Most Popular Guns in the U.S.: The Firearms Americans Choose Most
Americans own and use an enormous variety of firearms, from .22 LR rimfire rifles and compact 9mm pistols to centerfire hunting rifles and 12-gauge shotguns. That makes it difficult to name a single “most popular gun” in the country.
A better way to look at the market is by combining sales activity, long-term popularity, and the continued demand for the ammunition those firearms use.
Recent GunBroker sales data provides one useful snapshot. The SIG Sauer P365 led its 2025 handgun rankings, while the Ruger 10/22 topped the rifle category. The Mossberg 590 ranked first among shotguns, followed by the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3.
For ammunition buyers, those rankings tell an even more interesting story: the most popular firearms span some of the biggest ammunition categories in the United States.
How We Determine Which Guns Are Most Popular
There is no comprehensive national database recording every firearm sold to American consumers. As a result, “most popular” depends on the source and methodology.
Sales rankings from major firearms marketplaces are useful because they reflect actual buyer activity. GunBroker’s annual rankings, for example, compile its monthly Top Sales Reports into year-end rankings by firearm category.
Long-term sales history is another useful measure. A firearm such as the Ruger 10/22 may remain highly popular for decades even when newer models temporarily attract more attention.
For this list, we consider:
- Recent sales activity
- Long-term market presence
- Popularity within a firearm category
- Availability and widespread use
- The ammunition category associated with the firearm
That last point matters to ammunition shoppers. A popular firearm usually creates sustained demand for its corresponding cartridge or shotshell.
The Most Popular Guns in the U.S.
1. Ruger 10/22 — .22 LR Rifle
The Ruger 10/22 is one of the most recognizable rimfire rifles in America, and its popularity has lasted for generations.
Introduced in 1964, the 10/22 became known for its simple operating system, reliability, compact rotary magazine, and enormous aftermarket. It has also remained a consistent sales leader. GunBroker ranked the Ruger 10/22 first among rifles in its 2025 year-end sales rankings, and it continued to lead the used semi-auto rifle category on GunBroker in July 2026.
The rifle’s popularity is closely tied to the availability and affordability of .22 LR ammunition. The cartridge is widely used for recreational shooting, target practice, training, and small-game applications.
For ammunition buyers, the 10/22 is therefore closely associated with one of the largest and most established rimfire ammunition categories.
2. SIG Sauer P365 — 9mm
The SIG Sauer P365 helped define the modern micro-compact 9mm pistol market after its introduction in 2018.
It remains one of the strongest-selling handgun platforms in the country. GunBroker’s 2025 year-end data ranked the P365 No. 1 among handguns, ahead of the Glock G19 and Glock G43X.
The P365 family has expanded into numerous configurations, but the original platform’s significance is easier to understand when looking at the ammunition market: 9mm Luger is one of the most widely available handgun cartridges in the United States.
That gives P365 owners an unusually broad selection of factory ammunition, including practice and range loads as well as purpose-specific options.
3. Glock G19 — 9mm
Few handgun models have achieved the combination of recognition, longevity, and widespread use associated with the Glock G19.
The compact 9mm ranked second among handguns in GunBroker’s 2025 sales report.
Part of the G19’s enduring popularity is the sheer maturity of the 9mm ammunition market. Shooters can choose from a very large selection of factory loads from virtually every major ammunition manufacturer.
For an ammunition retailer, that makes the G19 particularly important: its popularity overlaps directly with the country’s enormous 9mm ammunition market.
4. Glock G43X — 9mm
The Glock G43X was another major 2025 seller, ranking third among handguns in GunBroker’s year-end report.
Like the P365 and G19, the G43X is chambered in 9mm, reinforcing just how important the cartridge is to the modern handgun market.
The broader trend is clear. Recent handgun sales rankings are dominated by 9mm platforms, while the ammunition itself remains available in an exceptionally wide range of factory loads.
For shoppers, that means there is no shortage of 9mm ammunition choices for popular platforms such as the P365, G19, and G43X.
5. Mossberg 590 — 12 Gauge
The Mossberg 590 represents the other side of the ammunition market: the traditional pump-action shotgun.
GunBroker ranked the Mossberg 590 first among shotguns in its 2025 year-end sales rankings.
The 590 family has built a reputation around its durable pump-action design and broad range of configurations. More importantly for ammunition buyers, it belongs to the enormous 12-gauge shotshell market.
Twelve gauge remains one of the most versatile shotgun ammunition categories, with loads designed for applications ranging from clay shooting and hunting to other lawful sporting uses.
The 590’s continued popularity demonstrates that newer firearm designs haven’t displaced traditional shotgun platforms.
6. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 — 12 Gauge
The Benelli Super Black Eagle has been a major name in semi-automatic shotguns for decades, particularly among waterfowl hunters.
The Super Black Eagle 3 ranked second among shotguns in GunBroker’s 2025 year-end rankings, behind the Mossberg 590.
Its popularity also highlights the importance of 12-gauge hunting ammunition. Unlike a firearm that is closely associated with one particular shooting discipline, the SBE platform sits within a much broader shotgun market.
Hunters and sport shooters can choose among different 12-gauge loads depending on the firearm’s chamber specifications and intended use.
7. Ruger American Rifle — Bolt-Action Rifle
The Ruger American Rifle is a strong example of the continued popularity of affordable, modern bolt-action rifles.
GunBroker’s 2025 rifle rankings placed the Ruger American Rifle second behind the Ruger 10/22.
Unlike rimfire platforms, the Ruger American is available in numerous centerfire chamberings. That makes it difficult to associate the rifle with a single ammunition category.
Instead, its popularity reflects a broader trend toward versatile bolt-action rifles that can be configured for different hunting and sporting applications.
Depending on the specific chambering, ammunition choices can include popular cartridges such as .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 Winchester, and several others.
8. Marlin Model 1895 — .45-70 Government
The Marlin 1895 represents America’s enduring interest in lever-action rifles.
The current Model 1895 family combines traditional lever-action styling with modern manufacturing and is closely associated with the .45-70 Government cartridge.
GunBroker’s 2025 rifle rankings placed both the Marlin 1895 SBL and Marlin 1895 among its leading rifle sellers.
The popularity of the 1895 also illustrates an important point about firearm and ammunition trends: some cartridges remain commercially important not because they are the newest option, but because they have a long history and a dedicated following.
9. Taurus TX22 — .22 LR
The Taurus TX22 demonstrates that the popularity of .22 LR extends beyond rifles.
The TX22 ranked fourth among handguns in GunBroker’s 2025 year-end sales rankings.
Its presence alongside the Ruger 10/22 shows how broad the .22 LR market has become. Rimfire ammunition continues to serve a large audience of recreational shooters, target shooters, and firearm owners looking for economical range ammunition.
For ammunition shoppers, .22 LR remains one of the most important calibers to compare by bullet weight, velocity, load type, and intended application.
10. Glock G17 — 9mm
The Glock G17 remains one of the best-known full-size 9mm pistols and continues to appear prominently in sales rankings.
GunBroker placed the G17 sixth among handguns sold in 2025.
Its inclusion alongside the P365, G19, and G43X is another reminder of how heavily the American handgun market leans toward 9mm.
From a shopper’s perspective, the advantage is straightforward: 9mm ammunition is available from a wide range of manufacturers, in many different bullet weights and load configurations.
What the Most Popular Guns Have in Common
The models at the top of recent sales rankings may look very different, but several patterns stand out.
Popular ammunition categories are attached to popular firearm platforms.
The Ruger 10/22 and Taurus TX22 help drive demand for .22 LR. The P365, G19, G43X, and G17 all use 9mm. The Mossberg 590 and Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 represent the enormous 12-gauge market.
Meanwhile, popular bolt-action and lever-action rifles support established centerfire cartridges such as .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .45-70 Government.
This creates a useful way to think about firearm popularity. Instead of asking only which individual gun sells the most, it is worth looking at which firearm and ammunition ecosystems have the strongest staying power.
The Most Popular Gun Calibers and Ammunition Categories
The firearms above point toward several of the biggest ammunition categories American shooters encounter.
| Firearm type | Popular examples | Common ammunition |
|---|---|---|
| Rimfire rifles | Ruger 10/22 | .22 LR |
| Compact 9mm pistols | SIG P365, Glock G43X | 9mm Luger |
| Compact/full-size 9mm pistols | Glock G19, Glock G17 | 9mm Luger |
| Bolt-action rifles | Ruger American, Tikka T3x | .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and others |
| Lever-action rifles | Marlin 1895 | .45-70 Government |
| Pump shotguns | Mossberg 590 | 12 gauge |
| Semi-auto shotguns | Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 | 12 gauge |
These aren’t the only chamberings available for the firearms listed, but they illustrate the close relationship between popular firearm platforms and popular ammunition categories.
Why Ammunition Availability Matters
A firearm can remain popular for decades when its ammunition is readily available.
That’s particularly obvious with platforms chambered in .22 LR, 9mm, and 12 gauge. These ammunition categories have enormous established markets, giving shooters a wide range of factory loads and price points to consider.
Centerfire rifle cartridges such as .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor have also developed strong ammunition markets of their own, particularly among hunters and precision-oriented shooters.
For anyone buying ammunition, the important question isn’t simply whether a particular cartridge is popular. It’s whether the ammunition available for that cartridge fits the firearm, the intended use, and the shooter’s preferences.
Are the Most Popular Guns the Best Guns?
Not necessarily.
Sales rankings measure popularity, not an objective winner.
A Ruger 10/22 may be an enormously popular .22 LR rifle, but that doesn’t mean every shooter needs one. Likewise, the popularity of the SIG P365 doesn’t make it the right handgun for every lawful owner.
Firearm choice depends on factors such as chambering, intended use, fit, features, budget, and individual preference.
The same principle applies to ammunition. The most popular cartridge isn’t automatically the best choice for every firearm or every application.
What matters is selecting ammunition that is correct for the firearm’s chambering and appropriate for its intended use, then evaluating specific factory loads rather than relying on popularity alone.
The Bottom Line
The most popular guns in America represent a mix of modern designs and established classics.
The Ruger 10/22 continues to dominate the rimfire rifle category. The SIG Sauer P365 and Glock family remain major forces in the 9mm handgun market. The Mossberg 590 and Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 demonstrate the continued strength of the 12-gauge shotgun market, while rifles such as the Ruger American and Marlin 1895 show that bolt-action and lever-action platforms remain firmly established.
Recent 2025 sales data supports many of these trends, but popularity changes over time and different rankings measure different parts of the market.
For ammunition shoppers, the larger takeaway is more useful: the firearms Americans keep buying help explain why certain ammunition categories remain so widely available and competitive. From bulk .22 LR and 9mm to 12-gauge shotshells and popular hunting cartridges, those established markets give shooters plenty of factory ammunition options to compare.