Patent ID: 8333028

Claim:
A mode selection mechanism for a firearm, the firearm including a frame, the mode selection mechanism comprising: (a) a lever having an exposed surface for receiving a digit of a user and an inner surface, a pivot pin and a detent pin depending from the inner surface, the pivot pin extending through a orifice in the frame, the detent pin extending generally parallel to the pivot pin, the lever pivotable from a first position to a second position about the pivot pin, wherein the detent pin moves in an arc-shaped aperture, wherein, when the lever is in the first position, the detent pin is at a first position in the arc-shaped aperture and when the lever is in the second position, the detent pin is at a second position in the arc-shaped aperture, (b) a flexible stop comprising an open ring of spring metal disposed in a ring orifice in the frame, wherein the flexible stop is secured in the ring orifice, but retaining an ability to compress in a plane of the ring; (c) the detent pin disposed against the flexible stop wherein, as the lever is moved from the first position to the second position, and as the lever is moved from the second position to the first position, the flexible stop compresses and then uncompresses thereby creating a detent wherein the lever snaps as it moves between the positions.