Guns for Beginners: The Most Common Guns in the US and How They’re Used

It’s no secret that American is a country that loves guns. In fact, the right to own firearms is one of the foundational principles of the U.S. Constitution.

The gun industry is a multi-billion-dollar business, with gun ownership as popular today as ever before.

If you’re not familiar with the most common guns in the US, you’ve come to the right place for answers. This article takes a look at some of the most popular firearms and what they are used for. Keep reading for inside the world of guns and why they remain one of the cornerstones of what it means to be a proud citizen of this amazing country.

Remington 870

This pump-action shotgun has been around for decades and has shipped more than 10 million units. 

The 870 is a simple yet beautiful firearm. Plus, it’s affordable, which is another reason for its enduring popularity with sportsmen around the world.

This shotgun is a 12-gauge, making it ideal for almost any type of hunting. For example, the 870 is popular with waterfowl hunters, rabbit and squirrel hunters, and even with deer hunters. 

The pump action is very smooth and reliable, and the gun breaks down quickly, making the cleaning process a breeze.

Look on any gun rack or inside any gun safe across the heartland of American, and you’re likely to find plenty of Remington 870s that have been loved and cherished for years.

Glock 17

The Glock 17 is a popular handgun with at least 10 million units available on the market. This is a no-frills firearm that features smooth action and reliable performance.

If you enjoy watching action movies and crime dramas, then you’ve likely noticed more than a few Glock 17s in action. 

This handgun is designed with a polymer frame, making it rugged and able to withstand a lot of physical abuse. It’s a semi-automatic weapon that’s manufactured in Austria and has been in use by the military and police in that country since 1982.

The Glock 17 is affordable, which is another obvious reason for its ongoing popularity with both gun collectors and defense experts alike. In fact, it’s not easy to find a better gun at a lower price.

Winchester Model 70/670/770

This Winchester rifle is the quintessential all-American firearm. It has sold more than 2 million units and has long been a favorite with outdoorsmen from every walk of life. 

First introduced in 1936, the bolt action 70/670/770 has become an icon to hunters, earning a reputation as “The Rifleman’s Rifle”.

This rifle has few peers when it comes to accuracy and power, especially in less than weather conditions in the wilderness. The bolt action is smooth and reliable, with a simple design that allows the marksman to focus on his target rather than worry about elaborate mechanisms.

It’s a well-balanced weapon, making each shot as easy and true as possible, regardless of the conditions you might find yourself in or the elusiveness of your target. 

Kalashnikov AK-47

Believe it or not, this popular automatic rifle has sold between 35 million and 150 million units worldwide. Even though this powerful weapon was designed and manufactured in the former Soviet Union, it enjoys immense popularity in the United States.

This firearm is gas-operated, thus it is able to fire hundreds of rounds in a matter of seconds.

The AK-47 has been used by military forces around the world, yet is also very common in civilian homes. It’s a compact weapon that’s simple and utilitarian in design, allowing it to be manufactured fairly economically. Because of this, it’s rather affordable for a wide demographic of firearms enthusiasts. 

Keep in mind that the AK-47 in an incredibly deadly weapon, thus it’s not ideal for every household or for basic self-defense.

Mauser Gewehr 98

Here is another wide-owned bolt-action rifle that is very common throughout the world. Somewhere between 20 million and 102 million units of this rifle have been produced over the last 120 years, making it one of the most common and popular firearms every created.

The Gewehr 98 is a weapon designed and manufactured in Germany, featuring a 5-round internal clip-loaded magazine. Throughout its history, this Mauser rifle has enjoyed a reputation for accuracy and reliability and has thus been used in combat, for personal protection, and for hunting, though it’s the primary purpose for most of the last century was military service.

The design is deceptively elegant, given the simplicity of operation. It’s powerful, delivers a clean hit, and has proven to be able to handle any type of scenario.

Mossberg 500

Here is a shotgun that is immensely popular with gun collections across the planet and marksmen of every skill level.

With more than 12 million units in existence, this pump-action shotgun has few peers in the world of firearms. Built by O.S. Mossberg & Sons, this gun is a prized possession for both hunters and collectors. Its unique design featuring hammerless repeaters makes it ideal for quick aiming and shooting on the fly.

This weapon is intended for use in dirty and marshy conditions, most notably waterfowl hunting or combat situations where power and accuracy are important.

Mossberg makes this shotgun available in a number of camouflage patterns, as well as stocks made of wood or rugged composite materials. They also make a riot version of the 500 model, featuring a postil grip that makes it easier to handle in tight quarters where the ability to maneuver is limited.

Smith & Wesson Model 10

This classic revolver has been in production since 1899. And over the past century, more than 6 million units have been sold, making this perhaps the most popular handgun ever designed and manufactured in the United States.

The Model 10 is a six-shot revolver, that has been available with a 2-inch barrel or a 4-inch barrel, while also available with a 2.5-inch barrel for special contracts.

Used as a military and police service firearm, this handgun has remained especially popular with civilians, mainly due to its affordable price, reliability, and ease of use.

Beretta 92

Another hugely popular handgun, this self-loading pistol has sold more than 3 million units since being introduced in 1975.

This firearm designed so that all of the parts are 100% interchangeable. This simplifies the maintenance process, especially for large government organizations. 

It also features a squared-off trigger guard for easier aiming, as well as a hard chromed bore that helps reduce wear and provides protection from corrosion. 

The gun’s slide is designed to provide smooth feeding and ejection of ammunition by quickly clearing away any possible obstructions during the firing cycle. 

Around the year 2000, the manufacturer began replacing certain parts with polymer and polymer-coated parts in an effort to reduce costs and reduce rust and corrosion.

Be sure to check out Apex Tactical for your gun collection.

Ruger Standard

This self-loading pistol is a rimfire semi-automatic weapon that was first introduced to the general public in 1949. It’s a .22 caliber handgun designed following World War II by Bill Ruger that has become one of the most successful .22 caliber handguns ever produced.

The Ruger Standard features a very atypical design. Rather than sporting a cylindrical bolt, the bolt on the Standard must be grasped and pulled rearward in order to feed the next round into the chamber.

Given the fact that .22 pistols aren’t as popular as more powerful models, the Standard isn’t as well-known with the majority of gun owners as it is with collectors. Nonetheless, it’s a valuable collector’s item that is much sought-after with those who possess an in-depth knowledge of the history of the firearm industry.

Colt Police Positive Special and Detective Special

This revolver is a classic handgun first introduced in 1908, was originally intended for law enforcement agencies. It’s also the most widely used revolver that Cold ever produced.

This handgun was popular with police departments during the early 20th century. It features fine carbon steel and was also available with Colt’s signature royal blued finish or with a nickel-plated veneer.

A rather compact pistol, the 4-inch model weighs in at a mere 23 ounces. 

IMI Uzi

This submachine gun was the first firearm to feature a telescoping bolt designed to allow the magazine to be housed inside the pistol grip.

First designed in the late 1940s for the State of Israel, the Uzi soon enjoyed massive popularity with gun enthusiasts around the world.

It’s now been exported to over 90 countries and sold mainly to law enforcement, the military, and security companies, making it the most successful submachine gun ever produced.

The construction is rather crude and utilitarian, with the body made from stamped sheet metal. It also features very few moving parts. This makes it a relatively inexpensive weapon to manufacture.

The Uzi is a relatively easy weapon to operate, although the protruding vertical magazine can make it challenging to fire from a prone position.

A Guide to the Most Common Guns in the US

Owning firearms can be an exhilarating experience. After all, there is so much history to learn and understand. Fortunately, this list of the most common guns in the US will help you get started.  

Keep scrolling to discover more weird information and advice on our blog!

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