OPTICAL SIGHT FOR FIREARM WITH INTEGRAL REAR SIGHT

A passively and naturally illuminated optical reflex sighting system for a firearm in one embodiment includes a housing configured for detachable coupling to the firearm, an optical lens supported by the housing, a fiber optic element, and a light-transmissible cover enclosing the fiber optic element. The cover and fiber optic element are in visual communication with ambient light which is collected by fiber optic element through the cover. In operation, the fiber optic element absorbs ambient light and generates a reticle on the lens for aiming the firearm. A red or other colored dot reticle may be projected on the lens in some embodiments. No onboard artificial light is used to illuminate the fiber optic element. The housing may include an integrally-formed rear sight which is alignable with a front sight to aim the firearm independently of the fiber optics generated reticle.