Abstract: A charging handle for a firearm having a receiver, a bolt and bolt carrier reciprocating within the receiver and a gas tube for directing powder gases to cause operation of the bolt carrier and bolt within the receiver. The charging handle is a generally elongated member having a forward end portion and a rearward end portion with the rearward portion having a portion that extends outside of the receiver that is sized, shaped and adapted to be grasped by a hand of a shooter using the firearm. The charging handle has grooves and gas deflecting surfaces for diverting and deflecting powder gases to protect the shooter from powder gases that may develop around the charging handle when the firearm is fired.

Abstract: A system for mounting optical sights is disclosed employing an elongated mounting base for attaching a sighting device to a firearm having a dovetail portion extending in the direction of elongation to form a pair of spaced apart sight clamp accepting grooves which extend parallel to one another in the direction of elongation. First and second recoil lugs extending away from the dovetail portion in opposite directions are also disclosed with the first lug engaging the firearm to prevent movement of the base relative to the firearm when the firearm is discharged and the second lug engaging the sighting device to similarly prevent movement of the sighting device relative to the base when the firearm is discharged. The dovetail portion slidably accepts complementarily contoured portions of the sighting device which may include a pair of spaced apart clamping legs for slidably engaging the grooves and tightening means between the legs to draw those legs toward each other to grip the base.