Crimson Trace Founder Lew Danielson to Retire

by
posted on September 28, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
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

Ledegrasssland
Ledegrasssland

Grassland Conservation Funds Available in Ohio

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has $9 million in funding available for landowners who want to create grassland habitat that can support native wildlife, like northern bobwhite quail and other grassland-nesting birds.

New for 2025: Texas Hunter Products Trophy Quail Feeder

Texas Hunter Products has launched its the Trophy Quail Feeder, engineered to meet the diverse needs of landowners, hunters, and conservationists nationwide.

Hardware Review: Leupold VX-6HD Gen 2

This year Leupold introduced the VX-6HD Gen 2 series of scopes. Read our Hardware review of it here.

First Look: MDT Timbr Core Rifle Stock and Core Bottom Metal

MDT has announced that the Timbr Core Rifle Stock and Core Bottom Metal are now available.

#SundayGunday: Burris Signature HD 15x56mm Binocular

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re taking a break from things that go bang and setting our sights on a key piece of gear for spotting your quarry, the Burris Signature HD 15x56mm Binocular.

First U.S. Citizen Contracts New World Screwworm

On Aug. 24 HHS confirmed a Maryland resident—who recently traveled to El Salvador—is the first documented human case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the United States. Presence of the parasitic larvae (maggots) was confirmed on Aug. 4 after studies conducted by the CDC and the Maryland Department of Health.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.