Every gun guy’s got that one brand they used to swear by—until the quality dropped, the customer service vanished, or the designs stopped keeping up. Some companies rested on their reputation too long and let the newer names pass them by. Others cut corners, shipped junk, or got bought out and never recovered.
Whatever the reason, these are the gun brands that used to stand for quality but don’t carry the same weight anymore. If you’ve handled guns for long, you’ve probably felt the shift firsthand.
Remington
Remington was once the backbone of American hunting rifles and shotguns. The 700, the 870—those were go-to choices. But things started going downhill with the Freedom Group years, and by the time Remington filed for bankruptcy, the quality had taken a serious hit.
Misfires, poor machining, and inconsistent accuracy became too common. The newer 700s didn’t feel like the old ones, and even the 870 started showing issues. They’re under new ownership now, so things might improve—but for a while there, the name lost a lot of trust.
Winchester (Post-2006)
The older Winchesters had craftsmanship you could feel—solid bluing, smooth actions, tight tolerances. But once they shut down the New Haven plant in 2006, a lot of that quality went out the window. The newer stuff hasn’t matched what they used to make.
The Model 70 was once “the rifleman’s rifle,” and the pre-’64s are still prized. But after that, too many cost-cutting changes crept in. If you want a Winchester that feels like the old days, you’ve got to hunt for a vintage one.
Colt (Before the Comeback)
Colt’s a big name, and it earned that with battle-proven 1911s and solid revolvers. But from the late ‘90s into the 2010s, things got messy. They dropped civilian models, focused on military contracts, and let quality control slide.
Fit and finish suffered, and the prices didn’t match the performance. Revolvers disappeared, and their ARs started facing real competition. They’ve made a solid push in recent years to turn things around, but for a good stretch, Colt felt like a shadow of what it used to be.
Thompson/Center Arms
T/C was known for accurate single-shots and solid muzzleloaders. Hunters loved the Encore and the Contender platforms for their versatility. But after Smith & Wesson bought them, things started to change—and not for the better.
Product lines got trimmed, and focus shifted away from what made T/C great. Eventually, S&W pulled the plug on the brand entirely. What used to be a trusted name in precision hunting rifles and muzzleloaders is now just a memory.
Browning Knives
Browning still makes decent firearms, especially their shotguns. But their knife line is a different story. They leaned too hard on the brand name and farmed out production to companies that didn’t match the standard folks expected from something with the Browning logo.
On paper, the knives look tactical and well-equipped. But in practice, edge retention, lock strength, and ergonomics have been hit-or-miss. If you’re buying one thinking it’ll hold up like a Buck or a Benchmade, you’re in for a letdown.
Ithaca (Modern Era)
The old Ithaca 37 was a legend—bottom-eject, reliable, smooth. It was a favorite among police, military, and upland hunters. But after years of ownership changes, the company never really regained the foothold it once had.
Modern versions of the 37 exist, but they’re pricey and don’t have the same widespread support. Parts aren’t as available, and many folks moved on to more accessible options. It’s a brand that faded out quietly, even if the legacy still has some weight.
SIG Sauer (Quality Control Issues)
SIG had a rock-solid reputation for decades. The P226 and P229 were known for reliability and performance. But with the explosion of new models and the rush to push things like the P320, some quality control issues crept in.
Drop safety problems, finish wear, and inconsistent triggers got people talking. They’re still turning out good guns, but they’re not as consistent as they used to be. When SIG made fewer models, they felt more refined. Now, it feels a little like quantity over quality.
Rossi (Older Models)
Rossi’s revolvers and lever actions used to be a budget-friendly way to get into solid firearms. They weren’t fancy, but they worked. Over time, though, their quality control slipped, and the support wasn’t there to back it up.
Some of their lever actions had timing issues, and their wheel guns weren’t known for long-term durability. You can still find some decent ones, but the hit-or-miss nature makes it a gamble. Plenty of folks who used to recommend Rossi now steer clear.
Charter Arms
Charter Arms carved out a spot in the market for budget-friendly revolvers. At one point, they were seen as dependable carry options. But in more recent years, reports of poor fit, rough triggers, and reliability issues have piled up.
They’re still priced to sell, but the drop in quality shows. These days, folks looking for a revolver in that same price range often look to Taurus or used Smiths instead. Charter hasn’t kept up with the expectations people have even at the entry level.
Walther (U.S. Market Support)
Walther has made some great pistols—the P99 and PPQ come to mind. But they’ve struggled with consistency and support in the U.S. market. Models get discontinued quickly, aftermarket support is limited, and getting parts can be a pain.
They make accurate, comfortable guns, but the lack of dealer presence and short product cycles make it hard for folks to commit. You’re never sure how long a model will stick around or if you’ll be able to get help with it down the road.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
