Semi-automatic pistols, particularly handguns, are easily the most popular weapon in the United States. They are favored as a conceal-and-carry weapon by private citizens as well as the favored gun of police forces and military. First patented in the late 19th century with the creation of the Salvator-Dormus pistol, followed by the Schönberger-Laumann, these weapons became popular because their magazines can hold more ammunition than standard revolvers – a difference of 10 rounds to six. These handguns have consistently ranked as the best-selling type of firearm in the United States for over a decade.
Though handguns have outsold rifles nearly every year since 2009, semi-automatic rifles, specifically those modeled after the controversial AR-15, have also found a large and growing market in the U.S. AR-15-style modern sporting rifles, or MSRs, accounted for 23.4% of all firearms manufactured in the U.S. in 2020, up from just 1.2% in 1990, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the ATF. Used for home defense, target shooting, and even hunting, this style of rifle is owned by an estimated 16 million people – or about 5% of American adults.
24/7 Wall St. identified the 10 most popular semi-automatic rifles in America by using a report from Gungenius, which compiled sales data from the online firearms marketplace GunBroker.com. Guns are ranked on 2022 online sales, though exact sales numbers were not provided. Most of the rifles on this list are MSRs.
MSRs are typically built on automatic weapon platforms used by militaries around the world, including the M16 and AK-47, but lack the fully automatic and burst-fire capabilities of their military counterparts. They may be popular but MSRs are also politically divisive. Assault-style rifles have been used in 10 of the 17 deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. in the last decade. These types of firearms were banned nationwide from 1994 to 2004, and several states still have standing restrictions on MSRs. (These are the states where the government will take your gun by force.)
The best-selling semi-automatic rifle in the U.S. is not a military-style weapon. The Ruger 10/22KN, chambered for .22 caliber ammunition, is a small rifle, seen by many as an ideal choice for familiarizing youth shooters with firearms. Known for its affordability and reliability, the 10/22 was first introduced in 1964, and in more than half a century since, Ruger has sold over six million 10/22 rifles. Last year, the gun topped sales charts once again, which partially explains why Ruger is one of America’s largest gunmakers.
This list was compiled using online gun sales only. Unlike most items purchased online, firearms are usually not shipped directly to your door. The process typically requires buyers to have their gun shipped to a Federally Licensed Firearm Dealer – usually a local gun store – which will then run a background check before transferring the gun to the customer. However, as is the case with online shopping in general, the convenience and inventory offered by online retailers is a major draw for gun buyers.
Here are the 10 Most Popular Semi-Automatic Rifles in America, and How Much They Cost
See below for a detailed methodology.
10. FNH SCAR
- Approx. base price: $3,699
- Popular usages: Home defense, target shooting
- Chambered in: 5.56x45mm, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7.62x51mm
- Parent company: Herstal Group
- Parent company domestic rifle production, 2016-2020: N/A
- Parent company U.S. headquarters: McLean, Virginia (FN America)
9. Ruger AR-556
- Approx. base price: $1,019
- Popular usages: Home defense, target shooting
- Chambered in: 5.56x45mm, .450 Bushmaster, .350 Legend, .223 Wylde, .300 BLK
- Parent company: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
- Parent company domestic rifle production, 2016-2020: 3,263,701 (22.0% of all U.S. rifle production)
- Parent company U.S. headquarters: Southport, Connecticut
8. Colt M4 Carbine
- Approx. base price: $849
- Popular usages: Home defense, target shooting
- Chambered in: .223 Rem, 5.56x45mm
- Parent company: Colt CZ Group
- Parent company domestic rifle production, 2016-2020: N/A
- Parent company U.S. headquarters: Hartford, Connecticut (Colt)
7. Browning BAR Rifle
- Approx. base price: $1,230
- Popular usages: Hunting, target shooting
- Chambered in: .243 Win, .308 Win, .270 WSM, .270 Win, .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm-08, .300 Win Mag, .25-06 Rem
- Parent company: Herstal Group
- Parent company domestic rifle production, 2016-2020: N/A
- Parent company U.S. headquarters: Morgan, Utah (Browning)
6. Smith & Wesson M&P15
- Approx. base price: $489
- Popular usages: Home defense, target shooting, hunting
- Chambered in: .22 LR, 5.56x45mm, 6mm ARC
- Parent company: Smith & Wesson Corp
- Parent company domestic rifle production, 2016-2020: 1,596,895 (10.8% of all U.S. rifle production)
- Parent company U.S. headquarters: Springfield, Massachusetts
5. Zastava Arms ZPAP
- Approx. base price: $1,100
- Popular usages: Home defense, target shooting
- Chambered in: 7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm
- Parent company: Zastava Arms
- Parent company domestic rifle production, 2016-2020: N/A
- Parent company U.S. headquarters: Des Plaines, Illinois
4. Springfield Armory M1A
- Approx. base price: $1,770
- Popular usages: Home defense, target shooting, hunting
- Chambered in: .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor
- Parent company: Springfield, Inc
- Parent company domestic rifle production, 2016-2020: 543,566 (3.7% of all U.S. rifle production)
- Parent company U.S. headquarters: Geneseo, Illinois
3. Springfield Armory Saint
- Approx. base price: $1,023
- Popular usages: Home defense, target shooting, hunting
- Chambered in: 5.56x45mm
- Parent company: Springfield, Inc
- Parent company domestic rifle production, 2016-2020: 543,566 (3.7% of all U.S. rifle production)
- Parent company U.S. headquarters: Geneseo, Illinois
2. Ruger Mini-14
- Approx. base price: $1,259
- Popular usages: Hunting, target shooting, home defense
- Chambered in: 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm
- Parent company: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
- Parent company domestic rifle production, 2016-2020: 3,263,701 (22.0% of all U.S. rifle production)
- Parent company U.S. headquarters: Southport, Connecticut
1. Ruger 10/22
- Approx. base price: $379
- Popular usages: Hunting, target shooting
- Chambered in: .22 LR
- Parent company: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
- Parent company domestic rifle production, 2016-2020: 3,263,701 (22.0% of all U.S. rifle production)
- Parent company U.S. headquarters: Southport, Connecticut
Methodology
To identify the best-selling semi-automatic rifles in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a report from Gungenius, which uses data from Gunbroker.com, an online firearm sales platform. The model or model families that make up the guns on this list are ranked by their 2022 unit sales on Gunbroker.com.
Data on 2016-2020 U.S. gun manufacturing totals for the companies on this list is from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Tobacco. Domestic manufacturing data was not available for every company on this list.
The approximate base price for each firearm is from the manufacturer’s website. Many of the model families on this list have variations, however, that are far more expensive than the price listed in this story.
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