Firearm

Abstract

Improved firearms including one or more of a removable and/or interchangeable top cover, an improved extractor mechanism, a striker safety mechanism with a direct trigger interface, a sear with direct striker interface, and/or a striker with integral striker spring retention features.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A striker safety mechanism for a firearm, the striker safety mechanism comprising a striker safety block comprising a first end, a second end, a forward side and a rearward side, the striker safety block comprising a central body portion defined between the first and second ends and defining a pivot, a striker engagement portion provided at the first end of the block on the rearward side of the pivot, a trigger engagement portion at an opposite second end of the block on the forward side of the pivot, and a striker safety spring configured to bias the striker safety block to pivot the striker engagement portion into abutment with a stop surface or shoulder of a firing pin of the firearm to prevent the striker from moving forward and thereby prevent firing of the firearm when a trigger of the firearm is not pulled. 
     
     
         2 . The striker safety mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein when the trigger is pulled, an upper finger extending from the trigger directly contacts the trigger engagement portion, thereby overcoming the bias of striker safety spring and pivoting the striker safety block to move the striker engagement portion out of engagement with the stop surface of the firing pin, allowing the firing pin to advance and fire the firearm. 
     
     
         3 . The striker safety mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger engagement portion comprises a lower extension portion having an upper finger engagement surface for contact by an upper finger of the trigger. 
     
     
         4 . A firearm sear comprising a forward portion, an elongated rearward portion defining a shallow ramp and catch adjacent thereto, and a pivot axis generally defined between the forward and rearward portions for pivotally mounting the sear within a portion of a firearm, the elongated rearward portion being biased upwardly by a sear spring, wherein an extension finger of a striker is configured for precise and consistent engagement with the catch of the sear, thereby providing a consistent trigger pull and improved accuracy. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm sear of  claim 4 , wherein actuation of a trigger of the firearm causes movement of a trigger bar, thereby causing pivotal movement of the sear to overcome the bias of the sear spring and disengage the catch from an extension finger of a striker so as to permit forward movement of the striker to strike a cartridge and fire the same, thereby causing a slide of the firearm to move rearwardly whereby the elongated rearward portion is biased upwardly by the sear spring, and wherein the returning forward movement of the slide causes at least some engagement of the extension finger of the striker with the shallow ramp, thereby actuating the elongated rearward portion in a downward pivot motion to provide precise and consistent seating of the extension finger with the catch of the sear, thereby maintaining the striker in a cocked position. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm sear of  claim 5 , wherein the trigger bar comprises a first end pivotally mounted to a portion of the trigger and a second end comprising a release finger, the release finger configured for contacting a release of the sear so as to cause the sear to pivot and disengage the extension finger from the catch of the sear.