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.

Frame construction for a firearm (10) with a frame (18) and a slide (12) constrained to move longitudinally between a forward and a rearward position but which is also removable from the frame. A recess (39) in the side of the frame contains the Kammer trigger mechanism (26, 38) that is accessible through a side opening (40) in the frame. A thin side plate (42) drops over the side opening and is held at its side edges and bottom edge by flanges (50) an the side plate overlapping congruent grooves in the frame and is held in place an top by the slide. After removing the slide in the conventional manner, the side plate can be slide upwardly and removed using a finger cutout (48) in the side plate.

A semi-automatic pistol having a unique interrelationship between a pivotal, spring biased trigger, a pivotal spring biased hammer and a dual safety with one safety disabling the connection between the trigger and the hammer and the second safety enabling removal of the spring biasing force that normally moves the hammer from cocked position to firing position thereby preventing the pistol from being fired.

A weapon grip includes a grip body and a cross-sectionally generally U-shaped grip shell, each having opposite side walls and a rear wall interconnecting the side walls. The grip shell which is a one-piece component, is readily removably and replaceably inserted on the grip body in an installed position such that the walls of the grip body face the respective walls of the grip shell. The grip body and the shell body carry respective first and second abutment faces extending parallel to the length dimension of the grip body. The first and second abutment faces are in contact with one another in the installed position. First and second guides are formed on the grip body and the grip shell, respectively, and are disposed relative to one another and relative to the first and second abutment faces such that during motion of insertion of the grip shell on the grip body parallel to the length dimension, the first and second guides are in sliding engagement with one another and, by camming action, shift the grip shell relative to the grip body in a direction transverse to the length dimension for causing the first abutment face to arrive into contact with the second abutment face upon conclusion of the motion of insertion.

A target grip for a firearm comprising insertable and removable trigger finger support inserts for a side panel of the grip for enabling the distal portion of a user's trigger finger to contact a trigger perpendicular to the trigger for more shooting accuracy and consistency. Various size trigger finger target grip extender inserts may be inserted into the firearm grip and removed until the proper size insert is found. The target grip extender insert is secured by a friction fit or by a clip on the end of the insert.