Favored for their light weight and convenience — pistols are a popular option for gun owners in the United States. Semi-automatic pistols can hold more ammunition than other handguns and offer the ability to rapidly fire with precision. Pistols are an ideal weapon for self-defense (both at home or in public – depending on state laws) and have been adopted by militaries and police forces around the world.
In 2010, for the first time in a decade and a half, pistols overtook rifles as the most produced firearm type in the United States — and for 12 of the last 13 years, consumer demand for pistols has outpaced demand for every other firearm type. Between 2020 and 2022 alone, more than 18.4 million pistols were manufactured in the U.S., about 34% more than were made throughout the decade of the 1990s. (Here is a look at the most popular handgun manufacturers in the United States.)
Using a report from Gun Genius, which analyzed sales data from GunBroker.com, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 10 most popular pistols in America. Pistols are ranked on sales volume in the 2023 calendar year, though exact sales figures were not provided. Supplemental data on domestic manufacturing locations and production volume in 2021 are from the ATF. Most firearms on this list are chambered for 9mm ammunition, a caliber favored by the U.S. military and police departments across the country. (Here is a look at the standard issue sidearms in the U.S. military.)
It is important to note that this list was compiled using online gun sales only. Unlike most items purchased online, firearms are generally not shipped directly to your door. Typically, the process requires buyers to have their gun shipped to a Federally Licensed Firearm Dealer which will run a background check before transferring the gun to the customer.
Why We’re Covering This
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Over the last 80 years, the share of Americans with a gun in their home has ranged from 34% to 51%, according to Gallup survey data. The companies on this list have large U.S.-based manufacturing locations that produce thousands of pistols every year. With so many options to choose from, 24/7 is covering America’s best selling pistols to help you understand which pistols pack the most punch, and how much that will affect your pocketbook.
Scroll below to see how much America’s best-selling pistol costs: the top 10, ranked:
10. Magnum Research Desert Eagle
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Approx. base retail price: $1,655
- Available chamberings include: .357 mag, .44 mag, .50 AE, .429 DE
About the Magnum Research Desert Eagle
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The Magnum Research Desert Eagle is manufactured in Pillager, Minnesota. In 2021, Magnum Research produced 11,233 pistols — accounting for 0.2% of all U.S. pistol production.
9. Springfield Hellcat
Source: Somers-all-the-time / Wikimedia Commons
- Approx. base retail price: $470
- Available chamberings include: 9mm
About the Springfield Hellcat
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The Springfield Hellcat is manufactured in Geneseo, Illinois. Springfield produced 148,264 pistols — which accounts for 2.2% of all U.S. pistol production in 2021.
8. Beretta Model 90 Pistols
- Approx. base retail price: $405
- Available chamberings include: 9mm, .22 LR
About the Beretta Model 90 Pistols
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The Beretta Model 90 Pistol is manufactured in Gallatin, Tennessee. Beretta produced 129,965 pistols — which accounted for 1.9% of all U.S. pistol production in 2021.
7. Smith & Wesson M&P9
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Approx. base retail price: $340
- Available chamberings include: 9mm
About the Smith & Wesson M&P9
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The Smith & Wesson M&P9 is manufactured in Columbia, Missouri and Springfield, Massachusetts. In 2021, Smith & Wesson produced 1,649,540 pistols — which accounted for 24.4% of all U.S. pistol production.
6. Ruger Mark IV
Source: simonov / Flickr
- Approx. base retail price: $400
- Available chamberings include: .22 LR
About the Ruger Mark IV
Source: eekim / Flickr
The Ruger Mark IV is manufactured in Arizona, Connecticut, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. In 2021, Ruger produced 1,058,205 pistols — which accounted for 15.7% of all U.S. pistol production.
5. CZ-USA CZ 75
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Approx. base retail price: $590
- Available chamberings include: 9mm
About the CZ-USA CZ 75
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The CZ-USA CZ 75 is manufactured in Kansas City, Kansas and Norwich, New York. In 2021, CZ-USA produced 22,041 pistols — which accounted for 0.3% of all U.S. pistol production.
4. Glock G43
Source: Miller KH / Wikimedia Commons
- Approx. base retail price: $450
- Available chamberings include: 9mm
About the Glock G43
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The Glock G43 is manufactured in Smyrna, Georgia. In 2021, Glock produced 581,944 pistols — which accounted for 8.6% of all U.S. pistol production.
3. Glock G19
Source: Cory Barnes / Flickr
- Approx. base retail price: $500
- Available chamberings include: 9mm
About the Glock G19
Source: Kameleon007 / iStock via Getty Images
The Glock G19 is manufactured in Smyrna, Georgia. Glock produced 581,944 pistols — which accounted for 8.6% of all U.S. pistol production in 2021.
2. Sig Sauer P320
Source: TexasWarhawk / CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons
- Approx. base retail price: $470
- Available chamberings include: 9mm
About the Sig Sauer P320
Source: Digitallymade / Wikimedia Commons
The Sig Sauer P320 is manufactured in New Hampshire. In 2021, Sig Sauer produced 1,214,013 pistols — which accounted for 18.0% of all U.S. pistol production.
1. Sig Sauer P365
Source: Digitallymade / Wikimedia Commons
- Approx. base retail price: $480
- Available chamberings include: 9mm
About the Sig Sauer P365
Source: John Moore / Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Sig Sauer P365 is manufactured in New Hampshire. Sig Sauer produced 1,214,013 pistols — which accounted for 18.0% of all U.S. pistol production in 2021.
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