24/7 Wall St. Insights
- We used data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
- There are over 3,200 federally licensed gunmakers in the U.S. in 2021
- Also, 2 Dividend Legends To Hold Forever
Demand for firearms seems to be at an all-time high in the US, despite a growing controversy about the availability of firearms and the effect this has on violence. Since 2010, nearly two dozen states have enacted laws allowing citizens to carry firearms in public without a permit. This ease in gun restrictions has led to a growing popularity of pistols in much of the country.
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), there were over 3,200 federally licensed gunmakers in the U.S. in 2021, but only a handful of these companies account for the bulk of domestic pistol production. More than 494 million firearms have been produced in the US since 1899, with the pace of production currently at some of the highest levels.
24/7 Wall St. used data from the ATF to identify the companies making America’s favorite pistols. Each of the 30 companies on this list manufactured over 15,000 pistols in 2021 and accounted for a combined 95% of all domestic pistol production that year. The companies on this list include many of the largest gunmakers in the world, including Smith & Wesson, Ruger, and Beretta.
Why Is This Important?
The firearm and ammunition industry contributes $80.73 billion to the US economy, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). This is a 322% increase since 2008. The industry also employs 400,000 people, pays more than $25 billion in wages, and generates nearly $7.5 billion in taxes.
Here are popular handgun manufacturers in America.
30. ZEV Technologies Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 15,046 (0.2% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: OZ9 V2 Elite Compact
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Centralia, WA
29. Trailblazer Firearms LLC
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 16,900 (0.3% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: Lifecard
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Asheville, NC
28. American Tactical Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 17,660 (0.3% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: GSG M1911 HGA
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Summerville, SC
27. Phoenix Arms
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 20,200 (0.3% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: HP22A
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Ontario, CA
26. CMMG Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 20,301 (0.3% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: Dissent Mk4
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Boonville, MO
25. Polymer80 Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 21,695 (0.3% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: P80 PFS9
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Dayton, NV
24. CZ-USA
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 22,041 (0.3% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: CZ P-10 S
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 2
- U.S. headquarters: Kansas City, KS
23. Walther Manufacturing Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 22,158 (0.3% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: PDP Compact
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Fort Smith, AR
22. STI Firearms, LLC
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 22,362 (0.3% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: Staccato CS
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Georgetown, TX
21. Maverick Arms, Inc. (Mossberg)
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 24,311 (0.4% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: MC2C
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Eagle Pass, TX
20. Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 25,200 (0.4% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: 1911 Classic
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: West Hartford, CT
19. Radical Firearms LLC
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 26,086 (0.4% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: 7.5″ 5.56 NATO pistol with 7″MHR
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Stafford, TX
18. Diamondback Firearms LLC
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 28,977 (0.4% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: DB380
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Cocoa, FL
17. Bearman Industries, LLC (now Old West Firearms)
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 37,619 (0.6% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: BBG9BB Derringer
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Salt Lake City, UT
16. Browning Arms Company
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 44,491 (0.7% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: Buck Mark
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Morgan, UT
15. IWI US Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 49,094 (0.7% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: Masada
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Middletown, PA
14. Shadow Systems LLC
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 59,615 (0.9% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: MR920L
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Plano, TX
13. Strassells Machine Inc. (Hi-Point)
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 61,807 (0.9% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: Model C9
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Mansfield, OH
12. Bond Arms, Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 80,093 (1.2% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: Rawhide 22LR
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Granbury, TX
11. Kel Tec CNC Industries Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 100,398 (1.5% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: P32
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Cocoa, FL
10. Beretta USA Corp.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 129,965 (1.9% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: 92X Performance
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Accokeek, MD
9. FN America, LLC
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 132,205 (2.0% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: 509 Series
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: McLean, VA
8. Springfield Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 148,264 (2.2% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: Hellcat
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Geneseo, IL
7. SCCY Industries LLC
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 216,932 (3.2% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: DVG-1
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Daytona Beach, FL
6. Kimber Manufacturing Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 274,599 (4.1% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: 1911 variants
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 2
- U.S. headquarters: Troy, AL
5. Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 290,780 (4.3% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: G3
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Bainbridge, GA
4. Glock Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 581,944 (8.6% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: G19
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 1
- U.S. headquarters: Smyrna, GA
3. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 1,058,205 (15.7% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: Mark IV
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 6
- U.S. headquarters: Southport, CT
2. Sig Sauer Inc.
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 1,214,013 (18.0% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: P365
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 2
- U.S. headquarters: Newington, NH
1. Smith & Wesson
- Number of pistols manufactured (U.S., 2021): 1,649,540 (24.4% market share)
- Best-selling pistol model: M&P 2.0 Series
- Manufacturing plants in the US: 2
- U.S. headquarters: Springfield, MA
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