Not every gun brand that fades away does so because it deserves to. Some get swallowed up by mergers, bad marketing, or just plain bad luck. But if you’ve spent any time around old-school shooters, you know there are names that still spark interest—and maybe even a little nostalgia. These five brands had something going for them, and it wouldn’t hurt to see them back on the shelf.
High Standard
High Standard was known for making rimfire pistols that were crazy accurate without breaking the bank. If you’ve ever shot one of their .22 target pistols, you probably get why folks still hunt for them at gun shows.
They quietly stepped out of the spotlight, but the demand never really disappeared. In a market full of plastic and polymer, there’s still room for a simple, well-made pistol that just works—and High Standard knew how to do that.
Iver Johnson
Back in the day, Iver Johnson was all over the place—revolvers, shotguns, even bicycles at one point. They made affordable guns for regular folks, and they stuck around for over a century.
They fizzled out somewhere in the mess of changing ownership and shifting markets, but people still talk about their owl-head grips and quirky little safety features. With today’s appetite for budget-friendly carry guns, there’s definitely a lane for this brand to return.
Lefever Arms
Lefever was all about side-by-side shotguns that felt high-end without costing your entire paycheck. They built their reputation on craftsmanship that appealed to serious hunters and casual shooters alike.
Eventually, they got absorbed into Ithaca and faded from the spotlight. But talk to someone who grew up bird hunting in the Midwest, and odds are they’ll light up at the name. If double-barrels are making a comeback, Lefever should be part of that conversation.
Harrington & Richardson (H&R)
H&R was a go-to for simple, no-nonsense guns that just did what they were supposed to. Break-action rifles, shotguns, and revolvers—you name it, they probably made it.
They got bought out, brought back, and shelved again. But there’s still a market for affordable, dependable single-shots and truck guns. Folks aren’t always looking for fancy. Sometimes they just want something that goes bang when it’s supposed to. That’s H&R to a tee.
Astra
This Spanish brand had a pretty solid run, especially during the mid-20th century. Astra pumped out service pistols, compact carry guns, and some wild-looking designs that turned heads.
They kind of disappeared in the late ‘90s, but their pistols still float around the used market. A modern update to some of their designs—maybe with updated materials and ergonomics—might just catch on with shooters tired of the same old options.
Meriden Firearms
Meriden didn’t stick around long, but they left their mark with solid shotguns and revolvers aimed at the working class. They were built under the watch of Sears back in the early 1900s, which helped get them into a lot of American homes.
Their stuff wasn’t flashy, but it was dependable. These days, there’s a growing crowd that appreciates simple guns with some history. A Meriden comeback could tap into that same “built to last” appeal people are looking for again.
Star
Another Spanish company like Astra, Star made some seriously underrated pistols. They were popular with European police forces and had a few designs that looked like off-brand 1911s—but with a charm of their own.
They went under in the early 2000s, but you still see their pistols pop up on forums and auction sites. With some updated machining and a fresh marketing approach, Star could slide back into the market as a solid alternative to the usual suspects.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
