July 19, 1814 – January 10, 1862

Creator of Colt Manufacturing and the modern revolver action

Colt 1851 Navy, Colt Walker

Arguably the company’s most famous revolver was introduce after his death in 1873 the Colt Peacemaker

January 23, 1855 – November 26, 1926

Inventor of such guns as the M2 Heavy Machine Gun, M1911 service pistol, and the Browning A-5, along with countless more

Inventor of such ammunition as .45ACP, .380ACP, .32ACP, .25ACP all still in use today

Arguably the most prolific firearms inventors of all time.

July 19, 1929 – December 27, 2023

Creator of Glock firearms manufacturing, and innovator of the modern polymer framed striker fired pistol.

Glock 17, Glock 19 etc.

His design in 1980 of the original Glock 17 (AKA: P80 introduced in 1982) is still the base line for most modern pistols today.

October 28, 1808 – January 15, 1893

Co-founder of Smith & Wesson and Volcanic Repeating Arms

Volcanic Rifle

His help in the design of the Volcanic rifle paved the way for modern lever action rifles and their tubular magazine. His legacy is continued through Smith&Wesson and Winchester Repeating Arms (aquired New Haven Arms previously Volcanic Repeating Arms)

May 18, 1825 – August 4, 1906

Co-founder of Smith & Wesson and Volcanic Repeating Arms

Volcanic Rifle, .38 Military & Police (model 10 in 1957)

He helped design the first repeating rifle, volcanic rifle, and helped design the first self contained cartidge revolver. His legacy is continued through Smith&Wesson, Dan Wesson (made by his grandson) and Winchester Repeating Arms (aquired New Haven Arms previously Volcanic Repeating Arms)

November 22, 1922 – April 24, 1997

Inventor of the gas impingement system and Co-founder ARES Incorporation.

AR-10, AR-15, Stoner 86, SR-25 (AKA MK 11) and many more

His work at Armalite and Knights Armament made serious strides in firearm design and make up the mass majority of firearms used by military, police and Civilians world wide today.

November 10, 1919 – December 23, 2013

Inventor of the AK-47, AKM, and RPK

His design of the AK-47 was influenced by the M1 Garand rifle and was put into service in 1947. This rifle later redesigned as the AKM to be cheaper to produce, has been the most prolific firearm in modern history. No other rifle is in more nations and even on a county’s flag (Mozambique).

June 27, 1838 – May 29, 1914

Founder of Gebr Mauser

Inventor of such guns as the C96 pistol, Gewehr 98 rifle and many more

Inventor of the 7.65x53mm Mauser and 7x57mm mauser rounds

He redesigned the bolt-action design and the Mauser action is still in use today for many bolt-action rifles.

March 6, 1849 – December 22, 1923

Inventor of the Luger pistol and the 9x19 parabellum cartridge

He is most known for the Luger pistol he also helped design the Borchardt C-93.

His biggest contribution to the Gospel of Firearms would have to be the cartridge he invented for the Luger pistol, the 9x19mm Parabellum round used in most handguns today.