Americans Can’t Get Enough of This Top-Selling Pistol

Pistols are by far the most popular firearms in the United States. While some Americans own guns for hunting, 88% of U.S. gun owners cite self-protection as their primary reason for owning a gun. Semi-automatic handguns are particularly popular for this purpose.

Using a report from Gun Genius, which analyzed sales data from GunBroker.com, 24/7 Wall St. identified the ten 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.

It is important to note that this list was compiled using online gun sales only. 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 Are Talking About Firearm Sales

The sale, trade, and transfer of firearms are common occurrences in the United States. Gun ownership is important to many as a means to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their homes, and it remains the root of a long tradition for many. While rifles have a long history of high sales and have served the purpose of both protection and a way to hunt and provide for families, pistols have surged ahead over the last thirty years.

These are the best-selling pistols in America:

10. Magnum Research Desert Eagle

• Approx. base retail price: $1,655
• Available chamberings include: .357 mag, .44 mag, .50 AE, .429 DE
• Magnum Research U.S. pistol production in 2021: 11,233 (0.2% of all U.S. pistol production)
• U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Pillager, MN

9. Springfield Hellcat

• Approx. base retail price: $470
• Available chamberings include: 9mm
• Springfield U.S. pistol production in 2021: 148,264 (2.2% of all U.S. pistol production)
• U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Geneseo, IL

8. Beretta Model 90 Pistols

Beretta 92FS (left) (CC BY-SA 2.0) by storem

• Approx. base retail price: $405
• Available chamberings include: 9mm, .22 LR
• Beretta U.S. pistol production in 2021: 129,965 (1.9% of all U.S. pistol production)
• U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Gallatin, TN

7. Smith & Wesson M&P9

• Approx. base retail price: $340
• Available chamberings include: 9mm
• Smith & Wesson U.S. pistol production in 2021: 1,649,540 (24.4% of all U.S. pistol production)
• U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Columbia, MO and Springfield, MA

6. Ruger Mark IV

• Approx. base retail price: $400
• Available chamberings include: .22 LR
• Ruger U.S. pistol production in 2021: 1,058,205 (15.7% of all U.S. pistol production)
• U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Prescott, AZ, Southport, CT, Mayodan, NC, and Newport, NH

5. CZ-USA CZ 75

• Approx. base retail price: $590
• Available chamberings include: 9mm
• CZ-USA U.S. pistol production in 2021: 22,041 (0.3% of all U.S. pistol production)
• U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Kansas City, KS and Norwich, NY

4. Glock G43

• Approx. base retail price: $450
• Available chamberings include: 9mm
• Glock U.S. pistol production in 2021: 581,944 (8.6% of all U.S. pistol production)
• U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Smyrna, GA

3. Glock G19

• Approx. base retail price: $500
• Available chamberings include: 9mm
• Glock U.S. pistol production in 2021: 581,944 (8.6% of all U.S. pistol production)
• U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Smyrna, GA

2. Sig Sauer P320

• Approx. base retail price: $470
• Available chamberings include: 9mm
• Sig Sauer U.S. pistol production in 2021: 1,214,013 (18.0% of all U.S. pistol production)
• U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Exeter, NH and Newington, NH

1. Sig Sauer P365

• Approx. base retail price: $480
• Available chamberings include: 9mm
• Sig Sauer U.S. pistol production in 2021: 1,214,013 (18.0% of all U.S. pistol production)
• U.S. manufacturing location(s) in 2021: Exeter, NH and Newington, NH