Buzz
In the last 75 years, the landscape of warfare has undergone significant transformations, largely driven by innovations in firearms. This article explores the weapons that have risen to prominence and the factors behind their widespread use. While precise production figures are hard to come by, mainly due to the proliferation of unlicensed firearms, we've compiled this list based on available data, with some estimates included to fill in the gaps.
10. M1911 3–5 million
The M1911 is a legendary pistol that has stood the test of time, with a legacy that stretches over a century. Created by the renowned John Browning at Colt, this iconic sidearm has seen more than 3 million official copies produced, though that number is likely an understatement. It was the standard-issue weapon for the U.S. military for 79 years, and its legacy continues today, particularly the 1926 model, the M1911A. This pistol has served forces around the world, from the Soviet Union (provided as wartime aid) to Nazi Germany (captured during battle), and continues to be used in countries as diverse as Haiti and Luxembourg.
Having appeared in 295 films, this firearm remains one of the most enduring and iconic engineering feats in firearm history.
9. MP5
Since its creation in 1966 in West Germany, the Heckler & Koch MP5 has been the weapon of choice for numerous law enforcement and special operations agencies worldwide. With more than 50 variants, it has dominated the small arms market for Special Forces and homeland security, and only recently has it faced competition from its successor, the UMP. Interestingly, the German Army chose not to adopt the MP5, instead licensing its competitor, the Israeli UZI submachine gun, likely due to economic factors.
The MP5's success is primarily due to Heckler & Koch’s clever adaptation of their G3 battle rifle, downsized for close-quarters combat and urban environments. It has become the most widely used firearm by Special Forces teams across the globe.
8. FAL 5–7 million
The FAL was a standard issue in every NATO country during the Cold War. Once hailed as “The right arm of the Free World,” this Belgian-made battle rifle has found its way into the hands of numerous militias and informal defense groups. Its widespread appeal stems from its accuracy, capable of firing accurately up to 600 meters, and its rapid automatic firing rate of up to 700 rounds per minute.
Regarded as the quintessential post-war battle rifle of the 20th century, the FAL has seen over 5 million official variants produced. Its users range from Filipino Islamic militants (MILF) to the British Army.
7. G3 Up to 8 million
Born in West Germany, the Heckler & Koch G3 emerged in the final years of World War II. One of the first rifles built to NATO specifications, alongside the FAL and AR-10, it played a key role in the arms race of the late 1950s as Western nations sought to arm themselves with an advanced battle rifle.
When the Bundeswehr (German army) adopted the G3 in 1959, its production ramped up significantly, with further development led by the Spanish company CETME. The G3's global distribution mirrors that of the AK-47, as post-Cold War surpluses flooded the world through private and government channels. This weapon has seen action in diverse conflicts, from the colonial war in Mozambique to Mexico's ongoing drug war.
6. UZI 2–10 million
The UZI gained its most iconic image in the hands of Tony Montana, mowing down gangsters in pastel suits along the Miami shoreline. First manufactured in 1951, the UZI became one of Israel’s most renowned exports. The Mini and Micro versions, developed in 1982 and 1983, are the most recognizable. This submachine gun has been adopted by the armed forces of over 90 countries and has found widespread use among special operations and security units.
The UZI, a direct competitor to the MP5, filled niches in the market that the MP5 couldn't address, being lightweight, concealable, and boasting a high rate of fire. This versatility has led to its production of around ten million units globally.
5. Remington Model 10–11 million
The Remington Model 870 is a pump-action shotgun produced by Remington Arms Company, LLC. It is widely popular for sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense and is used by law enforcement and military forces across the globe. The Model 870 was the fourth major design in Remington’s pump shotgun series, with over 10 million units produced since its introduction in 1951. Renowned for its ability to fire up to a 28 gauge cartridge and its cost-effectiveness, it’s a favorite among civilians and military personnel alike. The 870 is found in numerous U.S. government departments and is used in half of the nations within the G20 (though China’s use is unlicensed). It has also appeared in nearly 80 films. Notably, despite its global reach, it has not been a prominent weapon in major conflicts, with its use largely confined to sanctioned operations or non-combat scenarios.
4. Simonov SKS 5–15 million
The SKS, a semi-automatic carbine designed by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov in 1943, is known for its reliability, simplicity, and affordability. Initially produced in the Soviet Union, it was later exported and manufactured by numerous countries. Key features of the SKS include a permanently attached folding bayonet and a fixed hinged magazine. Although the SKS lacked select-fire functionality and had a ten-round magazine capacity, it was replaced in the Soviet Armed Forces by the AK-47 in the 1950s. Despite this, it remained in service with Soviet Border Troops, Internal Troops, and second-line army units for many years.
From 1945 to 1958, the SKS was manufactured at Tula Arsenal, followed by production at the Izhevsk Arsenal from 1953 to 1954, resulting in about 2.7 million units being produced in the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, millions more SKS rifles were built under license in China and other Eastern Bloc countries. The SKS became widely popular among insurgent forces globally as a lightweight and reliable weapon suitable for guerrilla warfare, despite its limitations. In the 1980s, many were sold in North America as civilian hunting and sporting rifles and remain popular today.
3. AK-47 40–150 million
A creation of Mikhail Kalashnikov, the Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947 is arguably the most iconic firearm in history. Designed by Kalashnikov after he observed firsthand the destructive power of German submachine guns and assault rifles like the MP40 and STG44, and recognized the Soviet Red Army's inadequacy in facing them. This realization led the Soviets to initiate a competition to design an assault rifle suited for the USSR's military forces.
Inspired by the brutal conditions of the Eastern Front, Kalashnikov designed a rifle that would be renowned for its unmatched reliability. Entering service in 1947 and fully adopted by the military in 1949, the AK-47 was first used in the Chinese Communist Revolution.
As the most unsurprising entry on this list, the AK-47 and its variants have been produced in staggering numbers, potentially as high as 150 million. This rifle even appears on the flag of Mozambique and became one of Russia and Ukraine's greatest exports after the Cold War. As arms dealer Yuri Orlov, portrayed by Nicolas Cage, famously put it: 'No one was lining up to buy their cars.'
2. Gewehr 98 20-100 million
The Gewehr 98, also known as the G98, Gew 98, or M98, is a German bolt-action rifle manufactured by Mauser. It uses a 5-round internal clip-loaded magazine and was the standard service rifle of the German army from 1898 to 1935, before being replaced by the shorter Karabiner 98k, which shared the same design. The Gewehr 98's action, utilizing a stripper clip, was an advancement in bolt-action technology and was later adopted by many nations, including the UK, Japan, and the U.S. It replaced the Gewehr 1888 as the primary German service rifle and saw its first combat during the Boxer Rebellion in China. It remained the main German infantry rifle throughout World War I and was also used by the Ottoman Empire and Nationalist Spain.
1. AR15 More than 8 million units sold
The AR-10, originally designed by Armalite in 1956, featured a groundbreaking selective-fire mechanism offering both semi-automatic and automatic modes. Despite its potential, the AR-10 failed to win over the U.S. military, falling short of becoming the standard infantry rifle. However, Armalite decided to produce 100 prototype models for arms dealer Samuel Cummings, who showcased them to international military forces to boost foreign sales. Cummings nearly secured a deal for 7,500 AR-10s with Nicaragua, but during an endurance test by General Anastasia Somoza, the rifle malfunctioned when the bolt sheared off and narrowly missed his head. The deal was immediately canceled, leaving Armalite in a precarious financial position.
Armalite's chief engineer, Eugene Stoner, shifted focus to developing fully automatic weapons to ensure the company's survival, leading to the creation of the AR-15. The design was quickly sold to Colt, who successfully marketed it to the U.S. military, resulting in its adoption as the M16 rifle. The M16 became a symbol of U.S. military power during the Vietnam War, eventually evolving into the modern M4 carbine used today.
