These Are the Most Mass-Produced Military Rifles in History

Rifles are the backbone of any military. Infantry carries them, taking objectives and seizing goals. They've been the crux of the modern army since their introduction to the battlefield in the 15th century. Today, we're looking at the most mass-produced military rifles in history.

Starting us off is the M1903 from Springfield Armory. The former service rifle of the United States Military, the M1903, was responsible for adopting the 30-06 cartridge, which would serve as the standard until the Korean War. Around 3 million of these rifles were produced.

The Carcano had quite a lengthy service life, as the base model and its subsequent derivatives saw usage with the Italian military for well over 50 years. An estimated 4.5 million of these rifles were produced, and they saw use in both World Wars.

The Chinese Type 63 is an unusual assault rifle, based in part on the Soviet SKS. However, it gets a bit more interesting when looking at its bolt and feed mechanism, which were heavily influenced by Soviet Kalashnikov rifles. Around 6 million of these rifles were produced and are still in active service around the world.

America's answer to a stopgap between pistol and rifle, the M1 Carbine was intended for officers and auxiliary troops who needed something with more potent stopping power than the standard-issued M1911A1 handgun of the era. The M1 Carbine was a popular weapon, serving with many American allies after the Second World War, with an estimated 6.5 million produced.

Once dubbed the "right arm of the free world," the FN FAL was a mainstay with NATO forces across Europe until well into the 2000s. Chambered in the potent 7.62 NATO, it was a reliable and robust rifle platform that still serves around the world to this day. An estimated 7 million of these rifles were produced.

This is the only lever-action rifle on our list today. The 1894 from Winchester has the honor of being designed by the famous John Browning, and is arguably one of the most popular hunting rifles ever made. An estimated 7.5 million of these rifles have been made, and it is still in active production today.

The G3 has one of the most interesting design histories you'll find for a battle rifle. Originally designed as a collaborative project between CETME and Heckler & Koch, the G3 would go on to be one of the most common Western rifles of the Cold War. An estimated 8 million rifles were produced, with many unlicensed copies still circulating the globe.

The United States was the only nation during the Second World War to field a semi-automatic rifle in any sort of quantity. The M1 Garand was the main battle rifle of the United States throughout World War II and the Korean War. With an estimated 5.4 million rifles produced, it certainly saw use afterward in the hands of South Korean and South Vietnamese forces throughout their respective conflicts.

Similar to the Carcano mentioned earlier, the Arisaka family of rifles served as the main service arm for the Japanese military starting in the late 19th century. Japanese forces would use the Arisaka well into the Second World War, with further revisions like the Type 38 and Type 99 being common sights. Around 10 million Arisakas were produced before all was said and done.

Simonov's carbine was intended to reach tankers and soldiers of the Soviet military during the Second World War. It missed the conflict, but went on to become one of the most famous rifles of all time. An astounding 15 million of these rifles were produced and still serve in rear guard and ceremonial capacities to this day.

When it comes to Western assault rifles, few stack up in sheer quantity to the AR-15 family of rifles. Once you factor in military and civilian ownership alike, you're looking at around 25 million rifles produced over the last 60 years. While the American military has started to move on from the M16 and its military derivatives, the AR-15 is likely to remain popular for the foreseeable future.

Britain's answer to the Carcano and Arisaka rifles, the Lee-Enfield had a service life of over 60 years. Seeing usage through both World Wars, it was one of the mainstays of English forces before moving on to its colonial holdings and close allies. An estimated 17 million of these bolt-action rifles were produced.

It may not seem it at first glance, but the German Gewehr 98 is perhaps the most influential rifle ever produced. The bolt-action mechanism has been the foundation of all modern bolt-action rifles. That said, an astounding 100 million of these Mauser-style rifles have been produced when looking at licensed, unlicensed, and subsequent revisions of the design.

It's difficult to put a number on just how many Mosin-Nagant rifles have been produced since their introduction in 1891. It was the rifle that saw Russia and the Soviet Union through both World Wars, and it has been present in just about every major conflict since. An estimated 37 million of these rifles were produced by the Russian factories, but there's no telling how many have been made in unlicensed factories since.

With an estimated 250 million rifles produced, including licensed and unlicensed productions, the AK-47 and its derivatives are the most popular rifles ever made. It isn't hard to see why; the simple manual of arms combined with a robust mechanism makes for an ideal fit for any country's military.