Shooting Illustrated 2015 Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award

by
posted on April 10, 2015
danielson-crimsontrace.jpg

The winner of the 2015 Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award is Lewis Danielson, chairman of the board and founder of Crimson Trace Corp. Danielson’s company pioneered the firearm-mounted laser business, introduced the word “lasergrip” into the lexicon of the shooting sports and remains the leader in its field.

Where others tried and gave up on handgun-mounted lasers, Danielson saw the potential and persisted in the development of a working model with instinctive activation. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University (which subsequently inducted him into its Engineering Hall of Fame), Danielson worked in the steel industry, then on agricultural machinery before moving on to engineering and prototype services. During the day, Danielson made parts for the aerospace industry; on nights and weekends he worked, often without pay, on an idea that would change the firearm industry.

Crimson Trace started in 1994, and at his first NRA Annual Meetings, Danielson and one other employee boldly manned a card table. A table that was mobbed. As handgun design changed, so did Crimson Trace. While the M1911 and Ruger Mk II were ideally suited to Lasergrips, Danielson and his engineers devised ways to put their product on polymer-frame guns, then invented the innovative Laserguard that clamshells around a pistol’s trigger guard. Crimson Trace is also in the gun-mounted-light business with its Lightguard series, and has products for long guns as well, including the Rail Master Series and MVF-515.

Lewis Danielson is a proud patriot, a man who steadfastly employs American workers and one with a strong passion for Second Amendment-protected freedoms. As is the case with all Crimson Trace employees, he is a staunch NRA member and is a longtime supporter of the National Rifle Association.

Latest

SAKO TRG 22 A1
SAKO TRG 22 A1

Review: SAKO TRG 22 A1 Rifle

The newest NATO member has long been known for its hyper-accurate bolt-action rifles, and the country’s flagship gunmaker launched an updated version of its modern precision rifle that lives up to that quality benchmark.

First Look: Athlon Midas Flash Red Dot Sight

A new open emitter optic which works with the RMR footprint.

First Look: Cold Steel Republic Knife

A ruggedly built fixed blade knife designed for the great outdoors.

The Newhall Incident Revisited

Learning from a tragic moment in American law enforcement history.

First Look: Misson First Tactical ACHRO 22L Backpack

Carry your gear without sticking out like a sore thumb.

Weird Shotgun Loads

Oddball or awesome? There’s a little of each when it comes to specialty shotgun rounds.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.