Handgun grip module with a reinforcing bracket

1. A handgun grip module comprising:

a body portion comprising a polymer material, the body portion extending longitudinally with a first body sidewall, a second body sidewall spaced from the first body sidewall, and a bottom body portion extending between and connecting the first body sidewall and the second body sidewall, the body portion having a distal body portion defining a recoil spring channel and a proximal body portion defining a frame box;

a recoil block comprising the polymer material, the recoil block in the distal body portion between the recoil spring channel and the frame box, the recoil block extending laterally between the first body sidewall and the second body sidewall and defining a U-shape with a distal face and a proximal face;

a metallic bracket disposed against the distal face of the recoil block, the metallic bracket having at least one-protrusion extending proximally through the polymer material of the recoil block and into the frame box; and

a handgrip portion extending transversely from the body portion and defining a magazine well extending therethrough to the frame box.

2. The handgun grip module of claim 1 , wherein the metallic bracket has a shape corresponding to and aligned with the U-shape of the distal face of the recoil block.

3. The handgun grip module of claim 1 , wherein the metallic bracket has a U-shape with a left portion, a right portion spaced from the left portion, and a base portion extending between and connecting the left portion and the right portion.

4. The handgun grip module of claim 3 , wherein the at least one protrusion includes:

a left protrusion extending from the left portion along the first body sidewall; and

a right protrusion extending from the right portion along the second body sidewall;

wherein an end of the left protrusion and an end of the right protrusion extend proximally from the proximal face of the recoil block.

5. The handgun grip module of claim 3 , wherein the base portion of the metallic bracket includes a base protrusion extending proximally into the recoil block.

6. The handgun grip module of claim 1 , wherein an inside surface of the body portion defines a recess configured to receive an outside edge of the metallic bracket.

7. The handgun grip module of claim 1 , wherein the metallic bracket is partially embedded into the polymer material of the body portion.

8. The handgun grip module of claim 1 further comprising:

a proximal lug in the proximal end portion of the frame box, the proximal lug defining a lateral through-opening; and

a distal lug in the frame box, the distal lug positioned between the magazine well and the recoil block.

9. The handgun grip module of claim 1 further comprising:

a frame disposed in the frame box, the frame having a distal frame end portion in contact with the recoil block, the distal frame end portion defining a recess receiving the at least one protrusion.

10. The handgun grip module of claim 3 , further comprising a frame disposed in the frame box, the frame having a distal frame end portion with a distal face in contact with the recoil block, the distal frame end portion defining a recess receiving the at least one protrusion.

11. The handgun grip module of claim 10 , wherein the frame comprises:

a frame chassis including the distal frame end portion and a proximal frame end portion, the frame chassis having a first frame sidewall extending along the first body sidewall and a second frame sidewall extending along the second body sidewall; and

a takedown lever with a lever shaft and a lever wing connected transversely to an end of the lever shaft, the lever wing adjacent an outside of the body portion and the takedown lever shaft extending laterally through the frame chassis and through at least one of the first body sidewall and the second body sidewall.

12. The handgun grip module of claim 11 , wherein the takedown lever shaft contacts the distal lug and the proximal frame end portion contacts the proximal lug.

13. The handgun grip module of claim 12 , wherein the proximal lug extends between and connects the first frame sidewall and the second frame sidewall of the proximal frame end portion.

14. The handgun grip module of claim 13 further comprising a pin extending through the proximal frame end portion and the proximal lug.

15. The handgun grip module of claim 11 further comprising:

a slide rail extending longitudinally along an upper portion of each of the first frame sidewall and the second frame sidewall; and

a fire control assembly attached to the frame.

16. The handgun grip module of claim 1 , wherein the metallic bracket is made of steel, aluminum, or titanium.

17. A method of assembling a handgun, the method comprising:

providing a handgun grip module comprising

a body portion with opposed spaced-apart sidewalls extending longitudinally, the body portion defining an upwardly open channel with a frame box portion and a spring recoil box portion,

a handgrip portion extending transversely down from the body portion,

a recoil block positioned between the frame box and the spring recoil box, the recoil block extending between and connecting the opposed spaced-apart sidewalls; and

a metallic bracket disposed against the distal face of the recoil block, the metallic bracket having at least one protrusion extending proximally through material of the recoil block and into the frame box;

providing a frame with a frame chassis extending longitudinally between a distal frame end portion and a proximal frame end portion, the distal frame end portion defining a recess for the at least one protrusion extending proximally through the recoil block;

installing the distal frame end portion into the frame box with the distal frame end portion abutting the recoil block and the at least one protrusion received in the recess in the distal frame end portion;

rotating the proximal frame end portion down into the frame box; and

installing a pin through the proximal body portion of the grip module and through the proximal frame end portion.