Every hunter has a story about a gun they bought that ended up sitting in the safe or being traded off at a loss. Sometimes it’s because the rifle or shotgun didn’t perform the way it was advertised, other times it’s because ammo costs and availability made it impractical. A few models even earned reputations for poor reliability or cheap construction, leaving hunters frustrated that they’d spent their hard-earned money on them. When you’re out in the field, you need confidence in your firearm. If that gun gives you doubts instead of reassurance, it becomes more of a burden than a tool.
These are the guns that hunters often look back on with regret. They’re not all outright failures, but they share one thing in common—they didn’t live up to expectations. Whether it was accuracy issues, poor durability, or just being the wrong fit for the job, these firearms ended up being remembered as wasted money.
Remington 710
Plenty of hunters admit the Remington 710 was one of their worst purchases. Built to hit a budget price point, it came with cost-cutting everywhere you looked—cheap plastic stock, pressed-in barrel, and an action that felt like it was grinding gravel. In the field, those issues showed quickly. Reliability was questionable, and accuracy varied wildly from one rifle to the next.
The factory scope package made things worse. Many buyers tried to zero the rifle only to discover the glass wouldn’t hold up. Guides and gunsmiths alike warned that the 710 was built to sell, not to last. Many hunters ended up trading them in or abandoning them in the back of the safe. For those who thought they were saving money up front, the disappointment of wasted hunts and missed shots left them wishing they had spent more on a dependable rifle.
Remington 770
Hunters who bought the 770 quickly realized it wasn’t much of an upgrade over the infamous 710. Remington marketed it as a “ready-to-hunt” package with scope included, but the rifle had the same issues: rough action, fragile components, and an overall reputation for poor performance. Many users reported feeding problems and inconsistent accuracy right out of the box.
The stock felt flimsy, and the overall build didn’t inspire confidence in the field. Some rifles could be coaxed into decent groups, but many more disappointed buyers found themselves frustrated after spending money on a gun that wouldn’t hold zero. Ammo wasn’t the problem—the rifle itself was. After only a season or two, a large number of hunters admitted they regretted buying it, often calling it money wasted on a gun they couldn’t trust.
Mossberg 715T
The Mossberg 715T was designed to look like an AR-15, but underneath it was a .22 rimfire rifle dressed in tactical clothes. At first glance, it appealed to buyers who wanted an affordable alternative to a real AR. But in practice, hunters quickly discovered it had little field value and often left them frustrated.
Accuracy was mediocre, reliability with bulk ammo was spotty, and the cheap construction meant parts wore out faster than expected. In hunting camps, it was out of place altogether. While fine for plinking, it was never suited for serious small game work, and trying to use it for anything more was a mistake. Many hunters admitted they felt misled, spending money on a gun that looked exciting but turned out to be a toy with no real hunting role.
Remington 742 Woodsmaster
The Remington 742 sold well in its day, but many hunters eventually came to regret owning one. Known for its semi-automatic action, it offered quick follow-up shots, but it had a nasty habit of wearing out its rails, leading to jamming problems. Once the rifle started malfunctioning, repairs were rarely worth the cost, and many ended up as wall hangers.
Hunters who took them into the field learned that when the rifle decided to jam, it did so at the worst possible time. Accuracy was passable at short ranges, but it wasn’t a precision tool. Over time, the Woodsmaster earned a reputation as a rifle you’d eventually regret buying. Many owners openly admit it was wasted money, especially after they were forced to buy something else just to have a dependable hunting gun.
Century Arms C308
The Century Arms C308, a clone of the HK91, looked appealing to hunters who wanted a powerful .308 rifle at a lower cost. But Century’s spotty build quality quickly showed through. Many rifles suffered from rough machining, heavy triggers, and questionable reliability with different ammo types. That made it a headache in the field, where consistency is everything.
At over nine pounds without optics, the C308 was also far heavier than most hunters wanted to carry. Combined with mediocre accuracy, it didn’t take long for regret to set in. Plenty of hunters ended up admitting the money they saved buying it up front wasn’t worth the hassle of lugging it around or dealing with malfunctions. It’s a rifle better left at the range than on a serious hunt.
Remington R51
The Remington R51 pistol was hyped as a modern carry gun, but it turned into one of the company’s most notorious flops. While not a hunting rifle, plenty of hunters bought one as a sidearm, only to be left disappointed. Reliability issues plagued the first models, and even after redesigns, the gun never earned much confidence. Feeding problems, stiff recoil springs, and poor fit-and-finish led many buyers to give up on it entirely.
For hunters who wanted a backup sidearm in the field, the R51 failed to inspire trust. Many who spent money on it later admitted it was a waste, wishing they had gone with a proven carry pistol instead. Its troubled history and lack of support cemented its reputation as one of those firearms that left owners frustrated and regretful.
SKS Sporter Conversions
Surplus SKS rifles found their way into hunting fields, often converted with aftermarket stocks and optics. While affordable, many hunters later admitted the money put into these conversions wasn’t worth it. Accuracy was inconsistent, ergonomics were clunky, and cheap surplus ammo didn’t help. The rifles were heavy and awkward to carry compared to modern hunting rifles chambered in the same calibers.
Hunters who brought them into camp found themselves limited to shorter ranges, and feeding issues were common. While they had nostalgic or collectible appeal, SKS conversions rarely proved themselves as practical hunting tools. For many, they ended up as guns that looked interesting in the safe but felt like wasted money once tried in the field.
Winchester Model 100
The Winchester Model 100 promised semi-automatic convenience for deer hunters, but its reputation suffered over time. A recall related to firing pins and consistent issues with reliability made it one of those rifles that looked better in ads than in real life. Hunters learned quickly that a rifle prone to jamming or misfires wasn’t worth the risk on a big hunt.
Accuracy was serviceable at closer ranges, but the rifle never gained the trust of serious hunters. Many who invested in one admitted later that it was money poorly spent. Between the recall, lack of support, and dated design, the Model 100 ended up being a rifle more remembered for problems than performance.
Rossi Single-Shot Rifles
Rossi single-shot rifles seemed like a bargain, especially for hunters looking for a low-cost entry option. But many regretted the purchase once they saw the limitations. Loose tolerances, inconsistent triggers, and uneven accuracy plagued the brand. While fine for the range or as a teaching gun, they rarely delivered the reliability hunters needed in the field.
The lack of quick follow-up shots was another drawback. On game that required precision or speed, the Rossi often left its owners wishing they had invested in a more capable firearm. Many hunters admitted the money spent would have been better put toward a quality bolt-action or lever rifle that could grow with them instead of holding them back.
Mossberg Maverick 88
The Mossberg Maverick 88 shotgun is marketed as a budget-friendly option, but plenty of hunters admit it ended up feeling like wasted money. While functional, it lacks the refinement and durability of the Mossberg 500. Pump action cycling can feel rough, and the fit and finish often disappoint those expecting more longevity.
In waterfowl or upland camps, some hunters discovered the 88 struggled after heavy use, with reliability issues showing up sooner than expected. While it works as an inexpensive loaner or backup, those who relied on it as their main shotgun often regretted the decision. Many eventually admitted they should have saved a little longer for a sturdier, proven option.
Lever-Action .410 Rifles
Some hunters bought lever-action .410 rifles thinking they’d have a versatile firearm for both small game and deer. Reality set in quickly—.410 slugs lack the power needed for ethical big-game hunting. Many hunters admitted they felt misled into thinking the gun could do more than it really could.
Outfitters and experienced hunters consistently discourage using .410s for anything beyond small game or pests, but buyers still learn the hard way. Once they see the limitations in range and stopping power, regret follows. While fun for novelty or small chores, lever-action .410s often end up gathering dust or getting traded away. Many hunters now admit they were money wasted on a tool unsuited for serious hunting.
.30 Super Carry Pistols
The .30 Super Carry was pitched as the next evolution of concealed carry, and some hunters picked them up for use as a sidearm in the field. The promise of 9mm-like performance in a slimmer cartridge sounded appealing, but reality disappointed. Ammo was more expensive, harder to find, and didn’t offer any major performance edge over tried-and-true 9mm.
Hunters who bought into the trend often admitted they regretted it once they realized how impractical the caliber was for backup duty. When you’re in hunting country, common calibers are king—you want to know you can buy ammo anywhere. With .30 Super Carry, that was rarely the case. The lack of adoption left many buyers feeling like they had wasted money on a pistol that would never see serious use.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
