Front and rear firearm sights

Abstract

The front and rear sights for shotguns which are the object of the present invention provide the use of M16/M4 style sights within sight bases which can be affixed to the receiver and barrel of a shotgun. An enhanced level of precision as well as familiarity is imparted to shotguns which employ sights of the configuration described within the present invention. The addition of a M-1913 style rail base to the rear sight assembly brings the added benefit of the ability to add an additional sighting collimator to the rear sight assembly in terms of a reflex, or refractory optical sight which conveys the benefit of a co-witnessed sight alignment. The use of M16/M4 style sights which have proved the test of time in military deployments from the 1960's until the present time bring an operationally sound modality to shotguns that are tactically employed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A front sight base for a shotgun and a means of securing it to said shotgun, the shotgun having a gun barrel, the front sight comprising: 
 a triangular shaped support whose legs comprise a vertical leg that is perpendicular to a horizontal leg of said triangle; and    a leg that forms a hypoteneuse between the other two; and    two raised side plates at the top of said triangular shaped base, separated by a horizontal flat surface.    
     
     
         2 . A front sight base as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a front sight post that is threadably inserted within said front sight base.  
 
     
     
         3 . A front sight as recited in  claim 2  further comprising: 
 a detent plunger and a spring.  
 
     
     
         4 . A front sight base as recited in  claim 3  wherein said components are of the style used by the M16/M4 family of firearms.  
     
     
         5 . A rear sight base for a shotgun and a means of securing it to said shotgun, the shotgun having a gun barrel, and a receiver, the rear sight base comprising: 
 a horizontal member contoured to approximate the top surface of a shotgun receiver, with a top surface with transverse ribs and cross cuts; and    an integral boss at the rear terminus of said horizontal member; and    a horizontal rectangular shaped window through said boss; and    two raised side plates at the front of said boss.    
     
     
         6 . A rear sight base as recited in  claim 5  further comprising: 
 a vertical bore through said boss.  
 
     
     
         7 . A rear sight base as recited in  claim 6  further comprising: 
 a threaded rear sight housing with protective wings; and  
 a rear sight aperture with a transverse threaded boss; and  
 a knob for rotating a transverse threaded member which is threadably inserted within said boss; and  
 a detented drum for raising and lowering said rear sight housing with protective wings.  
 
     
     
         8 . A rear sight base as recited in  claim 7  wherein said components are of the style used by the M16/M4 family of firearms.  
     
     
         9 . A shotgun comprising: 
 a receiver; and    a barrel attached to said receiver; and    a front sight assembly secured to said barrel; the front sight assembly including a triangular shaped support whose legs comprise a vertical leg that is perpendicular to a horizontal leg of said triangle, and a leg that forms a hypotenuse between the other two; two raised side plates at the top of said triangular shaped base, separated by a horizontal flat surface, and a front sight post that is threadably inserted within said front sight base, and a detent plunger; and a spring; and    a rear sight assembly secured to said receiver; the rear sight assembly including a rear sight base comprised of a horizontal member contoured to approximate the top surface of said shotgun receiver, with a top surface with transverse ribs and cross cuts, and an integral boss at the rear terminus of said horizontal member, and a horizontal rectangular shaped window through said boss; two raised side plates at the front of said boss, and a vertical through bore through said boss, and a threaded rear sight housing with protective wings, and a rear sight aperture with a transverse threaded boss, a knob for rotating a transverse threaded member which is threadably inserted within said boss, and a detented drum for raising and lowering said rear sight housing with protective wings.    
     
     
         10 . A shotgun as recited in  claim 9  wherein said sight components for front and rear sight assemblies are of a style used by the M16/M4 family of firearms.