What gun has killed the most people?

The Lethal Legacy of the AK-47

When asking which firearm has claimed the most lives throughout human history, military historians consistently point to one iconic design: the Kalashnikov AK-47. Engineered in the Soviet Union and put into official production in 1947, this assault rifle quickly grew from a standard-issue infantry weapon into the most widely distributed firearm on the planet.

Its unparalleled lethality stems not from sophisticated technology, but from extreme reliability and simplicity. Much like the ancient Roman gladius—a simple short sword credited with staggering battlefield casualties over centuries—the AK-47 excels because of its ease of manufacturing, durability, and low cost. It operates smoothly in freezing mud, desert dust, or heavy rain, requiring minimal maintenance even in the hands of untrained operators.

With an estimated 100 million units and variants produced worldwide, the AK-47 has left its mark on virtually every conflict over the past seven decades. As global militaries and armed groups continue to deploy and proliferate this rifle, its historical footprint only deepens, making it arguably the single deadliest firearm in modern warfare.