History has seen dozens of popular firearm models, but what is the most produced gun of all time? We’ll take a look at the 25 most manufactured gun platforms and find out which firearm family comes out on top.

The Luger pistol, a worthy runner-up on our most produced gun list.

Most of the gun models on this list have seen numerous updates, iterations, and licensed variants over the decades, as well as copies and derivatives throughout their production life which makes defining a platform somewhat subjective. The production numbers for our most manufactured firearm selections are based on a platform’s shared mechanical heritage. Click on the images and videos throughout this article to learn more about each gun model.

25) Sten Gun (4 million+)

According to Americanrifleman.org, over 4 million Sten guns were made across numerous variants, with the Sten Mk. II accounting for nearly half that number. Assembled at nine different facilities, the stamped steel British SMG could be manufactured for a mere 10 dollars, less than one-seventh the price of a WW2-era Thompson submachine gun, contributing to the Sten's status as one of the most manufactured gun models of the era.

The British Sten became one of the most produced gun models of WW2 and the second most produced submachine gun of the war behind the Russian PPSh-41.

24) 1911 Pistol (4.3 million+)

Gun collectors won't be surprised to find John Moses Browning's iconic 1911 on any best selling handgun list. Even after more than a century, the 1911 platform remains one of the top handguns in America and a favorite around the world. According to Browning Firearms, over 3 million 1911 pistols were produced for the U.S. military alone during the famed firearm's more than six-decade reign as America's official military sidearm. When accounting for civilian models, licensed copies, and unofficial clones, some estimates place production numbers for the 1911 platform in excess of 4.3 million, earning the model a worthy nod as one of the most sold pistols in the world.

The legendary 1911 pistol, one of the most produced gun models of all time.

23) Remington Model 700 (5 million+)

According to Remington, their Model 700 is “the number one bolt-action of all time.” A subjective boast to be sure, but there's no question that the Model 700 is one of the most produced rifle platforms in American history. In a 2013 legal case, experts noted that Remington had produced more than 5 million Model 700 rifles and its Model 721 and Model 722 predecessors since 1948, and the reliable bolt action platform continues to enjoy strong sales today.

An exceptional example of one of the most produced gun models of its genre, an engraved Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation commemorative Remington Model 700 Custom "C" grade bolt action sporting rifle.

22) Walther PP/PPK (5 million+)

Any discussion of most sold pistol in the world is bound to include the Walther PP series as a top contender. Developed by German manufacturer Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen in 1929, the company introduced the first PPK variant two years later, and the pistol’s popularity soared. Today, the series includes the PPK, PPK/S, and PPK/E models and is manufactured in Germany, France, and the United States, with over 5 million pistols produced to date.

A WW2 Walther factory presentation Model PPK, a rare and extraordinary example of one of the most produced firearm platforms of the 20th century.

21) M1 Garand (5.5 million+)

According to The Garand Collectors Association, more than 4 million M1 Garand rifles were manufactured by the end of WW2, while “1,500,000 new M1’s were produced in the 1952 – 1957 period.” The companies contracted to make the M1 Garand, including Springfield Armory, Winchester, International Harvester, and Harrington and Richardson, used non-consecutive serial number production runs that didn’t always fill out the full range. The exact serial number ranges can be viewed here.

Variants like the M1C and M1D were produced in comparatively modest numbers (12,767 and 21,380), with a limited run of about 22,000 new M1 Garand rifles manufactured by Springfield Armory in 2001. More than 5.5 million M1 Garands were made in total, making the iconic American weapon one of the most produced rifle models of the WW2 and Korean War era.

20) PPSh-41 (Nearly 6 million)

Over five million PPSh-41 submachine guns were manufactured by the Soviets during WW2. These numbers alone would make the deadly Russian SMG one of the most produced guns of all time, but additional variants and iterations push that number even higher, with some estimating the PPsh-41 reached nearly 6 million manufactured across all models. PPSh-41 examples produced outside of the Soviet Union include China’s Type 50, Hungary’s Model 28, Iran’s Model 22, Yugoslavia’s  M49, North Korea’s Type 49, and North Vietnam’s K-50M.

One of the most manufactured gun models of late WW2, the PPSh-41 was cheaper to make and faster to produce than its PPD-40 predecessor.

19) Smith & Wesson Model 10 (6 million+)

On their Model 10 revolver, Smith & Wesson writes that, “over six million units have been produced since 1899.” Known by numerous designations, including the S&W.38 Hand Ejector, the S&W Military & Police, and the Smith & Wesson Victory Model, this iconic revolver became one of the most produced gun platforms of the 20th century and was once cited by the FBI as the best selling handgun in America.

The Smith & Wesson Model 10, one of the top handguns in America.

18) Makarov Pistol (6 million+)

According to 2016’s ‘The Makarov Pistol: Soviet Union and East Germany’ by Henry C. Brown and Cameron S. White, more than five million Pistolét Makárovas had been produced by the Soviet Union and Russian Federation by 2002, with the pistol still manufactured today for civilian, police, and export sales. Combine this impressive figure with additional variants of the Makarov pistol manufactured by Germany, Bulgaria, and China, and you have total production numbers that some sources estimate could reach well over 6 million units.

One of the most produced guns in recent memory, and a high-ranking contender for most sold pistol in the world, the Makarov pistol.

17) M1 Carbine (6.5 million)

With nearly 5.9 million manufactured, the M1 Carbine became one of the most produced firearms of WW2. Ten companies were contracted to manufacture the M1 carbines, with over 2.5 million produced by the Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors alone. When including the more than 140,000 M1A1 carbine variants, the 500,000 M2 carbines, 3,000 M3 carbines, and the 811 M3(T3) carbines, the production total for the M1 carbine platform climbs to more than 6.5 million.

The M1 Carbine, America’s most produced gun model of WW2.

16) FN FAL (7 million)

Debuting in 1950, the FN FAL earned the nickname “right arm of the free world” for its status as NATO’s Cold War battle rifle of choice and became one of the most produced firearms of the era. As noted by NRA Museums Director Philip Schreier, the Belgium FN FAL and its derivatives have seen “seven million rifles produced and in use/adopted by 90 different countries around the globe.”

The FN FAL, one of the most produced rifle models of all time.

15) Musket Model 1777 (7 million+)

According to the UK's ‘Age of Revolution' project, an educational resource focused on the Battle of Waterloo and the period of revolution in Europe between 1775 and 1848, “Seven million Mle 1777 muskets were made by different makers between 1777 and 1843.” Often dubbed the “Charlesville musket” for its design origin at the Royal Arsenal at Charlesville, the Model 1777 was a French standard infantry musket that had a profound influence on arms making across Europe and in the United States during the first half of the 19th century and became the most produced gun of its era.

14) Ruger 10/22 (7 million+)

Since its introduction in 1964, Sturm, Ruger & Company has made well over 7 million Ruger 10/22s. As Ruger proudly advertises, the 10/22 is “a favorite of small bore hunters, competitive shooters and target shooters everywhere.” Approaching 60 years of continuous production, it’s no surprise that this popular semiautomatic carbine has become not only one of the most common guns in the U.S. but the second most produced rimfire gun of all time.

Three examples of the Ruger 10/22, one of the most produced gun models of all time.

13) Arisaka Type 38/99 (7.16 million)

The Arisaka Type 38 and its Type 99 sibling chambered in the larger 7.7mm cartridge was Japan’s most produced rifle platform during WW2. According to author Bill Harrimann’s ‘The Arisaka Rifle,’ nearly 3.6 million Type 38 rifles were manufactured. John Walther's ‘Rifles of the World’ estimates 3.5 million Type 99 rifles were produced. When combined with variants like the 38,200 Type 35 rifles, 21,200 TERA type 2 paratrooper rifles, and 22,500 Type 97 sniper rifles manufactured, the platform’s production total exceeded 7.16 million.

A Nagoya Arsenal Type 99 sniper rifle, an example of one of the most produced gun platforms of the WW2 era.

12) Winchester Model 1894 (7.5 million+)

John Browning’s classic Winchester Model 94 is unquestionably one of the most produced guns of all time, evidenced by the millions of examples found on gun racks across America. According to Turnbull Restoration, more than 7.5 million of these sturdy lever guns have been manufactured since Winchester introduced the model in 1894, and many a hunter continues to field these timeless rifles today.

The Winchester Model 94, one of the most common guns in the U.S., past and present.

11) Heckler & Koch G3 (7.8 million)

According to N.R. Jenzen-Jones, an author, historian, Director of Armament Research Services (ARES), and the Editor of ‘Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms,’ an estimated 7.8 million examples of the Heckler & Koch G3 have been manufactured, placing the platform behind only the AK-47 and the AR-15 as the most produced self-loading service rifles in the world. Introduced in 1959, the German G3 rifle was widely exported around the globe and continues to see service today in more than 60 countries.

A scarce factory original G3 selective fire rifle, one of the most produced firearms in recent history, sold for $26,438 in RIAC's December 2024 Premier Auction.

10) Marlin Model 60 (11 million+)

Marlin originally billed the Model 60 as “the most popular 22 in the world,” a slogan that proved prophetic over the years for this tube-fed semi-auto rifle. Introduced in 1960, well over 11 million of these quintessential rifles have been manufactured, a testament to the gun’s resiliency and ease of use. Though the Model 60 is currently out of production, it continues to rank high on the list of most common guns in the U.S. and earns a respectable place on our list of most produced guns of all time.

9) Remington 870 (11 million+)

Few firearms have stood the test of time like the Remington 870. Introduced in 1950, millions of 870s have rolled off the production line in Ilion, New York, and the adaptable shotgun continues to sell with models like the recently introduced Remington 870 Fieldmaster. With “over 11 million made,” according to Remington, one would be forgiven for thinking the sturdy 870 was the most produced shotgun of all time, but our next contender would beg to differ.

8) Mossberg 500 (12 million+)

“Without question, the 500 is the most versatile shotgun platform available on the market,” Mossberg touts on their webpage, adding, “no wonder that over 12 million have been sold.” There’s no debating that the Mossberg 500 series has retained a top spot in the pump shotty market since its introduction in 1961. With a production run of more than 12 million, the Mossberg 500 earns the title of the most produced shotgun in history.

The Mossberg Model 500, one of the most produced firearm models in history.

7) SKS (15 million+)

Few firearm fans will be surprised to find the SKS on our list of most produced guns. Americanrifleman.org estimates that over 15 million SKS rifles and carbines have been made across countless manufacturers and variations. The prolific design was invented by Russian Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov in 1943 and saw about 2.7 million units produced by the Soviet Union. Yugoslavia, Romania, Albania, North Vietnam, North Korea, and East Germany would go on to manufacture their own SKS variants, but China became far and away the largest producer of the platform with over 10 million made.

An East German SKS rifle with 7th Army Vietnam War capture papers, a rare example of one of the most produced gun platforms in existence.

6) Lee-Enfield (17 million)

In ‘The Lee–Enfield Story,’ author Ian Skennerton writes that up to 17 million examples of the British-designed bolt action rifle were produced across all variants after its introduction in 1895. From the Second Boer War in 1899 to the Korean War, the Lee-Enfield served as an infantry standard across the British Empire and still sees limited service with Commonwealth police forces today. Though the Lee-Enfield is inarguably one of the most produced guns of all time, there are five contenders ahead of this longstanding British bolt action.

5) Glock Pistol (21 million+)

“In 2020, we reached over 20 million handguns sold globally,” Gaston Glock wrote in his company’s 2021 annual report. With an estimated 1 million-plus Glocks sold in the USA each year, the pistol family’s total production number is likely closer to 22 million or more today, making it the best selling handgun platform of all time. The polymer-framed, striker-fired Glock is currently the most sold pistol platform in the world and enjoys a substantial share of both the American law enforcement and civilian markets.

The Glock family, the best selling handgun in the world today.

4) AR-15/M16 (28 million+)

In 2011's ‘The M16’ by Gordon L. Rottman, the author estimates over 8 million M16 variants have been produced since Colt began making Eugene Stoner’s design in 1961. Colt marketed the semi-automatic version of the M16 to the civilian market in 1964 as the SP1 Model AR-15 Sporter, and over the next five decades the platform became one of the most produced rifle models in America.

By 2020, the National Shooting Sports Federation estimated there were 19.8 million AR-15 rifles in circulation. The COVID-19 pandemic saw a sales spike that pushed this number even higher, with some estimates placing production numbers for the platform closer to 23 million. Even a conservative estimate of these impressive figures earns the AR-15/M16 family a top spot on the list of most produced firearms.

The AR-15 ranks among the most common guns in the U.S. and places high on the list of most produced firearms of all time.

3) Mosin-Nagant (37 million+)

In ‘The Mosin-Nagant Rifle,’ author Bill Harriman estimates that over 37 million Mosin Nagant rifles were produced since the Russian bolt action’s introduction in 1891 as the M91/30. Manufacturers were numerous, with the Soviets producing the Mosin at Tula, Izhevsk, and Sestroryetsk, while over three million more rifles were manufactured in America with Remington and Westinghouse alone. France, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Romania, China, and a multitude of other nations manufactured variants of the mighty Mosin over the years, making the platform one of the most produced guns in history.

With tens of millions manufactured, the Mosin-Nagant platform earns a top spot on our most produced gun list.

2) AK-47 (76 million+)

What is the most produced gun in the world? If you guessed the AK-47, you wouldn’t be far off the mark. “At least 76 million AK-type rifles, including variants, copies, and derivatives, have been produced to date,” according to author and small arms historian N.R. Jenzen-Jones.

In his January 2017 paper for 'Small Arms Survey', 'Global Development and Production of Self-loading Service Rifles: 1896 to the Present,' Jenzen-Jones writes that his 76 million AK-47 production estimate, “largely agrees with several other sources, including Walter (2006; estimate of 70 million), Kalashnikov and Joly (2006; 60–80 million), Rottman (2011; 75 million), and primary Russian Federation small arms manufacturer Kalashnikov Concern’s own estimate of ‘more than 70 million Kalashnikovs’ (Johnson, 2015).”

Such impressive production numbers make the AK-47 a strong candidate for the most produced firearm of all time. Only one platform comes anywhere close to these lofty figures, a classic bolt action that helped conquer the world.

A Chinese AK-47 manufactured in the early 1960s, one of over 76 million examples of the most produced rifle in recent history.

1) Mauser Model 98 (100 million+)

In ‘Mauser Military Rifles of the World,’ author Robert W.D. Ball writes that the Mauser 98 was “the world’s most popular rifle; 30 countries used it, and 100 million units were manufactured between 1898-1945, during which it was employed in both world wars by the German Army.” In the May 2010 issue of ‘WWII History Magazine,’ author Blaine Taylor observes that another estimate places that number at “an astounding 102 million.”

With the numerous licensed versions of the platform manufactured alongside countless clones and derivatives, the classic German-born bolt action rifle earns the title of most produced gun in history.

What is the most produced gun in the world? The Mauser Model 98 reigns supreme!

Most Produced Guns and More

Numerous other firearm platforms like the Remington Model 1100 (4 million), Marlin Model 336 (3.5 million), and Luger pistol (3 million) deserve honorable mentions as close contenders on our list of 25 most produced guns, while other popular models like the Colt Single Action Army and Winchester Model 1897 shotgun earn a nod for their profound impact on generations of firearms to follow.

The famous M2 machine gun, another popular runner-up for the most produced gun of all time.

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