Guns and Hunting

Here’s A Secret: The Best Rifles Come From These Companies

Hunter man on the mountain carrying the rifle with bullets
Carrastock / Moment via Getty Images

In Florida, you must be 21 years old to purchase rifles and shotguns. This rule was established following the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018. However, Republican Senator Randy Fine recently filed a bill that would essentially reverse that decision. The legislation would once again lower the age needed to buy long guns to 18 years old. Ideally, this would pump some additional money into Florida’s economy. Florida already has a large gun culture, with the total economic output and impact from the firearms and ammunition industry sitting at $1,814,799,200 according to the National Sports Shooting Foundation, a trade association for the firearm, ammunition, hunting and recreational shooting sports industry. (Here’s the gun law grade for every state.)

When Floridians under 21 years old are allowed to once again buy long guns, we’re pretty sure we know exactly which rifles they’ll be looking for. After all, there are a subset of gun manufacturers across the United States who are known for crafting reliable, efficient, and quality rifles. Using data from the ATF, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 33 companies making the best-selling American-made rifles. We reviewed manufacturing figures for thousands of federally licensed gunmakers in the United States and ranked them on total rifle production in 2022.

Why It Matters

Buying A Gun
Orlando / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

Firearm sales in the U.S. hit historic highs during and after the pandemic. Both directly and indirectly, the U.S. arms and ammunition industry generated over $90 billion in economic output in 2023 and employed over 384,000 Americans, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation. In recent years, surging demand for firearms, particularly MSRs, has been a boon for American gunmakers. As we head to the future, we’re not sure how the gun industry will shift — though with fears about global instability and the onset of another Trump presidency, there could definitely be an increase in gun sales. Will these rifles be at the top of that list?

Here are the 33 companies making the best-selling American-made rifles: 

33. Pioneer Arms Corp.

serikbaib / iStock via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 10,274 (0.3% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): Sporter AKM-46, Hellpup AKM-47
  • Pioneer Arms rifle production location(s): Florida
  • Pioneer Arms 2022 total domestic firearm production: 10,274 (100% rifles)

32. Stag Arms LLC

Stag+Arms+rifle | File:Extra parts carbine (18712089780).jpg
Mitch Barrie from Reno, NV, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 10,779 (0.3% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): STAG 15, STAG 10
  • Stag Arms rifle production location(s): Washington and Wyoming
  • Stag Arms 2022 total domestic firearm production: 20,601 (52.3% rifles)

31. LWRC International

LWRC+rifle | File:LWRCI R.E.P.R.20 Display in Armor School Museum 20130302.jpg
玄史生 / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 13,251 (0.4% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): IC-9, IC-A5, SIX8 PSD
  • LWRC rifle production location(s): Maryland
  • LWRC 2022 total domestic firearm production: 21,066 (62.9% rifles)

30. RWC Group

SKapl / iStock via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 14,062 (0.4% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): Kali 103, Kalashnikov KR103
  • RWC rifle production location(s): Florida
  • RWC 2022 total domestic firearm production: 23,837 (59.0% rifles)

29. Riley Defense Inc.

angad84 / Flickr
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 15,408 (0.4% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): RAK-47-P, RAK308-C, RAK74-P
  • Riley Defense rifle production location(s): North Carolina
  • Riley Defense 2022 total domestic firearm production: 15,408 (100% rifles)

28. Great Lakes Firearms and Ammunition

Mike Kemp / In Pictures via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 17,147 (0.5% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): GLFA .350 Legend, GLFA .450 Bushmaster, GLFA .223 Wylde Rifle
  • Great Lakes Firearms rifle production location(s): Michigan
  • Great Lakes Firearms 2022 total domestic firearm production: 21,198 (80.9% rifles)

27. Black Rain Ordnance Inc.

artas / iStock via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 18,049 (0.5% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): BRO-Fusion, BRO-PCC, Fallout15
  • Black Rain Ordnance rifle production location(s): Missouri
  • Black Rain Ordnance 2022 total domestic firearm production: 50,835 (35.5% rifles)

26. Outdoor Colors

picture alliance / picture alliance via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 19,553 (0.5% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): N/A
  • Outdoor Colors rifle production location(s): North Carolina
  • Outdoor Colors 2022 total domestic firearm production: 51,527 (37.9% rifles)

25. Heritage Manufacturing

Jenniveve84 / iStock via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 20,757 (0.6% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): Rancher Carbine
  • Heritage rifle production location(s): Georgia
  • Heritage 2022 total domestic firearm production: 308,040 (6.7% rifles)

24. Colt’s Manufacturing

  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 20,832 (0.6% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): CBX, M5 Carbine, Magpul
  • Colt rifle production location(s): Connecticut
  • Colt 2022 total domestic firearm production: 158,797 (13.1% rifles)

23. IWI US, Inc

  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 21,140 (0.6% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): Carmel, Galil ACE, Zion-15, Tavor X95
  • IWI rifle production location(s): Pennsylvania
  • IWI 2022 total domestic firearm production: 49,122 (43.0% rifles)

22. Del-Ton, Inc.

Arkansas gun show gun shop | Gun wall rack with rifles and pistol.
artas / iStock via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 24,448 (0.7% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): Echo 316L, DT Scout, DT Sport, Sierra 316L
  • Del-Ton rifle production location(s): North Carolina
  • Del-Ton 2022 total domestic firearm production: 27,830 (87.8% rifles)

21. Bear Creek Arsenal LLC

TKN / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 27,914 (0.8% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): BC-15
  • Bear Creek Arsenal rifle production location(s): North Carolina
  • Bear Creek Arsenal 2022 total domestic firearm production: 29,541 (94.5% rifles)

20. American Tactical Inc.

American Tactical Imports Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 32,077 (0.9% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): TRX Bronco, Omni Hybrid Maxx
  • American Tactical rifle production location(s): South Carolina
  • American Tactical 2022 total domestic firearm production: 64,562 (49.7% rifles)

19. FN America, LLC

  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 35,144 (1.0% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): FN Scar, FN 15
  • FN America rifle production location(s): South Carolina
  • FN America 2022 total domestic firearm production: 138,595 (25.4% rifles)

18. Legacy Sports International

Thinkstock / Stockbyte via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 41,564 (1.2% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): Stalker, Elevate, Gamepro
  • Legacy Sports rifle production location(s): Nevada
  • Legacy Sports 2022 total domestic firearm production: 75,310 (55.2% rifles)

17. Century Arms Inc.

Bobbobarebob / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 43,146 (1.2% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): VSKA, BFT-47
  • Century Arms rifle production location(s): Vermont
  • Century Arms 2022 total domestic firearm production: 106,970 (40.3% rifles)

16. Strassells Machine Inc (High-Point)

Major Gun Show Held In Virginia
2016 Getty Images / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 45,900 (1.3% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): 995, 1095, 4095, 3895
  • High-Point rifle production location(s): Ohio
  • High-Point 2022 total domestic firearm production: 87,800 (52.3% rifles)

15. RemArms

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 48,697 (1.4% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): 700, 783
  • RemArms rifle production location(s): Georgia and New York
  • RemArms 2022 total domestic firearm production: 155,999 (31.2% rifles)

14. Keystone Sporting Arms

JackF / iStock via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 54,200 (1.5% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): Precision 6061, Precision Compact 722
  • Keystone Sporting Arms rifle production location(s): Pennsylvania
  • Keystone Sporting Arms 2022 total domestic firearm production: 60,269 (89.9% rifles)

13. TDJ Buyer, LLC

Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 60,270 (1.7% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): N/A
  • TDJ Buyer rifle production location(s): Utah
  • TDJ Buyer 2022 total domestic firearm production: 63,053 (95.6% rifles)

12. Daniel Defense LLC

Mitch Barrie / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 61,923 (1.7% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): Delta 5, DD4 RIII, MK12
  • Daniel Defense rifle production location(s): Georgia
  • Daniel Defense 2022 total domestic firearm production: 81,435 (76.0% rifles)

11. Kel Tec CNC Industries

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 69,874 (2.0% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): SU16, SUB2000, RFB
  • Kel Tec rifle production location(s): Florida
  • Kel Tec 2022 total domestic firearm production: 196,118 (35.6% rifles)

10. Maverick Arms, Inc. (Mossberg)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 74,309 (2.1% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): 715T, Patriot, MVP, 817
  • Maverick rifle production location(s): Connecticut and Texas
  • Maverick 2022 total domestic firearm production: 1,404,697 (5.3% rifles)

9. Diamondback Firearms LLC

Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 78,036 (2.2% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): DB10, DB9R
  • Diamondback rifle production location(s): Florida
  • Diamondback 2022 total domestic firearm production: 123,025 (63.4% rifles)

8. Palmetto State Armory, LLC

Kristover / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 101,358 (2.8% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): PA-15 M4 Carbine
  • Palmetto State Armory rifle production location(s): South Carolina
  • Palmetto State Armory 2022 total domestic firearm production: 551,448 (18.4% rifles)

7. Radical Firearms

Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 102,537 (2.9% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): RF-10
  • Radical rifle production location(s): Texas
  • Radical 2022 total domestic firearm production: 121,600 (84.3% rifles)

6. Smith & Wesson

Coldbolt / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 130,681 (3.7% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): M&P 15 Sport, Model 1854, Volunteer XV Pro, Response
  • S&W rifle production location(s): Massachusetts and Missouri
  • S&W 2022 total domestic firearm production: 973,994 (13.4% rifles)

5. Sig Sauer

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 144,329 (4.0% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): M400,MCX-Regulator, Cross Magnum
  • Sig Sauer rifle production location(s): New Hampshire
  • Sig Sauer 2022 total domestic firearm production: 2,346,752 (6.2% rifles)

4. Springfield Inc.

The National Rifle Association Holds Annual Convention in Indianapolis
2023 Getty Images / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 304,365 (8.5% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): Saint AR-15, SA-16, M1A
  • Springfield rifle production location(s): Illinios
  • Springfield 2022 total domestic firearm production: 562,466 (54.1% rifles)

3. Henry Repeating Arms

Picanox / Wikimedia Commons
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 334,805 (9.4% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): Frontier, Varmint Express, American Eagle, Golden Boy
  • Henry RAC rifle production location(s): New Jersey and Wisconsin
  • Henry RAC 2022 total domestic firearm production: 365,867 (91.5% rifles)

2. Savage Arms

Cory Charlton / 500px via Getty Images
  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 608,579 (17.0% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): AXIS, Mark II, 110, Hunter
  • Savage Arms rifle production location(s): Massachusetts
  • Savage Arms 2022 total domestic firearm production: 719,641 (84.6% rifles)

1. Sturm, Ruger & Company

  • Rifles manufactured domestically in 2022: 694,397 (19.4% of all U.S.-made rifles)
  • Popular rifle model(s): 10/22, Hawkeye, 77-Series, American, AR-556
  • Ruger rifle production location(s): Arizona, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and North Carolina
  • Ruger 2022 total domestic firearm production: 1,565,743 (44.3% rifles)

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