Every gun aficionado knows the importance of sticking to a firearm that you like, because sooner or later, it will vanish from the market. The gun industry is an ever-changing one, so sometimes even the most beloved guns go from production lines to collectors’ cabinets simply because they aren’t selling anymore.
While many of today’s guns are more accurate, durable, and lighter than their predecessors, plenty of enthusiasts who have parted with old favorites long for them to be made again. Many of the guns on this list can be found in some collectors’ shops or online, but they come with quite the price tag. Here are eight guns that we wish were still being made today.
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1. Beretta ARX 100
The best rifle you’ve never heard of, the ARX100 was nearly 100% ambidextrous, featured a side-folding stock for compact storage, and was constructed from lightweight materials to keep the empty weight at an impressive 6.8 pounds. The ARX100’s lineage, derived from the ARX160 — a select-fire combat rifle for the Italian Army — offered a NATO-standard barrel length and magazine compatibility, ambidextrous controls, and a design that required no tools for disassembly, aligning it with the best of modern combat rifles. The Beretta ARX100 was officially discontinued for commercial sales in the United States in 2019, just before the massive surge in firearm demand.
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2. Colt Python
Known as “The Rolls Royce of Revolvers,” the Colt Python earned a reputation as the king of revolver design after its debut in 1955, and was praised for its accuracy and refined design. With full-length underlug, vent rib, and eye-catching finishes like royal blue and polished stainless steel, the Python quickly became the go-to choice for law enforcement and competitive shooters. Choosing the .357 Magnum caliber over the initially planned .38 Special further expanded its appeal and secured its status.
Although heavy by today’s standards, Python’s weight allowed for a stable shooting experience and effective recoil control. The gun initially sold for $125, which, adjusted for inflation, would amount to approximately $1,500 in today’s currency. Colt produced the Python until the late 1990s, and then the Colt Custom Shop offered it in a limited capacity until 2005, when it was officially discontinued. The Colt Python made its return in 2020; however, aficionados of the classic are less than thrilled, arguing that the revived version falls short of the iconic gun.
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3. Remington 600 Rifle
Remington intended the Model 600 Carbine to outclass the Winchester Model ’94 in accuracy and power, hitting the shelves at $100. Despite being a tad pricier than planned, it packed a punch with options like the .308 Win, making it a strong contender. The Model 600 featured a lightweight design, a unique dogleg bolt handle that spared shooters’ hands during recoil, and a striking appearance, thanks to a walnut stock and a distinctive ventilated rib. While production ceased in 1967, with a brief comeback as the more powerful Model 600 Magnum, its impact lingered. The Model 660 followed, tweaking the formula before its discontinuation in 1970.
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4. Colt Woodsman
For much of the 20th century, Colt’s Woodsman reigned as the king of sporting handguns, a .22 caliber pistol that found its place from competition fields to practical use in various industries. Praised for its accuracy, reliability, and ergonomic design, the Woodsman set the standard for what a .22 target pistol should be. It featured a sleek, streamlined look and was beloved by competitive and casual shooters for its performance and ease of use.
The Woodsman’s precision engineering and the fit and finish that Colt was known for made it a highly sought-after piece for collectors and shooting enthusiasts. Its discontinuation in 1977 left many wishing for its return, not only for its historical significance but also for the pure enjoyment and utility it brought to shooting sports.
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5. Heckler & Koch P7
The Heckler & Koch P7, discontinued in 2008, truly set the standard for innovation in its time with a lineup of standout features. Perhaps the most iconic among these was its squeeze-cocking mechanism. This design genius allowed the pistol to be carried safely with a round chamber, requiring only a steady grip to cock and ready the gun for firing. This enhanced safety, allowing the shooter to react swiftly in critical moments. The P7’s reputation for precision, along with its fixed barrel and gas-delayed blowback system, guaranteed that it remained a coveted piece long after its production ceased.
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6. Ruger Model 44
When the Ruger .44 Carbine hit the market in 1961, it brought the .44 Magnum, a round we usually see in revolvers, into the world of rifles — and hunters were all over it. Bill Ruger introduced the Model 44 as the “Deerstalker,” because it combined the oomph of the .44 Mag with the familiar feel of a traditional deer rifle, all while being compact enough to easily maneuver through thick brush. Its gas-operated action tamed the .44 Magnum’s kick, making the gun surprisingly comfortable to shoot, and the integrated rotary magazine kept its silhouette sleek while ensuring smooth feeding round after round.
But, as with all good things, the gun was too expensive to produce, and Ruger wrapped up production of the Model 44 in the late 1980s, leaving many enthusiasts hoping for its return to the market.
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7. Remington 7400
Introduced in 1981, the Remington 7400 continued the legacy of Remington’s semi-automatic hunting rifles, and followed in the footsteps of its predecessors like the Model 742. Known for blending the speed of a semi-auto with the accuracy and reliability expected from a hunting rifle, the 7400 quickly found favor among hunters across America.
The Remington 7400’s gas-operated action allowed for quick follow-up shots, making it particularly useful in situations where precision and speed were paramount. It was chambered in popular calibers such as .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield, ensuring versatility for hunting a wide range of game.
Design-wise, the 7400 had a modern look for its time, with improvements over previous models in both function and aesthetics. It featured a detachable magazine for easy reloading and maintenance, an upgrade that was well-received by the shooting community. Despite its popularity, the Remington 7400 was discontinued in 2006, succeeded by the Remington Model 750.
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8. Smith & Wesson Model 28
Known as the “Highway Patrolman,” the Smith & Wesson Model 28 holds a special place for every revolver aficionado for its no-nonsense approach to design and functionality. Launched in the late 1950s, the Model 28 was Smith & Wesson’s answer to gun enthusiasts looking for the performance of their premium Model 27 without the hefty price tag. Chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge, it offered serious stopping power for law enforcement in a no-frills package. It came in 4-inch and 6-inch barrel lengths, perfect for both quick handling and longer-distance shooting. The sights were adjustable, so you could fine-tune your aim, and the finish was a tough, matte blue or nickel that could take the bumps and scrapes of daily duty.
While it wasn’t fancy, the Model 28 was known for its rugged construction and smooth operation—exactly what you wanted in a sidearm you might rely on in a tense situation. Smith & Wesson discontinued the Model 28 in 1986.
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.
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