SureFire

The history of SureFire begins in 1969, when a young engineer with a Ph.D. from Caltech decided that his future lay in the field of laser technology. Dr. John Matthews founded the Newport Corporation to harness the power of this technology for industrial applications. Over the next decade, Newport Corporation evolved into a leader in the field and pioneered a wide range of industrial applications for lasers. Patents were granted, contracts were signed, and the business flourished.

Over time, Dr. Matthews decided to strike out on a new path and combine his expertise in laser technology with his passion for firearms. As he experimented with weapon-mounted lasers, he quickly recognized their potential and decided to devote his life to finding cutting-edge tactical solutions for the military and law enforcement. In 1979, these concepts became a reality when he developed and patented the first commercial laser sight for use on a firearm.

The original laser sight was large and bulky, and further refinement of the technology would have required the Newport Corporation board to approve significant investments outside its core business interests. So Dr. Matthews, along with several key members of Newport’s technical staff who shared his vision, approached the board with an offer to purchase the laser sight business. When the offer was accepted, Dr. Matthews resigned as president of Newport Corporation and took over as head of the newly founded company—Laser Products—which was later renamed SureFire. He was now able to devote all his energy to marketing laser sights for firearms.