A firearm includes an integrated rail and sight system that slidably mounts to the top of the firearm and is also retractable and detachable from the firearm. The rail may slide on and off the top of the firearm and may include integrated front and rear flip down sights. Both sights are pinned to the rail and can fold down to the rail such that they are flush with or seat below the top portion of the rail. This permits accessories to be mounted to the rail without the sights interfering with the mounting of the accessories or without the sights interfering with the operation of the accessories. The firearm further includes an ambidextrous charging handle mounted through the integrated rail and sight system.