An Armourer's Classic Top 10 Small Arms

[MG34]

Not in any partcular order:

Modèle 1886 Lebel: First repeating rifle that was general issue to a standing army, and first weapon to use smokeless powder as a propellant

Brown Bess: The rifle that won continents in British Service

1883 LeFever Shotgun: First hammerless and automatic ejecting shotguns, later bought out by Ithaca in 1916

Stg 44: no need for any comment

AR15 FOW

AK FOW

Maxim MG

Madsen Machine Gun: First LMG to be issued to any army

Mauser C96: First semi automatic pistol to see military service

Mauser 98 series

 

[timma]

1. SMLE No4 .303
2. M1 Garand
3. Colt M1911A1
4. Bren Mk2
5. Thompson SMG
6. MG 42
7. Browning .50 HMG
8. AK 47
9. FN C1
10. Vickers .303 MG

 

[uzi]

i'll say: m16/m4, aug, glock17, minimi, mp5, uzi, ak47/74,beretta 92F,mp38/40,sten

 

[Simonov]

Of the more recent history IMO:

1. StG44 - revolutionary design that resulted in the modern assault rifle and changed modern warfare.
2. M1 Garand - First semi-automatic service rifle fielded en masse.
3. Mr. Browning's M1911 - locked breech design used in almost every modern semi pistol.
4. FN FAL/HK G3 - Cold War defenders of the Free World.
5. MG-42 - Used to this very day.
6. MP5 - The SMG of choice for decades.
7. Mauser 98 action.
8. Glock - Tactical Tupperware.
9. FN MINIMI - THE light support weapon of the 21st century.
10. AK - Yeah they made millions of them, so I guess it deserves a spot. Otherwise unremarkable.

Honourary 11. place for the HK P7, though not as relevant, it's an excellent carry handgun.