From Toilet Roll to World-Leading Red Dot
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the invention of the red dot sight – a groundbreaking innovation that revolutionized shooting across hunting, competition, law enforcement, and military applications worldwide.
The Aimpoint story began one morning when Arne Ekstrand was shaving. Noticing a lamp’s reflection in the mirror, he realized the light remained visible no matter how he moved his head. As a hunter, sports shooter, and with experience in military service, he recognized the need for a new type of sighting device.
The first prototype was built using a toilet paper roll. While seeking an investor, Arne met Gunnar Sandberg, founder of Elektro-Sandberg. In 1974, the sight was patented, and in February 1975, Aimpoint AB was founded. The company’s first product, the Aimpoint Electronic, became the world’s first commercially available electronic red dot sight.
Aimpoint gained international recognition when its sights were used by elite forces during the Gulf War. Since then, the company has supplied advanced sights to military organizations worldwide, including several contracts with the U.S. military.
One of Aimpoint’s latest innovations is the Acro® series, designed for pistols, carbines, and hunting rifles. It is the smallest fully enclosed red dot sight on the market, offering 50,000 hours of continuous operation. A specialized model, the ACRO S-2, has been developed for shotguns, with a growing number of shooters recognizing the benefits of using red dot sights on shotguns.
Introduced in January 2025, the COA® pistol sight is Aimpoint’s latest breakthrough, developed in collaboration with Austrian firearm manufacturer GLOCK. Featuring the revolutionary A-Cut® mounting system, it offers exceptional stability and an ultra-low profile, setting a new industry standard.
The production of the COA sight marks an expansion of Aimpoint’s operations in Malmö, with a brand-new automated production line launching in spring 2025. During this milestone year, Aimpoint is also undergoing a leadership transition, as CEO Lennart Ljungfeldt steps down after 22 years, handing over responsibility to his successor, Per Lovatt.
Rooted in Swedish hunting traditions, Aimpoint continues to drive innovation, quality, and reliability—ensuring shooters perform at their best with the world’s finest red dot sights.
Web >> www.aimpoint.us
