) by means of separate cross pins or other suitable retainers. The carrier element ( 2 ) also can be mounted in the grip module ( 1 ) by means of, e.g., a clip connection, or can be cemented therein.  
         [0017]     The grip shell module ( 3 ) is slipped on from below onto the magazine shaft ( 4 ) extending downward from the carrier element ( 2 ). The front side of the grip shell module, likewise manufactured of plastic in the preferred embodiments is also closed, such that the grip shell module ( 3 ) encloses not only the side surfaces but also the front and rear sides of the magazine shaft. The front side of the grip shell module ( 3 ) features simply a recess ( 32 ) for the cover ( 7 ) molded as part of the carrier element ( 1 ). As is evident from  FIG. 1 , the grip shell module ( 3 ) covers the entire length of the magazine shaft ( 4 ).  
         [0018]     It is recognizable in  FIG. 3  that the upper side of the grip shell module ( 3 ) includes a hand protector ( 33 ), molded as part of the piece, in the form of a “beaver tail”. The hand protector ( 33 ) projects backward away from the grip shell module ( 3 ) and covers the bottom end of the carrier element ( 1 ). A feed guide ( 35 ) in the form of a feed incline (jet funnel) is molded as a integrally with the bottom end of the grip shell module ( 3 ) about the feed opening ( 34 ) for the magazine. This facilitates loading a magazine even under extreme conditions. The shape of the grip shell module ( 3 ) can be configured in various ways and adapted to the respective demands of the marksman.