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- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Gun?
I get this question constantly. And the short answer is pretty simple: Black Friday, Memorial Day, and the 4th of July. Those three holidays consistently deliver the deepest discounts across every major online retailer. If you only buy guns three times a year, those are your windows.
But the real answer has more layers. What kind of gun are you buying? A handgun for carry? An AR-15? A hunting rifle? Each category has its own pricing rhythm tied to seasons, manufacturer release cycles, and buyer demand. A bolt-action rifle deal in September looks very different from a pistol deal in November.
Here is the thing most people miss: SHOT Show in January kicks off a wave of new model announcements every single year. That means last year’s models start hitting clearance bins by February and March. Retailers need to move old inventory to make room for the new stuff. If you’re not married to having the absolute latest version, that post-SHOT window is quietly one of the best times to buy.
End-of-year clearance is another sleeper. December through early January, retailers are dumping inventory to clean up their books for the new fiscal year. You won’t see it advertised as loudly as Black Friday, but the discounts can be just as good if you know where to look.
The Gun Sale Calendar: Month by Month
January: SHOT Show typically happens mid-January in Las Vegas. Every major manufacturer unveils their new lineup for the year. This is when you start seeing “previous generation” labels slapped on perfectly good guns that were full price two weeks ago. Smart buyers watch for clearance pricing on outgoing models. Tax refund season also starts ramping up, and retailers know it.
February: Post-SHOT Show price drops are in full swing. Distributors are pushing last year’s inventory hard to make room for new SKUs. Tax refunds start hitting bank accounts, so some retailers run President’s Day sales to capture that cash. This is a solid month for deals if you’re flexible on exactly which model you want.
March and April: Spring sales pop up, though they’re not as aggressive as the big holiday events. Turkey season drives shotgun deals, especially on 12-gauge semi-autos and over/unders. If you’ve been eyeing a new turkey gun, this is your window. You’ll also see some Easter weekend sales from the bigger online retailers.
May: Memorial Day is one of the top three gun sale holidays of the year. Period. Palmetto State Armory goes absolutely wild with AR-15 deals. Brownells runs sitewide discounts. Check our Memorial Day gun deals page when the time comes. It’s one of those weekends where you can legitimately save 20-30% on quality firearms.
June: Pre-4th of July sales start creeping in around mid-June. Summer shooting season means more range time, which means more demand for ammo and accessories. Ammo deals in June can be surprisingly good as retailers try to front-run the July rush.
July: Independence Day sales are the biggest mid-year gun deal event. Every major retailer participates. AR-15s, handguns, ammo, optics. It’s all on sale. This is historically the second-best month for overall gun deals behind November. Don’t sleep on ammo deals this month either.
August and September: The back-to-school retail lull doesn’t really apply to the gun industry. Instead, hunting season prep drives rifle and optics sales hard. Bolt-action rifles, riflescopes, and rangefinders see some of their best deals in September as retailers compete for the hunting dollar. EuroOptic is particularly good for optics deals during this window.
October: Early Black Friday teasers start showing up. Some retailers jump the gun (pun intended) with pre-holiday pricing. Hunting season is in full swing across most states, so demand for rifles and ammo stays strong. Not the cheapest month, but deals are out there if you look.
November: The king of deal months. Black Friday and Cyber Monday deliver the absolute best gun deals of the entire year. I’ve seen AR-15s at 40% off, handguns with huge rebates stacked on top of sale prices, and ammo at pre-pandemic pricing. If you can wait for one month to make your big purchase, make it November. Check our deals page religiously that week.
December: End-of-year clearance is the hidden gem. Retailers are closing out their books, dumping inventory they don’t want to carry into the new year. The deals aren’t as flashy or well-advertised as Black Friday, but patient buyers can score incredible prices. Gift-buying season also means combo deals and starter packages pop up everywhere.
Best Time to Buy Specific Gun Types
Handguns: Black Friday and Memorial Day are your best bets for carry guns and full-size pistols. Manufacturer rebates tend to stack during these periods too. I’ve personally saved over $150 on a Sig P365 by combining a Black Friday sale price with a Sig mail-in rebate. That combo doesn’t happen every month.
AR-15s: Palmetto State Armory runs deep discounts during literally every major holiday, but their Memorial Day and Black Friday sales are next level. Complete rifles under $400, build kits under $300. If you want to build or buy an AR on a budget, those two holidays are it. The 4th of July isn’t far behind.
Shotguns: Spring turkey season (March through April) and fall hunting season (September through October) drive the best shotgun deals. Manufacturers time their rebate programs around these seasons. If you’re after a home defense shotgun, though, Black Friday pricing beats seasonal deals every time.
Bolt-Action Rifles: September and October are prime time. Retailers discount hunting rifles aggressively to capture pre-season buyers. You’ll see the best deals on popular models like the Ruger American, Savage 110, and Tikka T3x during this window. EuroOptic is particularly good for precision rifle deals.
Optics and Ammo: Black Friday is king for optics. I’ve seen Vortex, Primary Arms, and Leupold scopes at 30-40% off during Thanksgiving week. For ammo, any major holiday works, but the 4th of July and Black Friday consistently have the lowest per-round pricing. Bookmark our daily deals page to catch flash sales year-round.
How Gun Pricing Actually Works
Three prices matter in the gun world: MSRP, MAP, and street price. MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) is the sticker price nobody actually pays. MAP (minimum advertised price) is the lowest price a retailer can publicly list. Street price is what you actually pay after sales, rebates, and competition do their thing. The gap between MSRP and street price on popular guns can be $100 to $200 or more. For a deeper breakdown, check our guide on how much guns cost.
Why does the same gun cost different amounts at different stores? Volume. Big online retailers like PSA and Brownells buy in massive quantities and get better distributor pricing. Your local gun shop can’t match those prices because they’re ordering 10 units instead of 10,000. That doesn’t mean your LGS isn’t worth supporting. But for pure price shopping, the online retailers almost always win.
Distributor pricing fluctuates based on demand, production capacity, and how badly a manufacturer wants to move product. When a new model launches, distributor cost is high and margins are thin. Six months later, once the initial hype dies down, distributor pricing drops and retailers can offer real discounts. That’s why patience pays off in this market.
When NOT to Buy a Gun
Let’s be real about the worst times to buy. Right after a high-profile shooting or during a heated election cycle, panic buying drives prices through the roof. I watched AR-15 prices double in 2012 and again in 2020. Magazines that normally cost $12 were going for $40. If you see panic buying starting, either you already have what you need or you’re going to overpay badly.
January before SHOT Show is another bad window. New models are about to be announced, which means whatever you buy today might be last-gen by next week. Unless you’re getting a screaming deal on clearance pricing, hold off until after the announcements.
Also avoid buying when ammo prices are spiking from supply chain issues. The gun might be reasonably priced, but if you can’t afford to feed it, what’s the point? I’d rather wait two months and buy both the gun and a case of ammo for what the gun alone costs during a shortage.
How to Track Gun Prices Year-Round
Our price comparison tool tracks pricing across dozens of online retailers in real time. Type in any gun and see who has the lowest price right now. It’s the fastest way to know whether a “sale” is actually a good deal or just marketing noise. I use it myself before every purchase.
Sign up for email lists from the big retailers. PSA, Brownells, and EuroOptic all send deal alerts for flash sales that don’t always make it to social media. Those email-exclusive deals are sometimes the best ones. Our gun deals page aggregates the best current offers, so check it daily if you’re actively shopping.
Don’t forget manufacturer rebate programs. Sig Sauer, Smith and Wesson, Springfield Armory, and others run seasonal rebates worth $25 to $75 per gun. Stack a rebate on top of a holiday sale price and you’re looking at savings that make the wait absolutely worth it. Check the cheapest online gun stores for the best everyday pricing.
Current Deals Worth Checking
Here are today’s best deals with at least 20% off. These update automatically, so you’re always seeing what’s fresh.
Updated: April 1, 2026 at 12:37 AM EST
We've scoured the top firearms retailers to find today's biggest discounts. Here are the best gun deals available right now, ranked by percentage off retail price.
April 1, 2026
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Prices and availability are subject to change. Deals are checked daily but may expire. Links may contain affiliate tracking — this helps support USA Gun Shop at no extra cost to you.
Want more? Head over to our full gun deals page for the complete selection, updated throughout the day.
Ready to start shopping? Browse our best gun deals for the lowest prices across all categories. For the biggest holiday savings, bookmark our Black Friday gun deals and 4th of July gun deals pages. First time buying online? Our how to buy a gun online guide walks you through every step from checkout to FFL pickup.
Best Time to Buy a Gun FAQ
What month is the best time to buy a gun?
November is the best month overall thanks to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. January is also excellent as retailers clear holiday inventory. For ammo, watch for bulk deals in March and September when manufacturers run promotions.
Are guns cheaper on Black Friday?
Yes, Black Friday consistently offers the deepest gun discounts of the year. Expect 15-30% off handguns, 10-25% off rifles, and up to 50% off ammo. Palmetto State Armory, Brownells, and EuroOptic run their biggest sales of the year during this period.
Do gun prices go up during election years?
Gun prices and demand historically spike during election years, especially when candidates propose new gun control measures. Prices can increase 10-30% on popular models and certain firearms sell out entirely. Buying before election season heats up is smart.
When is the worst time to buy a gun?
The worst time to buy is during a panic buying surge, typically after mass shootings or when new gun legislation is proposed. Prices spike, inventory disappears, and you will overpay. Avoid buying when headlines are driving demand.
Do gun prices drop after Christmas?
Yes, January typically brings clearance sales as retailers move holiday overstock. This is one of the best times to find deals on firearms that were popular holiday gifts like handguns and AR-15 style rifles.
Is Memorial Day or 4th of July better for gun deals?
Both are excellent but they serve different purposes. Memorial Day tends to have deeper discounts on individual firearms while 4th of July sales often include better ammo deals and rebate offers from manufacturers.
How far in advance should I watch for gun sales?
Start watching prices 2-3 weeks before major holidays. Many retailers launch early access deals or preview sales before the actual holiday. Sign up for email alerts from your favorite retailers to catch deals as they drop.
Are used guns a better deal than waiting for sales?
Used guns can save you 20-40% off retail any time of year. However, sale prices on new guns sometimes approach used gun territory, especially on budget models. Compare both options before deciding, and factor in that new guns come with a manufacturer warranty.
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