Them foreign guns

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Hoyte

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There are countries that are well known for the firearms they manufacture. There are other countries that are not as well known that produce firearms. What are some countries that you know of that manufacture their own arms that people might not think of?
 
France exported all their good designers to Belgium.
I think Italy's better lately, but in the past they had stuff that was just... off. Italy just seems to have a way of having good ideas, then misapplying them or letting someone handle the engineering that shouldn't. That's coming from a car guy, too.
India's had plenty of issues, too. Notably, I know about their general infantry rifle, the INSAS. The idea was to base it off the AKM and incorporate features from other rifles.
Unfortunately, they managed to pick the worst features from all of them. They somehow managed to make a rifle that jammed more than the original M16, was less accurate than the AK, had no mounting options for optics and a rear sight mounted on a loose dust cover, would misfire or go full-auto in winter--if it didn't suffer from fractured magazines first--and had a habit of somehow spraying oil directly into the user's eyes. The furniture was also originally bright orange. Which anyone with a history of hunting--or, you know, seeing--could tell you might stand out a bit from camouflage.
 
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Germany definitely comes to mind, particularly military weapons. But they, and Austria, produce some fine hunting rifles and shotguns, in various combinations.

England produces arguably the finest shotguns and rifles in the world. The only time they could lay claim to that for pistols is when Durs Egg was still making them.

Italy also produces fine shotguns, and rifles. Some excellent handguns also.

Not everybody knows that Croatia has a booming firearms industry.

Spain produces some fine shotguns, but also some low end ones.

Turkey is getting better at making good weapons.

The Phillipines has a growing market share with good guns and willingness to make what people want, not what they think they need.

Need I mention Pakistan? Darra? They make them sitting on a dirt floor, using their body as a vise, and (usually) manage to turn out shootable guns.

Brazil has a solid gun making industry, quality ranges from excellent to utilitarian.

Switzerland makes solid military arms, and exports them to the world. SIG stands for Schweitzerische Industrie-Gesellschaft. They originally started in packaging, and partnered with Sauer for the production of fine rifles and pistols.
 
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Montenegro is making semi pistols. Chile has a firearms industry based on Sig designs if I recall. Japan makes military guns and sporting rifles for our markets. South Korea - we should know. Israel, of course. India - neat top break 32 cal revolver for the home women's defense market. Grand Duchy of Fenwick makes Q nuclear bombs.
 
Zastava from Serbia may have some crude machining by our standards, but in my experience everything they produce performs reliably. Their AK is currently the best available to us. Also, they are the only producer of a true Mauser style action available for lefties. I'm a fan.
 
Japan.

Despite extremely strict gun laws, Japan has/had some remarkable firearms manufacturers.

Miroku - current manufacturer of a number of Winchester rifles, also a manufacturer of quality shotguns in their own right.

Howa - makes the Weatherby Vanguard series of rifles and, in its own name, the 1500 series of rifles.

SKB - now resuscitated as an American brand with guns made in Turkey, from 1965 - 2010, it made guns for Ithaca as well as quality shotguns in its own right.

Sumitomo - makes a variety of rifles, light and heavy machine guns and perhaps even more for the Japanese Self Defense Forces.

Those are the ones that immediately come to mind. I bet there are more I am missing.
 
Need I mention Pakistan? Darra? They make them sitting on a dirt floor, using their body as a vise, and (usually) manage to turn out shootable guns.

They are getting better. I attempted to bring back a Tokarev pistol copy that was made in the Khyber pass. It looked and felt like pot metal. I have seen some photos of their newer firearm copies and the quality has improved dramatically.

Not mentioned yet but Romania has been reversing engineering and putting their own upgrades on the AKM for decades. Most Romanian SARs I have seen are far better quality than Norinco (Chinese) AK copies.
 
Nothing wrong with the Swedish M-38 Mauser copies or anything commercial from Husqvarna.

Swedish K's were beloved in many war zones.
 
Israel has been known for design and manufacture of some fine guns for the purpose they need them for.

this is true.

i will be ordering an IWI (Israeli Weapons Industry) , Masada 9MM and Jericho .45 ACP, as soon as my check comes.

to go along with my Turkish built, Canik, and my Czech built 75B and 97B
 
The Caracal from United Emirates shows a lot of the Steyr influence.
The Finn Valmet was well regarded as is Sako and Tikka
Savage rimfires are still coming in from Canada, I believe, and Portugal produces arms under the FN brands.
 
Germany definitely comes to mind, particularly military weapons. But they, and Austria, produce some fine hunting rifles and shotguns, in various combinations.

England produces arguably the finest shotguns and rifles in the world. The only time they could lay claim to that for pistols is when Durs Egg was still making them.

Italy also produces fine shotguns, and rifles. Some excellent handguns also.

Not everybody knows that Croatia has a booming firearms industry.

Spain produces some fine shotguns, but also some low end ones.

Turkey is getting better at making good weapons.

The Phillipines has a growing market share with good guns and willingness to make what people want, not what they think they need.

Need I mention Pakistan? Darra? They make them sitting on a dirt floor, using their body as a vise, and (usually) manage to turn out shootable guns.

Brazil has a solid gun making industry, quality ranges from excellent to utilitarian.

Switzerland makes solid military arms, and exports them to the world. SIG stands for Schweitzerische Industrie-Gesellschaft. They originally started in packaging, and partnered with Sauer for the production of fine rifles and pistols.

You have a good handle on countries that produce firearms. You are obviosity well read if you know who Durs Egg is. He and a few other London makers brought the flint gun to perfection. Owned a few Brit game guns. Mostly all gone now. Had some high end Beretta target guns. None better, just more expensive. ;)
 
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