Colt Firearms Built These 39 Iconic U.S. Military Firearms

Colt Firearms has been a major force in the design and manufacture of handguns. In the years 1850s to World War I, it was a dominating force in the production of guns. Colt was pivotal in popularizing the revolver over the single-shot pistol. The Colt Company is currently owned by the Česká zbrojovka Group (CZG). Colt products are still being manufactured in the US, however.

To identify the most iconic military firearms built by Colt Firearms, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of Colt Firearms from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. We ordered these firearms chronologically. We included supplemental data from the Military Factory regarding the year entered service, type, firing action, caliber, and feed. We excluded firearms that were experimental or prototypes.

Perhaps one of the most iconic guns in Colt’s arsenal is the Colt .45 Peacemaker. It is considered one of the most famous sidearms of the Old West and played an important role in the Indian Wars of the late 19th century. With the success of this sidearm, Colt was catapulted into mainstream culture and would continue to innovate the next generations of small arms for decades to come. (This is America’s favorite rifle company.)

The current generation of Colt Firearms includes guns such as the Navy Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle. Introduced in 2002, this designated marksman rifle is chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO rounds like many others produced by Colt. This gun can even be modified to be a sniper rifle. It has seen service across multiple U.S. military branches, including in special forces.

Here is a look at the iconic guns produced by Colt Firearms over the years.

Canada C20

Source: Wikipedia

The Canada C20 was introduced in 2020. It is a Designated marksman rifle with a semi-automatic firing action. It is a 7.62x51mm NATO gun with a 20-round detachable box magazine.

LE901

LE 901 Adapter block (CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED) by FilmWerks

The LE901 was introduced in 2013. It is a Carbine with a Gas-operated; locking bolt; and semi-automatic firing action. It is a .308 Winchester gun with a 30-round detachable box magazine.

Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle (Mk 12 SPR)

Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain

The Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle (Mk 12 SPR) was introduced in 2002. It is a Sniper rifle / designated marksman rifle with a Gas-operated, rotating bolt-firing action. It is a 5.56x45mm NATO gun with a 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine.

M4

Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain

The M4 was introduced in 1994. It is an assault carbine with a gas-operated; locking bolt; and semi-/full-automatic firing action. It is a 5.56×45 mm NATO gun with a 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine.

M4A1 SOPMOD

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

The M4A1 SOPMOD was introduced in 1993. It is a Carbine w5.56x45mm NATOith a Gas-operated; rotating bolt firing action. It is a 5.56x45mm NATO gun with a 30-round detachable box magazine.

Anaconda

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

The Anaconda was introduced in 1990. It is a Six-shot revolver with a Double-action; repeating firing action. It is a .44 Special, .44 Magnum gun with a 6-shot rotating cylinder.

M16A4

Source: zim286 / iStock via Getty Images

The M16A4 was introduced in 1990. It is an Assault rifle with a Gas-operated; semi-automatic; select-fire firing action. It is a 5.56x45mm NATO gun with a 30-round detachable box magazine.

Diemaco C8

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

The Diemaco C8 was introduced in 1988. It is an Assault carbine with a Gas-operated; rotating bolt-firing action. It is a 5.56x45mm NATO gun with a 30-round detachable box magazine.

Diemaco C7

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

The Diemaco C7 was introduced in 1984. It is a Designated marksman rifle with a Gas-operated; rotating bolt firing action. It is a 5.56x45mm NATO gun with a 30-round detachable box magazine.

M16A2

Source: Wikipedia

The M16A2 was introduced in 1983. It is an Assault rifle with a Gas-operated; semi-automatic; select-fire firing action. It is a 5.56x45mm NATO gun with a 30-round detachable box magazine.

Model 635

Source: Wikipedia

The Model 635 was introduced in 1982. It is a Submachine gun with a Blowback; closed-bolt firing action. It is a 9x19mm Parabellum gun with a 20- or 32-round detachable box magazine.

AAI M203

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

The AAI M203 was introduced in 1969. It is a Breech-loading under-barrel grenade launcher with a Single-shot firing action. It is a 40x46mm gun with a single shot.

CAR-15 Commando (XM177)

Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain

The CAR-15 Commando (XM177) was introduced in 1966. It is an Assault carbine with a Gas-operated; locking bolt; and semi-/full-automatic firing action. It is a 5.56x45mm NATO gun with a 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine.

M16

Source: UltraONEs / iStock via Getty Images

The M16 was introduced in 1963. It is an assault carbine with a gas-operated, rotating bolt-firing action. It is a 5.56×45 mm NATO gun with a 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine.

ArmaLite AR-15

Source: Hariadi p / Shutterstock.com

The ArmaLite AR-15 was introduced in 1958. It is a Select-fire automatic rifle with a Rotating bolt, and direct impingement system firing action. It is a .223 Remington, 5.56x45mm NATO gun with a 45 ACP, 20-, 30-, 40-, 90- or 100-round magazines.

ArmaLite AR-10

AR10 Armalite vue d (CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED) by Le-boulanger

The ArmaLite AR-10 was introduced in 1958. It is a Battle rifle with a Gas-operated; rotating bolt-firing action. It is a .308 Winchester gun with a 7.62x51mm NATO, 20-round detachable box magazine.

Python

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Python was introduced in 1955. It is a six-shot revolver with a double-action; repeating firing action. It is a .357 Magnum gun with a 6-shot rotating cylinder.

Browning .303

Source: Wikipedia

The Browning .303 was introduced in 1936. It is a Medium machine gun with a Recoil-operated; full-automatic, belt-fed firing action. It is a .303 British gun with a Belt-fed (various lengths).

Browning M1918 BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle)

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

The Browning M1918 BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) was introduced in 1918. It is a

Browning M1917

Source: Wikipedia

The Browning M1917 was introduced in 1917. It is a Belt-fed, water-cooled heavy machine gun with a Recoil-operated; full-automatic, belt-fed firing action. It is a 30-06 Springfield gun with a 250-round fabric belt.

Colt Model 1917

Source: Wikipedia

The Colt Model 1917 was introduced in 1917. It is a Service revolver with a Double-action; rotating cylinder firing action. It is a .45 ACP gun with a 6-shot rotating cylinder.

Kongsberg M/1914

Source: somsak suwanput / Shutterstock.com

The Kongsberg M/1914 was introduced in 1915. It is a Semi-automatic service pistol with a Single-action; short recoil-operated firing action. It is a .45 ACP gun with a 7-round detachable box magazine.

Colt M1911

Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain

The Colt M1911 was introduced in 1911. It is a Semi-automatic service pistol with a Single-action; short recoil-operated firing action. It is a .45 ACP gun with a 7-round detachable box magazine.

Hotchkiss Model 1909

Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain

The Hotchkiss Model 1909 was introduced in 1909. It is a Light machine gun with a Gas-operated; magazine-/belt-fed firing action. It is a .303 British, .30-06 Springfield gun with a 30-round detachable box magazine.

Model 1903 (Pocket Hammerless)

Source: Wikipedia

The Model 1903 (Pocket Hammerless) was introduced in 1903. It is a semi-automatic pistol with a Single-action; blowback firing action. It is a .32 ACP gun with an 8-round detachable box magazine.

Browning M1895 (Potato Digger)

Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain

The Browning M1895 (Potato Digger) was introduced in 1895. It is an Air-cooled, belt-fed machine gun with a Gas-operated; closed-bolt; lever-actuated firing action. It is a .30-40 Krag gun with a 7x57mm; 6.5x52mm.

Colt 45 Peacemaker

Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain

The Colt 45 Peacemaker was introduced in 1873. It is a Six-shot revolver with a Single-action; rotating cylinder firing action. It is a .45 Long Colt; .38 Special; .357 Magnum; .44 Special gun with a 6-shot rotating cylinder.

Model 1862 Pocket Navy

Source: Wikipedia

The Model 1862 Pocket Navy was introduced in 1862. It is a Five-shot percussion revolver with a Single-action firing action. It is a .36 Cap and ball gun with a 5-shot rotating cylinder.

Model 1862 Police

Source: Wikipedia

The Model 1862 Police was introduced in 1862. It is a Five-shot percussion revolver with a Single-action firing action. It is a .36 Cap and ball gun with a 5-shot rotating cylinder.

Model 1861 Navy

Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain

The Model 1861 Navy was introduced in 1861. It is a Six-shot percussion revolver with a Six-shot percussion revolver firing action. It is a .36 Cap and ball gun with a 6-shot rotating cylinder.

Model 1860 New Army

Source: Wikipedia

The Model 1860 New Army was introduced in 1860. It is a Six-shot percussion revolver with a Single-action; repeating; percussion cap firing action. It is a 44-ball gun with a 6-shot rotating cylinder.

Model 1855 (Root Revolver)

Source: Wikipedia

The Model 1855 (Root Revolver) was introduced in 1855. It is a Sing-action six-shot revolver with a  Single-action; rotating cylinder; side hammer firing action. It is a .31 Cap and ball gun with a 6-shot rotating cylinder.

Model 1855 Revolving Carbine

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

The Model 1855 Revolving Carbine was introduced in 1855. It is a Six-shot service rifle with a Percussion cap; hammer-actuated; revolving cylinder firing action. It is a .56 Cap and Ball gun with a 5- or 6-shot revolving cylinder.

Model 1851 Navy

Source: Wikipedia

The Model 1851 Navy was introduced in 1851. It is a Percussion revolver with a Single-action firing action. It is a .36 Cap and ball gun with a 6-shot rotating cylinder.

Model 1849 Pocket Revolver

Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain

The Model 1849 Pocket Revolver was introduced in 1849. It is a Percussion revolver with a Single-action firing action. It is a .31 Cap and ball gun with a – or 6-shot revolving cylinder.

Model 1848 Baby Dragoon

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

The Model 1848 Baby Dragoon was introduced in 1848. It is a Five-shot percussion revolver with a Percussion cap; repeat fire firing action. It is a .31 Cap and ball gun with a 5-shot rotating cylinder.

Model 1848 Dragoon

Source: Wikipedia

The Model 1848 Dragoon was introduced in 1848. It is a ix-shot percussion revolver with a Single-action; revolving cylinder firing action. It is a .44 Cap and ball gun with a 6-shot rotating cylinder.

Colt Walker

Source: Wikipedia

The Colt Walker was introduced in 1847. It is a Six-shot revolver with a Single-action; rotating cylinder firing action. It is a 44 Cap and ball gun with a 6-shot rotating cylinder.

Model 1839

Source: Wikipedia / Public Domain

The Model 1839 was introduced in 1839. It is a Revolving carbine/shotgun with a Single-action; rotating cylinder firing action. It is a <.525 (Carbine); 16-gauge (Shotgun) gun with a 6-shot rotating cylinder.