What's the most iconic firearm?
Posted by cowboy3gunisfun@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 104 comments
Which gun is so iconic that if shown to anyone (even someone with zero firearm experience) they would be able to name it? I submit that it is the AK47.
I strongly considered the AR15, but so many politicians have shown pictures of something they called and AR15 that was definitely not.
SaundersTurnstone@reddit
In order: AK, desert eagle, AR-15, Uzi, maybe an RPG if that counts.
Peacemaker deserves to be on the list but sadly is not
arhtur-morgen@reddit
My guess would be the 1911
Timely-Fig-6300@reddit
Ppsh-41
perrysplus@reddit
Yeah it’s unquestionably the AK, but not one model, the whole platform. Most of the general public can’t distinguish between versions like the 47, 74, and AKM. Hell, I can’t. It’s that wood grain and silhouette man, too iconic. Nobody is going to mistake an AK47 for an AR15 though, unless they’re gullible as hell.
Wood_Duke75@reddit
MP5. Beretta 92 series. UZI. Desert Eagle. AK47/74. AR’s. Tommy Gun Side by Side shotgun. Colt Python. Model 29 smith. Mossberg 590/ REM 870’s (interchangeable) Ma Deuce .50 Predator Mini gun A10 Warthog Brrrrt.
CaptainShaboigen@reddit
I’d like to submit one but with a modification. I doubt many people could name this as a Franchi Spas 12, but I bet most people would look at this and say “That’s the gun from Jurassic Park.”
shit_poster9000@reddit
Not to mention it’s been in damn near every action movie and video game from the 90’s to the mid 2000’s.
Jaruut@reddit
It was the best sniper rifle in the OG Modern Warfare 2
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
Low-Landscape-4609@reddit
In my opinion it's the Glock pistol and I'll tell you why. It literally changed the game. Look how many Glock copies hit the market.
From a late nineties until present, you would be hard-pressed to find a police officer in the United States that did not have a Glock on their side.
The history of the Glock is freaking incredible. But do that knew nothing about handguns invented one of the best semi-automatic handguns to ever exist. Crazy.
smokeyser@reddit
It's the most recognizable name, but the average person couldn't tell a Glock 19 from a Sig P365 or a Springfield Hellcat.
Low-Landscape-4609@reddit
I mean, you can take anybody that's not a gun person and they're not going to be able to tell you what a 1911 is either.
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
I would say it's the most recognizable pistol in the world at this point, even more so than the 1911 (mainly because it's newer), just not sure if it's the one gun you could show to anyone and they could name it.
Low-Landscape-4609@reddit
I don't know man, I travel a lot when I was in the military and everybody around the world knows what a Glock is.
Even countries that can't have guns, they usually have airsoft and the Glock replica models are plenty LOL.
To be fair though, everybody knows what a 1911 is as well.
Ausco_1995@reddit
Tommy gun
Woodpusherpro@reddit
nutsackie@reddit
Bad ass
VanillaIce315@reddit
This was gonna be my answer
rdn6405@reddit
I’d say more so with the drum mag installed.
joelfarris@reddit
Careful there, encouraging the installation of a large capacity magazine feeding device into something that looks like that and has a protruding forward handgrip and also a pistol-like rear grip and also a custom-hand-shaped wooden stock that could be removed and replaced with something even more dangerous...
could be dangerous.
AdvantageDizzy2716@reddit
🤣
AdvantageDizzy2716@reddit
Yes
Scipio2myLou@reddit
1911 ?
Eagle_1776@reddit
chinese AK? Wouldnt a Russian pic be more correct for the question
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
It's the only "AK" I got
Eagle_1776@reddit
Just giving ya shit
Bortjort@reddit
The AK is the only gun on national flags
Floor_Cereal@reddit
I can think of a few. The SKS, AK47, Tommy gun, and the Desert Eagle. If you've played any shooters in the past 20 years, you've seen those
AdUpstairs7106@reddit
Being very vague I would say a shotgun or a revolver. Most people would be able to identify a shotgun or a revolver.
Being a little more specific I would say an AK pattern style rifle (AK, AKM).
Substantial_Two_8615@reddit
Globally, AK47 and variations thereof
nutdo1@reddit
I agree. It’s even on the flag of Mozambique. Anyone from the insurgent groups in South America, Afghan tribesmen, Vietnamese farmers, to random African militias would be familiar with the AK whereas the other guns commented here are only recognizable to American audiences (via movies or TV) for the most part.
Comfortable_Guide622@reddit
Luger is likely a candidate
sygyzy0@reddit
I’d say a Glock
Aggressive-Jelly-405@reddit
A 30/30
dylanx5150@reddit
It's the AR-15, and for the reason you noted. It has become so iconic that now every firearm is an AR-15.
Striking_Hearing34@reddit
Truth!!!
Fun fact..the mini gun is even an AR-15 lol
TemperReformanda@reddit
I have a bag of rubber bands that are all AR15s
ImJustStealingMemes@reddit
My AR-15:
dylanx5150@reddit
Quw10@reddit
Hell even the AK family is start to be like an AR with the 500 series having interchangeable uppers.
humblesnake_Ssss@reddit
Musket
biblecampvictim13@reddit
Garand, AK, and ar for rifles and deagle for pistols
Significant_Ask_9382@reddit
Ak-47, Tommy Gun, Glock
shotgunpete2222@reddit
Would they?
Can a member of the general public tell the difference between a AK-47, AK-74, and an AKM? An AR-15 vs M-4 with similar furniture or a HK-416? Hell, I think most non shooters would believe them if you showed them Browning Hi-Power and told them it was a 1911.
If you're talking AK or ARs as a family of weapons, sure, people can spot that. But you were very specific as to "oh that's an AK-47" and I don't think folks normally have that level of distinction.
For my guess, I'd say a full size Uzi has the best chance of a rando picking the correct model
salty_drafter@reddit
Either that or an m2 browning heavy machine gun.
baneofthesmurf@reddit
To your point, is it even an ak47 pictured here? I don't know enough to say one way or the other
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
Norinco Mac 90
GregorIsABug@reddit
Damn, I thought it was pre-ban. Beautiful rifle OP, love the Chinese guns.
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
Thanks, she's a fun one. Keep thinking about modifying the muzzle, but my heart isn't really in it.
GregorIsABug@reddit
Hey quite a lot of military type 56s had unthreaded muzzles so you can always just claim its for clone correctness
323x57@reddit
I don’t know either. I believe true AK47’s are rare, and most of what we think of are actually AKM’s. I know little to nothing of the nuances between them. Think it takes being more than a general gun nerd to know what you are looking at with AK’s or most firearms for that matter. I’m willing to bet many of us have our own favorites and can geek out on a certain family of firearms, I’ve never gone down the AK rabbit hole.
IudexJudy@reddit
You are correct, AK47s are milled and AKMs are stamped (among other smaller nuances) so you will rarely see a true AK47
GregorIsABug@reddit
I beleive its a stamped type 56. Chinese.
TacTurtle@reddit
Glawk
IudexJudy@reddit
Yeah I guess if you’re going to get down to specific model designation but AKs are absolutely one of the most recognizable firearms ever created there is a reason most people can recognize one even if they call an AKM an AK-47 the point still stands
HistoricalDowner@reddit
Pistol (revolver): Colt .45 single action
Pistol (semi): Springfield 1911.
Rifle (repeater): Winchester lever action (1873)
Rifle (automatic): Tommy gun.
Rifle (semi auto): M1 Garand or M16.
Shotgun: Winchester model 12.
Golf38611@reddit
I agree with all except the repeater and shotgun.
I would have to vote for the Winchester 1894 and the Remington 870.
joelfarris@reddit
Someone obviously grew up with John Wayne, James Cagney, and Chazz Palminteri.
Wait a second though, what the heck is a Model 12?
joelfarris@reddit
Found it!
You mean to tell us that the man who invented the 1911, the Winchester lever action, and the freakin' B.A.R., also designed a pump action shotgun because he was told to make an automated one!?
https://rangehot.com/the-winchester-model-12-shotgun-was-almost-perfect/
Oh. There was someone else behind the scenes too.
Dude got rid of the 'thumb-buster' design. Good job. Two thumbs up.
22dinoman@reddit
I thought about Tommy gun was a sub machine gun not a rifle?
HistoricalDowner@reddit
It is a submachine gun, I know some people consider them to be like a carbine rifle (due to the barrel and stock) but since they fire .45 ACP, you are correct.
Thank you for the correction, I will edit.
22dinoman@reddit
I was just asking cause ik the BAR is a rifle and had thought that maybe I mislabeled it but you're welcome lol
Rdmtbiker@reddit
This list
Spiel_Foss@reddit
M60
Wild13ill@reddit
I would say a Desert Eagle is pretty identifiable..
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
BeanFiend96@reddit
P90 / MP5 & 1911 for sure
HybridP365@reddit
Double barrel shotgun. So basic that basically everyone can name one as such. As others have pointed out, there are too many guns that look similar to AK-47s or AR-15s that non shooters would be wrong and often as not. But a double barrel shotgun is a double barrel shotgun. regardless of make or model.
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
RepulsiveUse3372@reddit
MP5, 1911 Beretta M9, Glock
TemperReformanda@reddit
Perhaps, but I really don't think it overshadows the old single action revolver thats been used in movies ever since there were movies, even up to this day
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
True, but could someone name it? Besides just calling it a "cowboy gun"?
323x57@reddit
Colt 1879 Single Action Army.
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
I'd argue the 1873 is the more "iconic" design
323x57@reddit
You’re correct, not sure why my brain went to 1879. Although now I need to look it up, I’m thinking that they were basically the same, or it’s possible I’m just wrong.
TacTurtle@reddit
You might be misremembering the Colt 1871-1872 Open Top that evolved into the 1873 SAA.
TacTurtle@reddit
Unless of course it is actually a Colt 1873 or 1877, a converted 1858 or 1875 Remington, or even a Schofield No3.
TemperReformanda@reddit
They aren't going to know an AK from an Uzi from an AR either
scorpionewmoon@reddit
I can’t believe no one said MAC-11 or MAC-10, maybe I just listen to more 90s rap than the average bear but that’s a pretty recognizable design and known name.
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
Ironically this is why I didn't go with the Uzi, lots of folks (ignorant of firearms) would confuse the two.
scorpionewmoon@reddit
Yeah that’s a fair point, and they aren’t as related as like an ak47 and ak74 for example.
irenaroxana@reddit
the amount of times ive seen someone call a mac an uzi though lol
Hold_Left_Edge@reddit
I would like to submut the m1 garand with the humble *ping* for consideration
MissionDirect8529@reddit
Glock 17, period.
thaldrel@reddit
Beretta 92fs tied with the ak47
sinsofcarolina@reddit
Henry lever action
yourMommaKnow@reddit
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
k890@reddit
Side by side shotgun. It's harder for more recognized type of firearm in common culture
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
BroseppeVerdi@reddit
AK-47: The very best there is. When you absolutely positively got to kill every motherfucker in the room... Accept no substitute.
Downtown_Teaching163@reddit
AK47, Colt SAA, Uzi, MAC 10, Tommy Gun, M16, Luger, maybe 1911. Think of guns even the general public knows.
wisockamonster@reddit
Ak47
Peeteebee@reddit
Tommy Gun.
Through nothing more than pop culture, its become a literal icon, the symbol used on instruction manuals, video games and ppictures to signify a "machine gun".
From your Granny describing any full auto weapon as "A Tommy Gun",
To the "rat-a-tat-tat" motion of anyone from little kids to pensioners to describe a firefight..
( go on, hold an imaginary tommy gun, now spray and pray.... Just like Jimmy Cagney!!!)
Al Capone to Winston Churchill, a thousand movies and a million pulp detective stories.
Each generation and genre has its placeholders, ( Ice Cubes untouched "AK", to Ahhhnuld and his "Oooozeee Nine milleemeettah"...
But the Tommy gun has crossed generational and genre boundaries.
cowboy3gunisfun@reddit (OP)
Didn't consider this one, solid choice for sure.
Striking_Hearing34@reddit
I feel like Colt 1911 or Barrett .50 Cal 82A1
xX_Monster97_Xx@reddit
Cheytac m200 as well
Striking_Hearing34@reddit
Agreed 100% you may never have shot a gun in real life but everyone knows the Intervention lol 😂
xX_Monster97_Xx@reddit
Its from all 1v1 me on rust days
Dodo224@reddit
Without firearm experience it probably actually is the Ak-47, because of the iconic and easy to recognisable shape. With experience it's the Mauser 98 system.
22dinoman@reddit
Probably the AK, MP5, 1911, etc basically any standard action movie weapon I'd imagine most people would recognize even if they couldn't name it
Ausco_1995@reddit
Or the Uzi! Both are iconic. Maybe not as much as they used to be but still iconic.
FYIstillplaysleague@reddit
Has to be the AR platform or the ak if we are talking most widely used.
GamesFranco2819@reddit
AR15/M16, AK-47/AKM, full size Uzi with the folding stock, and maybe the Winchester family of lever actions would get my vote