Crimson Trace Founder Lew Danielson to Retire

by
posted on September 28, 2016
lew_danielson_retires_f.jpg

The founder of Crimson Trace, Lew Danielson, has officially announced his retirement. Danielson—winner of our 2015 NRA Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award—co-founded Crimson Trace in the backroom of an Oregon machine shop in 1994. It eventually grew into one of the industry's more renowned companies, and recently sold to Smith & Wesson for $95 million.

"I am very proud of what Crimson Trace has become and what we have accomplished in the laser sighting industry with the many innovations we've introduced to the market place," said Danielson. "I'm also proud of the team of employees who have worked hard to make our company the industry leader that it is today."

Danielson was also famous for his simple 18-point business plan—handwritten on a piece of standard yellow notepad paper and seen in the photo above—which helped him take Crimson Trace from a fledgling company to an industry titan.

"Lew is a one-of-a-kind guy who believed in an idea and had the tenacity and foresight to take risks and follow his dream," stated Lane Tobiassen, President of Crimson Trace. "Everyone at Crimson Trace wishes Lew well in this new chapter of his life, and we thank him for the opportunity the company has provided the more than 120 employees who work here." Tobiassen became Crimson Trace's President in 2009.

Since its founding, Crimson Trace has been recognized for bringing more than 250 laser sighting products to the market.

Danielson was inducted into the Oregon State University Engineering Hall of Fame in 2013. His name is on many of the patents held in Crimson Trace's product portfolio.

For more information, go to CrimsonTrace.com.

Latest

NRA ILA Lede
NRA ILA Lede

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Colorado’s Excise Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Sales

On March 31, the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), together with the Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation, Colorado State Shooting Association, Magnum Shooting Center and an NRA member, filed a lawsuit challenging Colorado’s 6.5-percent excise tax on the retail sale of firearms, firearm precursor parts and ammunition.

The Magnum Research 10mm Magnum BFR Revolver

This 6-shot, single-action revolver may well be the first factory-made handgun chambered in this caliber in over three decades.

Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Applications Being Accepted

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearm industry, has opened the application period for the 2025 Hunting Heritage Trust Grants. They offer a total of $100,000 in financial support for programs that work to expand participation in hunting and the shooting sports.

Hardware Review: Marlin Model 1895 Dark

If you think lever-action rifles should only have walnut stocks and a blued-metal finish, then the new Marlin Dark series with its polymer buttstock and aluminum AR-esque handguard probably won’t be your thing. That’s a shame, because this recent offering in Marlin’s line of modernized, capable lever-action rifles has a lot going for it in terms of performance, functionality and fun.

ATN Shipping TICO LTV Thermal Clip-On

This thermal clip-on device is a huge night-time gear multiplier for hunters and observers, transforming any daytime scope into a thermal sight.

MidwayUSA Named Official Sponsor of the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings

Glock, Inc. is the Presenting Sponsor of the Freedom Experience on Saturday, April 26th

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.