We’ve all let something go that we wish we hadn’t. For gun owners, it’s often that one rifle, shotgun, or pistol we sold too fast or too cheap. At the time, it might’ve seemed like a good move—maybe you needed cash or made room for something new. But some guns have a way of sticking with you. Not because they’re fancy or rare, but because they just worked. Here are 15 guns you might kick yourself for selling.
Colt Python
If you ever owned a Colt Python and let it go, chances are it still haunts you. This revolver had buttery-smooth action and top-tier accuracy that shooters still chase today.
Even if you weren’t a revolver fan, the craftsmanship alone made it feel special. And with the prices climbing, good luck getting another one without taking a serious hit to your wallet.
Winchester Model 70 (Pre-’64)
This bolt-action rifle earned its nickname as the “Rifleman’s Rifle” for a reason. The pre-1964 models had a controlled-round feed and slick action that hunters loved.
You could trust it in any condition. Selling one of these means watching the value rise while trying not to wince. It’s not just about nostalgia—it’s about letting go of a rifle that actually earned its reputation.
Smith & Wesson Model 29
You might not be Dirty Harry, but owning a Model 29 still felt pretty cool. Big-bore revolvers aren’t for everyone, but this .44 Magnum had a solid following and serious stopping power.
Even if you didn’t shoot it much, you probably admired it every time you opened the safe. That’s not something most guns offer, and once it’s gone, you’ll feel it.
Marlin 336
If you sold your Marlin 336, especially an older JM-stamped one, you probably didn’t know how much you’d miss it. Lever guns are just fun to shoot, and the 336 is one of the best.
Whether you used it for deer season or just plinking, it had a way of sticking around. Now, quality ones are harder to find—and pricier than you remember.
Glock 19 (Gen 3 or 4)
It might not look like much, but the Glock 19 is one of those “do everything” handguns. It’s easy to carry, simple to maintain, and annoyingly reliable.
Sell it, and you’ll probably end up buying another one down the road. There’s a reason almost every gun person has had one at some point—they just work.
Browning Hi-Power
Designed by John Browning and finished by Dieudonné Saive, this pistol has history built into it. It’s got great ergonomics, and the all-metal build feels solid in hand.
It’s also one of those guns that keeps gaining value. Once you realize you’re not getting it back for anywhere near what you sold it for, the regret kicks in fast.
Ruger 10/22 (Old Models)
Sure, you can still buy a Ruger 10/22 today, but the older models just hit different. Better triggers, tighter tolerances, and a finish that didn’t feel so “parts bin.”
If you had one you tuned just right—maybe a custom stock or optic—you know how frustrating it is to try recreating that same feel. It’s never quite the same.
Remington 870 Wingmaster
Selling a Wingmaster is a lot like selling a truck that always started. The finish was nice, the action was slick, and it could do everything from trap to turkey.
The newer 870s just don’t have the same feel. If you had an old one with a walnut stock and real bluing, parting with it probably felt like a mistake not long after.
M1 Garand
The M1 Garand isn’t just cool because of its history—it’s a blast to shoot. That ping when the clip ejects never gets old. And once you let it go, it’s hard to replace without spending big.
It’s one of those rifles that makes you feel connected to something bigger. Letting it go might’ve seemed logical at the time, but man, it’s a tough one to forget.
CZ 75B
This full-size 9mm has an all-steel frame, excellent balance, and one of the best out-of-the-box triggers around. People who sell them often find themselves looking for another not long after.
It’s not flashy, but it feels great in the hand and shoots even better. Once you realize how many plastic guns just don’t compare, the regret sets in.
Savage 99
The Savage 99 is a lever gun ahead of its time—chambered in serious calibers and designed to use spire-point bullets thanks to its rotary magazine.
It’s a classic hunting rifle that wasn’t flashy, but it flat-out worked. Selling one, especially in .300 Savage or .250-3000, usually ends with someone trying to track down a replacement.
Colt Government 1911 (Series 70)
There’s something about a good 1911 that sticks with you. The Series 70 models from Colt had a great balance of performance and old-school charm without too many modern tweaks.
If you ever let one go, you know how hard it is to find another that shoots and feels the same—especially without shelling out twice what you got for yours.
Remington 700 (Older Models)
Before things got weird at Remington, the 700 was the bolt-action rifle to own. Great triggers, tight groups, and solid build quality made them favorites among hunters and shooters alike.
Sell one of the older ones, and chances are you’ve looked back wondering what the heck you were thinking—especially with newer models not quite measuring up.
H&K P7
This German-made squeeze-cocker pistol has a cult following, and once you’ve used one, you get why. It’s accurate, sleek, and feels like nothing else out there.
The problem? They’re expensive and rare. So once you sell it, good luck finding another. You’ll probably spend years telling yourself you don’t need it—until you realize you really kinda do.
Ruger Security Six
Before the GP100, there was the Security Six—a no-nonsense revolver that just worked. It was rugged, reliable, and not too heavy for carry.
A lot of folks sold theirs thinking they’d grab another later. Now, prices are creeping up, and the supply’s thinning. It’s one of those “wish I hadn’t” decisions that lingers.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
