A scope mount apparatus for attaching an optical scope to a firearm is provided. The scope mount apparatus includes at least one base with at least one fastening element for attaching the base to the firearm. The scope mount apparatus also includes two scope rings operatively connected to the at least one base. An integral sighting system is mounted with respect to the base. The scope mount apparatus is configured such that an unobstructed line of sight extends between the scope rings and the base. The unobstructed line of sight contacts or intersects the sighting system so that a user of the firearm has the option of using either a scope in the scope rings or the integrated sighting system to aim at a target.

A sighting apparatus for a firearm includes a front sight affixed to an upper surface at a front end of the firearm, and a rear sight affixed to the upper surface at an opposing rear end of the firearm. The rear sight includes a main body and an indexing element positioned thereon. The indexing element has its terminus aligned with the top surface of the rear sight body. The front sight is positioned higher than the rear sight, such that aiming the firearm involves pointing the front sight at the target, then aligning the bottom of the front site with the upper terminus of the indexing element on the rear sight. In one embodiment of the invention, the rear sight has a low-profile that enables the user to regain significant field of view that was blocked by prior art rear sights.

A reflective sight for use with a firearm includes a rear sight including a light source; and a front sight including a reflective surface directly opposing the light source, where light emitted from the light source is reflected by the reflective surface toward the rear sight. The rear sight can include a plurality of light sources and at least two of the plurality of light sources emit different colors of light.

A reflective sight for use with a firearm includes a rear sight including a light source; and a front sight including a reflective surface directly opposing the light source, where light emitted from the light source is reflected by the reflective surface toward the rear sight. The rear sight can include a plurality of light sources and at least two of the plurality of light sources emit different colors of light.

A firearm can have a bolt having a plurality of locking lugs that are configured to have a shear area that is larger than that of a standard M16/M4. A bolt carrier can have a bolt that has a double cut cam having an unlocking cam surface that has sufficient dwell increase to delay a start of unlocking when the bolt carrier is used in an M4 carbine. A stepped extractor pin may be provided that prevents disengagement of the extractor pin. A tube can be configured to provide gas from a barrel of the firearm to the piston via the carrier key. The tube can have a heat radiator formed from triangular shaped threads on at least a portion of the tube. A piston on the bolt and can have a plurality of rings including pairs of mating rings that are formed and maintained as a matched pair.

A sighting apparatus for firearms is disclosed. The sighting apparatus for a firearm includes a front sight and a rear sight. The front sight includes a body having a top edge, a left edge and a right edge. An opening is located between the left and right edges of the body, and the opening is also open to the top edge of the body. The front sight includes a first and second projections to provide a point of aim for the front sight, and the point of aim is located in the middle of an imaginary line extended between a point of the first projection and a point of the second projections. The front sight also includes a ring with its center concentric with the point of aim. The front sight can be attached to a firearm at a base of the body. The rear sight includes a body having a set of apertures of various sizes.

A sighting apparatus for firearms is disclosed. The sighting apparatus for a firearm includes a front sight and a rear sight. The front sight includes a body having a top edge, a left edge and a right edge. An opening is located between the left and right edges of the body, and the opening is also open to the top edge of the body. The front sight includes a first and second projections to provide a point of aim for the front sight, and the point of aim is located in the middle of an imaginary line extended between a point of the first projection and a point of the second projections. The front sight also includes a ring with its center concentric with the point of aim. The front sight can be attached to a firearm at a base of the body. The rear sight includes a body having a set of apertures of various sizes.

A sight enhancer for an open front sight of a firearm, the sight enhancer having a body wherein the body is selectively securable relative to an open front sight wherein the sight enhancer can be selectively installed and removed from the open front sight to allow for an elevation adjustment of the front sight, the body having a front and a rear wherein the rear faces the rear sight of the firearm, the body further including a sun shade that extends at least partially about a front sight post of the front sight, the sun shade having a top sun shade portion, a first side sun shade portion and a second side sun shade portion that is opposite of the first side shade portion, the sight enhancer further includes one or more securing arrangements for the selective secureability to the open front sight, and a method of using the same.

A sight enhancer for an open front sight of a firearm, the sight enhancer having a body wherein the body is selectively securable relative to an open front sight wherein the sight enhancer can be selectively installed and removed from the open front sight to allow for an elevation adjustment of the front sight, the body having a front and a rear wherein the rear faces the rear sight of the firearm, the body further including a sun shade that extends at least partially about a front sight post of the front sight, the sun shade having a top sun shade portion, a first side sun shade portion and a second side sun shade portion that is opposite of the first side shade portion, the sight enhancer further includes one or more securing arrangements for the selective secureability to the open front sight, and a method of using the same.

Improved firearms including one or more of a removable and/or interchangeable top cover, an improved extractor mechanism, a striker safety mechanism with a direct trigger interface, a sear with direct striker interface, and/or a striker with integral striker spring retention features.