Every pawn shop sees the same parade of rifles once hunting season wraps up—guns that didn’t live up to expectations, rifles bought on impulse, or those that performed fine but offered nothing special. Maybe they were too heavy to carry, kicked harder than expected, or grouped worse than a bargain scope could fix. Whatever the reason, these rifles don’t see a second season. They end up in the rack next to other “almost” rifles that hunters wanted to love but couldn’t wait to trade for something better. If you’ve ever walked into a pawn shop in January, you know exactly the lineup—these are the rifles that made the cut for one season and were gone by the next.
Remington Model 770
The Remington 770 is practically a pawn shop mascot. Many hunters grab it for its low price and out-of-the-box package scope, thinking they’ve found a steal. But once they spend a few days in the field, the reality sets in—clunky bolt throw, inconsistent groups, and a trigger that feels like dragging gravel. The action loosens up with use, but not in a way that improves performance.
After a single season, most realize they’d rather save for a Model 700 or Ruger American. The 770’s rough machining and cheap feel make it a tough sell for long-term use. It does its job, but it’s not a rifle you grow attached to.
Mossberg Patriot
The Mossberg Patriot looks great on paper—affordable, accurate, and available in nearly every popular caliber. The issue is consistency. Some shoot beautifully; others scatter rounds like a shotgun. Add in a lightweight, flexible stock that doesn’t handle recoil well, and you’ve got a rifle that feels unpredictable in the field.
Hunters who buy it for one deer season often decide they’d rather spend a bit more for something sturdier. It’s not that the Patriot is bad—it’s that it feels too light and too cheap for the job. Once the honeymoon’s over, most find themselves back at the pawn counter, looking for something that inspires more confidence.
Savage Axis
The Savage Axis is another budget rifle that seems like a deal—until you spend time behind it. The trigger pull is heavy, the bolt feels like it’s grinding through gravel, and the synthetic stock flexes enough to throw shots if you’re not careful. Sure, it’ll take deer, but it doesn’t make you want to shoot more than you have to.
Accuracy is hit or miss depending on the load, and while the newer Axis II models fix some of these issues, many first-time buyers already gave up by then. It’s one of those rifles that fills a short-term need—then winds up traded off the minute you find a used Tikka or Ruger sitting nearby.
Remington 710
The Remington 710 is infamous for being the rifle that soured many hunters on factory packages altogether. With its rough plastic stock, pressed-in barrel, and inconsistent action, it feels more disposable than dependable. Even with decent ammo, it struggles to hold tight groups, and the bolt lift feels awkward compared to almost anything else.
Plenty of hunters bought one thinking it was a cheaper Model 700, only to regret it after the first cold morning in the woods. The rifle works—but not comfortably. That disappointment sends it straight to the pawn shop shelf, usually with the original scope still mounted.
Winchester XPR
The Winchester XPR has a modern look and decent performance, but it’s one of those rifles that never really connects with hunters. The trigger is good, and the action smooths with time, but the rifle’s overall feel is lifeless—especially compared to a Model 70 or even a Ruger American.
It’s a capable rifle that lacks personality. Hunters often pick it up as a backup or a cheaper alternative to a favorite bolt gun, only to realize it never leaves the safe. Once season ends, the XPR is often the first thing traded in for something with more soul and better resale appeal.
Thompson/Center Compass
The T/C Compass offered a ton of promise—budget price, sub-MOA claims, and good features on paper. The problem is, the execution wasn’t consistent. Some shoot great, others throw flyers you can’t explain. The stock feels hollow and cheap, and the bolt can bind under even light dirt or moisture.
After one season of trying to make it work, many hunters give up. It’s the kind of rifle you want to like but can’t quite trust. The Compass II addressed a few problems, but the original version is still a common sight in pawn shops—usually traded for a stainless Ruger or Savage.
Ruger American Predator
The Ruger American Predator has a loyal following, but plenty of hunters end up pawning it after realizing it’s not perfect. The rifle shoots accurately, but the trigger guard and stock feel toy-like, and the rotary magazine can be finicky. If you’re not careful with the mag latch, you’ll drop it at the worst time.
The rifle is light and handy, but some find it too plasticky and unrefined for hard hunting. It’s a solid budget performer, but many hunters trade up for something that feels more traditional once they have the cash. It’s a rifle that earns respect—but not attachment.
Marlin X7
The Marlin X7 had potential—it was accurate, had a decent trigger, and came at a fair price. But once hunters got them into real-world use, the flaws started showing. The bolt was gritty, the synthetic stock flimsy, and the factory bluing prone to rust if you didn’t baby it.
The rifle never developed much of a following, so resale value dropped fast. Once a better option appeared on the used rack, most owners didn’t hesitate to pawn theirs. It’s not that the X7 couldn’t shoot—it just didn’t feel like something worth keeping.
Browning AB3
The Browning AB3 is mechanically sound but lacks the refined feel of the company’s higher-end rifles. The bolt is smooth, but the plastic trigger guard and magazine assembly turn off a lot of hunters. For the price, many expect more metal and less polymer.
It shoots well enough, but compared to a used X-Bolt or older A-Bolt, it feels uninspired. That disappointment leads many owners to trade it quickly. The AB3 is one of those rifles you respect for performance but never love to carry, making it an easy pawn shop regular.
Remington 783
The Remington 783 performs well for its price, but it’s one of those rifles that lacks lasting appeal. The synthetic stock feels hollow, the bolt throw is clunky, and while accuracy is fine, the overall shooting experience is bland. It’s a functional tool that doesn’t inspire pride.
Many hunters buy it as a budget backup, then sell it off when they realize they’re reaching for something else every time. It’s accurate, but not enjoyable. For a lot of folks, that’s reason enough to let it go the second deer season ends.
Savage Model 110 Apex
The Savage 110 Apex is a capable rifle, but the package scopes it comes with often underperform. Once hunters realize they’re spending more money upgrading optics and mounts, they start questioning the purchase. The lightweight synthetic stock doesn’t balance well, and some users find the factory bedding inconsistent.
The rifle shoots straight, but it feels top-heavy and awkward with accessories attached. Many hunters end up keeping the scope rings and selling the gun. It’s not that the Apex fails—it just never feels worth the effort it demands to perform its best.
Mossberg ATR 100
Before the Patriot, there was the Mossberg ATR 100—a rifle that promised affordability but delivered mediocrity. The trigger was heavy, the stock flimsy, and corrosion resistance nearly nonexistent. It could take down a deer, but few hunters enjoyed shooting it enough to keep it.
After one or two hunts, most realized it wasn’t built to last. The ATR 100 sits in pawn racks nationwide, often with rust freckles to prove how little care it inspired. It’s a rifle that filled a temporary need but never earned a permanent spot in the gun cabinet.
Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic
The Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic is accurate and durable, but many hunters don’t realize how heavy it feels until they’ve hauled it across rough terrain. Between the weight and the somewhat stiff bolt lift, it’s not ideal for long hikes or fast shots in the field.
It’s a great rifle in the right context—open country and stationary setups—but for whitetail woods or mountain hunts, it feels like overkill. After one exhausting season of lugging it through the brush, a lot of hunters decide it’s time for something lighter. Pawn shops are full of them for that exact reason.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
