The word pistol derives its name from the Middle French pistolet which means a small gun/knife. The word is generally used to describe any type of handgun, inclusive of the revolver and the pocket-sized derringers.
Nowadays single-shot and manual repeating pistols are replaced by the modern semi-automatic pistols. With the ever-growing demand and new improvements in firearms technology, many companies are striving to introduce the best models of pistols in the current market.
Pistol Brands in the World
Smith & Wesson
Country: United States of America
The company was founded by Horace Smith and Daniel B Wesson in 1856. They manufacture firearms, ammunition, and restraints. They are famous for their pistols and revolvers which includes models such as Smith and Wesson Model 1, Smith and Wesson Model 3, Smith and Wesson Ladysmith, Smith and Wesson Model 14 and Smith and Wesson Model 1913.
Wilson Combat
Country: United States of America
The company was founded by Bill Wilson in 1977 and is famously known for its customization and manufacturing of M1911A1s which is a semi-automatic, semi action recoil pistol. Special forces such as Delta Force and Navy Seals use handguns made from Wilson.
Springfield Armory Inc.
Country: United States of America
The company was founded by Bob Reese in 1974. The company produces handguns such as the XD series which included XD-M, XD-S, XD-E, and 911 pistols along with the latest semi-automatic pistol Hellcat.
Thompson Center Arms
Country: United States of America
The company is famously known for its line of interchangeable barrel, single-shot pistols, and rifles. The company was founded by K.W. Thompson Tool & Warren Center in 1965. Their pistol models consist of both Break action pistols and Muzzleloading pistols. They are under the parent company Smith & Wesson.
Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Country: United States of America
The company was founded by William B. Ruger and Alexander McCormick Sturm in 1949. It is a firearm manufacturing company that is known for producing bolt action, semi-automatic and single-shot rifles along with pistols and revolvers. They are the largest firearm manufacturer in the U.S and also the second-largest pistol and revolver manufacturer in the United States only behind Smith & Wesson.
Kimber
Country: United States of America
The company was founded by Jack Warne and Greg Warne in 1979. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes small arms, pistols, and rifles. They have pistol series such as the Kimber Custom series, Kimber Gold Match ll series, Kimber Eclipse series, Kimber Micro Series, Kimber Aegis, and revolver series such as the Kimber K6 series.
Browning Arms Company
Country: United States of America
The company was founded by John Browning in 1878 and is known for its wide variety of firearms which include shotguns, rifles, and pistols. They have pistol models such as Browning BDM, Browning Hi-Power, Browning Hi-Power BDA, Browning Buck Mark, Browning BDA Handguns, Browning BDA 380. Currently, it is headed by its parent group Herstal S.A.
Beretta
Country: Italy
The company was founded by Beretta in 1526. Military, law enforcers, and civilians from all over the world use their firearms for various purposes. They serve semi-automatic pistols such as the Beretta Model 1915, Beretta M1923, Beretta 418, Beretta 70 series, Beretta Cheetah series and Beretta 8000 series to name a few. Currently, it is under Beretta Holding.
Ceska zbrojovka a.s Uhersky Brod
Country: Czech Republic
The company was founded in 1919 and is owned by the Czech company Ceska Zbrojovka Group SE. The company is the largest Czech exporter of firearms in the world and known for its wide range of pistol series such as the CZ P-10, CZ P-10 NATO, CZ P-07/09, CZ 75, CZ 75 TS, KADET, etc.
Glock Ges.m.b.H
Country: Austria
The company was founded by Gaston Glock in 1963 and is famous for its polymer-framed pistols which include the famous Glock series of pistols such as Glock 44, Glock 36, Glock 42, Glock 43 and Glock 43x and Glock 48.
Dan Wesson
Country: Czech Republic/ United States of America
The company was founded by Daniel B. Season ll in 1968. The company is known for its manufacturing of firearms and law enforcement goods. Their firearms consist of revolver models such as the 715, A2, Bruin, Commander Classic, Discretion, DWX, etc.
STI International
Country: United States of America
STI stands for Strayer-Tripp International. It is a firearm manufacturing company which is known for its semi-automatic pistols. The company was founded by Virgil Tripp in 1980. The company still produces a full range of 1911 pistols with a modular frame and a wide range of varieties of calibers.
Walter GmbH
Country: Germany
The company was founded by Carl Walther in 1886 and is known for its firearms and air guns. They manufacture handguns such as the Walther OSP, Walther GSP, Walther SSP, Walther Olympia, Walther SP22, Walther Model 9, and Walther PPQ. They are owned by the parent company PW Group.
FN Herstal
Country: Belgium
FN stands for Fabrique Nationale was founded by Henri Pieper in 1889 and is known as a leading firearms manufacturer. They consist of a series of handguns such as the Barracuda, FN 509, FN 503, FN FNP, FN five-seven, FN FNS, FN Forty- Nine and FN Grand Browning, etc. Currently, it is owned by the holding company Herstal Group.
Armscor Global Defense, Inc
Country: Philippines
The company was founded by Ray Squires and William Bingham in 1905 and is known for its inexpensive 1911 pattern pistols, revolvers, shotguns, sporting rifles, firearms parts, and ammunition. They have revolvers such as M200, M202, and M206 along with a handgun range of GI Series, Match Series, etc.
Kahr Arms
Country: United States of America
The company was founded by Moon Kook-jin in 1995 and is known for its specialty in manufacturing compact and mid-sized semi-automatic pistols such as the Kahr MK series, Kahr CM Series, Kahr CW Series, Kahr P Series, Kahr PM series, etc. Kahr Arm’s is the part of Kahr Firearms Group.
Bersa
Country: Argentina
The company was founded in 1958 and is known for its manufacturing of firearms and weapons. They manufacture handguns such as the Bersa 83, Bersa Thunder 32, Bersa Thunder 380, Bersa 383a, and Bersa Thunder 9.
Para USA
Country: United States of America
The company was previously known as Para Ordnance and was founded in 1985 by Ted Szabo and Thanos Polyzos. The company is known for its firearms manufacturing which includes automatic pistols and components such as the Custom P14-45 and the Para-Ordnance 10-45. It is owned by the Freedom Group.
North American Arms
Country: United States of America
The company was founded in 1948 and is currently owned by Sandy Chisholm and is known for its pocket pistols and mini-revolvers.
Freedom Arms
Country: United States of America
The company was founded by Wayne Baker, Dick Casull in 1978 and is known for manufacturing powerful single-action revolvers. They made the famous revolver such as the Model 83 which was a five-shot revolver. Currently, they also make single-shot pistols too.
Korth
Country: Germany
The company was founded by Will Korth in 1954 and is known for its quality firearm manufacturing of revolvers and semi-automatic pistols such as the Korth Combat. Korth Combat is a high end, a top-quality revolver that is custom made and will cost over €3000.
A.Uberti, Srl.
Country: Italy
The company was founded by Aldo Uberti in 1959 and is known to build 19th-century replicas of American firearms which are used in several shooting sports. Their firearms replicas consist of handguns, rifles, and Carbines. Their firearms quality also attracts collectors and firearm enthusiasts. Currently, they are owned by Benelli.
Detonics
Country: United States of America
The company was founded around 1976 and is known for its compact self-loading pistols with innovative design. Pocket 9 and 1911-style Combat Master.
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