Some guns just have that cool factor—you see them in movies, read about them online, and the name alone makes you want one. But after a few trips to the range, the reality sets in. These guns might look sharp or carry a big reputation, but when it comes to hitting targets, they leave you frustrated. From poor accuracy to weird handling quirks, they just don’t shoot like they should. Here are fifteen guns that sound exciting but end up shooting crooked more often than not.
Desert Eagle .50 AE
The Desert Eagle turns heads at any range, but accuracy can be hit or miss. The massive recoil makes follow-up shots sloppy, and the hefty weight doesn’t always translate to precision. Many shooters expect pinpoint accuracy, but the big muzzle blast and snappy trigger make tight groups tough. It’s fun to shoot but rarely delivers clean, consistent shots beyond close range. For a gun with such a loud reputation, it often struggles to shoot straight.
KelTec Sub2000
The KelTec Sub2000 folds up nicely and looks like a great truck gun, but accuracy isn’t its strong point. Many owners report wandering zero and inconsistent groups, especially with iron sights. The quirky sight setup combined with a flexible stock makes it harder to stay consistent. It’s handy and packs up small, but if you’re chasing tight groups or confident longer shots, the Sub2000 usually disappoints after the novelty wears off.
Hi-Point Carbine
Hi-Point Carbines have a big following for budget shooting, but their accuracy often falls short. The chunky feel and heavy trigger don’t help with precision, and groups tend to open up quickly past 50 yards. Some people make them work for close-range fun, but they’re far from tack drivers. They might run reliably enough, but don’t expect tight, impressive groups when you’re trying to stretch it out a little farther.
MAC-10 (Semi-Auto Versions)
The MAC-10 sounds cool thanks to its history, but the semi-auto versions tend to shoot like bricks. Between the awkward grip, heavy bolt, and crude sights, accuracy often feels like an afterthought. It’s fun for dumping magazines, but don’t expect respectable groups. Many owners admit they bought it for the look and sound but quickly realized it’s more of a backyard blaster than anything close to precise or practical.
AK-47 (Cheap Imports)
AK-47s have the rugged reputation, but some of the cheaper imports shoot downright sloppy. Loose tolerances, canted sights, and poor barrels can leave you frustrated on the range. Accuracy is usually acceptable inside 100 yards, but stretching beyond that shows just how crooked some of these rifles shoot. They run well enough, but if you expect clean, reliable accuracy, especially from bargain bin models, you’ll probably be disappointed pretty fast.
TEC-9
The TEC-9 is a recognizable name in pop culture, but it’s pretty terrible on the range. The open bolt design, crude construction, and terrible ergonomics make accurate shooting almost impossible. Most shooters complain about inconsistent hits even at short distances. It’s clunky, awkward to hold, and definitely not built for hitting bullseyes. People buy it because it looks cool, but anyone chasing accuracy quickly realizes it’s more frustrating than fun.
Mini-14 (Older Models)
The Ruger Mini-14 has a loyal fanbase, but older models were notorious for wandering accuracy. Thin barrels heated up fast, causing groups to drift during even short-range sessions. Many shooters report decent groups cold, then sloppy patterns after just a few magazines. While newer versions are better, plenty of older Minis still suffer from inconsistent performance, especially if you’re expecting AR-like precision. It sounds appealing but often shoots like a shotgun past 100 yards.
IWI Tavor SAR
The Tavor SAR looks futuristic and handles well in tight spaces, but accuracy can be frustrating. The long, heavy trigger and chunky bullpup layout make precision shooting more work than it should be. Plenty of owners report acceptable combat-style groups but struggle with tighter, more consistent accuracy. If you’re used to more traditional rifles, the Tavor often feels like a cool idea that just doesn’t deliver in terms of tight shot placement.
M1 Carbine (Surplus)
The M1 Carbine is a classic, but surplus examples often shoot crooked after decades of abuse. Worn barrels, sloppy sights, and inconsistent ammunition make group sizes unpredictable. While fun for history buffs, many shooters are surprised how much effort it takes to get halfway decent accuracy. In the field, these carbines were never known for pin-point precision, and aging surplus models haven’t improved with time, leaving many owners underwhelmed by their performance.
Thompson Center Encore (Certain Calibers)
The TC Encore offers barrel swaps and versatility, but certain calibers just never shoot well. Lightweight barrels combined with big calibers can lead to inconsistent groups and odd flyers. Shooters who expect precision out of every barrel quickly realize some just don’t cooperate. While the platform has fans, it’s hit-or-miss depending on caliber choice, and you’ll hear plenty of stories about certain setups that just refuse to shoot straight no matter the load.
FN PS90
The FN PS90 gets attention for its looks and high capacity, but accuracy is a common gripe. Between the odd trigger feel and short barrel, groups are often looser than expected. Shooters enjoy it for fun plinking but admit it’s not a precision platform. Even with optics, it’s hard to keep groups tight past short ranges. It’s a fun range toy, but anyone hoping for consistent accuracy will probably be let down after a few outings.
Century Arms C308
The Century C308 sounds like a budget battle rifle, but accuracy issues plague this model. Many owners complain about poor barrel quality, rough trigger pulls, and inconsistent feeding, all contributing to wide groups. It feels heavy and rugged but rarely delivers tight accuracy. People like the look of a classic battle rifle, but after a few range trips, the lack of precision becomes a recurring complaint with this budget-friendly G3 clone.
Chiappa M1-9
The Chiappa M1-9 offers a 9mm version of the classic M1 Carbine look, but it’s far from precise. Many shooters deal with loose tolerances, poor machining, and accuracy that’s all over the place even at modest distances. It’s a fun plinker but not a performer. People who buy it expecting M1 Carbine handling with modern reliability and accuracy usually end up disappointed when the gun fails to group consistently even inside 50 yards.
Kriss Vector (9mm Version)
The Kriss Vector has a cool reputation for recoil management, but accuracy doesn’t always match the hype. The heavy trigger and unconventional design make it tougher to shoot precise groups. Many shooters report the gun being fun for rapid fire but underwhelming when trying to tighten up groups. For a gun marketed as futuristic and efficient, it often leaves owners wishing for a little more consistency, especially when they slow down and shoot for accuracy.
Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle
The Henry AR-7 packs into itself and looks great on paper, but accuracy struggles are common. The lightweight barrel and plastic stock cause shifting points of impact, and many shooters report inconsistent groups even with good ammo. It’s a great little survival tool for basic use, but don’t expect tight groups or confident shooting past short ranges. People like the idea, but it’s another case of a rifle that shoots more crooked than clean.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
