Aimpoint’s Ruby Anniversary

posted on April 7, 2015
** 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. **
gsagi2015_fs-1.jpg

It may be hard to believe for younger shooters, but the initial reaction to Aimpoint’s innovation was lukewarm. The Aimpoint Electronic—launched in 1975 and offered until 1979—was the world’s first red-dot sight. With adjustable dot-brightness and windage and elevation settings, it was a radical concept back then. The pair of PX1 mercury batteries that supplied a total of 2.7 volts for power was the source of most criticism. You can clean the dust and rust off iron sights, but there’s no way to bring a battery back from the grave.  undefined

The naysayers, however, didn’t understand the modest power consumption required to print that red dot, or the robust internal circuitry. As word spread, it wasn’t long until hunters embraced the technology, as well as a few forward-thinking competitive shooters.

Today more than two million Aimpoints are in use by law enforcement and military—who understand the ability to keep both eyes open while accurately aiming is a decided tactical advantage—as well as hunters and competitive shooters. Add Aimpoint’s Advanced Circuit Efficiency Technology, which provides the sights with battery life measured in years, and it’s little wonder the U.S. Army awarded the company its first military contract in 1997. Since that time, the company has delivered more than one million sights to the U.S. Military.

“Forty years ago, a small group of Swedish entrepreneurs developed a sighting technology for use by European hunters,” said Lennart Ljungfelt, president of Aimpoint AB. “They had no idea that the company which formed from these humble beginnings would ultimately become the worldwide standard in reflex-sighting technology.”

Latest

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.