Firearm extractor mechanism

An extractor mechanism for a firearm, the mechanism comprising:

• a firearm slide having a pocket, said pocket extending in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to a firing axis of a firearm, and having an opening proximate to a breech face of said slide;
• and
• an extractor arm having a body portion and a hook portion, said body portion being disposed at least partially within said pocket, said body portion and said hook portion being connected by a curved transition portion, and said hook portion extending at least partially out of said opening and having a distal edge sized to engage a cartridge rim;
• whereby the reliability with which a cartridge is engaged and extracted by said extractor mechanism is enhanced.

An extractor mechanism for a firearm, the mechanism comprising:

• a firearm slide having a pocket, said pocket extending in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to a firing axis of a firearm, and having an opening proximate to a breech face of said slide;
• and
• an extractor arm having a body portion and a hook portion, said body portion disposed at least partially within said pocket, said hook portion, and having a distal edge sized to engage a cartridge rim, a first and second surface meeting at said distal edge, said first surface being arranged in a plane substantially parallel to said breech face, said second surface being arranged in a plane that diverges from said breech face at an acute angle, and said first surface being more proximate to said breech face than said second surface;
• whereby the reliability with which a cartridge is engaged and extracted by said extractor mechanism is enhanced.

An extractor arm adapted for use with a semi-automatic firearm having a slide, said extractor arm comprising:

• a body portion having a body height in a first plane and adapted for pivotal mounting within a recess of a firearm slide;
• and
• a hook portion connected to said body portion and having a hook height in a second plane and a distal edge sized to engage a cartridge rim, said second plane substantially perpendicular to said first plane, said hook height exceeding said body height;
• whereby the reliability with which a cartridge is engaged and extracted by an extractor mechanism utilizing said extractor arm is enhanced.