Some guns wear out. These don’t. When you’ve got one shot to make it count, or thousands of rounds to run over a few decades, these are the ones that keep going. They’re not always flashy, and they’re not always the newest thing on the rack—but you’ll find them still cycling, still firing, and still doing the job long after other firearms have been retired. If you’re looking for a gun that can take abuse, neglect, and time without giving up, here’s where you start.
Glock 17
There’s a reason Glocks have become the default pistol for so many professionals. The Glock 17, in particular, is simple, rugged, and practically immune to the elements. It’s not winning beauty contests, but it keeps shooting.
You can run this thing dry, dirty, or straight out of the mud and it’ll still cycle. Parts are everywhere, and maintenance is minimal. It’s the pistol you throw in a bag and forget about—because it’ll work when you remember it.
Ruger 10/22
You’ll find this rimfire rifle in cabins, barns, and garages across the country for one reason—it just works. The Ruger 10/22 has earned its reputation over decades of plinking, small game hunting, and training.
It’s easy to shoot, easy to clean, and even easier to upgrade. But the truth is, it doesn’t need much. Even abused and neglected, these rifles keep running. It’s the kind of gun your grandkids can still use.
Marlin 336
Lever guns might seem old-school, but the Marlin 336 has stuck around because it delivers—and keeps delivering. Chambered in .30-30, it’s taken more deer than most rifles combined and shrugs off rough use.
These rifles handle years of field time and bad weather without falling apart. The action smooths out with age, and the accuracy stays put. It’s no surprise people still reach for one every season.
Mossberg 500
Pump-action shotguns have always had a rugged appeal, and the Mossberg 500 might be the most dependable of the bunch. It’s been tossed in duck blinds, dropped from tree stands, and still runs fine.
The twin action bars, steel-to-steel lockup, and basic design keep it going through whatever you throw at it. Whether you’re shooting slugs or birdshot, this thing won’t care—it’ll just cycle.
Smith & Wesson Model 10
This revolver has been around for well over a century, and it’s still in service in some places. The Smith & Wesson Model 10 doesn’t need a red dot, a rail, or anything fancy—it just works.
Built like a tank with a buttery-smooth double-action trigger, it’ll handle thousands of rounds without getting finicky. It’s one of the few guns that’s nearly impossible to wear out with normal use.
M1 Garand
The M1 Garand helped win World War II, and many of those rifles are still in use today. That should tell you all you need to know. It’s a battle rifle that thrives on hard use.
It’s big, it’s heavy, and it kicks like a mule—but it’ll keep running. As long as it’s fed good clips and decent ammo, it’ll keep putting rounds downrange like it did 80 years ago.
Remington 870 (Pre-Freedom Group)
Before the quality dipped under later ownership, the Remington 870 was the gold standard for pump shotguns. The old ones? Still working flawlessly. Solid steel construction and simplicity made them nearly indestructible.
Whether you’re busting clays or busting through brush, the 870 can take it. Look for older models if you want that lifetime reliability—they’re still out there, and they’re still worth grabbing.
CZ 75
The CZ 75 is one of the most copied pistols in the world, and for good reason. The all-steel construction, smooth slide rails, and solid internals give it a reputation for durability that rivals any modern 9mm.
These guns are built to be shot—thousands and thousands of times. Even when worn down, they keep stacking rounds where you want them. It’s one of those pistols that just won’t quit.
SKS
While it doesn’t get the glory of the AK, the SKS is almost just as rugged. Built to fight in freezing Soviet conditions, it’s known for shrugging off abuse and staying functional even when filthy.
Stripper clips and iron sights keep it simple. And even decades later, surplus SKS rifles still fire like they did when they were crated up. You can’t say that for many guns of its age.
Browning A5
The old “humpback” Auto-5 is a classic that’s still cycling after a hundred years. Its long-recoil action is different, but it works. The original John Browning design holds up even now.
You’ll still see them on the dove field and in duck blinds because they keep doing their job. If it’s been kept halfway clean, chances are it’ll run as well now as it did in 1950.
Ruger GP100
This .357 Magnum revolver is about as tough as they come. The GP100 is built to handle full-power loads without shaking apart. Heavy frame, overbuilt internals, and no-nonsense function.
Even after thousands of rounds, it doesn’t go out of time, and it doesn’t get loose. It’s the kind of wheelgun you can beat up, drop in the mud, rinse off, and shoot again.
AK-47 (Combloc variants)
Nothing fancy here—just a rifle built to survive frozen winters, desert sandstorms, and third-world armories. The AK-47, especially old military variants, is famous for being indestructible.
It might not be the most accurate, but it doesn’t care. It’ll cycle dirty, dented, corroded ammo without a hiccup. It’s the rifle you drag through a swamp and expect to fire afterward.
Winchester Model 70 (Pre-’64)
Old Winchester Model 70s—especially those pre-1964 versions—are still prized by hunters because they’re rock-solid. The action is smooth, reliable, and durable even by modern standards.
If you’ve got one, chances are it’s been through decades of hard use and still prints groups. These rifles were made to last and it shows every time the bolt closes tight and the shot breaks clean.
Savage Model 110
The Savage 110 has always been about practicality and performance. It’s not fancy, but it’s accurate and built to keep working through real hunting conditions. The floating bolt head helps with consistency even after years of use.
Even when tossed in a truck bed or knocked off a tree stand, these rifles hold zero and stay reliable. For the money, there aren’t many rifles that last as long with as little fuss.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
