Designing a gun

I have a chance to design a gun, so I thought I would do a semi-auto. The thing is, I'm not a real big handgun guy(I've had a few of them), so I wanted to know what you guys look for when shopping for a new pistol? I'm open to all ideas. This gun probably will never go into production, or even make it to a prototype stage, I'm pretty much just doing this for fun but I will send the ideas and sketches to some gun manufactures. I know 60% of handgun sales are Glock's, but what's your favorite semi-auto?


-Donnie

define "design"

For the most part, handguns are tools for a purpose. Before you can design the gun, you have to decide if it's a target gun, a hunting gun, a service pistol, a personal protection gun, etc. The "perfect" gun will likely be different for each purpose.

Good luck.

MLB - It's probably going to be a personal protection gun.
TedDeBearFrmHell - I'm basically going to take a bunch of ideas and proven features from other handguns, and some ideas from here and put them together into a single sketch, or at least I will try to.

I hate to ask it, but.... Is this a pipe dream or do you actually have a line on a design firm with access to equipment and capital?

Again, not trying to be mean, but sometimes it's a futile effort with these kinds of questions.

It's a pipe dream. While I do have a lot of the equipment, I don't have all of it.

Well, if you were making a pistol for me, here's what I'd want:
Length—less than six inches, overall.
Height—less than four inches, overall.
Thickness—no more than one inch, including grips.
Caliber—.45 ACP.
Magazine—Single-stack, no less than five cartridges (plus one in the chamber).
Trigger Action—Double-action only (DAO).
Trigger Pull—At least five pounds, but no more than eight pounds; non-stacking.
Sights—None, although a lengthwise groove in the top of the slide would be nice.
Other Controls—1911-style slide lock and 1911-style magazine release.
Safety Devices—None.
Materials—Your choice, but designed for low maintenance in a dirty environment.

...And if you were making one for my wife, here's what she would want:
Length—less than six inches, overall.
Height—less than four inches, overall.
Thickness—no more than one inch, including grips.
Caliber—.380 ACP or a .38 Special equivalent.
Magazine—Single-stack, no less than six cartridges (plus one in the chamber).
Trigger Action—Double-action only (DAO).
Trigger Pull—At least five pounds, but no more than six pounds; non-stacking.
Sights—Patridge front, square-notch rear; black metal.
Other Controls—1911-style slide lock and 1911-style magazine release.
Safety Devices—None.
Materials—Your choice, but designed for low maintenance in a dirty environment.