There are so many guns you just don’t see at the range or in the store anymore, for one reason or another. Some of them are too expensive to keep making, others get replaced by newer models, and a few just don’t keep up with the times. Let’s look at 18 guns that have bowed out and why they’re no longer in the spotlight.
Colt Python
The Generation 1 of the Colt Python was a real show-off, thanks to its smooth action and classy look. It was a big hit with people who loved classic detective movies. Unfortunately, making the Colt Python was expensive and pretty complicated, so by 2005, Colt decided to stop making them completely.
Heckler & Koch P7
The Heckler & Koch P7 was pretty unique for a pistol because it had a feature where you had to squeeze it to cock it. But as cool as that sounds, it didn’t justify the high price. Eventually, it was just too expensive to make compared to other pistols, and in 2008, they simply decided to discontinue them.
FN FAL
People once called the FN FAL “the right arm of the free world,” and you would see it everywhere during the Cold War. Of course, as wars and needs changed, so did people’s choice of rifle, especially as newer and lighter rifles came into play. Sadly, the old FAL just couldn’t keep up and weren’t cool anymore.
Walther PPK
James Bond made the Walther PPK famous, but did you know it got caught up in some serious red tape? The 1968 Gun Control Act in the U.S. put strict rules on importing guns like the PPK, and just like that, it became a lot harder to find one. This was a classic gun that disappeared all because of paperwork.
Smith & Wesson Model 29
The Smith & Wesson Model 29 was one heck of a revolver, especially since it could pack a punch. As time passed, people decided they wanted lighter guns that could hold more rounds. Eventually, this led to more modern pistols, and the Model 29 just wasn’t the top choice for people at the gun shop anymore.
Winchester Model 1894
In the past, if you were a hunter, then the Winchester Model 1894 was the one for you. Of course, over time, hunting styles changed, which made other rifles with fancier features and better technology more popular. To nobody’s surprise, this firearm model soon fell out of popularity.
Beretta 92FS
The Beretta 92FS had a good run as the U.S. military’s sidearm, but nothing lasts forever. The military moved on to the SIG Sauer P320 because it was better for their new needs, eventually phasing out the 92FS. People prefer the versatility of modular handguns because they have easier customization and maintenance.
Luger P08
The Luger P08 is a piece of history, although its complicated design was a bit too much for the modern age. After the wars, newer and simpler pistols became more popular, and the Luger sort of faded away. The precision engineering that made it famous became a liability when simpler designs became the norm in military and civilian markets.
Sturm Ruger Standard
The Sturm Ruger Standard was the gun that established Ruger as a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, as they developed newer models like the Mark II and III, the Standard couldn’t stand up anymore because they were easier to use and more reliable. They improved the Standard’s basic design with better ergonomics and more reliable mechanisms.
Ithaca Model 37
If you wanted a shotgun before, then you just had to get the Ithaca Model 37, whether that was for the police or just the military. Soon, though, other shotguns became more popular because of their quick loading and lighter frames. While it’s still available, sales of the Ithaca 37 just aren’t what they used to be, and it’s a lot harder to buy them.
Marlin Model 336
People loved the Marlin Model 336 for many years, although this love wasn’t to last. As bolt-action rifles got more advanced, they had better accuracy and features, so hunters started looking elsewhere. The arrival of rifles with higher calibers for various game types also caused the 336 to fall out of favor as hunters went for more versatile options.
Remington Model 8
The Remington Model 8 was one of the first semi-autos that regular people could buy, and it completely changed firearm ownership. Later changes in rifle technology made this gun less attractive to new buyers, though, especially since these newer versions had better handling and more consistent performance. People just weren’t interested in the Model 8 anymore.
Browning Hi-Power
Once upon a time, the Browning Hi-Power was popular because of its reliable performance and because it was John Browning’s last design. However, once the licensing agreements began to expire, the future of these pistols became unclear. Soon enough, the market started leaning towards polymer-framed pistols that had more customization, pushing the all-metal Hi-Power out of the spotlight.
SIG P210
The SIG P210 set the standard for target shooting accuracy, mostly because of its precision engineering and exceptional build quality. Even so, the pistol’s high manufacturing costs turned into a price tag far beyond the reach of the average shooter. Eventually, other models offering similar precision at a lower cost gradually caused the P210’s appeal to decline.
Madsen M50
The Madsen M50 came from Denmark in the 1950s, and its compact design made it iconic. Eventually, though, this charm began to disappear as stricter international gun control laws made owning fully automatic weapons like the M50 increasingly difficult. At the same time, the firearm industry moved towards more modular and versatile designs.
Steyr AUG
The Steyr AUG integrated the action and magazine behind the trigger to save space in a completely new way. As with many other firearms, the industry moved towards more customized systems, which made the AUG less attractive. Instead, people could modify their rifles with interchangeable barrels and accessories to their specific needs.
Charter Arms Bulldog
The Charter Arms Bulldog was a hit for anyone who wanted a powerful yet small revolver. Of course, people’s preferences changed, and they started to prefer semi-automatic pistols instead, as these had faster reloading times and larger capacities. The Bulldog just couldn’t compete with this.
Johnson M1941 Rifle
It’s hard to remember how ahead of its time the Johnson M1941 Rifle was, as features like its rotary magazine were highly advanced back then. Unfortunately, the rifle suffered from reliability issues and couldn’t secure the widespread military adoption it was aiming for. After the war, the Johnson M1941 quickly faded from use.
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