American gun manufacturers including Marlin, Ruger, Savage, and Winchester have made takedown rifles since the late 19th century. Some early examples include the Browning 22 Semi-Auto rifle, Remington Model 24, Remington Model 8, Winchester Model 86, and Winchester Model 94 by Fabrique Nationale, Remington Arms, and Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Many militaries in the early 20th century also experimented with takedown systems, particularly for the use by paratroopers. An example of this is the Japanese experimental TERA Rifles.

Most single-barrel and double-barrel shotguns readily break down to separate the buttstock and action from the barrel and forend and are often transported cased as takedown guns. Among repeating shotguns, the Winchester Model 97 and Model 12 shotguns were factory-made as takedown guns. Savage also makes a series of takedown over/under rifle/shotgun combination guns.

Survival guns such as the ArmaLite AR-7 may be disassembled and their barrel, action, and magazines stored within its plastic butt-stock. This lightweight 2.5 lb (1.1 kg), .22 caliber (5.6 mm), semi-automatic rifle measures 35 inches (89 cm) overall when assembled, 16 inches (41 cm) when disassembled, and can even float. Although the AR-7 was designed as a pilot and aircrew survival weapon, it is commonly used by target shooters and backpackers and is frequently stowed away in vehicles and boats.^[1]

Poacher's gun, the 18th century precursor to the takedown rifle.

• Carmichel, Jim. [1]. Outdoor Life. Feb 1, 2004. Accessed 2008-06-16.