Whether they’re being used for hunting, recreation, or combat on the front lines, guns are a notorious aspect of modern society. Some people love them, some people hate them, but you can’t deny that they’re a major part of modern society. In fact, for every 100 residents in the U.S., there are approximately 120.5 firearms.
With that in mind, it’s no wonder there are several large gun brands in the world. From handguns to rifles, they’re distributed widely and dominate the market. After all, not only are these brands owned by civilians, but also scattered throughout national militaries. That kind of influence is considerable.
So, what are the largest gun brands in the world today? To answer that, we’ve gathered a list of the top ten largest gun brands in the world, based on their 2019 revenue.
Smith Wesson
2021 Annual Revenue: $1.08 billion
Founded: 1852
As the most profitable and well-known gun brand around the world, Smith Wesson has a wide variety of guns under its banner. The brand was originally founded in 1852 in Springfield, MA, by co-founders Daniel B. Wesson and Horace Smith. So old that this brand was present amongst soldiers in the American Civil War.
Despite being an American brand, SW even expanded to have a market in Russia, where they’ve achieved significant success. In 2017 alone, the brand produced over 7,500,000 guns that were shipped locally and worldwide.
Over time, SW began to produce more rifles, revolvers, and pistols. Today, there are six gun variants produced by the brand, including Smith Wesson Model 1940 Light Rifle, Smith Wesson Bodyguard 380 Semiautomatic Pistol, Smith Wesson Governor Revolver, Smith Wesson X-Frame Centerfire Revolvers, and Smith Wesson Performance Center Revolvers.
Find Smith Wesson Jobs Near Me
Remington Outdoor
2021 Annual Revenue: $865.1 million
Founded: 1816
Originally established as Remington Arms in 1816, today’s Remington Outdoor was acquired by Freedom Group and renamed in 2015. However, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s one of the oldest gun brands in America. So old that one of the first guns produced by the brand was their flintlock rifle.
Currently, Remington Outdoor is also one of the major contributors to the military, law enforcement, shooting sports, and hunting markets. There are several popular guns under its portfolios, such as the Remington RM380, Remington RP, Remington R51, Model 783, Model 700, and Model 1911 R1 CARRY.
Find Remington Outdoor company Jobs Near Me
Beretta
2019 Annual Revenue: $830.7 million
Founded: 1526
One of the oldest gun brands in the world, Beretta is an Italian brand founded in 1526. That’s nearly 500 years ago.
Today, Beretta is a subsidiary brand of its parent company, Beretta Holding, and operates in several countries. The brand produces semi-automatic pistols, machine pistols, revolvers, shotguns, sub-machine guns, carbines, rifles for the military, law enforcement, and civilians.
Beretta’s most iconic products include the M1915, Beretta 70 Series, Beretta Silver Pigeon, Beretta Mx4 Storm, Beretta Cheetah, Beretta M12 Series, Beretta Laramie, Beretta ARX 160, and the Beretta Model 1918.
Find Beretta Jobs Near Me
Sturm, Ruger Co.
2021 Annual Revenue: $731 million
Founded: 1949
Founded in 1949 by co-founders Alexander McCormick Sturm and William B. Ruger, Sturm, Ruger Co is another major gun brand manufactured in the United States. For instance, the brand achieved a net sales figure of $114.9 million in the third quarter of 2018 alone.
Sturm, Ruger Co. produces rimfire pistols, centerfire pistols, and single-action revolvers, shotguns, auto-loading rifles, and bolt-action rifles. Some of the brand’s most well-known guns include the Hawkeye M77, SR-762, Ruger Security-9, Ruger American Pistol, Bearcat, Blackhawk, and Single-Six.
Find Sturm, Ruger Co. Jobs Near Me
FNS
2019 Annual Revenue: $399.6 million
Founded: 1889
Established in 1889 by Henry Pieper, FN Herstal is a subsidiary of its parent company Herstal Group. This is the only Belgian gun brand on this list and is incredibly popular worldwide. For example, the brand is number one in terms of exporting military small-arms across Europe. Additionally, FN Herstal guns are sold in nearly 100 countries.
FN Herstal mainly manufactures rifles, handguns, submachine guns, machine guns, shotguns, and ammunition. Some of their most noteworthy products include the FN TPS, FN SLP, FN MAG, and MK 48 machine gun, FN BRG-15, FN Tactical Sport Rifle, FN Special Police Rifle, and Barracuda, Double Action multi-caliber revolver, and the FN Ballista.
Find FNS Jobs Near Me
Taurus International
2019 Revenue: $342.1 million
Founded: 1939
Taurus International is a subsidiary of the Brazilian Forjas Taurus, which is the largest Latin American gun brand in the world. The brand started with the Model 38101SO revolver, which was first manufactured in 1941. Over time, Taurus decided to dedicate more resources to the U.S. market, creating Taurus International in 1984.
Today, Taurus manufactures steel-frame pistols, polymer-frame pistols, revolvers, submachine guns, and rifles.
Some of their most well-known products include the Taurus CT G2 carbine, Taurus Model 689 6-shot .357 Magnum, Taurus Model 82 .38 Special, Taurus Model 617 .357 Magnum 7 shot revolver, Taurus Model 85 .38 Special, Taurus PT 915, and Taurus Millennium Series.
These guns are marketed to Brazilian civilians, military, and law enforcement, as well as shipped worldwide.
SIG Sauer
2021 Annual Revenue: $314.4 million
Founded: 1976
Founded in 1976, SIG Sauer is one of the newer gun brands on this list. However, that doesn’t detract from its success, innovation, and technological advances. The brand was formed in Germany when Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) and Sauer Sohn merged into one.
In modern times, SIG Sauer’s guns are used in militaries around the world. The brand encompasses airguns, rifles, pistols, and more. Some of its most notable products include the P220, P229, P938, 1911, P226, LEGION, SIG716, SIG MPX, TANGO6, WHISKEY5, SIG516, MCX VIRTUS, TREAD, P365, ARMED PRO, and SIGM400.
Find SIG Sauer Jobs Near Me
Heckler and Koch
2021 Annual Revenue: €290.21 million
Founded: 1948
Heckler and Koch produce guns for commercial, sporting, and military usage by specializing in innovative, durable, and safe weapon design.
The German brand was founded in 1948 by its co-founders Alex Seidel, Theodor Koch, and Edmund Heckler. While it controls a large portion of the market in Germany, it also sells a considerable amount of guns to the United States, France, and the United Kingdom.
Heckler and Koch manufacture handguns, pistols, assault rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, shotguns, grenade launchers, and submachine guns. The brand’s most well-known products are HK 43, HK 69, HK GMG, M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, HK P2000, HK45, G3, and HK PSG1. Many of these are used in the defense industry and sold to militaries worldwide.
Colt Defense
2021 Annual Revenue: $270.9 million
Founded: 1846
Another older gun brand, Colt Defense, is an American brand established in 1846. The brand mainly sells its products to the military but also has products for recreational and self-defense purposes. It was actually the most prominent weapons supplier for the U.S. Army from its conception through WWI.
Today, Colt Defense manufactures, markets, and develops revolvers, pistols, long guns, carbines, submachine guns, infantry automatic rifles, and grenade launchers. Some of its most noteworthy products include the M4 Carbine, C8 Carbines, M4 Commandos, C7 Rifles, and the M203 Grenade launcher.
Find Colt’s Manufacturing Jobs Near Me
Springfield Armory, Inc.
2021 Annual Revenue: $63.9 million
Founded: 1974
Created in 1974 to renew the famous Springfield Army brand, today’s Springfield Armory, Inc. is strong globally. Its products are critically acclaimed, seeing as the brand has received the American Rifleman’s Golden Bullseye award at National Rifle Association four times in a row.
Springfield Armory’s weapons are used by the military, law enforcement, and civilians, though the brand does focus heavily on the defense industry. Springfield Armory generally specializes in rifles and handguns. Some of its most well-known products include the Springfield Armory 911, Springfield Armory EMP, Springfield Armory M6 Scout, and the Springfield Armory P9.
Find Springfield Armory Jobs Near Me
2021 Annual Revenue: $38.1 million
Founded: 1919
Founded in 1919 by Oscar Fredrick Mossberg, this American brand ships its products worldwide and domestically. Mossberg is well known amongst gun brands for introducing several breakthrough designs. That includes their patent-pending Drop Push bolt design.
Mossberg mainly manufactures scopes, rifles, shotguns, and accessories.
These are commonly marketed to hunters or other civilians. Mossberg’s most well known products include: the Mossberg Plinkster, New Haven 600, Mossberg 185, Mossberg 100ATR, Mossberg 464, Model 44 .22 bolt-action rifle, Mossberg Brownie 4-shot, .22 derringer pistol and Mossberg 500 pump-action shotgun.
A majority of these guns are either made in New Haven, Connecticut, or Eagle Pass, Texas.
Savage Arms
2019 Annual Revenue: $30 million
Founded: 1894
Surprisingly, this brand was actually named after a person. Arther Savage founded Savage Arms in 1894. Currently, it’s a subsidiary of its parent company, Vista Outdoor. This brand is highly popular in the United States and has also branched out to have a division in Canada.
Savage Arms manufactures guns for hunters and civilians. The types of guns they make include shotguns, centerfire rifles, rimfire rifles, bolt-action rifles, and single-shot rifles.
Savage Arms’ most popular products are the AXIS II XP, 110 Hog Hunter, 110 Lightweight Storm, Rascal FV-SR, B17 F Left Hand, B22 F Compact, B17 Left Hand, 320 Security Ghost Ring, and the Stevens 320 Pump.
Find Savage Arms Jobs Near Me
Barrett Firearms
2021 Annual Revenue: $13.0 million
Founded: 1982
Yet another American gun brand, Barrett Firearms, was founded in 1982 by Ronnie G. Barrett. This brand mainly deals in the firearm industry, making guns for hunters and self-defense purposes.
Barrett Firearms designs and manufactures machine guns, semi-automatic rifles, optics, sniper rifles, and ammunition. Its main products include the .338 Lapua Magnum, Barrett Optical Ranging Systems, Barrett M240LW, Barrett M468, Barrett M82/M107, Barrett REC7, .50 BMG M33 Ball, Barrett XM109, Barrett M95, and the 416 Barrett.
