Integrated optical sighting system for firearm

A firearm with integrated illuminated reflex optical sight comprising:

• an elongated body comprising a first mounting location having a first interface configuration and a discrete second mounting location spatially separated from the first mounting location and having a second interface configuration different than the first interface configuration;
• a lighting module comprising an illumination source, the illumination module being mounted to the body of the firearm at the first mounting location, the lighting module being complementary configured to the first interface configuration;
• an optical lens assembly mounted to the body of the firearm at the second mounting location, the lens assembly being complementary configured to the second interface configuration which is different than the first interface configuration;
• and
• a power source operably coupled to the illumination source;
• the illumination source operable to project a reticle onto a lens of the lens assembly for use in aiming the firearm;
• wherein the illumination source and lens assembly are not disposed in a common outer housing removable from the body of the firearm as a single unit.

A method for assembling a firearm with integrated reflex optical sighting system comprising:

• providing the firearm including a body;
• mounting an illumination source onto the body at a first discrete mounting location;
• in a separate step, mounting an optical lens assembly onto the body at a second discrete location spatially distanced from the first discrete location;
• and
• coupling a power source to the illumination source, the illumination source operable to project a reticle onto a lens of the lens assembly operable for aiming the firearm;
• wherein the lens assembly and illumination source are independently supported by the body of the firearm at the first and second discrete locations, respectively.