Some guns feel like they should’ve shipped with a tool kit and a YouTube playlist. They might run fine at the bench or in perfect conditions, but in the field, things start slipping—feeding issues, drifting zeros, weird quirks that won’t iron out without swapping parts or chasing the “right” ammo. It’s not always poor quality—it’s often poor execution. These firearms have a reputation for needing extra attention before they settle into reliable performance, and sometimes they never quite get there. Here’s a look at the ones that tend to demand more tuning than most folks bargained for.

Remington R51

Legendary Arms/GunBroker

The second-gen R51 came back with high hopes after its disastrous launch, but it still has a hard time earning trust. Feed ramps, magazine tweaks, and slide polishing are common fixes folks resort to.

Even after break-in, it’s not a pistol you can depend on out of the box. It needs tuning just to feel halfway smooth. Plenty of users love the idea—but spend more time modifying it than carrying it.

Springfield Hellcat

Texas Ranch Outfitters/GunBroker

Out of the box, the Hellcat can shoot fine for some folks—but others report erratic ejection, trigger grit, and slide lock issues. Tuning the trigger and smoothing internals has become common practice.

You might have to run several hundred rounds before it calms down, and even then, polishing parts or upgrading springs is what it takes to make it feel dependable. For a micro-compact, that’s a lot of tweaking.

Taurus G3c

Knight109/GunBroker

The G3c is a budget option that gets decent praise, but you’ll see a pattern—folks often end up replacing the sights, tuning the trigger, and testing magazines to get it reliable.

It’s not unusable by any means, but it’s one of those guns that feels like it got 80% of the way there. If you want it dialed in, expect to spend time and money upgrading what should’ve been done at the factory.

Walther CCP M2

Zubair0305/GunBroker

The gas-delayed blowback system in the CCP M2 makes it unique—but also a pain. Cleaning needs to be exact, recoil springs wear fast, and even mild buildup can throw off reliability.

You’ve got to stay on top of maintenance and be picky with ammo. It’s one of those guns that rewards high maintenance but punishes any shortcut. Not great when you’re counting on it to run.

KelTec Sub2000

WEST PLAINS PAWN/GunBroker

The Sub2000 folds, packs small, and runs common mags. But out of the box, it often needs feed ramp polishing, sight adjustment, and in some cases, an entire recoil system overhaul.

Plenty of shooters mod them into something solid, but they don’t get there on their own. You’ll likely end up swapping springs, smoothing edges, and double-checking torque values just to keep it consistent.

Desert Eagle .50 AE

SPORTSMANSFINEST/GunBroker

The Desert Eagle wasn’t built for subtlety, and it sure isn’t low maintenance. It demands precise lubrication, heavy loads, and perfect grip to cycle right. If anything’s off, you’ll feel it quick.

Even folks who love them end up adjusting gas systems, swapping recoil springs, and testing dozens of ammo types. It’s a showpiece that needs constant attention to actually perform.

Rossi R92

gunswarehouse/GunBroker

The Rossi R92 is a budget-friendly lever gun that brings a lot to the table—after you’ve smoothed the action, adjusted the sights, and possibly replaced the ejector.

It’s one of those rifles where every other owner recommends a “slicking up” process before it runs right. Until then, you’ll deal with sticky cycling and inconsistent accuracy.

CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1

FouledAnchorGunsmith/GunBroker

It looks good, and it’s got name recognition, but the Scorpion EVO 3 S1 isn’t perfect. Heavy triggers, awkward safeties, and overly stiff controls are some of the first things users swap out.

It shoots fine once you’ve tuned it up, but you’ll probably end up adding aftermarket parts to fix what the factory didn’t. It’s rarely left in factory trim for long.

Marlin Model 60

Vienna Gun and Gold/GunBroker

This .22 has been around forever, but that doesn’t mean it’s plug-and-play. Feeding issues, magazine quirks, and fouling are common if you don’t keep it spotless and tuned.

A lot of folks polish the feed ramp, replace the buffer, and modify the extractor just to get it to run reliably. Once it’s dialed in, it’s great—but it takes work.

Beretta 92FS (Italian Surplus Models)

fomeister/GunBroker

Surplus 92FS pistols can be great deals, but many come with worn springs, gritty triggers, and loose lockups. They’re built tough, but years of abuse mean they need fresh parts to perform again.

You’ll want to replace recoil springs, polish internals, and maybe swap grips or mags to bring it back to life. It’s not hard work—but it’s still work.

AK Pistols With Mismatched Parts

notenuftoys/GunBroker

Plenty of budget AK pistols hit the market built from mixed parts kits. That often means mismatched tolerances, canted sights, rough triggers, or inconsistent gas cycling.

You’ll find yourself fixing carrier drag, tuning gas ports, or realigning front sights before they’re dependable. If you go cheap on an AK pistol, expect to pay back the difference in time spent tuning.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.

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