Non-protruding aiming apparatus for handguns

A slide for a handgun, the slide comprising:

• an integral groove in an upper surface of the slide, the groove extending from a forward portion of the groove to a rear end of the slide, the groove extending parallel to the length of the slide and being bisected by a vertical, central plane that bisects the slide;
• a first sighting element located in the forward portion of the groove above a lower surface of the groove and is bisected by the central plane, the first sighting element being below the upper surface of the slide;
• and
• a second sighting element located in the rear end of the slide and below a rear portion of the groove, the second sighting element being bisected by the central plane.

In a handgun having a slide, an aiming system comprising:

• a recessed area in an upper surface of the slide, the recessed area having at a forward end a rearward facing shoulder, the recessed area extending rearward from the shoulder to a rear end of the slide;
• a first sighting element, the first sighting element being a cylinder of luminescent material located in a cavity formed in the shoulder of the recessed area below the upper surface of the slide, the cylinder having an end that faces rearwardly;
• and
• a second sighting element located at the rear end of the slide and below a rear portion of the recessed area, the second sighting element being a cylinder of luminescent material aligned perpendicular to the first sighting element.