Last updated May 2026 · By Nick Hall, firearm industry analyst tracking NSSF best-seller data and manufacturer shipments
Quick Answer: The Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II/III was the best-selling AR-15 in the United States in 2023-2024, and the Glock 19 / 19X / 45 family was the best-selling handgun. The Sig Sauer P365 dominated the micro-compact category, and Ruger 10/22 remained the best-selling rimfire rifle.
Best-selling categories 2023-2024: striker-fired 9mm pistols (Glock 19, Sig P365, S&W M&P 2.0), entry-level AR-15s (Smith & Wesson, Ruger AR-556, Palmetto State Armory), and pump-action shotguns (Mossberg 500, Remington 870). The Springfield Hellcat and Ruger MAX-9 were strong performers in the high-capacity micro category.
The biggest mistake new gun buyers make is choosing based purely on best-seller lists. Best-sellers reflect price, marketing, and brand recognition as much as capability; the right gun for you depends on use case (home defense, concealed carry, hunting, competition). Match the gun to the role, then look at best-seller lists for what is genuinely supported and reliable in that category.
The best selling guns in America are number one for a very good reason.
So you should have a list of the best sellers and you should know why they’re so popular. It might just make you pull the trigger and buy a gun online today.
So what are the best selling guns in America in 2023?
Table of Contents
How we tested: Every pick here is ranked against our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun. Where we have not shot a specific variant ourselves, we say so in that section.
1. Sig Sauer P365
- Price: $479.99+
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 3.1 inch
- Weight: 1lb
- Capacity: 10+1
The Sig Sauer P365 is the concealed carry champion of the world at the moment.
Now the original micro compact has expanded into a model line of X, XL and Spectre Works custom guns. But the State compliant 10 round flush fitting magazine is just about the sweet spot for ease of concealment.
So the original is maybe still the best, and you can pick up gun deals and a Sig P365 for less than $500. Then upgrade it over time with custom Sig P365 accessories.
2. Sig Sauer P320
- Price: $429.99+
- Caliber: 9mm Luger/45 ACP/10mm Auto
- Barrel: 3.9-5
- Weight: 1.7lb
- Capacity: 15+1
The Sig Sauer P320 Compact has beaten the competition with aggressive pricing and some stunning gun deals on the classic Sig P320 Compact.
Lots of military and police use the Sig P320, although there have been some high profile lawsuits arising from accidental discharge issues.
The M17 is the official military sidearm for the US Army, Navy, US Marine Corps and more. That alone means it[‘s still an absolute sales sensation and one of America’s best selling guns to this day.
With a great grip angle, high capacity, excellent accuracy and a feelsome trigger pull, the Sig P320 is still a match for any striker fired pistol on the market.
3. Glock 19
- Price: $539.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 4.02 inch
- Weight: 1.7lb
- Capacity: 15+1
#1 Best First Handgun
Price: 4/5 Performance: 5/5 Stopping Power: 3/5 Capacity: 5/5 Style: 3/5
The Glock 19 is almost the default home defense, self defense and concealed carry pistol for the US market.
Almost every gun owners has a Glock 19 at some point, and rightfully so. It’s a great starter pistol and if you just need an all round defensive pistol then the Glock 19 is all the gun you’ll ever really need.
With a high capacity magazine, and simplified design meaning almost no maintenance, the Glock 19 is a great pistol. Almost every law enforcement agency and military unit has it on the approved list and it is an icon of modern design.
It lacks soul and charm, but it makes up for that with dependability, reliability and supreme accuracy. If you only have one handgun, it probably should be a Glock 19.
4. Glock 43x
- Price: $539.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 4.02 inch
- Weight: 1.7lb
- Capacity: 15+1
The Glock 43x is a great sub compact carry gun. At the moment it’s playing second fiddle to Sig, but that can change fast in this game. The Glock 43x MOS semi auto pistol is a near perfect concealed carry gun if you’re a new shooter who also wants versatility and the ability to shoot with red dot sights.
With no manual safety, you need the best IWB holsters with Glock models to keep the trigger safety away from your keys.
But the Glock Safe Action system keeps getting better and you don’t hear many problems with Glocks going off unintentionally, considering how many them are of them
5. Taurus G2C
- Price: $539.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 4.02 inch
- Weight: 1.7lb
- Capacity: 15+1
The Taurus G2C ia a great low budget concealed carry handgun.
It does the basics really well and is a super reliable striker fired pistol that can slip inside your waistband or in a pocket. Even though the trigger is quirky, this high capacity sub compact 9mm is a smash hit because of that amazing price tag.
Top Selling Revolvers
1. Colt Python
- Price: $1,326.99
- Caliber: 357 Magnum
- Barrel: 4.25 inch
- Weight: 2.63lb
- Capacity: 6
Best Selling Revolver
Price: 2/5 Performance: 5/5 Stopping Power: 5/5 Capacity: 3/5 Style: 5/5
The Colt Anaconda recently relaunched to a massive fanfare, and has lived up to the potential.
It’s a simple six shot stainless steel revolver, with a 4.25 inch barrel, 6 or 8 inch barrel. But it is put together beautifully.
A linear leaf spring trigger action eliminates stacking and provides a sensational trigger pull for defensive use and target shooting. There’s a vent rib, a full lug barrel, a recessed target crown and a frame that is drilled and tapped for optics & scopes.
This is a near perfect example of a 357 Magnum revolver for hunting and target shooting. And it’s proving a sales sensation in 2023.
It is elegant, feels expensive and is proving to be a spectacularly reliable and accurate wheel gun. And the Colt Python deserves this moment in the sun.
2. Ruger Blackhawk Convertible
- Price: $1,326.99
- Caliber: 357 Magnum/44 Magnum/45 Long Colt
- Barrel: 4.6/6.5/8 inch
- Weight: 1.8lb
- Capacity: 6
Price: 3/5 Performance: 5/5 Stopping Power: 5/5 Capacity: 3/5 Style: 3/5
The Ruger Blackhawk is a traditional six shooter with bags of flair and a decent price tag. The convertible version gives a choice of calibers and it is a popular hunting handgun, as well as a defensive revolver.
3. Heritage Rough Rider
- Price: $1,326.99
- Caliber: 22LR/22 WMR/357 Magnum
- Barrel: 4-8 inch
- Weight: 1.8lb
- Capacity: 6
The Heritage Rough Rider is a budget friendly revolver that you can order in simple 22lr or 357 Magnum.
Of course the 22 Long Rifle is the top selling version, because it’s so cheap.
Top Selling Shotguns
Semi Auto shotguns and pump action shotguns are big business for home defense, and a wide variety of shooting sports. So if you’re looking for pump action shotguns, or semi auto shotguns, then it helps to know the best selling models.
1. Mossberg Maverick 88
- Price: $239.99
The Mossberg Maverick is one of the most top selling shotguns in recent times and in July 2003 it was the top selling shotgun on Guns.com and also Gunbacker.
So these pump action shotguns are selling like hot cakes right now. The cheap Maverick Security is the top selling model, which isn’t a major surprise.
All rights reserved. Full terms & conditions of our privacy agreement and other terms of service are available on request. Just talk to customer service, leave your email address and we’ll start talking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best selling gun in America?
The Sig Sauer P365 family and Glock 19 consistently rank as the top-selling handguns. The Smith and Wesson M&P Shield Plus is close behind. For rifles, AR-15 platform guns dominate sales.
How many guns are sold in the US each year?
The US averages roughly 15 to 20 million NICS background checks annually for gun sales. Actual gun sales are likely higher since some checks cover multiple firearms and private sales are not tracked.
What type of gun sells the most?
9mm semi-automatic handguns are the highest-selling category, driven by concealed carry demand. Within handguns, micro-compact 9mms like the P365 and Hellcat lead the market.
Are gun sales increasing or decreasing?
Gun sales surged dramatically in 2020-2021 and remain elevated above pre-2020 levels. First-time gun buyers expanded the market significantly. Sales normalize somewhat year to year but the overall trend is growth.
What is the most popular rifle in America?
The AR-15 platform is the most popular rifle in America by a wide margin. An estimated 20 to 25 million are in civilian hands. No other rifle type comes close in annual sales volume.
What is the most popular caliber in America?
9mm Luger is the most popular handgun caliber by sales volume. For rifles, 5.56 NATO / .223 Remington leads followed by .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor. 12-gauge is dominant for shotguns.
How many Americans own guns?
Approximately 80 to 100 million Americans own at least one firearm, with an estimated 400+ million guns in civilian hands. About 30 to 32 percent of adults report personal gun ownership in surveys.
What brands sell the most guns?
Smith and Wesson, Sig Sauer, Glock, Ruger, and Taurus are consistently the top-selling handgun brands. For rifles, Smith and Wesson (M&P15), Ruger, and Sig lead the market.
6,216+ Gun & Ammo Deals
Updated daily from 200+ top retailers. Filter by category, caliber, action type, and price.
Related Guides