Every once in a while, a new firearm hits the market that people can’t buy fast enough. Whether it’s the promise of cutting-edge design, a famous name attached, or clever marketing that strikes a nerve, certain guns vanish from store shelves long before most shooters ever get their hands on one. The funny part? Some of these rifles and pistols end up being underwhelming once the excitement fades. Others turn out to be worth every bit of the early frenzy. Either way, these are the guns that disappeared faster than they could be fired—proof that in the firearms world, anticipation often sells better than experience.
Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7
When Smith & Wesson announced the M&P 5.7, everyone wanted a piece of the new high-velocity hype. The 5.7x28mm cartridge had been gaining popularity thanks to FN’s pistols and the Ruger 57, and shooters were itching for another affordable option. The result? Shelves emptied almost immediately after the first wave shipped.
The pistol promised higher capacity, a flat-shooting round, and S&W’s signature ergonomics. Early buyers raved about it before most had even fired a round. Once range reports rolled in, the excitement cooled slightly, but the M&P 5.7 proved to be accurate and reliable enough to earn its place. It might have ridden the hype train, but at least it stayed on the rails.
Colt Python (2020 Reissue)
When Colt brought back the Python in 2020, it was like a legend resurrected. Collectors and shooters had been begging for its return, and Colt finally delivered—at least on paper. Before anyone could test one, every distributor and dealer was cleaned out.
The first runs vanished instantly, with people paying inflated prices online. When the reviews arrived, the verdict was mixed: some praised the improved metallurgy and trigger, while others found minor fit issues. Even so, the 2020 Python remained one of the most anticipated re-releases in modern gun history. For Colt fans, owning one was less about shooting and more about nostalgia—and that was enough to make it vanish overnight.
Sig Sauer P365
The Sig P365 practically broke the internet when it launched. A double-stack 9mm micro-compact that still fit in your pocket? Nobody could believe it until they saw it—and then nobody could find one. Early shipments sold out before hitting most store shelves, with preorders backlogged for months.
Even with all that demand, the first batch had some teething issues, including striker drag and broken firing pins. But once Sig refined the design, it became one of the most successful carry pistols ever made. The rush to buy it before anyone fired one showed just how hungry the market was for something truly concealable with real capacity.
Ruger Marlin 1895 SBL
When Ruger announced it had revived Marlin and was reintroducing the 1895 SBL, lever-gun fans lost their minds. Everyone wanted to see if Ruger could do justice to the .45-70 icon. The first shipments disappeared instantly, with rifles selling for hundreds over MSRP before a single review dropped.
Hunters and collectors bought them sight unseen, trusting Ruger’s track record. Thankfully, this one lived up to expectations. The new SBL proved smoother, cleaner, and more consistent than many older Marlins. But that didn’t stop it from being the kind of rifle that sold out before anyone could even shoulder one at the gun counter.
FN SCAR 17S
When the SCAR 17S first hit civilian shelves, the tactical world went nuts. It was the rifle everyone had seen in military hands but never thought they’d actually own. Despite the high price tag, it sold out everywhere in days.
Buyers weren’t thinking about weight or recoil impulse—they just wanted that battle-proven FN name and tan finish. Some early owners loved it, others were underwhelmed by the cost-to-performance ratio, but the frenzy surrounding its release made it one of the most overhyped success stories in modern rifle history. The SCAR 17S wasn’t for everyone, but it sold like it was.
Springfield Hellion
When Springfield Armory revealed the Hellion bullpup rifle, it caught everyone off guard. A 5.56 bullpup patterned after the Croatian VHS-2 sounded too cool to ignore. Within weeks, every dealer in the country was out of stock.
Shooters who’d never even handled a bullpup were placing preorders, chasing the promise of compact power. When the dust settled, reviews were solid—it was accurate, reliable, and handled well for its size—but the early craze was driven more by curiosity than firsthand experience. It was one of those rifles that sold faster than anyone could pull a trigger on it.
Glock 44
The Glock 44 was one of the most talked-about releases in years—and for all the wrong reasons. Glock teased a new pistol announcement for months, and fans convinced themselves it was a .45 ACP carbine or 10mm powerhouse. Instead, they got a .22LR trainer.
But before the disappointment set in, everyone wanted one. Preorders piled up, and the first shipments vanished before most realized what it actually was. When shooters finally hit the range, the reaction was mixed—it was accurate and light, but not the “game changer” people expected. Still, it proved how far anticipation alone can carry a product.
Mossberg MC2c
When Mossberg jumped into the pistol market with the MC1sc, it surprised everyone. The follow-up MC2c built on that momentum, and the promise of a Mossberg-branded carry gun had buyers rushing to snag them. Early shipments sold out quickly, and many never made it to display cases.
Once shooters actually fired it, reviews were decent—good trigger, reliable function, and solid ergonomics—but the buzz faded fast. Mossberg’s name carried enough trust to move inventory before most folks even touched the gun. It wasn’t revolutionary, but it showed that timing and reputation can outsell performance every time.
KelTec SUB2000
The KelTec SUB2000 became a unicorn overnight when it launched. A folding carbine that fit in a backpack and took common pistol mags? Everyone wanted one. Dealers couldn’t keep them in stock, and online prices doubled overnight.
Early adopters bragged about snagging one, even before shooting it. When the range reports came out, it turned out to be a decent performer—accurate enough and fun to shoot—but plagued by availability issues. The hype around the SUB2000 was so strong that even used models sold above MSRP. It was one of those rare guns that proved scarcity alone can drive sales.
Ruger Wrangler
When Ruger unveiled the Wrangler, it hit the sweet spot between nostalgia and affordability. A single-action .22LR revolver with Old West style and modern manufacturing for under $250? It was an instant hit.
Before most people could see one in person, they were gone. Distributors sold out, and stores had waiting lists. Once shooters actually got them, the feedback was glowing. It wasn’t a collector’s gun—it was a shooter’s gun. The Wrangler showed how simplicity, price, and Ruger’s reputation could create a sellout without fancy marketing.
Walther PDP
The Walther PDP launched quietly—but within days, word spread that it might be the best-shooting polymer pistol on the market. Then it disappeared. The combination of a crisp trigger, ergonomic grip, and optics-ready design made it an instant hit among serious shooters.
Many bought it purely off the specs and Walther’s reputation. Those who managed to get one confirmed it lived up to the hype. The PDP may not have been a flashy release, but it sold faster than most guns with triple the advertising budget.
Henry X Model .357
When Henry announced the X Model line, shooters couldn’t believe they were seeing a tactical-style lever action from the classic American brand. Orders poured in before most shops even knew how many they’d get.
The .357 version became especially hot—it offered modern features like threaded barrels and side loading gates while keeping that smooth Henry action. It took months before most buyers even got theirs. Once they did, it proved every bit as good as they hoped. It was one of those rare guns that justified the rush.
Springfield Prodigy
Springfield’s 1911 DS Prodigy was one of the most hyped handguns of the decade. A double-stack 9mm 1911 for under two grand? The preorders alone cleaned out supply chains. For months, you couldn’t find one at any price.
When shooters finally got to try them, the reaction was mixed—great ergonomics, solid accuracy, but some early reliability hiccups. Still, that didn’t stop people from calling every gun shop within driving distance to find one. The Prodigy proved that when you mix 1911 heritage with modern capacity, buyers will line up before the first range report hits YouTube.
Remington 700 PCR
The Remington 700 PCR (Precision Chassis Rifle) hit the market at the height of the precision rifle craze, and it was priced low enough to make every long-range shooter take notice. Before anyone knew how it performed, it was gone.
When the reviews came out, shooters found it was actually worth the excitement. The chassis system worked, the trigger was excellent, and the accuracy was solid for the price. It became one of the few rifles that sold out immediately—and managed to earn the praise afterward.
Marlin 336 Classic (Ruger Reissue)
The Marlin 336 Classic made headlines as the second lever gun revived under Ruger’s stewardship. After the 1895 SBL success, hunters and collectors were watching closely. When preorders opened, they vanished in hours.
Many buyers had to wait months before their rifles shipped, and plenty of those rifles were resold online before ever being fired. The good news? Once people got them in hand, the new 336 lived up to the name. The demand wasn’t just nostalgia—it was proof that some rifles truly deserve their second chance.
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*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
