Which gun designer made the largest contribution to the firearms world?

[richardraw316]

I was thinking it would be nice to have ourselves a debate on who is the greatest gun designer and why. Each of these men selected made a huge impact on the world with their designs. So ask you to pick the one you think made the biggest impact in firearms design.

 

[Birds Away]

Not even close.

 

[Bobby]

I voted for John Browning. 100 years later, the 1911 is still going strong with no signs of letting up.

P.S. I don't own one yet. Shot my first 1911 a sort time ago. Due to the ergonomics, fantastic SA trigger, and history behind them, they are the only ones that truly interest me now.

 

[Caleb]

Tag

 

[sgreen3]

I had to go with John Browing, hard to argue witht the 1911

 

[Six Shooter Steve]

Browning all the way

 

[netsecurity]

I voted Browning because he revolutionized nearly every type of gun. But in reality it was Hirem Maxim who invented the automatic machine gun action, which Browning just improved upon, so maybe Maxim should get more credit.

 

[Que]

Wow, what a great thread! It's hard to choose, because some of them made designs that shifted the way wars are fought and others provided designs that not only lasted, but others copied and attempted to improve in some ways. I'm not sure yet, but I will vote.

 

[lrahm]

I would agree with points about Browning but the AK has rulled the world since. One country in Africa even has an AK on their flag. There are great name there and each have their own great contributions. This is one of the better polls.

 

[richardraw316]

Wow, what a great thread! It's hard to choose, because some of them made designs that shifted the way wars are fought and others provided designs that not only lasted, but others copied and attempted to improve in some ways. I'm not sure yet, but I will vote.

thank you for the kind words. i personally have not voted yet. they all made a huge difference in history. tough call.

 

[richardraw316]

ok i voted for colt. not only was his designs great, but his company handled the mass production of both stoner and browning designs. if it had not been for his manufacturing company, the 1911 and m16 may not have been mass produced well enough to be adopted by our military.
just my opinion.

 

[Sylvain]

The poll should be called "greatest US gun designers".
Besides Kalashnikov and Glock they are all (I think) Americans.
That's just a small part of gun designers and doesn't include many foreign designers.
What about George Johann Luger, Benjamin Robins, Claude Minié and many other designers from Europe to Asia.
All the designers listed are part of modern history, some of them even still alive today.
I dont think you can call any of them "the greatest", they all changed and created great designs but it's only because the designer before them came up with a great design himself.
The guy who came up with the musquet, modern ammo, the rifling, the flintlock design and all those things is just as important as the latest designer who created guns that we use today.

 

[avboiler11]

While Colt, Stoner and Kalashnikov have indelibly left their mark on the world...John Browning wins this competition, going away.

 

[vwarren]

I went with browning due to the broad range of weapons that he affected.

 

[bobzilla]

I went with browning due to the broad range of weapons that he affected.

This. He made so many improvements and designs that have stood the test of time. How many Mad-Duece's are out there spitting .50 chunks of lead on the battle field right now? How about the BAR? The 1911, the Hi-Power etc.

 

[the1kidd03]

If I'm not mistaken didn't a lot of Maxims designs significantly influence/inspire Browning?

 

[TaunTaun]

I have to go with Kalashnikov. Not because he really revolutionized anything. But simply because of all of the firearms used in the world for military use, rebellion use, major military/civilian kinetic actions, the AK-47 is hands down the most viralitic weapon known to man.

I'm not saying it's better than anything else, which it's not. But truth is, it is the most used firearm in the world right now, beyond the usage rates/numbers of any other firearm in history.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Maxim doesn't get the credit he deserves...

Also, glad to see two different Hoosiers on the list. (one Native, one adopted)

-J-

 

[PINski1015]

Browning. We still use his Machine gun. Kalashnikov in second for the design of a rifle that is incredibly reliable, and can be produced cheaply and in volume.

 

[stocknup]

I voted Kalashnikov............ over 100 million and counting .
In somes words, The Worlds` favorite weapon ........