Laser gunsight system for a firearm trigger guard

1. A sighting device for a firearm having a trigger guard, a frame with an underside portion forward of the trigger guard, and a handgrip with a front strap, the sighting device comprising:

a body having a first portion including an illumination device;

the body defining an engagement feature operable to removably connect to and closely encircle a forward portion of the trigger guard to create a clamping action about the trigger guard;

the body having an elongated extension portion extending from the first portion;

the extension portion shaped to wrap a bottom surface and left and right sides of the trigger guard from the first portion to the front strap;

the extension portion having a free end including a switch;

the switch having electrical contacts located below the lower portion of the trigger guard and being electrically connected to electrical contacts at the forward portion of the trigger guard; and

the extension portion including an electrical conductor operably connecting the switch to the illumination device.

2. The sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the illumination device is a laser.

3. The sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the engagement feature is a channel closely encompassing a portion of the trigger guard.

4. The sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the body has two parts secured together, with the trigger guard closely received between the two parts.

5. The sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the extension is integrally molded with at least a major portion of the first portion.

6. The sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the extension is unitary with the first portion.

7. The sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the extension and the first portion are made from a common material.

8. The sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the extension is sufficiently rigid to resist displacement.

9. The sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the extension is made from a thermoplastic.

10. The sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the extension's free end including the switch overlays a portion of the front strap.

11. The sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the extension defines a channel, such that it encompasses bottom and side surfaces of a lower portion of the trigger guard.

12. The sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion has an upper surface configured to abut the underside portion of the frame.

13. A sighting device for a firearm having a trigger guard, a frame with an underside, and a handgrip with a front strap, the sighting device comprising:

a body closely encircling at least a portion of the trigger guard and having a rear portion closely conforming to a portion of the front strap;

a switch mounted on the body's rear portion;

the switch having electrical contacts located below the trigger guard and being electrically connected to electrical contacts forward of the trigger guard; and

an illumination device connected to the body.

14. The sighting device of claim 13 , further comprising the body having a front portion adapted to abut the underside portion of the frame.

15. The sighting device of claim 13 , wherein the sighting device is rigidly connected to the trigger guard and front strap.

16. The sighting device of claim 13 , wherein the illumination device is a laser.

17. The sighting device of claim 13 , wherein the illumination device is enclosed in a housing integral with the body.

18. The sighting device of claim 13 , further comprising a power source enclosed in a housing integral with the body.

19. The sighting device of claim 13 , wherein the body comprises a left panel and a right panel that are removably attached to one another.

20. The sighting device of claim 19 , wherein the left panel and the right panel are clamped to the trigger guard.

21. The sighting device of claim 13 , wherein the body wraps the trigger guard's bottom, left, and right sides.

22. The sighting device of claim 13 , wherein the body is formed of a rigid thermoplastic.

23. The sighting device of claim 13 , wherein the body has a front portion closely conforming to a portion of the frame's underside.

24. The sighting device of claim 13 , wherein the body's rear portion has a limited width substantially less than the length of the front strap, such that a majority of the front strap is exposed when the device is installed on the firearm.

25. The sighting device of claim 24 , wherein the body's rear portion is configured to be positioned immediately below the trigger guard, and the limited width corresponds to the width of a finger.

26. The sighting device of claim 13 , wherein the device is free of any fasteners engaging the firearm.

27. A sighting device for a firearm having a frame having an underside, a trigger guard, and a handgrip having a front strap, the sighting device comprising:

a body having a front portion configured to closely conform to a portion of the frame's underside;

the body having a middle portion configured to wrap the trigger guard's bottom, left, and right sides and to closely encircle a forward portion of the trigger guard;

the body having a rear portion configured to closely conform to a portion of the front strap immediately below the trigger guard;

a laser device connected to the body;

a switch mounted on the body's rear portion; and

the switch having electrical contacts located below the trigger guard and being electrically connected to electrical contacts forward of the trigger guard.

28. The sighting device of claim 27 , wherein the sighting device is rigidly connected to the trigger guard and front strap.

29. The sighting device of claim 27 , wherein the body comprises a left panel and a right panel that removably clamp the trigger guard.