Holy hell was June a big month for the firearms industry! Damn right, Piers Morgan! Guns flew off the shelves faster than my ex-wife spends her alimony. That leaves us with just one big question: what are the best selling guns of June?
Suck it, Piers Morgan.
June was the third month in a row where NICS checks set a record since its implementation. June saw the FBI process 3.9 million background checks through the NICS system as concerns over the COVID pandemic, riots, and of course, the upcoming election looms. March set a record with 3.7 million background checks just to set some perspective.
3.9 million background checks don’t necessarily mean 3.9 million guns were sold. In fact, likely many more were purchased. Some NICS checks may represent multiple purchases, meaning multiple guns or receivers sold. Also, 25 states allow concealed carry permit holders to skip a background check.
Rest assured, more than 3.9 million guns were sold in the United States in the month of June.
Best Selling Guns of June
What guns were sold? Well, good question. It’s tough to say, but Gunbroker gives us a decent idea by publishing lists of their most popular selling guns broken down by category. Their list is extensive, breaking down by every type you could imagine. You can see the full list here, but we are going to break down the top 5 from the more common and popular categories of firearms. I mean, pump-action rifles are cool, but I don’t think a lot of people are interested in them.
Semi-Auto Pistols
Glock 19 – Well duh, the Glock 19 is Gaston’s most popular gun and has probably single-handedly bought him a yacht and a younger wife. This classic 9mm carry gun has been a favorite carry gun for decades for its perfect compromise of size. I don’t doubt the Glock 19 will top the best selling list for a long time.
SIG P320 – The P320 has been swinging around it’s BDE for a few years now and grown to be a popular Glock alternative. The P320 is also the military’s new handgun, and that alone will help drive sales for decades to come.
Springfield Hellcat – The Hellcat was my first XD series handgun and color me impressed. The 11 to 13 round capacity in a small, near pocket-sized package, took the P365 on for the title of big things in small packages.
SIG P365 – My daily carry gun seems to be half the world’s daily carry gun. The SIG P365 was the first gun to find a way to squeeze double-stack capacity in a single stack frame. This mighty mouse will be on the charts for a long time.
S&W M&P 9 Shield – The old school single stack 9mm. The S&W Shield is a bit old school these days, but still a helluva carry a gun at an incredible price. What’s not to love?
Revolvers
Colt Python – I’ve heard the Python’s have problems, but that’s not stopping me, or anyone else from buying one. The Python is old school cool, and that’s everything a revolver should be. The Python is on the best selling list because of sex appeal, not for practicality.
Taurus 856 – The 856 is a new one from Taurus, and it’s the Model 85 with an added round giving you a snub nose six-gun. The 856 is an affordable revolver option, and Taurus indeed produces enough of them in various color options. In fact, there are enough you can match all your shoes.
S&W Model 642 – This pretty stainless gal is everything a snub nose should be. Small, lightweight, and plenty powerful. This air weight model weighs next to nothing and gives +P compatibility.
Heritage Arms Rough Rider – If the Ruger 10/22 is the ultimate starter rifle, the Rough Rider is the ultimate starter handgun. This 22 LR revolver costs less than two bills and replicates a cowboy six gun with its single-action design. It’s an odd one in a time where self-defense seems to be the gun of choice.
Taurus Judge – A 410 pistol that’s mostly ineffective for anything other than inaccurately shooting 45 Colt rounds made the list for reasons unbeknownst to me.
I got nothing here. I have no idea why that’s a best-selling gun.
Semi-Auto Rifles
S&W M&P 15 – A quintessential starter AR the M&P 15 is an affordable AR 15 that’s quite reliable. The M&P 15 series is a good bang for your buck, and while it’s far from fancy, it gets the basics right. AR 15s top 4 out of 5 spots on this best selling list.
Ruger AR-556 – The Ruger AR-556 is another perfect beginner’s AR 15 that gets the basics right without too much fuss. Guns like this are often the first gone in times of uncertainty. Perfect for newbies and far from bank-breaking.
Kel-Tec SUB 20000 – The only non AR on the list! This sweet PCC is another affordable option chambered in standard calibers, and it can even take Glock mags. It also folds in half for easy transportation and storage.
Springfield Saint – Another AR that comes in at a great price, but this one comes with furniture from BCM to make it stand ou a little more than most. The Saint is a little fancier but remains affordable and straightforward.
DB 15 – Another AR on the list, like the Saint, it’s a bit pricier but still affordable and relatively simple. It comes in lots of cool colors and modern modular furniture that makes it a little more than average.
Pump Action Shotguns
Mossberg 590 – Another big duh. The Mossberg 590 is an excellent combat shotgun, and if I was purchasing my first, it would be a 590. Mossberg is the choice of shotgun for the United States military. I love my 590, and I might be responsible for why it’s on the best selling list.
Remington 870 – I bet the Mossberg and the Remington trade top spots frequently as both are quintessential American shotguns. The Remington 870 is slightly more refined, and deep blued options are always desirable.
Kel Tec KSG – A Bullpup powerhouse giving you more than average capacity in a pump-action shotgun. The KSG is a compact powerhouse that’s been a popular and unconventional choice.
Mossberg 500 – Functionally, he 500 and 590 are identical. The 500 is more of a sporting gun with some tactical models out there. It’s lighter, has a different mag tube, and ultimately a bit cheaper.
Kel Tec KS7 – The KS7 is a lighter, single tube KSG. It’s easy to handle and a little more traditional. It’s new, but also very affordable, so it’s no surprise it makes the list. I was pleasantly surprised by how handy and fun the KS7 is. I’m surprised it’s made the best selling list so soon.
June’s Best Selling Guns – Notable Contenders
We listed the top five of the most popular categories, but now we are going to look at the number one gun from the less popular categories.
Bolt Action Rifles
Remington 700 – Another big duh. The Remington 700 is one of the most popular bolt action rifles ever made They are widely used for both tactical and hunting use. They served Marine snipers for decades in various configurations, and one has been my dad’s hunting rifle of choice since before I was born.
Lever Action Rifle
Marlin 1895 – An interesting choice and one that may have won out due to how many models exist. The 1895 comes in various calibers, including 444 Marlin, 410 bore, and of course, 45-70. The new Dark series of rifles is a delightfully modern take on old school lever actions. It’s a classy choice.
Pump Action Rifles
Henry Pump Action – Pump-action rifles are a weird one, but they exist, and the Henry is an elegant design. This rimfire pump action rifle is super sweet with a great price tag. Henry makes excellent guns, and I can see why they are on the best selling list.
Single Shot Rifles
Traditions G2 – It’s a simple single-shot rifle available in a ton of different calibers. These simple rifles are often affordable and robust. The G2 is a prevalent model and does what any hunter needs it to do while being decently modular.
Lever Action Shotguns
Henry Axe – Technically this isn’t a shotgun. The Axe is a firearm a lot like the Shockwave. It’s a 410 lever action firearm that is a ton of fun to shoot and handle. It’s one of the most fun guns I’ve ever felt, and it’s my favorite gun on this best selling list as far fun firearms go.
Semi-Auto Shotguns
IWI TS 12 – The TS 12 has an impressive design, revolutionary really, with a 15 round capacity, fantastic ergonomics, and an unbeatable bullpup system. I didn’t have much luck getting mine to run, but lots of people seem to be getting work done with the TS 12.
(My favorite shotgun, the Benelli M4, was number 2 by the way.)
Single Shot Shotguns
Savage 301 – The Savage 301 encompasses precisely what a single shot shotgun should be. Simple, robust, easy to use, and cheap. With a sub 200 dollar price tag, I can see precisely why this gun sells so well and made the best selling list.
Over Under Shotguns
Stoeger Condor – Over-under shotguns can run up to 20K and eat your soul. The Stoeger Condor is affordable, but a high-quality option. Stoeger is owned by Beretta, who owns Benelli, making them the magnificent shotgun trifecta, so it’s no surprise the Condor is so popular. It’s not a Beretta, but it also doesn’t cost as much as my car.
Side By Side Shotguns
Stoeger Coach Guns – SxS shotguns aren’t produced for much anymore, and they seem to be collector’s items and guns for cowboy larpers. The Stoeger Coach gun is a more internal hammer shotgun that gives you the SxS experience without a high price tag. SxS guns are tons of fun, and like the Stoeger O/U guns, the SxS models are affordable and well made.
It’s Good to be June
The best selling guns of June had some surprises, as well as some predictable patterns. We all knew AR 15s are going to top the list, but who saw the Henry Axe dominating? What do you guys think?
Gun store owners, does this reflect what you’ve seen as well?
Let us know what you think in the comments!
