Most Popular Guns in the U.S.: The Must-Have Guns in 2024

Methodology

Identifying the most popular guns in the U.S. is challenging. We decided to outline why these firearms are the best guns in the U.S.

Here is our methodology for choosing the most popular guns:

1. Top-Selling: The top-selling guns for each decade made our list.
2. The longest-running models: Some firearms have withstood the test of time, while others fizzled out quickly.
3. Top-Rated: We’ve included guns that were highly rated, reviewed, and recommended by experts, enthusiasts, and gun owners.
4. New and Improved: Although we focus on longest-running models, we don’t want to exclude newer models that shooters love. That’s why we’re including some new models that are highly rated and have the best sales.
5. Firearms You Can Purchase Today: Sadly, some of the best firearms aren’t easily available to the general public (we love you, Thompson submachine gun), so we’ll include the ones you can still buy.

Note: The number of firearms sold and manufactured are not tracked in the U.S. We’ve used the most recent estimates in our tables below.

Most Popular Guns in the U.S.

#1 - AK-47

There are over 100 million Kalashnikov AK-47 rifles worldwide, with more than 175,000 registered in the U.S., according to NFA reports. Developed between 1945 and 1947, this iconic firearm is used globally and is still highly coveted in the United States.

Of course, an article listing the most popular guns in the U.S. must include the AK-47. Although the fully automatic variations are challenging to obtain, similar rifles and semiautomatic AK-47s are still available to American shoppers.

#2 - Ruger 10/22 Rifle

Ruger 10/22 - Rifle - 5 to 7 million

First released to the public in 1964, the Ruger 10/22 .22LR rifle has been a dominant force in the industry for over fifty years. Its affordability, beginner-friendly design, and popularity among enthusiasts make it an excellent choice for plinking and varmint control. ¹

With over 800 variations and an estimated 5 to 7 million in the U.S., the Ruger 10/22 has truly stood the test of time, earning its place as an all-time fan favorite. ²

#3 - Glock Pistols

Glock Pistols - Handgun - 20 million

Designed in 1982, the first generation of Glock pistol led to a cult following of the Austrian manufacturer’s polymer-framed guns. More than 40 years later, there are 50 variations, and 20 million have been sold globally. ³ The Glock 17 is the best-selling model in the U.S., with the Glock 19 being the best selling globally. ⁵

Although Americans have a love/hate relationship with Glock, its sheer amount of firearms sales and number of variations have secured this firearm in our most popular guns list. ⁴

#4 - AR-15s

AR-15 - Rifles - 23 Million

America’s ArmaLite Rifles are one of the most controversial and widely sold firearms. Colt’s AR-15 rifles are the most popular, but these rifles come from many manufacturers in many variations and calibers.

Colt released the AR-15 Sporter to the civilian market in 1963, but the rifle didn’t really take off until the 1980s. After the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, the civilian market exploded with AR-15 purchases.

We estimate that there are more than twenty-three million AR-style rifles in the U.S. today. These estimates don’t include privately manufactured firearms, however, so the total is likely higher.

#5 - 1911 Models

Colt 1911 pistols hit the market in 1911 and accompanied U.S. soldiers during WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and many other conflicts until 1985. By the end of WWII, more than 2 million 1911 model Colt firearms were in service. ⁹

Colt has manufactured 1911 pistols for the civilian, military, and law enforcement markets. Other companies used the same design to create their own 1911 models. Therefore, uncovering how many 1911 models are in the U.S. is nearly impossible.

#6 - Remington 870

Since its first introduction, more than 11 million Remington 870 model shotguns have been produced. The 870 has been considered America’s most-trusted pump action shotgun for over 70 years. ¹⁰

The 870 is a versatile firearm that fulfills the needs of civilians and professionals. The Marine Corps, FBI, Secret Service, Border Patrol, and various law enforcement agencies have utilized this firearm in a professional capacity, while civilians find it useful for hunting and personal defense.

#7 - Sig Sauer P365

One of the more common pistols in 2024 is the Sig P365. Although this model is much younger than others on our list, it has remained a top seller since 2018. Together, the P365, P365X, and P365XL are often referred to as the top-selling gun on the market. ¹¹

Similar to 1911 models, there are no estimates of how many P365 pistols were manufactured or sold. The P365’s reputation, variants, and long-running popularity earned this firearm a spot on our list.

#8 - Mossberg 500

Mossberg has sold more than 12 million model 500 shotguns since their introduction in 1961. These pump-action shotguns have been a favorite of gun enthusiasts, the U.S. military, and law enforcement agencies for nearly six decades.

Mossberg offers plenty of variants of this popular shotgun in 2024. From the ATI Tactical to the more traditional Field lineup, the Mossberg 500 has withstood the test of time, grown over the years, and earned a spot in the most popular guns of all time list.

#9 - Remington 700

The Remington 700 was introduced in 1962. For over six decades, the company has produced over 5 million units of this rifle and its variants.

The Remington 700 is popular among hunters, law enforcement, and military personnel. Its variants range from varmint hunting to combat and come in a wide array of calibers.

#10 - Smith & Wesson M&P Shield

Though only introduced in 2012, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield would sell more than 3 million firearms by 2019. Like others in our list, this firearm has multiple variants and is still prized by gun owners over a decade after its introduction. ¹²

S&W released the M&P 2.0 in 2017 with upgraded grips and chassis. The M&P Shield series is available in the most common personal defense chambers.

Most Popular Guns 2023

In 2023, the best-selling guns in each category were the SIG Sauer P365 pistol, Colt Python revolver, Ruger 10/22 semi-automatic rifle, and Beretta A400 semi-automatic shotgun.

More guns have been sold in the past four years than ever before. Fortunately, the NSSF and Gun Broker are here to help us discover which ones are most popular today.

American Guns: An Ongoing Love Affair

Some firearms hit the market, make a lot of noise, then quickly fizzle away. Others are timeless classics where the manufacturers improve upon existing models for generations of families, service members, and law enforcement officers to utilize.

As much as we’d love to include the Colt Single Action Army and all your favorites to avoid any ongoing debates, the models listed above are undisputed based on their number of sales, positive reviews, popularity, and long-running status.

Sources:

1. Ruger 10/22 History
2. Ruger 10/22 Sales Estimates
3. Glock History
4. Glock Sales Estimates
5. Glock Model Sales
6. AR-15 Facts
7. AR-15 Colt Sporter
8. AR-15 Estimates
9. A Short History of the Beloved Colt 1911
10. The Model 870
11. What is the Sig P365?
12. Smith and Wesson Ships Three Million
13. Mossberg 500: The Complete Story of An American Icon