Hey friends, Randy here. We're counting up the ten most-sold firearms ever - from the "smaller" millions to the ridiculous multi-tens of millions. Numbers are estimates; production runs, licensed copies, and foreign factories make totals fuzzy. Still - these guns earned their place. Here's the first half, starting at #10.

10) Ruger 10/22 - America's favorite .22

Estimate: 7-8 million

The 10/22 is the textbook definition of staying power. Introduced in 1964, it's cheap to shoot, easy to handle, and so forgiving that newbies and veterans both love it. What really set Ruger apart was the parts ecosystem - you can buy aftermarket barrels, stocks, triggers, mags, and so many boutique upgrades that the rifle pretty much becomes whatever you want it to be: youth trainer, target rifle, takedown camper, you name it. It's light enough for kids, accurate enough for small-game hunting, and durable enough to be handed down. That combination - affordability, parts, and decades of steady production - is what piled up those millions.

9) Marlin Model 60 - The rimfire workhorse

Estimate: 11 million

Launched in the early 1960s, the Model 60 carved out a reputation for practically flawless running in a little package. It featured a reliable tubular magazine and a semi-automatic design that made follow-up shots painless - perfect for plinking, pest control, and kids learning to shoot. Folks liked how simple it was to strip and maintain, and its economy of operation meant plenty of households owned one as a "do everything" rifle. Over the decades it became a backyard legend: not glamorous, but always there when you needed it.

8) Remington 870 - The reliable pump

Estimate: 10-11+ million

The 870 hit the market in 1950 and quickly became the workhorse of shotguns. Law enforcement agencies, hunters, and homeowners gravitated to its solid steel receiver, smooth action, and enormous aftermarket for tactical and hunting parts. It tolerates cheap shells and hard use - the kind of gear that gets kicked, leaned on, and still fires when called. You don't buy an 870 for looks; you buy it because you know it'll run for decades with minimal fuss. That reputation sealed its place in armories and on porches worldwide.

7) Mossberg 500 - The "everyman" shotgun

Estimate: 10-12 million

Introduced as a competitor to the 870, the Mossberg 500 found its niche by being affordable and user-friendly. Its ambidextrous safety, variety of aftermarket barrels, and simple maintenance gave it broad appeal from ranch hands to patrol officers. It's light enough to carry all day in the duck blind, and tough enough for duty use - a rare balance. Plus, Mossberg kept improving options and variants (from youth models to riot guns), so the 500 remained relevant across generations and uses.

6) Glock (all models combined) - The polymer pioneer

Estimate: 10-20+ million

When Glock showed up in the 1980s, it rewrote the handgun playbook: polymer frame, striker fire, minimal external controls, and a design utterly dedicated to reliability. Cops and militaries noticed fast, and the civilian market followed. What pushed Glock's numbers into the tens of millions wasn't just durability - it was the brand's adoption by institutions and the aftermarket explosion. Give someone a Glock and a drawer full of parts and accessories, and you've got a customer for life. The simple internals mean maintenance is easy, and that's a big selling point for agencies and everyday owners alike.

Reality check: Totals are messy - licensed production, military stockpiles, and decades of continuous runs mean we're working in ranges, not exact counts. But these guns earned every unit they sold. Part 2 is coming next: the rifles and combat classics that made history and set production records.

Got an idea for a future article? Shoot it my way and you might see it in the next issue.

Until next time, stay locked and loaded.
- Randy, Locked N Loaded