A survey done in 2018 showed that there are over one billion small arms distributed throughout the world. The US accounts for about 46% of these guns. About 13% of the guns are held by armed forces, while the other guns are privately owned.
The world surpassed a billion firearms in circulation by 2017, a count that has only increased in the years since. As reported by the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey, a majority of these arms are held by civilians. Notably, over a third of the global total, about 393 million, are in the United States, making Americans the most armed population on the planet by a significant margin. (also see: the guns used by the Green Berets.)
Almost half of the 50 most renowned firearms trace their roots to the U.S., ranging from the iconic Wild West Winchester lever-action rifle to the contemporary AR-15. Russian influence is evident in seven of the all-time top gun models, including the enduring Makarov semi-automatic pistol from the Soviet era, and the ubiquitous AK-47 assault rifle, along with its many variations and replicas. (Also see: the 17 prototype guns rejected by the US Military.)
24/7 Wall St. reviewed a variety of sources to get estimates of global gun sales to identify the world’s 50 most popular guns. Guns were ranked by estimated lifetime sales. The origin of each gun is the historic country of origin, where the gun was first created. Different models of the same gun released in different years are included in the gun sales estimates.
Why We’re Covering This
Source: artas / iStock via Getty Images
The global firearms industry is a multi-billion dollar behemoth, with more than $50 billion in annual sales. Of that, by far the largest portion is held by American arms manufacturers like Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ: SWBI), Ruger (NYSE: RGR), Springfield Armory, Mossberg, and many more household names. In less stable parts of the world, arms deals and surplus weapons left over from the Cold War have been a key factor in the balance of power in many war-torn nations. A number of firearms on this list, especially #1, have a reputation for being an instrument of civil war and uprising around the world.
Here are the most popular 50 guns ever
50. Winchester Model 1892
Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain
The Winchester Model 1892 sold approximately 2,000,000 units. This Lever-action rifle originated in the United States.
49. Winchester Model 1912/1942
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Winchester Model 1912/1942 sold approximately 2,000,000 units. This Pump-action shotgun originated in the United States.
48. Winchester Models 1900 through 1968
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Winchester Models 1900 through 1968 sold approximately 2,000,000 units. This Single-shot bolt-action rifle originated in the United States.
47. Marlin Model 1891/1892/1897/1939
Source: Wikipedia
The Marlin Model 1891/1892/1897/1939 sold approximately 2,200,000 units. This Lever-action rifle originated in the United States.
46. M14
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The M14 sold approximately 2,380,000 units. This Battle rifle originated in the United States.
45. Fusil Gras mle 1874
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Fusil Gras mle 1874 sold approximately 2,500,000 units. This Single-shot bolt-action rifle originated in France.
44. Remington Model 740/742/7400 Woodsmaster
Source: Wikipedia
The Remington Model 740/742/7400 Woodsmaster sold approximately 2,500,000 units. This Semi-automatic rifle originated in the United States.
43. Gewehr 1888
Source: Wikipedia
The Gewehr 1888 sold approximately 2,800,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in Germany.
42. Browning Auto-5
Source: Wikimedia
The Browning Auto-5 sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic shotgun originated in the United States.
41. Browning M2
Source: Wikipedia /Public Domain
The Browning M2 sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Heavy machine gun originated in the United States.
40. Luger Parabellum
Source: Rock Island Auction Co / Wikipedia
The Luger Parabellum sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in Germany.
39. Nagant M1895
Source: Wikipedia
The Nagant M1895 sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Revolver originated in Russia.
38. QBZ-95
Source: Wikipedia
The QBZ-95 sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Assault rifle originated in China.
37. Ruger Standard
Source: Wikipedia
The Ruger Standard sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in the United States.
36. Springfield M1903
Source: Wikipedia
The Springfield M1903 sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in the United States.
35. Berdan M1870
Source: Wikipedia
The Berdan M1870 sold approximately 3,200,000 units. This Single-shot bolt-action rifle originated in Russia.
34. Beretta 92
Source: Wikipedia
The Beretta 92 sold approximately 3,500,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in Italy.
33. Lebel Model 1886
Source: Wikipedia
The Lebel Model 1886 sold approximately 3,500,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in France.
32. Mannlicher M1895
Source: Wikipedia
The Mannlicher M1895 sold approximately 3,500,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in Austria-Hungary.
31. Remington Model 1100
Source: Wikipedia
The Remington Model 1100 sold approximately 4,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic shotgun originated in the United States.
30. Ruger Single Six/Blackhawk/Vaquero
Source: Wikipedia
The Ruger Single Six/Blackhawk/Vaquero sold approximately 4,000,000 units. This Revolver originated in the United States.
29. ‘Brown Bess’ Land Pattern Musket
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The ‘Brown Bess’ Land Pattern Musket sold approximately 4,300,000 units. This Musket originated in the United Kingdom.
28. Carcano Modello 1891
Source: Wikipedia
The Carcano Modello 1891 sold approximately 4,500,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in Italy.
27. STEN gun
Source: mikedabell / iStock via Getty Images
The STEN gun sold approximately 4,500,000 units. This Submachine gun originated in the United Kingdom.
26. M1911 (and copies)
Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain
The M1911 (and copies) sold approximately 5,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in the United States.
25. Walther PP/PPK
Source: Wikipedia
The Walther PP/PPK sold approximately 5,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in Weimar Republic Germany.
24. Marlin Model 336
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Marlin Model 336 sold approximately 6,000,000 units. This Lever-action rifle originated in the United States.
23. PPSh-41
Source: Wikipedia
The PPSh-41 sold approximately 6,000,000 units. This Submachine gun originated in the Soviet Union.
22. Ruger 10/22
The Ruger 10/22 sold approximately 6,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic rifle originated in the United States.
21. Smith & Wesson Model 10
Source: Wikipedia
The Smith & Wesson Model 10 sold approximately 6,000,000 units. This Revolver originated in the United States.
20. Type 63
The Type 63 sold approximately 6,000,000 units. This Assault rifle originated in China.
19. M1/M2/M3 Carbine
Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain
The M1/M2/M3 Carbine sold approximately 6,500,000 units. This Carbine originated in the United States.
18. FN FAL (and derivatives)
Source: Wikipedia
The FN FAL (and derivatives) sold approximately 7,000,000 units. This Battle rifle originated in Belgium.
17. Musket Model 1777
Source: Wikipedia
The Musket Model 1777 sold approximately 7,000,000 units. This Musket originated in France.
16. Winchester Model 1894
Source: Wikipedia
The Winchester Model 1894 sold approximately 7,500,000 units. This Lever-action rifle originated in the United States.
15. Heckler & Koch G3
Source: Wikipedia
The Heckler & Koch G3 sold approximately 8,000,000 units. This Battle rifle originated in Germany.
14. M1 Garand
Source: Wikipedia
The M1 Garand sold approximately 8,200,000 units. This Semi-automatic rifle originated in the United States.
13. Arisaka Type 30/38/99
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Arisaka Type 30/38/99 sold approximately 10,000,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in Japan.
12. Glock
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Glock sold approximately 10,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in Austria.
11. IMI Uzi
Source: Wikipedia
The IMI Uzi sold approximately 10,000,000 units. This Submachine gun originated in Israel.
10. Makarov pistol
Source: baronvsp / iStock via Getty Images
The Makarov pistol sold approximately 10,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in the Soviet Union.
9. Marlin Model 60
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Marlin Model 60 sold approximately 11,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic rifle originated in the United States.
8. Remington 870
The Remington 870 sold approximately 11,000,000 units. This Pump-action shotgun originated in the United States.
7. Mossberg 500
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Mossberg 500 sold approximately 12,000,000 units. This Pump-action shotgun originated in the United States.
6. SKS
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The SKS sold approximately 15,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic rifle originated in the Soviet Union.
5. Lee-Enfield
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Lee-Enfield sold approximately 17,000,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in the United Kingdom.
4. M16/M4/AR-15 and derivatives
Source: blackwaterimages / E+ via Getty Images
The M16/M4/AR-15 and derivatives sold approximately 20,000,000 units. This Assault rifle/semi-automatic rifle originated in the United States.
3. Mosin-Nagant
The Mosin-Nagant sold approximately 37,000,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in Russia.
2. Mauser Gewehr 98 (and similar)
Source: philipimage / iStock via Getty Images
The Mauser Gewehr 98 (and similar) sold approximately 102,000,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in Germany.
1. Kalashnikov AK-47 (and derivatives)
Source: serikbaib / iStock via Getty Images
The Kalashnikov AK-47 (and derivatives) sold approximately 150,000,000 units. This Assault rifle originated in the Soviet Union.
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