An ergonomic semi-automatic handgun includes a pivotable trigger with a concave face portion disposed in front of the grip portion whereby when the trigger is pivoted, the center of the concave portion will travel in a generally straight line towards the base of the saddle parallel to the axis of the barrel and at an optimum distance from the barrel. A unitary polymeric frame including a semi-cylindrical front strap is disposed at predetermined angle relative to the barrel. A ridge and channel are formed on each side of the frame and are adapted to guide and retain the thumb and forefinger of a shooter in the appropriate position to hold, aim and fire the gun.

A piston grip including a body formed at least partially from elastomeric material and having two side portions to be received at opposite sides of a revolver handle, and a cross strap portion connected permanently to the side portions at rear edges thereof to extend across the back of the pistol handle. The side portions may have flanges projecting inwardly from their forward edges to be received in front of the piston handle. Relatively stiff reinforcing elements are provided in the side portions of the body, and flexible reinforcing fabric or other material is provided in the cross strap portion.

A gun having a pistol type handle with a trigger at the front of the handle and a grip safety at the back of the handle mounted for limited pivotal movement and acting to prevent actuation of the trigger except when the grip safety is squeezed forwardly, and with the back surface of the grip safety being formed as a layer of cushioning material for contacting the user's hand.

A pistol grip including two side panels to be received at opposite sides of the handle of a pistol, and cross straps to extend between the two side panels at the front and back of the handle, with all of these sections including elastomeric material having outer gripping surfaces to be contacted by the hand of a user, and with the cross straps having connector portions which extend to locations at the inner sides of the side panels and which have projections extending laterally outwardly to positions opposite coacting shoulders formed in the side panels in a relation positively locking the cross straps against detachment from the side panels.

Automatic hand guns in contrast to conventional pistols are commonly supplied with reversing hammer mechanisms for the firing pins immediately above and adjacent to the top of the grip which is set in motion by pulling the trigger. A magazine for shells is held in place in the handle by use of a releasable catch which must be readily manipulated by hand when a magazine is to be removed and replaced. Cushion-type reinforced replaceable grips have portions of the reinforcement specially formed at critical locations to make certain that there is no deformation of those portions of the grip which might otherwise impair either the hammer mechanism or the magazine release.