This gun production chart appears in the July 2018 issue of Shooting Industry magazine. Factoid: U.S. total firearms production has more than tripled since we launched this website in 2004.
Move over Ruger, Remington, Savage … Smith & Wesson is the new Big Kid on the Block. According to 2016 firearms industry production reports from Shooting Industry magazine, S&W has taken over as the number one firearms producer in the United States. That’s good news for S&W, but bad news for Ruger, which had been number one for the past eight years.
Smith & Wesson was the top overall U.S. firearms manufacturer in 2016 with 2,120,910 firearms produced, a stunning 44% increase over the previous year. Ruger was second in 2016 with 1,981,590 firearms, an 18.8% gain over 2015. The last time S&W was ranked number one was way back in 2007. While S&W is generally seen as a handgun maker, it also produces a wide variety of rifles both under the S&W banner and its subsidiary Thompson/Center Arms. Last year the historic Smith & Wesson enterprise was officially renamed American Outdoor Brands Corp. (NASDAQ: AOBC) in part to reflect the fact that it is more than just a handgun maker.
Key Industry Production Numbers in 2016
There were some other interesting facts revealed in the Shooting Industry magazine report:
1. For only the second time ever, U.S. gun-makers produced over 10 million firearms (rifles, pistols, and shotguns) in 2016. The 10,664,318 total was nearly 20% more than in 2015.
2. For the first time ever, in 2016 American gun-makers produced over 4 million rifles. The 4,239,335 rifle output set a new high mark, that was 6.5% more than the previous record year, 2013 (3,979,570).
3. A record number of handguns were also produced in 2016. The 5,576,366 pistols produced in 2016 marked a 7.9% increase from 2013, the previous record-holding year (5,167,008).
4. Gun sales increased dramatically in 2016, influenced by fears over the election: “NICS background checks achieved record-setting levels in 2016 — with 15,700,471 background checks (NSSF-Adjusted), an increase of 10.2 percent over 2015 (14,244,240 [NSSF-Adjusted]).”
Top Overall U.S. Firearms Manufacturers in 2016
(Percentage change over 2015)
• Smith & Wesson: 2,120,910 (+44.0%)
• Ruger: 1,981,590 (+18.8%)
• Remington: 1,240,665 (+8.5%)
• SIG Sauer: 633,533 (+27.4%)
• O.F. Mossberg: 508,466 (+0.8%)
Top U.S. Rifle Makers:
(Percentage change over 2015)
• Remington: 769,942 (-0.5%)
• Ruger: 701,992 (+6%)
• Anderson Mfg.: 453,763 (+51.1%)
• Smith & Wesson: 396,710 (+89.7%)
• Savage Arms: 311,878 (-18.3%)
Top U.S. Handgun Makers:
(Percentage change over 2015)
• Smith & Wesson: 1,724,131 (+36.4%)
• Ruger: 1,279,415 (+27.4%)
• SIG Sauer: 581,807 (+26.6%)
• Glock: 368,140 (+70%)
• Kimber: 223,785 (+69.6%)
Current Outlook for American Firearms Industry
So far, 2018 has been a fairly tough year for the gun industry: “The U.S. firearms industry finds itself at a crossroads in 2018. Facing attacks from state governments, financial institutions, tech companies and students (all while experiencing sluggish demand) it’s currently in a challenging position.” However, there are many indicators that the gun industry is still strong. Kimber and Tauras have both opened new factories in the U.S. Southeast, and Remington has emerged from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy with creditors exchanging debt for equity: “It is morning in Remington country — We are excited about the future…” said Anthony Acitelli, Remington CEO.
For more insights, read the full version of the U.S. Firearms Industry 2018 Report. There are many more detailed charts and tables breaking down production, imports, and exports. This appears in the July 2018 issue of Shooting Industry Magazine.
Here’s something that will teach unwanted guests some “table manners”. We’ve seen handguns hidden in books, and stowed behind faux baseboard vents, but this hand-crafted, slide-open table takes the cake. We doubt that anyone could sit down at this table and suspect that a shotgun, scoped rifle, two pistols and a knife were stored securely inside. There’s an arsenal hiding in there!
To access the guns under the sliding table-top, first you flip down a wood trap-door on the side. That exposes a key-lock which unlatches the interleaved left and right table segments. These slide open horizontally on metal tracks, exposing the full arsenal underneath. This “table vault” is a very clever design, built with fine craftsmanship. You can purchase this table from the maker for $1799.00.
Table Description
This table has a secret latch which pops down. Behind it is a deadbolt (or Kevo enabled Bluetooth lock). Once unlocked the table slides open toe reveal your valuables and/or guns. The table comes with a piece of blank white foam you can customize for whatever you would like to put inside. MORE INFO.
Dimensions and Features
Outside: 55.5″ long x 33.5″ wide x 31″ high
Interior: 42” long x 29” wide by 3.25” deep
– Customizable Color (paint or stain) (American Walnut shown)
– Seats 6 (standard size chairs)
– Standard keyed deadbolt or Kevo Bluetooth lock ($299.00 Extra for Kevo)
Slide-Open 20″-High Coffee Table
There is also a coffee table version, 55.5″ long x 33.5″ wide x 20″ high. That may be better for folks who just can’t bear the thought of dinner being served on top of ones precious gun collection. This offers the same storage space as the regular dining table.
The Precision Rifle Series (PRS) keeps growing in popularity — attracting more shooters and spinning off sub-disciplines such as Gas Gun division and Tactical Rimfire. Along with the PRS, the National Rifle League (NRL) has developed in parallel, sponsoring successful tactical centerfire and rimfire matches. With this exploding interest in PRS-style shooting, now the Precision Rifle world has its own annual “gathering of the faithful” — the Precision Rifle Expo.
The First Annual Precision Rifle Expo will be held September 15-16, 2018 at the Arena Training Facility in Blakely, Georgia. The event is specifically designed to connect precision rifle enthusiasts with top manufacturers, precision rifle instructors, and ace competitors. The goal is to promote this fast-growing shooting sport and advance the skill set of attendees. To register for the event ($25 fee), or learn more about the Arena Training facility visit PrecisionRifleExpo.com. Get Expo updates on the Precision Rifle Expo Facebook Page.
Arena Training Facility — 2300 Acres
The 2300-acre Arena Training Facility is a premier shooting facility with multiple shooting ranges from 50m to 2100m. Arena’s 1000-yard covered Known Distance range offers multiple benches, steel and paper targets out to 1000 yards. On Arena’s UKD (unknown distance) range shooters can engage steel out to 2300 yards. This 2100m UKD range boasts a 3-Story Shooting Tower, Air-Conditioned Shoot House, and multiple Positional Challenges. Situated two hours from the Atlanta airport, the Arena complex offers multiple climate-controlled classrooms, a main building, and a clubhouse, along with the impressive range facilities.
Precision Rifle Expo attendees will be able to meet industry experts, get hands-on product experience, and attend a variety of shooting seminars — all for a modest $25 entry fee. Seminars will include: Precision Hand-loading, Wind Reading, Position Building, Competition Preparedness, Long Range Precision Shooting Intro, and the Fundamentals of Marksmanship. Live-fire skills training and product demos will include shooting with suppressors, precision rimfire shooting, 1000-yard shooting, and even a one-mile target challenge.
All Types of Products Will Be on Display
Exhibitors will showcase optics, actions, barrels, stocks/chassis systems, complete rifles, suppressors, and the latest in electronics. In addition, targets, ear and eye protection, bags and support equipment, and other accessories will be on display.
Along with exhibitors, the first-ever Precision Rifle Expo will attract leading Gun Media members. Sniper’s Hide founder Frank Galli will be there, serving as one of the long distance precision instructors. AccurateShooter.com will have a correspondent. The Precision Rifle Blog will cover the Expo and highlight new products. Recoil Magazine will spotlight the Expo on the web and in print.
The Arena Training Facility is two hours from the Atlanta Airport:
REGISTER Now to Secure Your Place
Interested in attending? Act soon. The inaugural Precision Rifle Expo is expected to sell out early. CLICK HERE to Register. It costs just $25.00 to attend. For more information, visit PrecisionRifleExpo.com. You can also contact Ryan Castle at 912-344-1607, Phil Cashin at 770-401-3572, Brandon Zielinksi at 920-664-3098, or Mark Kuczka at 770-364-7607.
There is a new, ultra-high performance 7mm projectile for F-Open and long-range competitors. Berger has introduced a new 184gr F-Open Hybrid Target bullet, which will be the official 7mm bullet of the U.S. F-Open Rifle Team. The new 184-grainer is an advancement over previous 7mm match bullets. As you can see above, the new bullet is longer and sleeker than Berger’s existing 180gr Hybrid Target bullet. The new design gives the 184gr F-Open Hybrid impressive 0.695 G1 and 0.356 G7 Ballistic Coefficients. Compare that to 0.680 G1 and 0.349 G7 for Berger’s 180gr Target Hybrid bullet.
Bryan Litz of Applied Ballistics designed the new 184gr F-Open Hybrid to be slightly heavier, slightly longer, and have a more aggressive ogive shape. This gives the new 184-grainer a ballistic advantage over Berger’s existing 7mm 180gr Hybrid and VLD Target bullet designs. This bullet complements the .30 Cal 200.20X Hybrid Target bullet that was released last year in collaboration with the U.S. F-TR Rifle Team. As with that 200.20X bullet, for the new 184gr F-Open Hybrid, Berger took a successful, existing design and optimized the ballistic profile to make it even better. Along with .284 Win and 7mm SAUM used by F-Open shooters, this bullet should work well in a variety of 7mm cartridges.
New 184gr Hybrid Bullet Tested Extensively by U.S. F-Open Rifle Team
The U.S. F-Open Rifle Team tested the 184gr F-Open Hybrids thoroughly to ensure that they performed as well on target as they did in theory. The results were very positive, and this bullet has been adopted as the official 7mm bullet for the U.S. F-Open team. “The United States Rifle Team 2021 F-Open is extremely excited about the release of the new Berger 184gr F-Open Hybrid. Many members have tested the prototype bullets with outstanding success,” says Dan Bramley, Team Captain.
Note: On the Berger website, Berger lists a recommended 1:8″-twist rate for this new bullet. However, in its June 25, 2018 product announcement, Berger states the Minimum Twist Rate is 1:9″. MSRP is $61.99 per 100-ct box, Berger Part #28408. Grafs.com price is $54.99/box.
Berger says the bullet, which should be available very soon, will work in a variety of 7mm cartridges including: 7mm-08 Rem, .284 Win (and .284 IMP), 7mm SAUM, 7mm RUM, and 7mm Rem Mag.
Berger Supports U.S. F-Open Team — $1.00 Per Box
Berger states: “F-Class is one of the fastest growing precision rifle shooting disciplines, requiring the very best precision and accuracy to compete at the top levels. Berger has always been dedicated to making the very best bullets for our shooters. To help support the U.S. F-Open Team, Berger Bullets will donate $1.00 for every box of 7mm 184gr F-Open Hybrid bullets sold towards U.S. Team expenses for the upcoming 2021 F-Class World Championships in South Africa.”
Winchester just unveiled a completely updated website at Winchester.com. The new, mobile-friendly website offers comprehensive information on Winchester ammunition. In addition, the upgraded Winchester website now boasts a full-featured, interactive Ballistics Calculator which runs on web browsers as well as mobile Apps. This new Ballistics Calculator offers an innovative “Shooter’s Eye View”, shown above. You can change the magnification level on the “scope”, and adjust variables (such as temp and range) using the red sliders. Try it out — it’s fascinating to see how the calculated Point of Impact moves as you adjust the sliders.
NEW Winchester Ballistic Calculator Features:
— Calculator provides precise trajectory for hundreds of cartridge types and bullet weights
— Calculator includes library of Ballistic Coefficients.
— Calculator offers visual graphs showing trajectories — with calculated point of impact as well as trajectory curve chart.
— Calculator variables include sight-in range, target range, air temperature, crosswind speed, sight height, and elevation.
— Calculator offers side-by-side comparisons among five separate rounds.
— Calculator offers detailed statistics chart for fine-tuning your shooting.
— Calculator can print handy, small Drop Chart you can attach to your rifle.
The Winchester Ballistic Calculator is available as a free download for iPhone and iPad through the Apple iOs app store, and for Android phones and tablets through Google Play.
Looking to acquire a handgun for personal protection of home and family? There are countless options on the market. Your buying decision may be simplified by seeing what other consumers have chosen, as revealed by nationwide sales trends. You can now check firearms sales figures using “Gun Genius”, a new data-crunching service of Gunbroker.com. On GunGenius.com you can select any type of firearm (handgun, rifle, shotgun)* and see the top sellers for that category.
Here are the five (5) top-selling NEW semi-auto handguns for May 2018:
And here are the five (5) top-selling USED semi-auto handguns for June 2017:
*Chose semi-auto pistols, revolvers, semi-auto rifles, bolt-action rifles, lever-action rifles, single-shot rifles, semi-auto shotguns, pump shotguns, and more. You can also filter for sales trends (upwards and downwards). Drill down to see detailed product specifications and current prices.
Our friend Anette Wachter (aka 30CalGal) is profiled this month on the NRA Family website. Annette talks about how she got into the shooting sports (though a challenge from her ex-husband), and how she has advanced along the way. She is now one of the top female Palma shooters in the nation. She also now competes regularly in Precision Rifle matches — tactical style competitions. She enjoys the challenge of PRS events, and she also competes in 3-Gun matches, with pistol, rifle, and shotgun.
Anette writes about the shooting sports for many publications. She also offers tips and gear reviews through her popular website, 30CalGal.com.
NRA: What type of shooting do you do, and what makes you like it so much?
Anette: Mostly long-range rifle disciplines. I don’t shoot High Power much anymore, but of course I am on the U.S. National Rifle Team and the Palma Team, so that occupies much of my time. My new love is Precision Rifle. This is the new hot and trendy shooting sport that is taking over the industry. It is like a sniper challenge. All unknown distances and usually the matches are out in the field. I also compete in 3-Gun, which is a ton of fun.
NRA: What advice do you have for new shooters who want to get into these sports?
Anette: If you want to get in to any discipline of competition I always suggest going to a local match to watch first. With the Internet you can find out your state competition information. Look for local organizations like the USPSA. See the type of equipment shooters are using and how the sport is run. Ask a lot of questions. Shooters are a very generous culture as well, in my experience. When I started out I was loaned almost everything to try it out.
NRA: From what you have seen, are there a lot more women getting involved in the shooting sports these days?
Anette: I started shooting and competing in 2006. I remember going to NRA Nationals at Camp Perry and, out of almost a thousand competitors, I was one of maybe 20 to 30 women. At local matches I would be one of two. In the past five or six years and especially in the last three, I have seen the numbers jump like crazy. Three years ago a few women in the 3-Gun market decided to put on the first Ladies 3-Gun ProAm in Georgia. We were wondering if anyone would show up. Over 200 women competed. Any of us that had extra guns and equipment were loaning them out. For many of the women it was their first match ever. It changed lives.
In this video Anette offers smart tips for shooting with bipod:
About the 30 Cal Gal Life is short. Go Shoot! — Anette Wachter
Along with being a talented competitive shooter, Anette has her own Gun Blog, 30CalGal.com, and she writes for several gun publications including GunUp Magazine, Shooting Sports USA, Sure Shots Magazine, and Wide Open Spaces. She also designs and crafts custom jewelry items, many of which utilize cartridge cases or other shooting-themed components. You can purchase Anette’s jewelry through her AW Collections webstore.
In the PRS game, the 6.5 Creedmoor has ruled the roost. However more and more serious competitors are moving to the 6mm Creedmoor cartridge because it offers lower recoil and a flatter trajectory (with some bullets). If you are a fan of the 6mm Creedmoor — take heart. Lapua has started production of 6mm Creedmoor cartridge brass, which should hit American shores later in the year. Yes this 6mm Creedmoor brass has small primer pocket and small flash hole — allowing it to stand up to repeated loading cycles with stout pressures.
Here is the official announcement…
Lapua 6mm Creedmoor Cartridge Brass
Lapua is pleased to announce the new 6mm Creedmoor case, a necked down version of the extremely popular 6.5mm Creedmoor designed to produce higher velocities, flatter trajectories, and reduced recoil.
Customer demand for a 6mm version followed almost immediately after the release of the original Creedmoor case. Aside from the neck dimensions, our new 6mm Creedmoor cases shares the same features and characteristics that make Lapua the standard for 6.5 Creedmoor brass. It is a beautifully-drawn case, properly annealed at the neck and shoulder, with head metallurgy specifically chosen for durability, and the same small rifle primer, small flash-hole design that delivers the ultimate accuracy edge. The smaller 6mm bore diameter offers an excellent selection of proven low-drag match bullets that offer outstanding long range performance with even less recoil.
While the original 6.5 Creedmoor was designed with NRA High Power competition in mind, other disciplines, including the Precision Rifle Series (PRS), were quick to see the positive attributes of this cartridge. We know Lapua’s latest offering will find a niche with discerning shooters in demanding competitive disciplines.
We expect Lapua’s new 6mm Creedmoor cartridge brass to be favored by High Power shooters and serious varminters as well as tactical competitors. The Lapua 6mm Creedmoor cases will be available in the USA later in 2018.
The new Lapua 6mm Creedmoor Brass will definitely be a hit with PRS Competitors…
Photo from Ramia Whitecotton’s GAP GRIND 2016 photo album.
New product tip from Boyd Allen. We welcome reader submissions.
This is the MOTHER LODE of GUN INFO. If you’d like to have instant access to 6,800 gun schematics and descriptions of 67,000 types of guns and ammo from 1,000 manufacturers, then check this out. The Firearms Guide is a humongous online database that is regularly updated. You can access all this info for pennies a day. The annual subscription is on sale right now for just $29.95. If you only need the info for a month or two, get a monthly membership at $6.50 per month, and cancel any time.
You can also get a DVD or Flash Drive add-on that lets you access the database even without a web connection. A 1-year Online Edition PLUS Firearms Guide 8th Ed. DVD for Mac & Windows is $34.95, including shipping. Alternatively, the 1-year Online Edition PLUS Firearms Guide 8th Ed. Flash Drive for Mac & Windows is $44.95. This lets you access the data from laptops and most tablets with a USB port.
You may be familiar with the Firearms Guide when it was distributed as a DVD. Now the 7th Edition is a fully interactive, subscription-based online database of firearms and ammo, which is also the most complete guide to global gun values on the web. The amount of imagery is amazing — there are tens of thousands of photos and over 6300 schematics, which help you work on a firearm or identify key components/parts. Published since 2009, the Firearms Guide permits detailed searches of antique and modern guns and side by side comparisons of search results. Guns are cross-referenced with the ammunition database.
Guns and ammo are presented with prices, specifications, features, ballistics, and up to 12 high-rez zoom-able color pictures. GUN VALUES are provided for dealers and gun collectors. You can access thousands of printable and zoom-able GUN SCHEMATICS (diagrams or exploded views) with parts lists and blueprints for professional gunsmiths.
If you are a gun collector, or just an information junkie, you’ll find the Firearms Guide to be an invaluable resource. The scope is truly worldwide, with coverage of gun makers in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South America, South Africa, and Asia as well as North America. The online database’s search capability lets you search by gun caliber, manufacturer, and key features (e.g. “.223 Rem, Colt, folding stock”). There are 14 different search criteria — this allows you to “drill down” precisely to find the gun you want in seconds. Shown below are typical profiles of listed products:
About the Firearms Guide Database Firearms Guide has been published from 2009 to 2015 on DVDs and sold through Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop, the NRA and other vendors. In 2016 Firearms Guide was transformed into a subscription-based, online searchable guns and ammo reference and gun value guide for industry professionals and enthusiasts. Along with the web subscription, you can purchase a supplemental DVD or Flash Drive which contains the same information for off-line access. Firearms Guide is a proud sponsor of the NRA.
UPDATE: At approximately 6:00 pm CT, the Brownells YouTube Channel was restored. We don’t know why or how — but apparently protests from Brownells customers many have played a part in getting YouTube to relent. Brownells just issued this statement via Facebook:
PREVIOUSLY…
The Brownells YouTube channel has been terminated (shut down) without warning or notice from either YouTube or its parent company, Google. On June 9, 2018, at roughly 2:00 am, the Brownells channel was pulled from YouTube. This removed ALL Brownells YouTube content, including videos that cover firearms safety, hunting skills, firearms maintenance, and marksmanship. YouTube didn’t simply block Brownells’ gun sales-related videos — it shut down the entire Brownells channel, which had offered nearly 1800 helpful videos. The Brownells channel had acquired over 67,000 subscribers since its launch in January 2007.
History of YouTube Policies on Firearms Content
No specific reason for the Brownells shut-down was provided by YouTube, but this is part of a policy shift by YouTube. For quite some time, YouTube has been de-monitizing firearms-centric YouTube channels. As a result, gun video producers no longer receive advertising revenues, or receive a fraction of what they were once paid. Then in late March, YouTube announced tough new policies limiting the type of firearms content allowed. Gun content producers feared YouTube’s new policies might doom their channels. With the Brownells ban, it appears those fears were correct…
Ars Technica reported: “YouTube is placing more restrictions on weapons-related videos, focusing on guns with new, forthcoming policy changes. According to a Bloomberg report, YouTube intends to ban videos that ‘promote or link to websites selling firearms and accessories’, including bump stocks, beginning this April. The new policy will also prohibit instructional videos that detail how to build firearms. YouTube took similar action after the Las Vegas shooting last year by banning gun-modification tutorials.
‘We routinely make updates and adjustments to our enforcement guidelines across all of our policies,’ a YouTube representative said in a statement to Bloomberg. ‘While we’ve long prohibited the sale of firearms, we recently notified creators of updates we will be making around content promoting the sale or manufacture of firearms and their accessories’.”
YouTube prohibits certain kinds of content featuring firearms. Specifically, we don’t allow content that:
Intends to sell firearms or certain firearms accessories through direct sales (e.g., private sales by individuals) or links to sites that sell these items. These accessories include but may not be limited to accessories that enable a firearm to simulate automatic fire or convert a firearm to automatic fire (e.g., bump stocks, gatling triggers, drop-in auto sears, conversion kits), and high capacity magazines (i.e., magazines or belts carrying more than 30 rounds).
Provides instructions on manufacturing a firearm, ammunition, high capacity magazine, homemade silencers/suppressors, or certain firearms accessories such as those listed above. This also includes instructions on how to convert a firearm to automatic or simulated automatic firing capabilities.
Shows users how to install the above-mentioned accessories or modifications.
Top Overall U.S. Firearms Manufacturers in 2016
Note: On the 
Customer demand for a 6mm version followed almost immediately after the release of the original Creedmoor case. Aside from the neck dimensions, our new 6mm Creedmoor cases shares the same features and characteristics that make Lapua the standard for 6.5 Creedmoor brass. It is a beautifully-drawn case, properly annealed at the neck and shoulder, with head metallurgy specifically chosen for durability, and the same small rifle primer, small flash-hole design that delivers the ultimate accuracy edge. The smaller 6mm bore diameter offers an excellent selection of proven low-drag match bullets that offer outstanding long range performance with even less recoil.
