Composite grip module for a handgun
A composite grip or grip module for a handgun is made from a polymer composite that includes a polymer and dense particles that increase the density of the grip. For example, the particles can be tungsten, tantalum, lead, iron, or mixtures thereof to provide a polymer density of greater than 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
1. A grip module for a handgun, the grip module comprising:
a handgrip portion extending downwardly; and
a receiver portion extending forward from the handgrip portion;
wherein the handgrip portion and the receiver portion are made of a polymer composite having metal particles dispersed throughout an entire volume of the polymer, the grip module having a density greater than 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
2. The grip module of claim 1 , wherein a center of mass of the grip module is located within the handgrip portion.
3. The module of claim 1 further comprising metal particles embedded into a surface of the grip module.
4. The grip module of claim 1 , wherein the metal particles comprise one or more of tungsten, tantalum, lead, and iron.
5. The grip module of claim 4 , wherein the polymer comprises polyamide.
6. The grip module of claim 5 wherein the polymer composite comprises at least 20% tungsten by weight.
7. The grip module of claim 1 , wherein the metal particles are homogeneously dispersed throughout the entire volume of the polymer.
8. The grip module of claim 1 , wherein the metal particles have a density of at least 7 g/cm 3 .
9. The grip module of claim 8 , wherein the polymer composite comprises at least 50% polymer by volume.
10. The grip module of claim 8 , wherein the polymer composite comprises at least 80% polymer by volume.
11. The grip module of claim 8 , wherein the polymer composite comprises less than 50% metal particles by volume.
12. The grip module of claim 8 , wherein the metal particles are non-uniformly distributed throughout the grip module.
13. The grip module of claim 12 , wherein the metal particles have a greater concentration in a backstrap portion of the grip module compared to neighboring portions of the grip module.
14. The grip module of claim 12 , wherein the metal particles have a greater concentration in a distal portion of the receiver portion of the grip module compared to neighboring portions of the grip module.
15. The grip module of claim 12 , wherein the metal particles have a greater concentration in a lower part of the handgrip portion of the grip module compared to neighboring portions of the grip module.
16. The grip module of claim 8 , wherein the metal particles comprise one or more of tungsten, tantalum, lead, and iron.
17. The grip module of claim 8 , wherein the grip module has a density of at least 3 grams per cubic centimeter.
18. The grip module of claim 8 , wherein the grip module has a density of at least 3.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
19. A handgun, comprising the grip module of claim 1 .
20. The handgun of claim 19 , wherein a center of mass of the handgun is located within the grip module.
21. The grip module of claim 1 , wherein the metal particles have an average diameter less than 1 mm.
22. The handgun of claim 19 , wherein the polymer composite comprises greater than 1% tungsten or tantalum by volume.
23. A grip module for a handgun, the grip module made of a polymer having metal particles dispersed throughout an entire volume of the polymer, wherein the grip module has a density greater than 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
24. The grip module of claim 23 , wherein the metal particles comprise tungsten.