The Biggest Guns in the World: From Personal Firearms to Naval Artillery

Understanding the scale and capabilities of the largest guns in the world can be a fascinating exploration of both engineering and military history. From personal firearms to naval artillery, this article delves into the largest guns known to mankind and the unique challenges of designing and utilizing such massive weapons.

Personal Firearms

In the realm of personal firearms, the 2-bore calibre has historically held the crown of supersizing. The 2-bore refers to a calibre where one imperial pound of lead would equate to two "balls" used in large-bore rifles. These rifles, often employed by "Big Game" hunters in Africa, could drop a charging animal like a buffalo, rhino, or elephant before it could trample their handlers. The .600 Nitro Express, manufactured by Pfeifer-Zeliska, is currently considered the largest production handgun in the world. This firearm fires .60-caliber cartridges and holds 6 shots. Anzio Ironworks has taken this concept to new heights with the 20mm sniper rifle, designed for combat use and weighing up to 130 lbs. This rifle fires the same cartridges used in U.S. fighter jets and is nearly 7 feet long, capable of an effective range of over 5000 yards. The GAU-8 "Avenger" is another contender, being the largest ever mounted in a military aircraft, designed for anti-armor use in the A-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly known as the "Warthog." This aircraft-mounted gun fires 30mm depleted uranium slugs and is accompanied by 1760 rounds of ammunition. However, the AC-130U "Spooky" gunship holds the current record for the largest gun ever mounted on an aircraft. This versatile craft is equipped with a 25mm GAU-12 Gatling gun, a 40mm Bofors cannon, and an M102 howitzer, able to fire 105mm shells at up to 10 rounds per minute. Despite the howitzer's ability to hold only one shell at a time, the aircraft can carry several thousand rounds.

Field and Naval Artillery

Beyond personal firearms, artillery pieces dominate the landscape of the largest guns. The 40cm/46cm Type 94 is notable as the largest naval gun ever built by caliber. These guns were integral to the Yamato-class battleships, the largest battleships by displacement ever built. Each gun could only hold one shell at a time, but the ships could fire up to 33-pound 105mm shells and were capable of firing at a rate of up to 10 rounds per minute. However, the Gustav Railway Gun, designed by the Germans during World War II, stands as the largest rifled artillery piece ever fielded. This humongous gun weighed 1350 tonnes and required specialized double railroad tracks for transport. It could fire a single 800-pound shell every 30 to 45 minutes, showcasing the engineering marvel that such a weapon is.

Conclusion

The largest guns in the world, from personal firearms to naval artillery, represent incredible feats of engineering and design. These weapons not only highlight the principles of ballistics and munitions but also serve as a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of power in warfare.