In today’s world, the arms industry is getting stronger each day, and competition is very high, so we decided to bring you the 6 biggest gun manufacturers in the world. The global arms market is expanding and advancing, forcing the smaller manufacturers to either cease the business or to merge with large corporate entities. Today we are exploring the strongest global gun manufacturers in the world. To own a gun today, it is necessary to obtain a valid license from the government or related agencies. If you’re dealing with this, you might be interested in our list of countries with the best gun laws in the world.
Arina P Habich/Shutterstock.com
Finding out who are the biggest gun manufacturers in the world is not any easy task. This kind of companies usually keep their financial and production data as a secret, and this is understandable. Nevertheless, browsing the Internet for hours, we have managed to find one article that has conducted the most thorough research, providing a list of 10 biggest gun producers in the world. Their list is based on the number of guns made for the US market in 2014, and since they have as well included the estimates of the global revenue in 2014 for those companies, we decided to take this factor into account as well and create a slightly different ranking. We combine those two factors and out of 10 companies we have listed 6 largest gun manufacturers in the world. Most of the gun brands you’ll see here, come as no surprise, as we have all heard of them, at least from James Bond, and Dirty Harry movies. Without further ado, we start our list with the 6th biggest gun producer, according to data we could find!
6. Beretta
Number of guns made for the US market in 2014: 463,000
Estimates of the global revenue in 2014: $596 million
The Italian company is nearly five hundred years old, which make it the company with the longest tradition on this list, and the same family owns the company from the start (in 1526). Many abroad sectors of the company worldwide supply the demanding goods for the firearms market; US factory is one of the largest. Global production of the Beretta company is around 1,500 guns a day, including assault rifles, shotguns, and semi-automatic firearms alongside handguns. The iconic Model 92 9mm is one of the most popular pieces in history, popularized by the movie industry.
5. Glock
Number of guns made for the US market in 2014: 794,000
Estimates of the global revenue in 2014: $400 million
From far 1963, the Austrian company provides the market with one of the finest pistols in the world. Iconic Glock 17 gained popularity because of its ruggedness and reliability, and its popularity brought around 2, 5 million sales a year for the company. Alongside the famous 17, there are other models coming from this company: the Glock 33, 18, 42, 19. The law enforcement agencies and security agencies worldwide often choose Glock 19 over others for its durability, easy maintenance, and ruggedness.
Rattanapon Ninlapoom/Shutterstock.com
4. Sig Sauer
Number of guns made for the US market in 2014: 678,000
Estimates of the global revenue in 2014: $500 million
It all began with a small Swiss wagon factory above the Rhine Falls in Switzerland, created by Friedrich Peyer im Hof, Heinrich Moser and Conrad Neher back in 1853. Less than 10 years afterward, the owners decided to take a chance and form another line of business. Soon after, this turned out to be a good move, as Swiss Wagon Factory was awarded for Prelaz-Burnand rifle. The name was changed to the Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft (Swiss Industrial Company), or just SIG. Much later they have decided to further expand their market share, and they have set their eye on the US. Hence, in 1985 SIGARMS was created in Virginia. And now, some 160 years later, Sig Sauer, once a small wagon factory, is one of the biggest gun manufacturers in the world!
Kreangkrai Indarodom/Shutterstock.com
3. Smith & Wesson
Number of guns made for the US market in 2014: 1.31 million
Estimates of the global revenue in 2014: $552 million
This corporation was founded in 1852 in Massachusetts by Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson. After the civil war, the company quickly became #1 in the US and started to expand in the worldwide market. Many iconic models were produced by Smith & Wesson, like the Model 29, and 44 Magnum, the famous weapon of choice for Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry movies franchise.
2. Sturm, Ruger & Co
Number of guns made for the US market in 2014: 1.64 million
Estimates of the global revenue in 2014: $551 million
This company is not only among the largest firearm manufacturers in the world, but it is also very dominant in the sporting market. It is famous for its Ramfire rifles accessible in two calibers – .17 and .22 that are often described as quick and accurate. Sturm, Ruger & Co, more known as simply – Ruger, offers more than 400 variations of 30 different firearm products, some of which are award-winning products, such as SR9c®, LCP®, and the Gunsite Scout Rifle, to name a few. Their motto is:
“Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens®”
Zorandim/Shutterstock.com
1. Remington Outdoor
Number of guns made for the US market in 2014: 1.47 million
Estimates of the global revenue in 2014: $939 million
The second oldest company on this list with a tradition long 200 years, and the oldest in America is also the biggest gun manufacturer in the world. It all started back in 1816 when Eliphalet Remington II forged his first rifle barrel. The rest is history. Kidding aside, this company has come a long way to become what it is today. Their two models – Model 700 and Model 870 are among the best selling firearms of all time, which also says a lot about the Remington Outdoor’s dominance in the firearm production world.
