Best firearm on Reddit

280 reviews from r/prepping, r/Firearms, r/ar15 and 14 more subreddits

280 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Smith & Wesson

4.4

(38)

"The sport II was my first AR and it’s a great choice for a first AR."

"Buy buy buy!! That’s a deal!!!! pmags plus red dot for that price. BUY!!!!!!!!"

"Great deal I have an old MP15R it’s got way over 10k on it."

"About 1,500 rds into my Sport III and haven’t had a single issue. Definitely recommend it."

"I've had an M&P for 17 years and can count on one hand how many malfunction I've had."

"Can’t go wrong with the SW Sport III especially with the Vortex Red Dot."

"I have a m&p sport 2, and it's great."

"If you ain't got the cash smith and Wesson mp sport all day."

"Great deal I have an old MP15R it’s got way over 10k on it."

"My opinion on the rifle is it’s a great start if you like changing things."

Glock

4.5

(25)

"I always recommend a Glock 48 or 43x."

"Glock pistols are the ideal handgun because of their super reliable track record."

"Everyone is generally going to recommend a Glock 17/19."

"Used Glock 19. Tons of parts and compatible components."

"Glock 19/17 is always recommended by me for aftermarket support, reliability, and general goodness."

"Glock 19"

"I recommend the Glock 48."

"Glock 19, Vedder Lighttuck holster, CC belt of choice."

"A full sized semi-auto pistol- preferably something simple and common (eg Glock) 3. A semi-auto rifle (AR style)."

"Pistol like a Glock 17 or H&K VP9."

AR-15

4.8

(23)

"An AR-15 is a lot less intimidating to actually shoot."

"AR-15 is unbelievably easy to use and shoot accurately with especially for women"

"Ultimately the best weapon for your mom IS an AR15 probably."

"AR-15 is the best option bar none."

"AR-15."

"For a defensive rifle it’s gotta be the ar15."

"Will do whatever you need it to with moderate effect."

"The AR-15 Both are great."

"If I had to choose ONLY one, I would bring my AR15."

"For long range I have a custom AR-15."

Mossberg

4.7

(18)

"As far as which brands, mossberg is a decent brand for shotguns."

"You would want to look at a quality shotgun (Mossberg Maverick 88, used Mossberg 500, used Remington 879, used Benelli Nova)."

"Just about any Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun."

"A 12 gauge pump action shotgun is really the gold standard for home defense."

"Get a maverick 88 12g shotgun, you can usually find a home defense and hunting barrel combo for 250-350."

"I like the Mossberg 500 series, but there are plenty of clones/knockoffs that will do just fine."

"A good mossberg 500 pump action 12g. It's cheap, reliable and can be used to hunt anything."

"You can pick up a Mossberg Maverick 88 for cheap and some buck shot for guaranteed body part removal."

"I recommend a basic shotgun, they're widely available and you can probably get a deal in the sub $400 range."

Ruger

4.3

(19)

"The Ruger Security. 380 is a great option."

"A nice Ruger 10/22 is probably the best thing to have."

"Ruger 10/22 and a 12 gauge."

"Will do everything you need it to and you can carry 100s of rounds in your pocket."

"Ruger 10-22 Remington 870 These two cover a lot of ground."

"I have multiple firearms of different calibers and gauges but I have several 22s and thousands of rounds of ammunition for them."

"I’m here to say a shotgun is a great choice, but I’m going to make a plug for a plain-jane Ruger 10/22."

"I would recommend a Ruger American or a Savage Axis."

"Lots of bang for the buck in the Ruger American."

"You really only have three mainstream options: Ruger American."

Shotgun

4.7

(12)

"Shotgun would be first firearm. Great for home defense, training simple to get and perform."

"The absolute best home defense and prepper long gun is a shotgun."

"Shotgun. Good for home defense and versatile with different barrels and ammo"

"A 12 gauge shotgun and a .22lr rifle."

"12 ga. Shotgun. Pump or break action is realistically the best."

"Doesn't get much more versatile than that."

"Honestly, probably a break barrel or pump action shotgun in 12 gauge."

"The best home defense weapon is always a shotgun."

"Shotguns are best for home defense but can have a fair amount of recoil."

"Home Defense: shotgun. any kind."

AR

4.5

(10)

"AR-15 puts you on top of the food chain."

"Defense I would probably go with an AR just for the amount of shots you can get off quickly."

"Any AR15. Cheap to train with, highly customizable."

"AR platform makes for easy conversions - 22LR, 223, 6.5 creedmoor, 9mm"

"If I had to pick one I'd pick an ar"

"I would go AR. If they aren’t intimidated by it at all, it would be a solid choice."

"AR or revolver"

"I always recommended ARs or some other semi auto rifle in a manageable caliber."

"For your budget, you're probably limited to a shotgun."

"If you can only get one gun, get a budget AR."

PSA

4.8

(9)

"Very SOLID choice and good price."

"Despite what you said, if all you are looking for is home defense then a handgun is the wrong tool for the job."

"I would recommend a full size 9mm handgun because the size and weight will make shooting easier, AR15, or a 12ga shotgun."

"AR-15. Anything else would be absurd, besides maybe a PS90."

"I recommend an AR-15 chambered in 300 blackout."

"AR-15 or pistol caliber carbine would be my first choice. It is safer and easier to shoot."

"If you want more lethality, get an AR15 in .223/5.56."

"Another option is the recommended PSA AR 15 which is roughly $300 to $600."

"PSA AR15 with a light on it, glock 19, mossberg 500, any of these will work & all around $500."

CZ

4.7

(9)

"I love my PCR."

"I love my PCR"

"I have the SP-01. Absolutely love it, absolute tack-driver."

"I EDC a PCR and it’s great."

"The new P09C Nocturne is great if you ever want to put an optic on your concealed later on."

"If you are in the market for a regular sized Glock 19 compact, the P-07(now the P-09c), P-01, and PCR are very good guns"

"I CC a P07."

"CZ P01 would be the compact version of the SP01/75 that you held. It's a popular carry for a lot of people."

"You can get a CZ P09 for about 500 if you shop around."

#10

Palmetto State Armory

4.3

(9)

"You are better off with a PSA AR-15 16" with some extra room for comfort features and an optic."

"Psa has ar15s for 400 bucks right now. It's all youd ever need for home defense."

"Get a psa for 500."

"Psa AR 15. Buy ammo with the rest of your budget."

"Has a 16.5 for 475."

"You can get a ar15 and dagger pistol for like $750."

"Check this link for a good deal."

"Check out Palmetto State Armory. Usually some really good deals."

"You might be better off with a company that's been pushing the best for the lowest with a PSA."

#11

Remington

4.5

(8)

"Most versatile, practical, and useful gun."

"870 is a long-time model that's lasted over the years."

"Personally, I like the Remington 870, but a Mossberg 500 is another great choice."

"The old tried and true 870 express super mag."

"I have found a Remington fieldmaster 870 pump to be a reliable all around shotgun."

"I always say the Remington 870 is the best shotgun for the first or only one."

"Mossberg 870 with rubber rounds; the best of both worlds."

"Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun. Should be in your budget."

#12

9mm

4.2

(6)

"9mm is great since you can shoot all different kinds of ammo and it's generally cheaper per round."

"For a open-carry sidearm I like the 9mm. Good ballistics, comparatively inexpensive ammo."

"9mm is a lot affordable and available in a variety of platforms."

"9mm handgun is a good place to start."

"9x19 Luger (aka 9mm Parabellum) is everywhere."

"Stay away from .22LR for self defense and home defense."

#13

Glock 19

4.8

(5)

"If I had to only own one single gun for the rest of my life it’d be my Glock 19."

"The absolute BEST first firearm is a Glock 19."

"Glock 19 and a 9mm ruger carbine is a great combo."

"Glock 19 is probably the best and most reliable all around 9mm if you want one pistol."

"I’d always choose an AR, but out of the options today I’d go with a boring ol’ Glock 19 with a light and rmr."

#14

Mossberg 500

4.5

(4)

"My third gun would be either a 500 mossberg or Remington 870 12ga."

"I would go with a Mossberg 500 in 12ga."

"Mossberg 500 is a good pumper and is available in either, the 20 will have a MUCH lighter felt recoil but will be adequate in MOST home defense situations."

"You can’t go wrong with a Mossberg 500 for relative simplicity and lethality."

#15

Pump Action Shotgun

4.5

(4)

"Home defense? Only choice is a pump action shot gun."

"A pump 12ga. shotgun for 3 reasons."

"Pump shotgun. Not tacticool but rather a filed shotgun for hunting."

"I’d say a pump action shotgun chambered in 3.5 with an improved cylinder choke tube."

#16

Canik

4.0

(4)

"The canik is a solid choice."

"I'd go with the Canik, but really I'd go with a Glock or S&W."

"Canik or used g17."

"For home defense I would go with the Canik if it fits your budget."

#17

Sig Sauer

4.0

(4)

"Sig p365 or xl, Shield Plus."

"Sig is a solid choice for a handgun."

"A starting point for CCW would be P365, Hellcat, Shield Plus."

"What are the good sig red dots?"

#18

Ruger 10/22

5.0

(3)

"Ruger 10/22 with 100 shot clip."

"**Ruger 10/22** Ammo is plentiful and light."

"If you can have only one, pick a Ruger 10/22 with several Ruger 25rd mags."

#19

Extar

4.3

(3)

"My partner loves it more than her pistol."

"Grab yourself an Extar EP9."

"The Canik is a great gun. For something a little more usable for more people in a PCC configuration, the Extar EP9 is a great firearm."

#20

Walther

4.3

(3)

"Walther PDP-F. Designed for exactly what you’re describing."

"Perhaps a Walther PDP-F is an option."

"Walther PDP-F might be a good fit for you."

#21

Maverick

4.3

(3)

"I’ve put well over 4000 shells through a 20" security model. It will not quit."

"For a $500 budget, you can get a Maverick 88 shotgun and load it with some type of buckshot."

"Maverick 88."

#22

.22 LR

5.0

(2)

"A 22lr for hunting small game, shotgun for small game to big game."

".22lr in a rifle should be at the top of the list, followed by a 12 gauge shotgun."

#23

EP9

5.0

(2)

"The EP9 is a good gun and brings you into the Glock magazine ecosystem."

"The EP9 is an absolute blast to shoot."

#24

Browning

5.0

(2)

"Browning A5 is a sweet semi auto shotgun."

"I’d get him a browning A5 or Maximus those guns are built tough."

#25

12 Gauge

5.0

(2)

"A long barreled 12GA will take down any game in the world."

"12 gauge. Multiple types of shells for different applications."

#26

Vortex

3.0

(3)

"For free id say that's a pretty good deal."

"I have no experience with Vortex red dots, but i like their lpvos."

"Not a big fan of the vortex red dots myself."

#27

Remington 870

4.5

(2)

"My third gun would be either a 500 mossberg or Remington 870 12ga."

"870 Remington will do what you need and not break the bank."

#28

.22LR

4.5

(2)

"Best bug out gun hands down is a 22LR they will take down most game."

"I'd say 22lr. Cheap can kill and is accurate."

#29

AR Pistol

4.5

(2)

"AR pistols are the perfect weapon for everyone."

"An AR pistol is great, but can be intimidating to inexperienced shooters."

#30

Tavor

4.5

(2)

"Home defense and truck gun: Tavor Bullpup even shorter than AR platform, better ballistics and more ergonomic."

"If you go rifle I would say a Tavor."

#31

Glock 17

4.5

(2)

"Glock 17."

"A full sized 9mm handgun like a glock 17 or S&W M&P 9mm pistol would also be good."

#32

Sig

4.5

(2)

"One of the most popular firearms for women is the Sig P365."

"A sig p229 in 9mm sounds like it checks your other boxes."

#33

Glock 20

4.0

(2)

"A glock 20 will be okay"

"If you are in grizzly country get a 10mm. If not a 9mm should work just fine."

#34

.357 Magnum

4.0

(2)

"A .357 mag would do for most 2 or 4 legged problems"

"Everyone saying something, 357 magnum, old faithful."

#35

Taurus

4.0

(2)

"Taurus g2c or g3c is cheaper."

"Try the taurus G3c my first pistol. Very reliable and cheap to put rounds through."

#36

Discount Gun Mart

4.0

(2)

"I like Discount Gun Mart in Linda Vista."

#37

Savage Axis

4.0

(2)

"Savage axis, Ruger American, Remington 783, would all be acceptable cheaper rifles."

"Price is decent, rifle is decent, .308 ammo availability is good."

#38

IWI

4.0

(2)

"A 20 gauge with buckshot. It will be quieter, have less recoil, and have less collateral damage than a 12 gauge."

"I’m a big fan of IWI and think they make a great reliable gun."

#39

Ruger American

4.0

(2)

"Right now go on palmetto state armory, and look up Ruger American."

"Ruger American or Savage Axis."

#40

Henry Big Boy

5.0

(1)

"Very specific - Henry Big Boy, either in .44 mag or .45 Colt."

#41

Kreighoff K80

5.0

(1)

"Probably a Kreighoff K80 or Perazzi High Tech."

#42

Atlas

5.0

(1)

"If we could still buy pistols, probably an Atlas."

#43

Henry 45 Colt Lever Gun

5.0

(1)

"My wife got me a 45 Colt lever gun for a milestone birthday and I love it!"

#44

Sig Sauer Cross

5.0

(1)

"I will be buying myself a sig cross for my 40th bday in January."

#45

Bushmaster ACR

5.0

(1)

"Bushmaster Acr or Brs99."

#46

Full Size 9mm

5.0

(1)

"Rent a Full Size 9mm, check for fit, I would buy new, you deserve a new First Gun."

#47

N/A

5.0

(1)

"First recommendation, if your new to this, would be go to a local range ask if they teach firearm handling and safety."

#48

Keltec Sub2000

4.0

(1)

"Keltec sub2000."

#49

Henry AR-7

4.0

(1)

"I always wanted one of those Henry ar-7s be cool."

#50

.357 Revolver

4.0

(1)

"357 revolver - reliable, simple and can fire 3 types of common ammo."

#51

SD Guns

4.0

(1)

"SD Guns off Mission Gorge has exceptional customer service."

#52

Gun Range San Diego

4.0

(1)

"The Gun Range San Diego on Balboa Ave has a good variety of rentals."

#53

Ruger Security 380

4.0

(1)

"If she wouldn’t be against a slightly larger gun the Ruger Security 380 might be a good choice."

#54

Strikeforce

4.0

(1)

"The Strikeforce is a decent entry level optic to get started on."

#55

.22

4.0

(1)

"Nice lever action .22 with subsonic ammunition."

#56

Adro Corp Bravo

4.0

(1)

"It is only $370 with free delivery."

#57

Sport III

4.0

(1)

"Sport III is great."

#58

Sportsman's Warehouse

4.0

(1)

"They also offered 5 free 30 round mags to make it an even better deal."

#59

Streamlight

4.0

(1)

"Stream light has the cheapest weapon lights that are considered to be reliable."

#60

Diamondback

4.0

(1)

"Go for a Diamondback instead."

#61

Delton

4.0

(1)

"Delton is super slept on and great for the money if you can find on at your LGS."

#62

Smith & Wesson M&P

3.0

(1)

"Be prepared to realize that 16in is a bit long for proper CQB and home defense."

#63

IWI, PSA, Aero

3.0

(1)

"You can do better with brands like IWI, PSA (Sabre or premium) or aero."

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