20 Firearms People Walked Past at Gun Stores and Regret Today

Everybody’s got one: the gun you picked up, looked over, set back down, and told yourself you’d come back for after payday. Then you come back and it’s gone, or the price has jumped, or you realize later you were staring at exactly what you needed and didn’t know it yet.

Gun-store regret usually isn’t about the fanciest thing in the case. It’s the solid, useful stuff that gets ignored because it’s “boring,” because the finish isn’t perfect, or because the internet told you something else was cooler. Here are 20 firearms I’ve watched outdoorsmen walk past, and the reasons those decisions still sting.

1. Used Remington 870 Wingmaster

I’ve seen guys handle a Wingmaster, work the action twice, nod like they respect it, and then go straight to a cheaper pump because it’s “good enough.” Then they get that cheaper gun in the duck boat, in freezing rain, with grit and cattail fuzz everywhere, and they learn what slick and dependable really means.

The old Wingmasters aren’t perfect—some have been loved hard and fed a steady diet of bargain shells—but when you find one that hasn’t been butchered with a hacksaw and a file, it’s a lifetime shotgun. They balance right, point naturally, and parts are everywhere. There’s nothing fancy about it, and that is kind of the point.

2. Ruger 10/22 from the plain-Jane rack

The 10/22 is so common folks act like it’ll always be there. Then the kid’s ready for a first rifle, squirrels are raiding the bird feeder, or you want a cheap trainer that actually gets shot, and suddenly you’re paying more than you expected because “everybody needs one.”

I’m not talking about tricked-out race builds with a price tag that makes you blink. I mean the basic carbine that runs, takes common mags, and will eat bulk .22 without drama if you keep it reasonably clean. It’s the rifle you grab when you don’t want to think.

3. Smith & Wesson Model 10 (or other K-frame .38)

This is the one that gets dismissed as an “old cop gun.” Then somebody goes to buy a revolver that actually shoots nice, carries okay, and doesn’t beat their hands up, and they realize those K-frames were the sweet spot for a reason.

A good Model 10 isn’t glamorous, but it’s steady. The double-action pull teaches you something, .38 Special is manageable, and the gun will take honest use. When you find one with tight lockup and a decent bore, you’re looking at a real working revolver, not a safe queen.

4. Ruger GP100 (4-inch)

When a GP100 is sitting there next to sleeker revolvers, it can look chunky. That chunk is why it lasts. It’s the kind of gun you buy for woods carry, range time, and “I just want a revolver that won’t complain.”

In .357 Magnum it’s stout but not miserable, and in .38 it’s a kitten. It’s also the revolver that still feels tight after years of being shot, carried, and wiped down with whatever rag was in the truck. If you want one revolver that can take real use, that’s the lane it lives in.

5. Glock 19 (used, scuffed, honest wear)

There’s a certain type of gun-store shopper who turns their nose up at a used Glock because it isn’t pretty. Then they buy something “nicer,” and six months later they’re chasing magazines, holsters, and small parts like it’s a part-time job.

The Glock 19 is popular for a reason: it works, it carries, and it’s supported everywhere. It’s not romantic. It’s not a personality. It’s a tool that tends to be boring in the best way. If the used one looks mechanically sound and the price is fair, walking away can be a mistake.

6. Glock 17 trade-in

I get why folks skip these. Full-size grip, full-size slide, and it feels like a lot if you’re fixated on concealment. But a Glock 17 makes an awful lot of sense as a house gun, range gun, and training gun that just runs and runs.

They’re also usually the best bargain in the used case because police trade-ins aren’t rare and cosmetic wear scares people. That holster shine doesn’t stop it from feeding. If you want something dependable that shoots easy, a trade-in 17 is hard to argue with.

7. Ruger SP101 (2.25-inch)

Small revolvers get bought and sold like fishing lures. The SP101 is one of the few that tends to earn its keep if you actually carry it. It’s heavy for its size, and that’s why it shoots better than a lot of lightweight snubbies.

It isn’t a pocket gun for everybody, and the trigger can feel stiff until you’ve put some time into it. Still, for a simple, durable revolver that can ride in a coat pocket or on the belt in the woods, it’s a legitimate option. Ask me how I know.

8. Marlin 336 in .30-30 (older, JM-era if you can find it)

Lever guns are the classic “I’ll get one later” purchase. Then deer season comes, you realize you want something handy in thick timber, and the prices have climbed like they’re tied to a balloon.

A good 336 carries flat, comes up fast, and does not care if you’re climbing over blowdowns or squeezing into a stand. .30-30 isn’t trendy, but it kills deer cleanly at normal woods ranges. The ones with nice wood and smooth actions don’t sit long anymore.

9. Winchester Model 94 (pre-safety, if possible)

The Model 94 gets handled a lot and bought less than it should, mostly because it feels “old.” Then you hunt with someone who’s carried one for 40 years, and you watch how it rides in one hand while you drag a doe, and you start doing the math.

It’s not a precision rifle. It’s a working rifle. In .30-30 it’s pure practicality for brush country and farm edges. The regret usually shows up when you realize the slick, well-kept ones are getting harder to find at reasonable money.

10. Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle

The Mini-14 gets compared to ARs all day long, and it’s not an AR. That’s the point for some folks. The Ranch Rifle gives you a handy .223 that feels like a traditional rifle, rides behind a truck seat nicely, and doesn’t scream “tactical” to every passerby.

Magazines can be a little pricier than people expect, and accuracy varies by era. But for coyotes, farm use, and general knocking-around, a Mini that runs is a comfort. It’s one of those guns that ends up getting kept because it fits real life.

11. Remington 700 (older, unmodified, in a standard caliber)

A used 700 in .308 or .30-06 can look plain sitting next to today’s chassis rifles. A lot of guys walk past them because they assume anything “old” is automatically worn out or because they’ve heard a thousand internet arguments about the platform.

Here’s what’s real: barrels, triggers, stocks, mounts—support is endless. And a clean, older 700 can be a solid hunting rifle or a base for a build without getting weird. The regret comes when you realize you didn’t need exotic; you needed familiar and supported.

12. Savage 110 (especially the ugly, accurate ones)

Savage rifles don’t always win beauty contests. They also tend to shoot. I’ve watched shooters ignore them because the stock felt cheap at the counter, then spend twice as much chasing the same accuracy in something “nicer.”

For a hunting rifle that gets dragged through briars and bumped on tree stands, “pretty” is overrated. A 110 in .270, .308, or 6.5 Creedmoor that groups well and feeds smoothly is money in the bank. If the bolt feels decent and the bore looks right, don’t overthink it.

13. CZ 452 or 457 (bolt-action .22)

This is a quiet regret. A good bolt .22 doesn’t seem urgent until you want to teach a kid marksmanship, run cheap drills, or hunt squirrels where you actually care about putting the bullet exactly where you aimed.

The CZ bolt guns tend to have crisp triggers, solid barrels, and a quality feel that’s getting harder to find in the “budget” world. They aren’t always the cheapest on the rack, which is why they get passed over. Later, when you try to buy one and the price makes you swallow hard, it clicks.

14. Ruger Mark II/Mark III .22 pistol

Everybody complains about taking these apart. Then they shoot one and remember why they keep showing up at ranges, camps, and tackle boxes. They point well, run with decent ammo, and hold up to years of use.

A used Mark II especially can be a steal if it hasn’t been abused. It’s a great “walk the property” pistol for pests and plinking, and it’s a confidence builder for new shooters. You can do worse than a .22 pistol you actually enjoy shooting.

15. Browning Buck Mark

The Buck Mark is another one that gets overlooked because it isn’t the newest thing. Then you pick it up and realize it fits your hand like it was made for it, and the trigger feels cleaner than you expected.

They tend to be accurate out of the box, and they make .22 pistol time more fun than it has any right to be. A lot of hunters keep a .22 handgun around for camp chores and small game. If you find a Buck Mark at a fair price, it’s hard to call it a bad idea.

16. Benelli Nova (or SuperNova)

These shotguns look like plastic because they basically are. That turns some folks off at the counter. Then they hunt waterfowl in wet, muddy conditions and realize “pretty” doesn’t cycle shells when you’re frozen and tired.

The Nova line is tough, simple, and generally unbothered by weather. The recoil can be sharp with heavy loads, and the ergonomics aren’t for everyone, but as a hard-use shotgun it earns respect. If you want a gun you don’t mind leaning in a corner of the barn, it fits.

17. Mossberg 500 (used, with honest dings)

There’s a reason these are everywhere. They work, they’re adaptable, and they’re usually affordable. Still, I’ve watched guys pass on a used 500 because the finish was worn, then buy a bargain-brand pump that turns into a headache.

A 500 with a decent barrel and a smooth-enough action will handle deer slugs, turkey loads, and home duty if that’s your world. The tang safety is a big deal for some shooters. Not everyone loves the feel, but they’re hard to kill.

18. Henry .22 lever action

This is the rifle that gets laughed at by serious rifle guys right up until they shoot it. Then everybody wants a turn. It’s a fun gun that also happens to be useful for rabbits, squirrels, and knocking around the woods without ringing your ears or your wallet.

They’re generally smooth, easy to run, and friendly for new shooters. The regret usually shows up after you buy a different .22 that’s “more practical” and then realize you never take it out because it isn’t as enjoyable. Fun matters more than folks admit.

19. Colt 1911 (older, basic model in .45 ACP)

Not every 1911 is a treasure, and not every one is reliable. But an older Colt in decent shape is one of those guns that people handle, admire, and then talk themselves out of because they think they should buy a modern polymer pistol instead.

Then later they want a classic, or they want a range gun with real trigger feel, and they discover the market isn’t what it used to be. A basic Colt isn’t for everyone, and .45 isn’t cheap, but a good one has a way of sticking in your mind if you let it walk away.

20. Smith & Wesson J-frame (Model 36/60/642 family)

Small revolvers aren’t trendy right now, and a J-frame can feel like a handful until you learn it. That’s exactly why so many end up staying in a drawer at the store—folks pick them up, feel the small grip, and decide it’s not worth the trouble.

But when you need a simple carry option that works with a coat, a quick trip to town, or a walk with the dog, a J-frame makes sense. It’s not a high-round-count range toy. It’s a “grab it and go” gun that’s easy to live with if you put in a little practice.

Regret at the gun counter usually isn’t about missing some rare museum piece. It’s about passing up a firearm that would’ve been useful in your real life: in a deer stand, in a duck blind, on the trap line, at the range, or riding in the truck on chores. The next time you find yourself holding a plain, well-made gun that feels right, don’t be so quick to set it back down and chase whatever’s loud online this week.