US20100154279A1

US20100154279A1 - Firearm

Info

Publication number: US20100154279A1
Application number: US12/654,567
Authority: US
Inventors: Athanasios Polyzos; Michael Heinz Huxhold
Original assignee: Para USA Inc
Current assignee: PARA USA LLC
Priority date: 2008-12-23
Filing date: 2009-12-23
Publication date: 2010-06-24

Abstract

A firearm includes a barrel, a frame providing support for the barrel, and a hand grip. The hand grip may include a hand-grip main body and a first back-strap extension detachably engaged to a rear portion of the hand-grip main body. The firearm may also include a light system, which may include a light and an ancillary light-system component disposed at least partially in the hand grip between the hand-grip main body and a rear outer surface of the first back-strap extension.

Description

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/193,788, filed Dec. 23, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to firearms and, more particularly, to firearms with light systems that include lasers and/or other types of lights.

BACKGROUND

Light systems have been attached to firearms for various purposes. For example, light systems with laser lights for sighting purposes have been attached to firearms. Additionally, light systems with incandescent lights for illuminating larger areas have been attached to firearms. Both of these types of light systems typically have an energy source for the light (e.g., batteries) and controls for the light system (e.g., control switches for the light). These components of light systems for firearms require significant space, and they sometimes require service. Mounting all of these components of light systems to a firearm in a manner that provides reliability and serviceability of the light system without making the firearm unwieldy or requiring undesirably extensive modification of the firearm may present significant challenges.
The light systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,600 to Toole et al. (“the '600 patent”) illustrate some of the difficulties associated with addressing all of these considerations when providing a light system on a firearm. The '600 patent discloses multiple embodiments of a laser-sighting device for a firearm. The '600 patent discloses one embodiment where a battery of the light system mounts inside a grip area of the firearm. The '600 patent discloses that this approach for mounting the energy source for the light may have the problem of requiring undesirably extensive machining operations to the firearm. Additionally, the '600 patent suggests that mounting the energy source for the light in the grip area of the firearm may hinder servicing the energy source, including changing and recharging the energy source.
Accordingly, the '600 patent discloses a second embodiment where the battery for the laser-sighting device mounts to a lower end of an ammunition magazine of the firearm. The '600 patent suggests that this reduces the amount of modification of the hand grip required to accommodate the battery for the laser-sighting device. Additionally, the '600 patent indicates that mounting the battery to the lower end of the ammunition magazine allows easily changing and charging the battery.
While mounting the battery to the lower end of the ammunition magazine may provide the advantages disclosed by the '600 patent, it may also have certain disadvantages. For example, adding a battery to the lower end of the ammunition magazine may increase the size of the ammunition magazine and/or reduce the space available for ammunition. Thus, this approach may involve a compromise between making the firearm more unwieldy by increasing the size of the magazine and reducing the number and/or size of ammunition rounds contained in the magazine. Additionally, mounting the battery to the lower end of the ammunition magazine may substantially increase the likelihood of damage to the battery during use of the firearm, as users often subject the ammunition magazine to rough handling. For example, after emptying the ammunition magazine, a user may release the ammunition magazine from the firearm and allow it to fall to the ground. With the battery mounted to the bottom of the ammunition magazine, impact with the ground may damage the battery.
The firearm and light system of the present disclosure may solve one or more of the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One disclosed embodiment relates to a firearm. The firearm may include a barrel, a frame providing support for the barrel, and a hand grip. The hand grip may include a hand-grip main body and a first back-strap extension detachably engaged to a rear portion of the hand-grip main body. The firearm may also include a light system, which may include a light and an ancillary light-system component disposed at least partially in the hand grip between the hand-grip main body and a rear outer surface of the first back-strap extension.
Another embodiment also relates to a firearm. The firearm may include a barrel, a frame providing support for the barrel, and a light system with a replaceable light cartridge. The replaceable light cartridge may include a light housing attached to the firearm. The replaceable light cartridge may also include one or more ancillary light-system components attached to the housing, including an energy source for the first light. The replaceable light cartridge may be removable from the firearm as unit.
A further disclosed embodiment also relates to a firearm. The firearm may include a barrel, a frame providing support for the barrel, a trigger, and a light system. The light system may include an incandescent light and a control switch for the light system. The control switch for the light system may have a handle located rearward of the trigger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a firearm and light system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a firearm and light system from another angle;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a firearm and light system from another angle, with a back-strap extension of the firearm partially removed;

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a firearm and light system from the angle of FIG. 1B, with the back-strap extension of the firearm fully removed;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a firearm and light system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a third embodiment of a firearm and light system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a firearm and light system;

FIG. 3C is a front view of the third embodiment of a firearm and light system;

FIG. 3D is a sectional view of the third embodiment of a firearm and light system through line 3D-3D of FIG. 3C; and

FIG. 3E is a bottom view of the third embodiment of a firearm and light system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate one embodiment of a firearm 10 and a light system 42 therefor according to the present disclosure. Firearm 10 may have various configurations. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, firearm 10 may be a semiautomatic pistol.
Firearm 10 may include a frame 12, a barrel 14, a slide 16, a trigger 17, and various internal components (not shown). Frame 12 may include a hand-grip main body 18, a trigger guard 20, and a receiver 22 with a dust cover 24. Barrel 14 and slide 16 may mount to receiver 22. Hand-grip main body 18 may include a magazine well (not shown) for holding a removable ammunition magazine (not shown). The components of frame 12 may connect to one another in various manners and be constructed of various materials. In some embodiments, hand-grip main body 18, trigger guard 20, and receiver 22 may be molded as a unit out of plastic material.
Hand-grip main body 18 may form a portion of a hand grip 26 of firearm 10. As best shown in FIGS. 1B-1D, hand grip 26 may also include a detachable back-strap extension 28 mounted to a rearward side of hand-grip main body 18. Back-strap extension 28 may be constructed of various materials. In some embodiments, back-strap extension 28 may be molded from plastic material like frame 12.
Back-strap extension 28 may serve to give a rear portion of hand grip 26 a shape that fits comfortably within a user's hand. Toward this end, firearm 10 may come with multiple interchangeable back-strap extensions 28 of different sizes and/or shapes that can be mounted to the rearward side of hand-grip main body 18. For example, firearm 10 may come with small, medium, and large sizes of back-strap extensions 28 that can be interchangeably attached to hand-grip main body 18 for use by individuals having different size hands. Additionally, back-strap extension 28 may have a rear outer surface 30 with outer edges substantially flush with outer surfaces 32 of hand-grip main body 18. Rear outer surface 30 and outer surface 32 may have various types of finishes, including, but not limited to, smooth and/or knurled finishes.
Firearm 10 may include various provisions for mounting back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip main body 18. FIG. 1D illustrates back-strap extension 28 removed from hand-grip main body 18 with back-strap extension 28 rotated around to show an inner side 33 opposite rear outer surface 30 and features for mounting back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip main body 18. Hand-grip main body 18 and back-strap extension 28 may include mating male connection rails 34M and female connection rails 34F for engaging back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip main body 18. Male connection rails 34M may extend from a rear surface 35 of hand-grip main body 18, and female connection rails 34F may be part of back-strap extension 28, as shown in FIG. 1D. Alternatively, one or more of male connection rails 34M may be part of back-strap extension 28, and/or one or more of female connection rails 34F may be part of hand-grip main body 18. Male connection rails 34M and female connection rails 34F may extend along axes 36M and 36F, respectively. The cross-sections of male connection rails 34M and female connection rails 34F may have any complementary form that allows engaging male connection rails 34M and female connection rails 34F to one another to slideably engage back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip main body 18. For example, each male connection rail 34M may include a pair of opposite flanges 38, and each female connection rail 34F may include a corresponding pair of opposite slots 40 for receiving flanges 38.
Attaching back-strap extension 28 may include facing inner side 33 of back-strap extension 28 to rear surface 35 of hand-grip main body 18, and engaging male connection rails 34M to female connection rails 34F, as shown in FIG. 1C. Subsequently, back-strap extension 28 may be slid along axes 36M, 36F into its operational position on hand-grip main body 18, as shown in FIG. 1B. For securing back-strap extension 28 in its operational position on hand-grip main body 18, hand-grip main body 18 may include a tab 39 with a bore 41 (FIG. 1D), and back-strap extension 28 may include bores 43 that align with bore 41 when back-strap extension 28 is in its operational position on hand-grip main body 18. A pin (not shown) may be secured through bores 41, 43 to hold back-strap extension 28 in its operational position on hand-grip main body 18. In lieu of bores 41, 43 and a pin, firearm 10 may include various other provisions for securing back-strap extension 28 to hand-grip main body 18.
Thus, detaching back-strap extension 28 from hand-grip main body 18 may involve first removing this pin from bores 41, 43. Subsequently, back-strap extension 28 may be slid along axes 36M, 36F until male connection rails 34M and female connection rails 34F disengage from one another. Back-strap extension 28 may then be freely separated from hand-grip main body 18.
Light system 42 may include a light 44 (FIG. 1A) and various ancillary components associated with light 44. The ancillary components associated with light 44 may include, for example, an energy source 46 (FIG. 1D) and controls 48 (FIGS. 1B-1D). As used herein, the term “light” refers to any device configured for emitting light, including, but not limited to, lasers, incandescent lights, and LEDs. Light 44 may have various configurations for various purposes. For example, light 44 may be a laser for sighting firearm 10. Accordingly, light 44 may be pointed in generally the same direction as barrel 14. Light 44 may be attached to firearm 10 in various manners. As FIG. 1A shows, in some embodiments, light 44 may be mounted to a side of receiver 22 above hand grip 26. For example, light 44 may be mounted within a housing 50 extending from a side of receiver 22. In some embodiments, housing 50 may be integrally formed with frame 12.
Energy source 46 may include any type of device operable to provide energy for light 44. For example, energy source 46 may include batteries, such as lithium coin batteries. Energy source 46 may be housed at least partially in hand grip 26 between hand-grip main body 18 and rear outer surface 30 of back-strap extension 28. For example, as best shown in FIG. 1D, energy source 46 may be attached to the inside of back-strap extension 28 itself. Alternatively, energy source 46 may be partly or wholly attached to rear surface 35 of hand-grip main body 18 inside back-strap extension 28.
Controls 48 may include various components for controlling the operation of light 44. For example, controls 48 may include driving circuitry 52, a master switch 54, and an activation switch 56. Driving circuitry 52 may include any circuitry operable to use energy from energy source 46 to drive a laser. Like energy source 46, driving circuitry 52 may be housed at least partially in hand grip 26 between hand-grip main body 18 and rear outer surface 30 of back-strap extension 28. For example, driving circuitry 52 may be attached to the inside of back-strap extension 28, as shown in FIG. 1D.
Master switch 54 may control whether light system 42 is in an on or off operating state. Master switch 54 may mount to firearm 10 with a handle of master switch 54 disposed rearward of trigger 17, including anywhere on hand grip 26 or on other portions of firearm 10 rearward of trigger 17. Master switch 54 may be housed at least partially in hand grip 26 inside of back-strap extension 28. For example, master switch 54 may be attached to back-strap extension 28 with the handle of master switch 54 disposed in a switch recess 58 that extends inward of rear outer surface 30 of back-strap extension 28. The handle of master switch 54 may include any knob, button, contact surface, or other structure that a user may engage with the hand to control the operating state of master switch 54. Master switch 54 may have a construction such that it will remain in whichever of its on and off operating states an operator has selected after the user releases master switch 54.
Activation switch 56 may control whether light 44 is activated or deactivated when master switch 54 is set to its on operating state. Activation switch 56 may have a construction such that it activates light 44 only when a user holds activation switch 56 in its activated state, and defaults to its deactivated state when a user releases it. Alternatively, activation switch 56 may have a construction such that it will maintain whichever of its activated or deactivated states a user has selected after the user releases it. In some embodiments, activation switch 56 may be housed at least partially within hand grip 26 inside of back-strap extension 28. For example, activation switch 56 may be attached to back-strap extension 28.
A handle of activation switch 56 may be disposed rearward of trigger 17, including anywhere on hand grip 26 or on other portions of firearm 10 rearward of trigger 17. The handle of activation switch 56 may include any knob, button, contact surface, or other structure that a user may engage with the hand to control the operating state of activation switch 56. For example, the handle of activation switch 56 may be a contact surface 60 that an operator can depress to activate light 44. Contact surface 60 may be disposed adjacent rear outer surface 30 of back-strap extension 28, so that a user may conveniently activate light 44 by squeezing hand grip 26 to depress contact surface 60.
Light system 42 may include various ancillary components for electrically connecting light 44 to energy source 46 and controls 48. As FIG. 1D shows, light system 42 may include a positive contact terminal 62 and a negative contact terminal 64 on hand-grip main body 18. Light system 42 may include electrical conductors (not shown) extending through frame 12 from positive contact terminal 62 and negative contact terminal 64 to light 44. Such electrical conductors may be molded into frame 12 and/or routed through channels or other open spaces within frame 12. On back-strap extension 28, light system 42 may include a positive contact terminal 66 and a negative contact terminal 68 corresponding to positive contact terminal 62 and negative contact terminal 64, respectively. Positive contact terminal 66 and negative contact terminal 68 may be electrically connected to energy source 46 and controls 48. Light system 42 may include any suitable arrangement of electrical connections between positive contact terminal 66, negative contact terminal 68, energy source 46, driving circuitry 52, master switch 54, and activation switch 56 that allows energy source 46 and controls 48 to energize and control light 44 when positive and negative contact terminals 66, 68 are engaged to positive and negative contact terminals 62, 64.
Positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negative contact terminals 64, 68 may be positioned to automatically engage one another when back-strap extension 28 is in its operational position on hand-grip main body 18, thereby electrically connecting energy source 46 and controls 48 to light 44. Additionally, positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negative contact terminals 64, 68 may be configured such that they automatically disengage from one another during the process of removing back-strap extension 28 from hand-grip main body 18. For example, positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negative contact terminals 64, 68 may include spring-loaded contact pads that engage one another through abutment in operation and readily release from one another during removal of back-strap extension 28 from hand-grip main body 18. By providing a simple, reliable, easy way to automatically electrically connect and disconnect energy source 46 and controls 48 to and from light 44, positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negative contact terminals 64, 68 may help enable mounting energy source 46 and controls 48 to back-strap extension 28 while still allowing easily attaching and detaching back-strap extension 28.
Firearm 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. The general construction and configuration of firearm 10 may differ from that shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. For example, rather than having a unitary construction of hand-grip main body 18, trigger guard 20, and receiver 22, frame 12 may have one or more of these components connected to one another through other means, such as fasteners. Additionally, various portions of frame 12 and back-strap extension 28 may be constructed of materials other than plastic, such as metal. Furthermore, firearm 10 may be a type of firearm other than a semiautomatic pistol. For example, firearm 10 may be a revolver or other type of pistol. In some embodiments, firearm 10 may be a type of firearm having a hand grip 26 other than a pistol.
Additionally, positive contact terminals 62, 66 and negative contact terminals 64, 68 may be positioned and constructed differently than shown in FIG. 1D. In some embodiments, one or more of positive contact terminals 62, 66 and/or negative contact terminals 64, 68 may be integrally formed in male connection rails 34M and/or female connection rails 34F. Additionally, one or more of the components of controls 48 may be partially or wholly mounted to rear surface 35 of hand-grip main body 18 inside of back-strap extension 28. Furthermore, one or more of energy source 46, driving circuitry 52, master switch 54, and activation switch 56 may be mounted to firearm 10 in a place other than inside hand grip 26. Moreover, the handle of master switch 54 and/or the handle of activation switch 56 may be mounted to hand grip 26 in a location other than on the rear thereof, such as on a side or forward portion of hand grip 26. In some embodiments, the handle of master switch 54 and/or the handle of activation switch 56 may be mounted to firearm 10 in places other than on hand grip 10, including forward of trigger 17. Moreover, controls 48 may omit one or more of the components shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and/or include other components, in addition to those shown in FIGS. 1A-1D.
Furthermore, various aspects of the configuration and mounting of light 44 may differ from the configurations discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1A-1D. For example, light 44 may be a type of light other than a laser for sighting purposes. In some embodiments, light 44 may be an incandescent light for illuminating a larger area than a laser.
Additionally, light 44 may mount to firearm 10 in locations other than the side of receiver 22 above hand grip 26. For example, as FIG. 2 shows, light 44 may be mounted within an opening in dust cover 24 below barrel 14. As in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, light 44 may be pointed generally in the same direction as barrel 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the details of back-strap extension 28, energy source 46, and controls 48 may be substantially the same as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1A-1D. Alternatively, one or more aspects of the configuration of these components may differ from that discussed in connection with FIGS. 1A-1D.
Furthermore, light system 42 may include multiple lights. For example, FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate an embodiment of firearm 10 where light system 42 includes a light 70 in addition to light 44. In this embodiment, light 44 may be a laser, such as for sighting purposes, and light 70 may be an incandescent light for illuminating a larger area. The configuration of light 44, energy source 46, controls 48, and back-strap extension 28 may be substantially the same in this embodiment as in the embodiments discussed in connection with FIGS. 1A-1D and 2.
Lights 44, 70 may be mounted in various positions on firearm 10. In some embodiments, light 44 may be mounted to dust cover 24 in substantially the same position as shown in FIG. 2, and light 70 may be mounted to dust cover 24 below light 44. Lights 44, 70 may each be pointed in generally the same direction as barrel 14. As best shown in FIG. 3D, a cavity 74 may be integrally formed in dust cover 24 for holding ancillary components of light system 42 associated with light 70.
The ancillary components of light system 42 associated with light 70 may include an energy source 76, a spring 77, a spring 78, a switch 80, and a housing 82. Energy source 76 may be, for example, a battery. Light 70, energy source 76, and springs 77, 78 may be contained in housing 82, such that these components may all be replaced as a unit. Thus, these components may collectively constitute a replaceable light cartridge 71. Light 70 may be electrically grounded to a main body 83 of housing 82. Main body 83 of housing 82 may be constructed of electrically conductive material. Housing 82 may include a clear lens 86 through which light 70 shines when activated. Spring 77 may electrically connect light 70 to one terminal 79 of energy source 76. Spring 78 may bias energy source 76 toward an end of main body 83 of housing 82 opposite lens 86. In its end opposite lens 86, main body 83 of housing 82 may include an opening 92 adjacent a terminal 81 of energy source 76.
Switch 80 may include a spring contact 94, a contact plate 96, and a plunger 84 for manipulating the operational state of switch 80. Spring contact 94 may extend from a side of contact plate 96 adjacent opening 92 toward terminal 81 of energy source 76. Spring contact 94 and contact plate 96 may be electrically connected to one another and constructed of electrically conductive materials. With switch 80 in its open operating state, spring contact 94 and contact plate 96 may be spaced from terminal 81 of energy source 76 and main body 83 of housing 82. In this operating state, terminal 81 of energy source 76 may be electrically isolated from main body 83 of housing 82, leaving the electrical circuit between light 70 and energy source 76 open and light 70 deactivated.
One end of plunger 84 may engage the side of contact plate 96 opposite spring contact 94. From contact plate 96, plunger 84 may extend through a passage 88 in dust cover 24 adjacent a rear end of cavity 74 to a position adjacent a forward side of trigger guard 20. As best shown in FIG. 3E; outside of passage 88, plunger 84 may fork, with two prongs 90, 91 extending rearward on opposite sides of trigger guard 20. By engaging prong 90 and/or prong 91, a user of firearm 10 may drive plunger 84 forward to engage spring contact 94 to terminal 81 of energy source 76 and contact plate 96 to main body 83 of housing 82, thereby closing the circuit between light 70 and energy source 76 to activate light 70. Switch 80 may have a configuration such that pushing only prong 90 forward will activate light 70 only until prong 90 is released, whereas pushing prong 91 forward will latch light 70 in the activated state until prong 91 is again pushed forward to deactivate light 70.
Firearm 10 is not limited to the configurations discussed in connection with FIGS. 3A-3E. For example, lights 44, 70 may be mounted in other locations than those shown in FIGS. 3A-3E. Additionally, light cartridge 71 may have light 70 and energy source 76 formed integrally as a unit, rather than disposed in housing 82. Additionally, energy source 76 and switch 80 may be mounted in different locations on firearm 10. Switch 80 may, for example, be mounted to firearm 10 in a position such that the handle of switch 80 is disposed rearward of trigger 17, including anywhere on hand grip 26 or on other portions of firearm 10 rearward of trigger 17. Additionally, the handle of switch 80 may have a construction other than plunger 84, including any kind of knob, button, contact surface, or other structure an operator may manipulate with the hand to control the operating state of switch 80. Furthermore, master switch 54 and/or activation switch 56 may be mounted with their handles disposed forward of trigger 17. Moreover, in some embodiments, energy source 76 and/or switch 80 may be mounted in hand grip 26 between hand-grip main body 18 and rear outer surface 30 of back-strap extension 28. Furthermore, in some embodiments, lights 44, 70 may employ one or more common energy sources and/or control components.
Mounting energy source 46 and controls 48 in hand grip 26 underneath a detachable back-strap extension 28 may allow easily servicing energy source 46 and controls 48, without unnecessarily increasing the bulk of firearm 10 or comprising the space available for other components of firearm 10. Extending hand grip 26 rearward of the magazine well may generally make hand grip 26 more comfortable for the user to handle by better fitting the user's hand. Thus, mounting energy source 46 and controls 48 in the rear portion of hand grip 26 may not require enlarging hand grip 26 beyond a size and shape comfortable for the user. By storing energy source 46 and controls 48 in the area behind the magazine well, which space might otherwise go unused, this arrangement provides efficient use of the space available in firearm 10. This helps minimize the overall bulk of firearm 10. Additionally, configuring this rear area of hand grip 26 within which the energy source 46 and controls 48 mount as a detachable back-strap extension 28 allows easily accessing energy source 46 and controls 48 for service operations. The disclosed embodiments provide direct access to energy source 46 and controls 48 when back-strap extension 28 is detached from hand-grip main body 18, which gives light system 42 excellent serviceability.
Additionally, the disclosed embodiments may provide various other advantages. For example, mounting energy source 46 and controls 48 underneath back-strap extension 28 may protect them from the rigors of the use of firearm 10. Additionally, providing multiple alternative sizes and/or shapes of back-strap extension 28 allows easily adapting the size and/or shape of hand grip 26 to hands of different sizes and/or shapes, further improving user comfort when handling firearm 10. Furthermore, incorporating these features in the original design of the firearm 10 obviates the need for unduly complicated modification of hand grip 26 to accommodate energy source 46 and controls 48. Moreover, mounting a laser light 44 and an incandescent light 70 integrally within the structure of firearm 10 may greatly enhance the versatility of firearm 10 without need for cumbersome add-on lights.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the disclosed firearm without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the disclosed firearm will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the firearm disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.

Claims

1. A firearm, comprising:

a barrel;

a frame providing support for the barrel;

a hand grip, including a hand-grip main body and a first back-strap extension detachably engaged to a rear portion of the hand-grip main body; and

a light system, including

a first light, and

an ancillary light-system component disposed at least partially in the hand grip between the hand-grip main body and a rear outer surface of the first back-strap extension.

2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the ancillary light-system component is mounted to the first back-strap extension.

3. The firearm of claim 2, further including a first electrical contact terminal attached to the first back-strap extension and a second electrical contact terminal attached to the hand-grip main body, wherein engagement of the first electrical contact terminal to the second electrical contact terminal provides electrical connection between the light and the ancillary light-system component.

4. The firearm of claim 3, wherein the first electrical contact terminal and the second electrical contact terminal are configured to automatically engage one another when the first back-strap extension is engaged to the hand-grip main body and to automatically disengage from one another when the first back-strap extension is detached from the hand-grip main body.

5. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the ancillary light-system component includes an energy source for the first light.

6. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the ancillary light-system component includes driving circuitry for the first light.

7. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the ancillary light-system component includes a control switch for the first light.

8. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the light system further includes a replaceable light cartridge, the replaceable light cartridge including

a light housing attached to the firearm,

a second light attached to the housing, and

one or more additional ancillary light-system components attached to the housing, including an energy source for the second light; and

wherein the replaceable light cartridge is removable from the firearm as a unit.

9. The firearm of claim 8, wherein the first light is a laser, and the second light is an incandescent light.

10. The firearm of claim 1, further including a second back-strap extension, wherein the second back strap extension is configured to be detachably secured to the rear portion of the hand-grip main body in place of the first back-strap extension, and the second back-strap extension has at least one of a different size and a different shape than the first back-strap extension.

11. A firearm, comprising:

a barrel;

a frame providing support for the barrel; and

a light system with a replaceable light cartridge, the replaceable light cartridge including

a light housing attached to the firearm,

a first light attached to the housing, and

one or more ancillary light-system components attached to the housing, including an energy source for the first light; and

12. The firearm of claim 11, wherein the replaceable light cartridge is disposed in a first cavity integrally formed in the frame.

13. The firearm of claim 12, wherein the first cavity is integrally formed in a dust cover of the frame beneath the barrel.

14. The firearm of claim 13, wherein the light system further includes a second light.

15. The firearm of claim 14, wherein the second light is disposed in a second cavity integrally formed in the frame.

16. The firearm of claim 15, wherein the first light is an incandescent light, and the second light is a laser.

17. A firearm, comprising:

a barrel;

a frame providing support for the barrel;

a trigger; and

a light system, including

an incandescent light, and

a control switch for the incandescent light, the control switch having a handle located rearward of the trigger.

18. The firearm of claim 17, further comprising:

a hand grip; and

wherein the handle of the control switch is located on the hand grip.

19. The firearm of claim 18, wherein the incandescent light is part of a light cartridge that includes the light and an energy source, the light cartridge being removable from the firearm as a unit.

20. The firearm of claim 17, wherein the incandescent light is part of a light cartridge that includes the light and an energy source, the light cartridge being removable from the firearm as a unit.