Which individual has had the greatest overall impact on firearms?

John Browning would be in the running. Prolific designer that changed the gun industry on two continents.

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I agree with the choice of Browning. His designs ran from the frontier age, with iconic lever action rifle designs, to the modern warfare era, with machine gun designs that are still in use.

Along the way he managed to design some semi auto pistols that some feel are still among the best, in addition to some beautifully penned small .22 rifles still in vogue and highly desired.

He was quite the visionary.

In our lifetime that would be Obama. Went with Browning for the already mentioned reasons.

Eugene Stoner.

The fact that you put Bill Ruger on the same list as John Moses Browning offends me deeply lol.

Which individual has had the greatest overall impact on firearms?

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Probably a shared award between Hiram Berdan and Edward Boxer.

Can you imagine what firearms would be like if we were still limited to percussion caps on nipples? You would never have even heard of any of the people on your list.

Probably a shared award between Hiram Berdan and Edward Boxer.

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I dont think they invented the first metallic centerfire cartridge. However, I agree with you 100% that it is that invention that changed firearms forever. We have yet to best it 150 years later.

I went with Kalishnikov. Durability, low production cost, availability and ease of use make the AK the most popular rifle in the world.

I don't claim to be a history buff/nerd, but based on my current knowledge I would have to pick Browning due to the breadth of his contributions on multiple types of platforms from pistols, to rifles, to machine guns, some of which are directly still in use today.

Obviously a lot of big names on that list, but most of the others are really only known for a single very, very successful design, whereas Browning did everything extremely well.

Maxim might be second, right... I think he was also very innovative across multiple platforms.

Or maybe I'm thinking of Maxim's other non-firearms inventions, of which I believe there are many.

Now brainer realy, JMB who has 90 years after his death to my knowledge at least 6 designs still in production, not counting the dozens of current designs going on his legacy.
(M2, 1911, A5, SA22, 1892, 1894, )

almost all others mentioned are one hit wonders

Of the listed, JMB. However, you left out the man who took firearms manufacture from a craft to a process, Eli Whitney.

Pick any one of them and you wouldn't be wrong...no vote here.

I have to vote for John Browning. So prolific, inventing so many different platforms. The Leonardo de Vinci of firearms.

Paul Vieille first with JMB as a close second. I can't see things like the 1911 effectively operating with black powder propellant, at least for very long. An M2 would probably have to have the bore cleaned out after 15 rounds which would be less-than-effective for a machine gun. (not that the ginormous cloud of smoke in front of the gun would be any help either.)

Matt

John Browning also gets my vote. But, how can you omit Eugene Stoner, especially with Kalashnikov making the list?

lysanderxiii said:

Paul Vieille

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Ooooow good one haha.

I'm surprised at how few votes Mauser bros got. I would wonder, if there was no Mauser 89 would we even know who John Moses Browning was? The proliferation of Mauser actions influenced the two largest wars in recorded history and continues to influence modern bolt gun designs. But yeah, JMB.

not on your list... but should be: Eli Whitney

of those on your list, I think I'd have to vote for the Maxim gun.

Col. Colt's Revolving Belt Pistols of Naval and Army Caliber were wonderful weapons, but not nearly as influential as the numerous JMB designs of later days.

I would wonder, if there was no Mauser 89 would we even know who John Moses Browning was?

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JMB already had three guns in production, which BTW are still being copied today 1885 single shot, 1886 lever rifle and 1887 lever shotgun.

JMB who has 90 years after his death to my knowledge at least 6 designs still in production

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If you count copies/clones that list is much larger.
Hi Power, 1885 both high and lo walls, 1886/71, 1887, 1890 (Rossi 62), 1895(has been made recently not sure if current), 1897, They just brought out a copy of the 1903 pocket auto and the M63 and that's just off the top of my head.

Browning is pretty much the father of modern firearms.

I voted for JMB, but Oliver Winchester is not on this list.