Pistol Manufacturers

These are the pistol makers covered on Pistol Buyers Guide.com. Some trace their roots back centuries, others started in a small shop in the last few decades. Each card links to a full brand guide with company history, popular models and videos from the Gun Websites channel.

Pistols displayed in a red lighted case at a trade show
Lighted pistol display case
Kimber pistols on display at the Kimber booth at SHOT Show
Kimber booth pistols
A large collection of handguns from many makers laid out on a white table
Pistol collection

Beretta

Founded 1526

HeadquartersGardone Val Trompia, Italy

See Beretta pistols

Browning

Founded 1878

HeadquartersMorgan, Utah

See Browning pistols

Colt

Founded 1836

HeadquartersWest Hartford, Connecticut

See Colt pistols

CZ

Founded 1936

HeadquartersUherský Brod, Czech Republic

See CZ pistols

Glock

Founded 1963

HeadquartersDeutsch-Wagram, Austria

See Glock pistols

Heckler & Koch

Founded 1949

HeadquartersOberndorf am Neckar, Germany

See Heckler & Koch pistols

KelTec

Founded 1991

HeadquartersCocoa, Florida

See KelTec pistols

Kimber

Founded 1979

HeadquartersTroy, Alabama (since 2020)

See Kimber pistols

Ruger

Founded 1949

HeadquartersMayodan, North Carolina (since January 2026)

See Ruger pistols

SIG Sauer

Founded 1853

HeadquartersNewington, New Hampshire (SIG Sauer, Inc.)

See SIG Sauer pistols

Smith & Wesson

Founded 1852

HeadquartersMaryville, Tennessee (since 2023)

See Smith & Wesson pistols

Springfield Armory

Founded 1974

HeadquartersGeneseo, Illinois

See Springfield Armory pistols

Taurus

Founded 1939

HeadquartersSão Leopoldo, Brazil (global)

See Taurus pistols

See how these companies shaped the handgun on the Pistol Timeline, or compare models by size on Pistol Sizes.