This invention relates to sights for firearms, in particular, sights for semiautomatic pistols.
Rear sights used with semiautomatic pistols are commonly attached to the pistol slide using a press fit dovetail interface. This involves fitting a trapezoidal shaped rib on the sight into a channel in the slide, the channel having a matching shape. The fit between the parts has a degree of interference such that high insertion forces are required to effect assembly. Such joints require machining of parts to tight tolerances which is difficult and expensive, and the use of specialized fixtures and presses to join, disassemble, or adjust the relative position of the parts. Assembly of press fit parts induces stress in the parts and may result in damage to them. Press fit interfaces furthermore do not permit practical or precise adjustment of sights, for windage for example, without specialized tools. There is clearly a need for a simple sight installation that obviates these aforementioned disadvantages.
The invention is directed toward a slide for a semiautomatic pistol. In one example embodiment the slide comprises first and second elongate sidewalls arranged adjacent to one another in spaced relation parallel to an axis positioned between the sidewalls. An elongate top wall extends between the first and second sidewalls. The top wall has an inner surface facing the axis and an outer surface oppositely disposed. A slot is positioned in the top wall proximate to one end thereof. The slot has a major dimension oriented transversely to the axis. A sight is mounted on the top wall overlying the slot. A fastener extends through the slot and engages the sight. The sight is adjustable in position along the major dimension of the slot.
In a further example embodiment the sight comprises a base. By way of example the top wall has a channel therein. The channel overlies the slot and is oriented parallel to the major dimension of the slot. In another example the channel has a cross section sized to receive the base of the sight. The sight is slideably movable within the channel.
In another example embodiment the base has a trapezoidal cross section and the channel has a trapezoidal cross section sized to receive the base. In a specific example embodiment the top wall comprises a countersink surface extending around the slot. The countersink surface faces the axis and is angularly oriented at an orientation angle with respect thereto in this example. The fastener comprises a threaded shaft attached to a conical head. The conical head is received by the countersink surface.
In one specific example embodiment the conical head has a cone angle equal to the orientation angle of the countersink surface. In another example embodiment the conical head has a cone angle that is not equal to the orientation angle of the countersink surface. By way of example the sight may be selected from the group consisting of a u-notch, a v-notch, an express notch, a trapezoid, a Patridge sight and a ghost ring sight.
The invention further encompasses a semiautomatic pistol. In one example embodiment the pistol comprises a frame. A slide is mounted on the frame. By way of example the slide comprises first and second elongate sidewalls arranged adjacent to one another in spaced relation parallel to an axis positioned between the sidewalls. An elongate top wall extends between the first and second sidewalls. The top wall has an inner surface facing the axis and an outer surface oppositely disposed. A slot is positioned in the top wall proximate to one end thereof. The slot has a major dimension oriented transversely to the axis in this example. A sight is mounted on the top wall overlying the slot. A fastener extends through the slot and engages the sight. The sight is adjustable in position along the major dimension of the slot.
In a specific example embodiment the sight comprises a base. The top wall has a channel therein. The channel overlies the slot and is oriented parallel to the major dimension of the slot. The channel has a cross section sized to receive the base of the sight. The sight is slideably movable within the channel.
In a particular example embodiment the base has a trapezoidal cross section and the channel has a trapezoidal cross section sized to receive the base.
Further by way of example the top wall comprises a countersink surface extending around the slot. The countersink surface faces the axis and is angularly oriented at an orientation angle with respect thereto. The fastener comprises a threaded shaft attached to a conical head. The conical head is received by the countersink surface. In one example embodiment the conical head has a cone angle equal to the orientation angle of the countersink surface. In another example embodiment the conical head has a cone angle that is not equal to the orientation angle of the countersink surface. By way of further example the sight may be selected from the group consisting of a u-notch, a v-notch, an express notch, a trapezoid, a Patridge sight and a ghost ring sight.
As shown in
Base 40 is dimensioned relative to channel 36 so that the sight 38 is slidably movable within the channel in a direction along the slot's major dimension 30. As shown in
It is expected that a slide according to the invention will provide an improvement over sights which are press fit into the slide, allowing for more rapid and precise windage adjustment as well as ease of manufacture and assembly.
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