Recoil mechanism for handguns

An improved recoil mechanism for a semi-automatic handgun which includes a slide reciprocally movable on a frame and a metallic recoil compression spring is coaxially disposed on a rod with one end thereof engaged with the slide and an other end engaged with the frame so that the spring will be compressed in response to movement of the slide upon recoil of the gun, the improvement comprising an elongated polymeric rod having a longitudinal axis and comprising a first flange disposed in generally perpendicular relation to said axis and being integral with one end thereof and providing a seat for one end of the spring and a second flange fitted onto a shank portion coaxially disposed on the other end of said rod with said second flange being in generally parallel relation to said first flange and serving as a seat for the other end of the spring, said second flange being part of a member comprising a socket coaxial with the second flange and adapted to receive therein said shank portion of said rod for securely coupling together said rod and second flange for ease of assembly of the polymeric rod and said recoil spring and in which the rod member is generally of non-circular cross-section intermediate said first and second flanges and comprising an inner core and a plurality of beam portions extending radially outwardly of said core in circumferentially spaced relation for improved longitudinal strength to weight ratio of and heat dissipation by said rod.