Handgun slide with integral compensator

1 . A slide for a semiautomatic handgun, the slide comprising:

a top portion extending along a bore axis;

sides connected to and extending downward from the top portion;

wherein the slide has a distal end portion that includes part of the top portion and the sides, the distal end portion having a distal end defining a projectile opening;

wherein the slide defines an open region sized and configured to receive a barrel of the semiautomatic handgun along the bore axis so that a distal end of the barrel is spaced axially and rearward of the distal end of the slide;

wherein a center of the projectile opening is vertically offset from the bore axis; and

wherein the distal end portion of the slide defines one or more ports in the top portion, the one or more ports positioned between the distal end of the slide and the distal end of the barrel to be received in the open region, the one or more ports configured to vent a portion of gases exiting the barrel upon firing the handgun.

2 . The slide of claim 1 , wherein the distal end portion defines a spring box below the projectile opening.

3 . The slide of claim 2 , wherein the spring box extends along the distal end portion and axially rearward from the distal end of the slide.

4 . The slide of claim 1 , wherein the projectile opening is non-circular.

5 . The slide of claim 4 , wherein the projectile opening has an oval shape that extends vertically above the bore axis to a greater extent than the barrel opening.

6 . The slide of claim 5 , wherein the oval shape extends vertically below the barrel opening to a greater extent than the barrel opening.

7 . The slide of claim 1 , wherein the one or more ports includes a first port and a second port, each of the first port and the second port having an elongated shape that extends crosswise to the bore axis.

8 . A recoil assembly for a semiautomatic handgun, comprising:

a barrel with a bore axis; and

a slide extending along the bore axis and comprising:

a top portion;

sides connected to and extending downward from the top portion;

wherein the slide has a distal end portion that includes part of the top portion and the sides, the distal end portion having a distal end defining a projectile opening;

wherein the slide defines an open region sized and configured to receive the barrel along the bore axis so that a distal end of the barrel is spaced axially rearward of the distal end of the slide;

wherein a center of the projectile opening is vertically offset from the bore axis; and

wherein the distal end portion of the slide defines one or more ports in the top portion, the one or more ports positioned between the distal end of the slide and the distal end of the barrel to be received in the open region, and the one or more ports configured to vent a portion of gases exiting the barrel upon firing the handgun; and

wherein, when installed, the barrel is in the open region of the slide with the distal end of the barrel located rearward of the one or more ports.

9 . The recoil assembly of claim 8 , wherein the distal end portion defines a spring box below the projectile opening.

10 . The recoil assembly of claim 9 , wherein the spring box extends along the distal end portion axially rearward from the distal end.

11 . The recoil assembly of claim 10 , further comprising:

a spring guide configured to be partially received in the spring box and retained between a rearward portion of the barrel and the distal end of the slide; and

a spring configured to be installed on the spring guide with part of the spring received in the spring box.

12 . The recoil assembly of claim 8 , wherein the projectile opening is non-circular.

13 . The recoil assembly of claim 12 , wherein the projectile opening has an oval shape that extends vertically above the bore axis to a greater extent than the barrel opening.

14 . The recoil assembly of claim 8 , wherein the one or more ports includes a first port and a second port, each of the first port and the second port having an elongated shape that extends crosswise to the bore axis.

15 . The recoil assembly of claim 8 , further comprising:

a spring guide configured to be retained between a rearward portion of the barrel and the distal end of the slide; and

a spring configured to be installed on the spring guide.

16 . The recoil assembly of claim 15 , wherein the distal end of the slide defines a spring guide opening, and wherein an end of the spring guide is configured to be received in the spring guide opening.

17 . A semiautomatic handgun, comprising:

a barrel; and

a slide extending along a bore axis and comprising:

a top portion;

sides connected to and extending downward from the top portion;

wherein the slide has a distal end portion that includes part of the top portion and the sides, the distal end portion having a distal end defining a projectile opening;

wherein the slide defines an open region sized and configured to receive the barrel along the bore axis so that a distal end of the barrel is spaced axially and rearward of the distal end of the slide;

wherein a center of the projectile opening is vertically offset from the bore axis;

wherein the distal end portion of the slide defines one or more ports in the top portion, the one or more ports positioned between the distal end of the slide and the distal end of the barrel to be received in the open region, the one or more ports configured to vent a portion of gases exiting the barrel upon firing the handgun; and

wherein, when installed, the barrel is received in the open region of the slide with the distal end of the barrel located rearward of the one or more ports;

a spring guide retained between a rearward portion of the barrel and the distal end of the slide; and

a recoil spring on the spring guide.

18 . The semiautomatic handgun of claim 17 , wherein the distal end portion defines a spring box below the projectile opening, the spring box extending along the distal end portion axially rearward from the distal end, and wherein part of the spring guide and part of the recoil spring is received in the spring box.

19 . The semiautomatic handgun of claim 17 , wherein the one or more ports includes a first port and a second port, each of the first port and the second port having an elongated shape that extends crosswise to the bore axis.

20 . The semiautomatic handgun of claim 17 , wherein the projectile opening is non-circular.