Some of the most iconic handguns in American gun culture are manufactured in other countries. James Bond’s signature gun, the Walther PPK, is a German-made gun that was initially designed for European police use. During the PPK’s import test into the American market, it was found to be too heavy to be in compliance with the Gun Control Act of 1968. As a result, the PPK/S — “S” stands for special — was created.
Gun manufacturing is a specialized industry that exists in a limited number of countries. The number of countries that can do it well (or cheap) enough to break into the American market is even fewer. In 2020, the U.S. imported 6.4 million firearms according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Handguns, a popular choice among gun owners due to their convenience and concealment, account for over 4 million of these imports. (Here is a look at the 10 countries Americans buy the most shotguns from.)
The countries on this list span three continents: Europe, South America, and Asia. Some countries host large and reputable gun manufacturers. Others, meanwhile, are home to lesser-known companies that American brands have outsourced manufacturing to. (Here is a look at the 25 most powerful handguns.)
24/7 Wall St. identified the countries Americans are buying the most handguns from by using data from the ATF’s National Firearms Commerce and Tracking Assessment report. The countries on this list are ranked by the number of handguns they exported to the U.S. from 2010 to 2020. These 10 countries account for 97% of all foreign-made handguns sold to the U.S. in that period.
Why This Matters
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24/7 is covering the firearm market so that you can better understand how it affects the United States economy. Guns and ammunition are a multi-billion dollar industry in America, totaling over 80 billion dollars in 2022. Importing a gun into the U.S. is an expensive process. In order to be a gun importer, fees must be paid to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Upon entry into the United States, gun retail creates jobs that stimulate local economies.
Scroll below to see where the best-selling handguns in America are made:
10. Belgium
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Belgium exported 203,401 handguns to the United States from 2010 to 2020. That translates to 0.7% of all imported handguns.
Handguns in Belgium
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- Popular handgun brand made in Belgium: FN Herstal
9. Argentina
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Argentina exported 595,150 handguns to the United States from 2010 to 2020. That translates to 2.0% of all imported handguns.
Handguns in Argentina
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- Popular handgun brand made in Argentina: Bersa
8. Philippines
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The Philippines exported 985,843 handguns to the United States from 2010 to 2020. That translates to 3.2% of all imported handguns.
Handguns in the Philippines
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- Popular handgun brands made in Philippines: Shooters Arms Manufacturing and Armscor
7. Turkey
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Turkey exported 1,093,740 handguns to the United States from 2010 to 2020. That translates to 3.6% of all imported handguns.
Handguns in Turkey
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- Popular handgun brands made in Turkey: Canik, Girsan, SAR, and Tisas
6. Czech Republic
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The Czech Republic exported 1,110,705 handguns to the United States from 2010 to 2020. That translates to 3.7% of all imported handguns.
Handguns in the Czech Republic
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- Popular handgun brands made in Czech Republic: CZ
5. Italy
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Italy exported 1,807,645 handguns to the United States from 2010 to 2020. That translates to 5.9% of all imported handguns.
Handguns in Italy
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- Popular handgun brand made in Italy: Beretta
4. Germany
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Germany exported 3,635,572 handguns to the United States from 2010 to 2020. That translates to 12.0% of all imported handguns.
Handguns in Germany
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- Popular handgun brands made in Germany: Heckler & Koch, SIG Sauer, and Walther
3. Croatia
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Croatia exported 3,973,984 handguns to the United States from 2010 to 2020. That translates to 13.1% of all imported handguns.
Handguns in Croatia
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- Popular handgun brand made in Croatia: HS Produkt (Springfield Armory Hellcat)
2. Brazil
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Brazil exported 6,051,110 handguns to the United States from 2010 to 2020. That translates to 19.9% of all imported handguns.
Handguns in Brazil
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- Popular handgun brand made in Brazil: Taurus
1. Austria
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Austria exported 9,953,808 handguns to the United States from 2010 to 2020. That translates to a whopping 32.7% of all imported handguns.
Handguns in Austria
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- Popular handgun brands made in Austria: Glock
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