The Top-Selling Gun of All Time

What is the top-selling gun of all time?

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 U.S. military.)

In the information that follows, guns are 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

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.

50. Winchester Model 1892

The Winchester Model 1892 sold approximately 2,000,000 units. This Lever-action rifle originated in the United States.

49. Winchester Model 1912/1942

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

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

The Marlin Model 1891/1892/1897/1939 sold approximately 2,200,000 units. This Lever-action rifle originated in the United States.

46. M14

The M14 sold approximately 2,380,000 units. This Battle rifle originated in the United States.

45. Fusil Gras mle 1874

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

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

The Gewehr 1888 sold approximately 2,800,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in Germany.

42. Browning Auto-5

The Browning Auto-5 sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic shotgun originated in the United States.

41. Browning M2

The Browning M2 sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Heavy machine gun originated in the United States.

40. Luger Parabellum

The Luger Parabellum sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in Germany.

39. Nagant M1895

The Nagant M1895 sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Revolver originated in Russia.

38. QBZ-95

The QBZ-95 sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Assault rifle originated in China.

37. Ruger Standard

The Ruger Standard sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in the United States.

36. Springfield M1903

The Springfield M1903 sold approximately 3,000,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in the United States.

35. Berdan M1870

The Berdan M1870 sold approximately 3,200,000 units. This Single-shot bolt-action rifle originated in Russia.

34. Beretta 92

The Beretta 92 sold approximately 3,500,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in Italy.

33. Lebel Model 1886

The Lebel Model 1886 sold approximately 3,500,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in France.

32. Mannlicher M1895

The Mannlicher M1895 sold approximately 3,500,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in Austria-Hungary.

31. Remington Model 1100

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

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

The ‘Brown Bess’ Land Pattern Musket sold approximately 4,300,000 units. This Musket originated in the United Kingdom.

28. Carcano Modello 1891

The Carcano Modello 1891 sold approximately 4,500,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in Italy.

27. STEN gun

The STEN gun sold approximately 4,500,000 units. This Submachine gun originated in the United Kingdom.

26. M1911 (and copies)

The M1911 (and copies) sold approximately 5,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in the United States.

25. Walther PP/PPK

The Walther PP/PPK sold approximately 5,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in Weimar Republic Germany.

24. Marlin Model 336

The Marlin Model 336 sold approximately 6,000,000 units. This Lever-action rifle originated in the United States.

23. PPSh-41

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

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

The M1/M2/M3 Carbine sold approximately 6,500,000 units. This Carbine originated in the United States.

18. FN FAL (and derivatives)

The FN FAL (and derivatives) sold approximately 7,000,000 units. This Battle rifle originated in Belgium.

17. Musket Model 1777

The Musket Model 1777 sold approximately 7,000,000 units. This Musket originated in France.

16. Winchester Model 1894

The Winchester Model 1894 sold approximately 7,500,000 units. This Lever-action rifle originated in the United States.

15. Heckler & Koch G3

The Heckler & Koch G3 sold approximately 8,000,000 units. This Battle rifle originated in Germany.

14. M1 Garand

The M1 Garand sold approximately 8,200,000 units. This Semi-automatic rifle originated in the United States.

13. Arisaka Type 30/38/99

The Arisaka Type 30/38/99 sold approximately 10,000,000 units. This Bolt-action rifle originated in Japan.

12. Glock

The Glock sold approximately 10,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in Austria.

11. IMI Uzi

The IMI Uzi sold approximately 10,000,000 units. This Submachine gun originated in Israel.

10. Makarov pistol

The Makarov pistol sold approximately 10,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic pistol originated in the Soviet Union.

9. Marlin Model 60

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

The Mossberg 500 sold approximately 12,000,000 units. This Pump-action shotgun originated in the United States.

6. SKS

The SKS sold approximately 15,000,000 units. This Semi-automatic rifle originated in the Soviet Union.

5. Lee-Enfield

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

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)

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)

The Kalashnikov AK-47 (and derivatives) sold approximately 150,000,000 units. This Assault rifle originated in the Soviet Union.

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