Firearm Sighting System

Abstract

A sighting system includes a laser that is used for sighting a firearm. In one embodiment, the laser may be attached to the slide of a handgun between the receiver and a rearward portion of the handgun. An optical front sight may be provided adjacent the muzzle, and an optical rear sight may also be provided adjacent the laser, thereby allowing the firearm to be sighted using the front and rear sights and/or the laser.

1 . A sighting system for a firearm having a front portion with a muzzle, a rearward portion, a slide extending to the rearward portion, and a receiver interposed between the muzzle and the rearward portion, the sighting system comprising:
 a laser that is used for sighting the firearm; and   said laser being attached to the slide between the receiver and the rearward portion.   
     
     
         2 . The sighting system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first sight adjacent the muzzle, said first sight defining an aperture; and   said laser being configured to emit a laser beam that passes through said aperture during sighting of the firearm.   
     
     
         3 . The sighting system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first sight on the front portion of the firearm;   a second sight that is aligned with said first sight for sighting the firearm;   said second sight being adjacent said laser; and   said laser emitting a beam that is aligned with said first sight for sighting the firearm.   
     
     
         4 . A sighting system for a firearm having a front portion with a muzzle, a rearward portion, and a receiver interposed between the muzzle and the rearward portion, the sighting system comprising:
 a laser that is used for sighting the firearm and that is attached to the firearm between the receiver and the rearward portion.   
     
     
         5 . The sighting system as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 said laser being attached to the firearm at a height above the height of the muzzle.   
     
     
         6 . The sighting system as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first sight on the front portion of the firearm; and   said laser being aligned with said first sight for sighting the firearm.   
     
     
         7 . The sighting system as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first sight adjacent the muzzle;   a second sight that is aligned with said first sight for sighting the firearm;   said second sight being adjacent said laser; and   said laser being aligned with said first sight for sighting the firearm.   
     
     
         8 . The sighting system as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a battery that powers said laser;   a slidable tray that holds said battery; and   said slidable tray being configured to allow installation of said battery without removing said laser from said firearm.   
     
     
         9 . The sighting system as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first sight adjacent the muzzle;   said first sight defining an aperture; and   said laser being configured to generate a beam that passes through said aperture when said laser is used to sight the firearm.   
     
     
         10 . The sighting system as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first sight adjacent the muzzle;   a second sight that is used in conjunction with said first sight for sighting the firearm;   said second sight being adjacent said laser;   a first windage adjuster that adjusts the windage of said second sight;   a second windage adjuster that adjusts the windage of said laser;   an elevation adjuster that adjusts the elevation of said laser; and   said laser emitting a laser beam alignable with said first sight for sighting the firearm.   
     
     
         11 . A sighting system for a firearm having a front portion with a muzzle, a rearward portion, a slide extending to the rearward portion, and a receiver interposed between the muzzle and the rearward portion, the sighting system comprising:
 a laser that is used for sighting the firearm;   said laser being attached to the slide between the receiver and the rearward portion;   a first sight adjacent the muzzle;   a second sight that is alignable with said first sight for sighting the firearm;   said second sight being attached to the slide adjacent said laser;   a first windage adjuster that adjusts the windage of said second sight;   a second windage adjuster that adjusts the windage of said laser;   an elevation adjuster that adjusts the elevation of said laser; and   said laser being configure to emit a beam that is alignable with said first sight for sighting the firearm.   
     
     
         12 . A method of providing a laser sight for a firearm having a front sight, a rear sight, and a receiver interposed between the front sight and the rear sight, the method comprising:
 replacing the rear sight with a laser; and   aligning a laser beam of said laser with the front sight.   
     
     
         13 . A method of sighting a target with a firearm having a front portion with a muzzle, rearward portion, and a receiver interposed between the muzzle and the rearward portion, the method comprising:
 providing a laser attached to the firearm between the receiver and said rearward portion;   providing adjacent the muzzle a first sight defining an aperture;   providing a second sight adjacent said laser; and   substantially simultaneously aligning said aperture of said muzzle sight and said rear sight with the target.   
     
     
         14 . A method of sighting a target with a firearm having a front portion with a muzzle, rearward portion, a slide extending to the rearward portion, and a receiver interposed between the muzzle and the rearward portion, the method comprising:
 providing a laser attached to the slide between the receiver and said rearward portion;   providing adjacent the muzzle a first sight defining an aperture;   providing a second sight adjacent said laser; and   substantially simultaneously directing said laser through said aperture and at the target.   
     
     
         15 . A sighting system for a projectile firing device having a front portion with a muzzle, a rearward portion, and a receiver interposed between the muzzle and the rearward portion, the sighting system comprising:
 a laser that is used for sighting the projectile firing device; and   said laser being configured to be attached to the projectile firing device between the receiver and the rearward portion.   
     
     
         16 . A firearm, comprising:
 a barrel;   a firing device that causes the projectile to be expelled from said barrel;   said barrel including a receiver that receives the projectile and a forward portion having a muzzle from which the projectile is expelled;   a trigger that activates said firing device; and   a laser that is rearward of said receiver and that is used for sighting the firearm.