Most Influential Gun Designer
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Castrolr1
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J.M.B.
woerm
Member
Sam Colt repeating hand gun
Without the repeating hand gun it is quite likely that we would have states on the east coast and a few in the Mississippi valley and maybe Calif/Oregon
The repeating hand gun (revolver) predates the repeating rifle by quite a bit and put the westbound settlers on a technology ladder well above their opponents. When the repeating hand gun Combined with the repeating rifle, then the 'west' was won.
God creates us equal, Sam Colt made it Fact.
John Browning is a close second but the revolver predates his work by quite a bit.
woerm
Without the repeating hand gun it is quite likely that we would have states on the east coast and a few in the Mississippi valley and maybe Calif/Oregon
The repeating hand gun (revolver) predates the repeating rifle by quite a bit and put the westbound settlers on a technology ladder well above their opponents. When the repeating hand gun Combined with the repeating rifle, then the 'west' was won.
God creates us equal, Sam Colt made it Fact.
John Browning is a close second but the revolver predates his work by quite a bit.
woerm
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Right, Oliver Winchester never designed anything and should not be on the list.
There are several ways to look at such a title. For sheer numbers of one design, Mike Kalashnikov gets the nod, with Mauser a close second. Garand really had one successful design, as did Stoner. Most other well known designers, like Colt, M.M. Johnson, Searle, the Federles, worked on one or a very few designs in limited areas (pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, etc.)
For sheer number of successful designs in a variety of arms types, Browning is number one. No other designer, not even Pedersen or T.C. Johnson or Saive, did such a quantity of work over such a wide range. Bill Ruger deserves a place in the list also, but at some point he turned over the actual work to a design staff, though keeping close supervision.
Jim
There are several ways to look at such a title. For sheer numbers of one design, Mike Kalashnikov gets the nod, with Mauser a close second. Garand really had one successful design, as did Stoner. Most other well known designers, like Colt, M.M. Johnson, Searle, the Federles, worked on one or a very few designs in limited areas (pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, etc.)
For sheer number of successful designs in a variety of arms types, Browning is number one. No other designer, not even Pedersen or T.C. Johnson or Saive, did such a quantity of work over such a wide range. Bill Ruger deserves a place in the list also, but at some point he turned over the actual work to a design staff, though keeping close supervision.
Jim
CoRoMo
Member
This reminds me of that Patriots/Titans game last month.
BitterBeerFace
Member
I voted "write in", even though it wouldn't really be for a *gun* designer...
Paul Marie Eugène Vieille
Inventor of smokeless powder, which lead to small-bore bolt actions, etc etc.
But yeah, JMB shoud be top of the list if we limit it to just the firearm part.
Paul Marie Eugène Vieille
Inventor of smokeless powder, which lead to small-bore bolt actions, etc etc.
But yeah, JMB shoud be top of the list if we limit it to just the firearm part.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Gaston Glock of course.
No, sorry, just kidding.
JMB is the only choice.....
No, sorry, just kidding.
JMB is the only choice.....
Quoheleth
Member
It depends on the era! Each age had it's critical designer who did SOMETHING to rapidly advance firearm technology.
In the early 1700s, it was the man who developed flintlock vs. wheellock/matchlock, giving improved ignition.
Mid 1700s, it was the developer of rifling in the barrel. Accuracy suddenly jumped from 50 yards to 100+.
In the early 1800s, I would go with Colt. While there were lots of other revolver manufacturers - Smith & Wesson would probably be the #2 of the late 1800s, followed way back by smalltimers like Shawk and McClannahan, et. al. - Colt paved the way for westward expansion. His design gained fame and nororiety when Gen'l Zachary Taylor sent Col. Walker to New England to find Colt and make revolvers for the U.S. Mounted Rifles for the Mexican War. Loved by the men, the Colts became the weapon of choice for the Texas Rangers and spreading onward and upward from there.
Mid 1800s, I would go with Gatling. His gun - thank God! - came too late to be of cricital play in the Civil War. Could you imagine what it would have been like, casualty wise, had it been fielded at Gettysburg, Hattiesburg, or Vicksburg? The bloodshed of WWI would have happened in the 1860s - maybe worse because of the Napoleanic army tactics of the day.
Late 1800s, Henry and his repeating rifle. It, along with the revolver, opened up the West for development. Look at the difference of the Souix vs. Custer - repeating rifle vs. breech-loading single shots. Henry brought accurate, rapid fire to the individual shooter.
Early-to-mid 1900s, Browning. Period.
Mid 1900s, Kalashnikov. Not even Browning's guns are as reliable, rugged, butt-ugly yet completely functional so that a completely ignorant conscript soldier can field the weapon with full potential.
Stoner's AR-design is great, as is evidence by the M16/variants still in use 40 years later. But, IMHO, his original design had a lot of flaws that had to be worked through. It's original form was definitely below the AK. So, I can't give him the nod.
Modern age: Barret. His guns continue to amaze, from his bolt actions to his semi-autos, giving INCREDIBLE firepower to individual soldiers/citizens who may need it.
But if I had to pick one, it's Colt. Without Sam Colt opening the west, JMB would have been designing parts for railroads.
Q
In the early 1700s, it was the man who developed flintlock vs. wheellock/matchlock, giving improved ignition.
Mid 1700s, it was the developer of rifling in the barrel. Accuracy suddenly jumped from 50 yards to 100+.
In the early 1800s, I would go with Colt. While there were lots of other revolver manufacturers - Smith & Wesson would probably be the #2 of the late 1800s, followed way back by smalltimers like Shawk and McClannahan, et. al. - Colt paved the way for westward expansion. His design gained fame and nororiety when Gen'l Zachary Taylor sent Col. Walker to New England to find Colt and make revolvers for the U.S. Mounted Rifles for the Mexican War. Loved by the men, the Colts became the weapon of choice for the Texas Rangers and spreading onward and upward from there.
Mid 1800s, I would go with Gatling. His gun - thank God! - came too late to be of cricital play in the Civil War. Could you imagine what it would have been like, casualty wise, had it been fielded at Gettysburg, Hattiesburg, or Vicksburg? The bloodshed of WWI would have happened in the 1860s - maybe worse because of the Napoleanic army tactics of the day.
Late 1800s, Henry and his repeating rifle. It, along with the revolver, opened up the West for development. Look at the difference of the Souix vs. Custer - repeating rifle vs. breech-loading single shots. Henry brought accurate, rapid fire to the individual shooter.
Early-to-mid 1900s, Browning. Period.
Mid 1900s, Kalashnikov. Not even Browning's guns are as reliable, rugged, butt-ugly yet completely functional so that a completely ignorant conscript soldier can field the weapon with full potential.
Stoner's AR-design is great, as is evidence by the M16/variants still in use 40 years later. But, IMHO, his original design had a lot of flaws that had to be worked through. It's original form was definitely below the AK. So, I can't give him the nod.
Modern age: Barret. His guns continue to amaze, from his bolt actions to his semi-autos, giving INCREDIBLE firepower to individual soldiers/citizens who may need it.
But if I had to pick one, it's Colt. Without Sam Colt opening the west, JMB would have been designing parts for railroads.
Q
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eight433
Member
This is very very tough. Colt and Browning are both mechanical geniuses. I will vote for colt though, simply because of the timeline. Both men made major leaps in firearm technology, where the others may have created very successful arms, but on a basic design that had already been done. Also as mentioned, most others are known for one or two specific weapons where as colt and browning had several several breakthrough weapons.
Browning first by far, Mauser second.
Colt was influential in his combination of the inventions of Collier and Forsyth, and some Texans sure surprised their Comanche foes with Colts, but I would suggest that militarily, the inventions of Henry, Allyn, Spencer, and maybe Sharps (and Dreyse, for that matter) were at least equal in impact if not more significant and that no one of these necessarily commands that field over the others. Rifles are just more effective than handguns, both in battle and in the hunting field.
Kalashnikov? Stoner? Well, I'd put Garand above either of them, and maybe Pedersen, too. Maxim or Gatling? No comparison to JMB.
Forsyth and the inventors of black and smokeless powders were not gun designers, but the importance of their contributions cannot be overstated, nor can that of whoever first put the twist in the bore!
Colt was influential in his combination of the inventions of Collier and Forsyth, and some Texans sure surprised their Comanche foes with Colts, but I would suggest that militarily, the inventions of Henry, Allyn, Spencer, and maybe Sharps (and Dreyse, for that matter) were at least equal in impact if not more significant and that no one of these necessarily commands that field over the others. Rifles are just more effective than handguns, both in battle and in the hunting field.
Kalashnikov? Stoner? Well, I'd put Garand above either of them, and maybe Pedersen, too. Maxim or Gatling? No comparison to JMB.
Forsyth and the inventors of black and smokeless powders were not gun designers, but the importance of their contributions cannot be overstated, nor can that of whoever first put the twist in the bore!
Geezer Glide
Member
In the modern era, Gaston Glock. Before the Glock 17, a plastic framed handgun was unheard of. Today, most all manufacturers offer plastic guns.
paintballdude902
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God did not create all men equal, Samuel Colt did
JohnBT
Member
I vote for Jaspard Zoller.
He invented rifling in Vienna at the end of the 15th century.
Next, I'd put Browning for his tilting barrel designs. Add up all the brands of guns that have ever, and still are, using it.
He invented rifling in Vienna at the end of the 15th century.
Next, I'd put Browning for his tilting barrel designs. Add up all the brands of guns that have ever, and still are, using it.
Erik M
Member
Browning in our popular culture, Kalashnikov in the east.
RevDerb
Member
I selected John Browning but don't you think that Gaston Glock should have been included in the poll as more that an "other"? It wouldn't have change my vote but he certainly has had great influence on the handgun community.
Given the poll chose "Influential" as the descriptor, it's strange that Bill Ruger and Gaston Glock aren't options on the list. Not the most "Historic" maybe, but I'd say both have had pretty profound effects on the current handgun market because of their designs and marketing.
BushyGuy
Member
i vote Eugene Stoner he is the father of the best rifle in the world the AR15 and M16.
MachIVshooter
Member
Pedersen did alot........but he had the misfortune of emerging later than browning. That, and his designs, while brilliant, tend to be more complex and expensive to produce. He really did father the modern pump shotgun, though.
IIRC, didn't JMB himself praise Pedersen as a gun design genius?
NMGonzo
Member
Maxim
Serious lead hoses are inspired by his design.
Serious lead hoses are inspired by his design.
bigalexe
Member
Kalashnikov:
Please someone name 3 guns outside the AK-47 family of weapons that he inspired. Same goes for Stoner and the AR-15 platform. While both of these men invented guns that are quite popular I can't think of anything else they produced. Like a guy that invents Rubber Tires but never had anything to do with the Rim which they sit on or the axle to drive them.
Please someone name 3 guns outside the AK-47 family of weapons that he inspired. Same goes for Stoner and the AR-15 platform. While both of these men invented guns that are quite popular I can't think of anything else they produced. Like a guy that invents Rubber Tires but never had anything to do with the Rim which they sit on or the axle to drive them.
InkEd
Member
Lol at stoner getting any votes. I just put him on the list to make the ar diehards happy. Glock made the first polymer pistol but I think it would have happened without him.
Nicodemus38
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- 583
-ethan allen pepperboxes, the first handgun using a revolving tube to hold multiple loaded chambers
-colliers for creating the first true revolver pistol using a single barrel with a cylinder that held multiple, 5 or 6, chambers rotating about a center axis pin that were brought into alignment with barrel for firing.
-smith and wesson
-volcanic pistol, first breech loading handgun; spring follower in a magazine tube, and this weapon was turned into the henry rifle, and then the winchester.
- first handgun to use a metallic cartridge, the 22 short
-44 american, first centerfire metalic cartridge in a handgun that was
designed for a handgun from the ground up.
-every other patent they were first to put into production.
-colts thing was that he made a useful method to rotate the cylinder to align the next loaded chamber into postition with the barrel; putting the nipples onto the end of the cylinder in line with the chambers; and to put the loading system onto the revolveritself.
-Dreyse for creating the first BOLT action rifle in the 1840s, and for the first breach loading shotguns using a cartridge
-Mauser for putting metal cartridges into that bolt action although the french chassepot also has that designation, and for the brothers handguns
-Mosin and nagant, for the 3 line infantry rifle of 1890 wich is still the longest running bolt action battle rifle to be used in combat,
-nagant for the first revolver to eliminate the cylinder gap, and for the first and only handgun that can atually use a silencer
-witworth for some of the first serious long range sniper rifles, and for the first true armor piercing projectile design that is still being used
-maxim/nordenfelt/vickers for creating weapons that allow 3 or 4 men to obliterate hundreds of others in a few minutes
youi have to look at the big pictures overall. not just at one small spectrum of the gun world.
-colliers for creating the first true revolver pistol using a single barrel with a cylinder that held multiple, 5 or 6, chambers rotating about a center axis pin that were brought into alignment with barrel for firing.
-smith and wesson
-volcanic pistol, first breech loading handgun; spring follower in a magazine tube, and this weapon was turned into the henry rifle, and then the winchester.
- first handgun to use a metallic cartridge, the 22 short
-44 american, first centerfire metalic cartridge in a handgun that was
designed for a handgun from the ground up.
-every other patent they were first to put into production.
-colts thing was that he made a useful method to rotate the cylinder to align the next loaded chamber into postition with the barrel; putting the nipples onto the end of the cylinder in line with the chambers; and to put the loading system onto the revolveritself.
-Dreyse for creating the first BOLT action rifle in the 1840s, and for the first breach loading shotguns using a cartridge
-Mauser for putting metal cartridges into that bolt action although the french chassepot also has that designation, and for the brothers handguns
-Mosin and nagant, for the 3 line infantry rifle of 1890 wich is still the longest running bolt action battle rifle to be used in combat,
-nagant for the first revolver to eliminate the cylinder gap, and for the first and only handgun that can atually use a silencer
-witworth for some of the first serious long range sniper rifles, and for the first true armor piercing projectile design that is still being used
-maxim/nordenfelt/vickers for creating weapons that allow 3 or 4 men to obliterate hundreds of others in a few minutes
youi have to look at the big pictures overall. not just at one small spectrum of the gun world.
Runningman
Member
I'm with BitterBeerFace. Firearms as we know them today would be much different and much less reliable....... if smokless powder was not invented. So how about the guy who invented smokless gun powder Paul Vieille.
MachIVshooter
Member
HK made the first polymer pistol.
InkEd
Member
Well there you go.
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