Breechblock stops for firearms and methods of operating the same

1. A firearm comprising:

a trigger that requires a force to be released;

a trigger guard;

a breechblock;

a spring-loaded breechblock stop that is operable between a resting position and an operative position, wherein the breechblock stop includes a linearly slidably actuated slider control that has a control extension in the trigger guard;

a removable ammunition magazine that includes a follower;

wherein the breechblock stop may be moved between an operative position and a resting position by one of engagement with the follower of the magazine or actuation of the slider control in a direction of operation essentially perpendicular to the force releasing the trigger; and

wherein the breechblock is unlocked in a released position when the breechblock stop is in the resting position, and the breechblock is locked in an open position when the breechblock stop is in the operative position.

2. A firearm as defined in claim 1 , wherein the slider extends before the trigger at a surface adjoining a trigger region that contains the trigger.

3. A firearm as defined in claim 1 , wherein the slider, the control extension and the breechblock stop are constructed in a single piece.

4. A firearm as defined in claim 1 , wherein the control extension extends from above out of the trigger guard into a trigger region when in an operative position.

5. A firearm as defined in claim 1 , wherein the control extension extends into the trigger guard when in a resting position.

6. A firearm as defined in claim 1 , wherein the trigger guard further includes an enlargement surrounding a first recess, wherein the enlargement at least partially encloses the control extension.

7. A firearm as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a lever, wherein the lever includes a first operative control for locking the magazine that extends in a front region of the trigger guard and has a second recess matching a first recess of the trigger guard.

8. A firearm as defined in claim 7 , wherein the first operative control has a first control flap to the left of the trigger guard and a second control flap to the right of the trigger guard.

9. A firearm as defined in claim 7 , wherein the lever is a spring-loaded lever further comprising a second operative control, wherein the first operative control and the second operative control are variably oriented to receive differently directed unlocking forces to unlock the magazine.

10. A firearm as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism may disable the breechblock stop.

11. A breechblock stop for use in a firearm having a trigger that requires a force to be released and is located in a trigger guard, the breechblock stop comprising:

a tongue;

a slider including a control extension;

wherein the control extension is at least partially in the trigger guard;

wherein the breechblock stop may be moved between an operative position and a resting position by linear actuation of the slider via the control extension in a direction of operation essentially perpendicular to the force releasing the trigger; and

wherein the breechblock stop is spring-loaded.

12. A method of unlocking a breechblock stop in a firearm, the method comprising linearly slidably actuating a control extension of a slider with a finger used to operate a trigger of the firearm to move the control extension down into a recess in a trigger guard, which pulls the breechblock stop downward, wherein downward movement of the breechblock stop causes a catching surface of the breechblock stop to be pulled out of engagement with a face of a breechblock, which releases the breechblock.

13. A method of unlocking a breechblock stop in a firearm as defined in claim 12 , wherein the direction of operation of the slider runs essentially perpendicular to a force to release the trigger.