Revealed: These Are The Most Popular Guns Ever Made in History

The use of guns dates back to the olden times. In 14th-century China, people utilized hand cannons as weapons. This practice rapidly spread toward the Western Hemisphere.   Europe’s matchlock modified battles. This mechanically fired gun decreased the necessity for close-quarters fighting. Firearms’ evolution continued, with some serving niche markets, while others became obsolete.

In this latest report by CEOWorld Magazine, readers will learn about the 50 famous guns of all time. The publication’s researchers consulted various sources to identify these weapons.   They gathered information about the firearms’ countries of origin and international gun sale estimates. CEOWorld Magazine’s list of the world’s 50 famous firearms ranks the weapons by approximated lifetime sales.

1. Kalashnikov AK-47 and its spin-offs
   The Kalashnikov AK-47 and its derivatives are the most popular firearm in this list by CEOWorld Magazine. The publication’s researchers discovered that the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle originated in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or Soviet Union, which is now Russia. About 150 million units of the ubiquitous firearm and its spin-offs have been sold to date.
2. Mauser Gewehr 98 and similar guns
   Approximately 102 million units of the Mauser Gewehr 98 and similar guns have been sold as of 2023 figures. This bolt-action rifle first appeared in Germany and was in service from 1898 to 1945.
3. Mosin-Nagant
   Russia is the Mosin-Nagant’s country of origin. Similar to the Mauser Gewehr 98, this firearm is a bolt-action rifle. An estimated 37 million units of the Mosin-Nagant gun have been sold to date.
4. AR-15, M4, M16, and their derivatives
   The AR-15, M4, M16, and their byproducts are among the most popular guns of all time. These powerful weapons originated in the United States.   Self-defense is assured with the AR-15, M4, M16, and their derivatives. Thus, about 20 million units of these semi-automatic and assault rifles have been sold.
5. Lee-Enfield  
   The Lee-Enfield is a bolt-action rifle that originated in the United Kingdom. It was the primary weapon of the British Empire and Commonwealth’s military forces during the 20th century’s first half. Approximately 17 million units of the Lee-Enfield gun have been sold as of 2023.
6. SKS
   The SKS is a semi-automatic rifle. It originated in the former Soviet Union, with its original name being Samozaryadny Karabin Sistemy Simonova. As among the world’s most preferred firearms, an estimated 15 million units of the SKS have been purchased by gun owners worldwide to date.
7. Mossberg 500
   Pump-action shotgun Mossberg 500 is a firearm that first appeared in the United States. It is quite famous, with an estimated 12 million units of it sold at the time of writing this list.
8. Remington 870
   The Remington 870 is a pump-action shotgun like the Mossberg 500. The United States is its country of origin. The Remington 870 is among the world-famous firearms and included in CEOWorld Magazine’s list. After all, a whopping 11 million units of this gun have been sold to date.
9. Marlin Model 60
   Roughly 11 million Marlin Model 60 firearms have been in gun owners’ possession as of 2023. This semi-automatic rifle hailed from the United States.
10. Makarov pistol
    The former Soviet Union is home to many of the world’s famous firearms. One of these guns is the Makarov pistol. About 10 million units of this semi-automatic handgun have been sold.
11. IMI Uzi   Israel is a producer of one of the world’s most popular guns: the IMI Uzi. This submachine gun has been in active service since 1950 and the Israeli Defense Forces were among its first users. Roughly 10 million units of the IMI Uzi have been sold to date.   This effective and functional gun has been used in many international wars, such as the Vietnam War in the 1960s, the Yom Kippur War in the 1970s, the Falklands War in the 1980s, the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s, and the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.
12. Glock   Among the world’s most preferred handguns is the Glock. This semi-automatic pistol originated in Austria. As of 2023, about 10 million units of Glock are in gun owners’ possession.
13. Arisaka Type 30, 38, and 99   Japan’s Arisaka Type 30, 38, and 99 are among the world’s famous weapons. The Arisaka is a bolt-action rifle with an estimated 10 million units sold to date.
14. M1 Garand   About 8.2 million units of the M1 Garand gun have been sold as of 2023 figures. This well-known semi-automatic rifle is a firearm that originated in the United States.
15. Heckler and Koch G3   German arms manufacturer Heckler and Koch developed the Heckler and Koch G3. This battle rifle has been sold to 8 million gun owners.
16. Winchester Model 1894   The Winchester Model 1894 is a lever-action rifle considered among the world’s most famous firearms. This American-made weapon was used in World War I and World War II and became one of the most popular hunting rifles. An estimated 7.5 million units of the Winchester Model 1894 gun have been sold as of 2023 figures.
17. Musket Model 1777   The Musket Model 1777 from France was in service to the French Army from 1777 to 1840. It was among the most common guns in Europe. About 7 million units of the Musket Model 1777 were sold.
18. FN FAL and its byproducts   Leading Belgian armaments manufacturer FN Herstal offers the FN FAL and its derivatives. This battle rifle is quite famous, with 7 million units sold to date.
19. M1, M2, and M3 Carbines   The United States is the exporter of M1, M2, and M3 carbines. These long guns are very popular and were present in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. About 6.5 million units of the M1, M2, and M3 carbines have been sold.
20. Type 63   Type 63 is an assault rifle that originated in China. It looks like the SKS and was used in several armed conflicts like the Vietnam War, the Salvadoran Civil War, and the Kosovo War. Roughly 6 million units of the Type 63 assault rifle are in circulation, as of 2023.
21. Smith and Wesson Model 10   The Smith and Wesson Model 10 is a revolver. The United States is its country of origin. As among the world’s most famous firearms, the Smith and Wesson Model 10 is a preferred choice, with approximately 6 million units sold, based on 2023 figures.
22. Ruger 10/22   The Ruger 10/22 is a semi-automatic rifle manufactured by American firearms maker Sturm, Ruger and Company. The Israel Defense Forces utilized this gun in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. About 6 million units of the Ruger 10/22 semi-automatic rifle have been purchased by gun owners from around the globe.
23. PPSh-41   Submachine gun PPSh-41 is included in the World’s 50 Famous Firearms list by CEOWorld Magazine. Roughly 6 million units of this firearm are in gun owners’ possession to date. The former Soviet Union is the PPSh-41 magazine-fed automatic carbine’s country of origin.
24. Marlin Model 336   An estimated 6 million units of the Marlin Model 336 are in circulation as of 2023. This lever-action rifle is an American firearm export and is currently manufactured by Ruger Firearms.
25. Walther PP and Walther PPK   The Walther PP and its most common variant, the Walther PPK, are semi-automatic pistols. They originated in Germany and are manufactured by firearm maker Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen. Approximately 5 million units of the Walther handgun have been sold to date.
26. M1911 and its imitations   The M1911 and its knock-offs are among the world’s most popular guns of all time. As a semi-automatic pistol, the M1911 is among the most preferred. An estimated 5 million units of this American firearm have been sold as of 2023.
27. Sten gun   The Sten gun is a British firearm product. This submachine gun was used by the Commonwealth and British military forces throughout the Second World War. The Sten gun is quite a popular choice, with 4.5 million units of it in circulation at the time of writing this article.
28. Carcano Modello 1891   Italy manufactures long guns, and one of them is the Carcano Modello 1891. This bolt-action rifle was employed in many wars, including the First World War, the Second World War, and the Kosovo War. An estimated 4.5 million units of the Carcano Modello 1891 weapon have been sold to date.
29. British Land Pattern Musket or “Brown Bess”   Similar to France, the United Kingdom also produced muskets. One of the popular ones is the British Land Pattern Musket or “Brown Bess,” which was in service to the British Army from 1722 to 1867. About 4.3 million units of this colonial-era gun were sold to gun owners.
30. Ruger Blackhawk, Vaquero, and Single-Six   Revolvers are quite popular firearm choices, and the most famous are the Ruger Blackhawk, Vaquero, and Single-Six guns. Approximately 4 million units of these American-made weapons have been sold as of 2023.
31. Remington Model 1100   The Remington Model 1100 is a gas-operated firearm manufactured in the United States. About 4 million units of this semi-automatic shotgun have been sold to date, making it one of the most preferred guns on the market.
32. Mannlicher M1895   The Mannlicher M1895 is one of the obsolete guns in this list of the World’s 50 Famous Firearms by CEOWorld Magazine. This bolt-action rifle is one of the most popular, with 3.5 million units sold. The Mannlicher M1895 was a product of the former Austria-Hungary and was in service from 1895 to 1918 in Austria-Hungary and from 1895 to 1949 in other countries.
33. Lebel Model 1886   The Lebel Model 1886 is among the France-made firearms in this roster. This bolt-action rifle is among the world’s famous, with an estimated 3.5 million units in gun owners’ possession based on 2023 figures. The Lebel Model 1886 rifle was employed in World War I and World War II, among many other international armed conflicts.
34. Beretta 92   The Beretta 92 has been available for use since 1976. This semi-automatic pistol hails from Italy. With 3.5 million units sold to date, the Beretta 92 is among the world’s most recommended handguns.
35. Berdan M1870   The Berdan M1870 is a service rifle that originated in Russia. This single-shot, bolt-action rifle was in service from 1870 to 1895. About 3.2 million units of the Berdan M1870 were sold.
36. M1903 Springfield   The M1903 Springfield gun was among the famous weapons produced in the United States. Approximately 3 million units of this bolt-action rifle were sold. The M1903 Springfield firearm was employed as the standard US service rifle from 1903 to 1936, and as a US Army sniper rifle from 1936 to the 1970s.
37. Ruger Standard   The Ruger Standard is a semi-automatic pistol manufactured in the United States. This handgun is among the most preferred weapons, with an estimated 3 million units of it sold as of 2023.
38. QBZ-95   Like the Type 63 assault rifle, the QBZ-95 is a firearm product of China. This assault rifle is also known as the Type 95 automatic rifle with roughly 3 million units sold to date.
39. Nagant M1895   The Nagant M1895 is a revolver primarily manufactured in Russia. An estimated 3 million units of this firearm are in circulation, per 2023 figures, making it qualify in this list of the World’s 50 Famous Firearms by CEOWorld Magazine.
40. Luger Parabellum   The Luger Parabellum is one of the discontinued guns in this list, yet it is among the world’s most popular. This semi-automatic pistol originating in Germany was in service from the early 1900s to the 1970s. About 3 million units of the Luger Parabellum were sold.
41. M2 Browning   The M2 Browning is a heavy machine gun manufactured in the United States. Approximately 3 million units of this weapon have been sold to date. Since the 1930s, the M2 Browning has been extensively utilized in America as a vehicle firearm and for aircraft armament.   World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan are among the international battles where this heavy machine gun was employed.
42. Browning Auto-5   The Browning Auto-5 is a semi-automatic shotgun made in the United States. Its production started in 1902 and lasted until 1998. An estimated 3 million units of it were sold. The Browning Auto-5 was in service from 1905 to 1975.
43. Gewehr 1888   The Gewehr 88 is a bolt-action rifle from Germany. About 2.8 million units of this late 19th-century firearm were sold from its launch in 1888 to its final year of production in 1899. The Gewehr 1888 was in service from 1888 to 1945.
44. Remington Woodsmaster Models 740, 742, and 7400   The Remington Woodsmaster Models 740, 742, and 7400 are semi-automatic rifles made in the United States. The Remington Woodsmaster Model 740 was produced from 1955 to 1960, while the 742 was from 1960 to 1980.  The Remington Model 7400’s production was from 1981 to 2004. An estimated 2.5 million units of these guns were sold.
45. Fusil Modèle 1874 or Gras   The Fusil Modèle 1874, also known as Gras, is an antiquated gun made in France. It is a single-shot, bolt-action rifle. The Fusil Modèle 1874 was in service from 1874 to 1940. Roughly 2.5 million units of it were sold.
46. M14   The M14 gun is a battle rifle popularly employed by the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Army for Basic and Advanced Individual Training around the 1960s and 1970s. An estimated 2.38 million units of this United States-made firearm have been in circulation, per 2023 figures.
47. Marlin Models 1891, 1892, 1897, and 1939   The Marlin Model is a very famous choice in terms of firearms, particularly its four editions: 1891, 1892, 1897, and 1939. This lever-action rifle was first seen in the United States where it is mainly manufactured. About 2.2 million units of the Marlin gun have been sold to date.
48. Winchester Models 1900 and 68   The Winchester Model 1900 is a single-shot, bolt-action rifle made in the United States. It is as popular as the Winchester Model 68, which is an obsolete gun available from 1934 to 1945 as a single-shot, bolt-action rimfire rifle with .22 caliber. Approximately 2 million units of these Winchester rifles have been sold, per 2023 figures.
49. Winchester Models 1912 and 1942   The Winchester Models 1912 and 1942 are pump-action shotguns that hailed from the United States. They are as well-known as the other Winchester firearms, with roughly 2 million units sold.
50. Winchester Model 1892   The Winchester Model 1892 was produced in the United States from 1892 to 1945. This lever-action rifle is among the most famous firearms, with an estimated 2 million units sold as of 2023.

The guns in this list of the World’s 50 Famous Firearms by CEOWorld Magazine feature weapons made in various countries. The majority of them hailed from the United States.   Readers will discover that these powerful guns are the most popular due to their tremendous usefulness for various purposes and handy design, although some of them are not used anymore as of 2023, such as the Mauser Gewehr 98, the British Land Pattern Musket or “Brown Bess,” and the Mannlicher M1895.

Millions of units of these weapons were sold and continue to be sold, particularly those that are still used in service. Moreover, the firearms in this list have historical importance as they were employed by military troops in various wars, including the First World War and the Second World War.   In 2017, a billion units of firearms were recorded to be in circulation. Based on the Small Arms Survey, civilians are the predominant gun owners.   In recent times, approximately 393 million firearms have been recorded in the United States, which accounts for more than one-third of the international total. These numbers indicate that Americans are the world’s most armed populace.

Guns will continue to be used in the coming years due to various reasons such as international armed conflicts and people’s innate desire for security. Learning about the most famous guns via this article by CEOWorld Magazine helps readers know more about the relevant and effective weapons civilians and the armed forces alike can use for their and their countries’ protection.