5 Best-Selling Guns of 2021: The FBI reported that there were 39 million federal background firearm checks in 2021, slightly less than in 2020, but still a staggering number.
As usual, that means gun purchases in the United States are incredibly popular. Some models of firearms stood out over others last year. So, let’s take a look at what the five best-selling pistols were in 2021.
Glock had three of the five best-selling pistols in America, according to GunGenius.com. The Glock 19 was number one, followed by the Glock 43 in second place, then the Sig Sauer P365 came in third and the Springfield Armory Hellcat and Glock 17 rounded out the top five.
Best-Selling Guns – The Glock 19
The Glock 19 topped the competition last year. The handgun is not only hugely popular in America (introduced in 1988), but it is ubiquitous around the world. The Glock is easier to carry than other pistols of its class and this is what makes it so popular with law enforcement. It’s not the prettiest gun, but it doesn’t malfunction much. It is inexpensive and usually runs around $500. It fires well at close range making it fine for home defense. It carries 15-rounds in the standard magazine.
5 Best Guns for Concealed Carry Would Surely Include This Glock 19. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Glock 19. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Glock 19. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Best-Selling Guns – The Glock 43
Need something for personal defense that is easy to carry? Look for the subcompact Glock 43. The double-action, polymer pistol with a six-round capacity is known for reliability and accuracy. It’s also relatively easy to maintain. It fires a single-stack 9mm round. It is just over six inches long and weighs only 22.4 ounces when loaded – maybe smaller and lighter than the competition. It could be a good weapon for newcomers to start out with.
Image: Creative Commons.
Glock 43X. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Image: Creative Commons.
Glock 43. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Best-Selling Guns – SIG Sauer P365
The Sig Sauer P365 is another subcompact pistol that came in third place. Our review in 1945 said the gun is reliable and maybe even easier to conceal than the Glock 43. It fits many small holsters including waistband and pocket-size. The P365 carries more rounds (ten to fifteen-plus one) than the Glock 43. The magazines are double-stacked. It costs around $500 to $600.
Sig Sauer P365XL. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Sig Sauer P365. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Best-Selling Guns – Springfield Armory Hellcat
With a good name for sales and marketing, the Hellcat comes up next as one of the highest-selling handguns.
If you are into subcompacts, you may want to give the Hellcat a try. It is a three-inch barreled pistol that is one-inch wide and weighs just 18.3 ounces unloaded. It comes with 11+1 rounds in the magazine, while the extended mag can hold 13+1 rounds. The grip texture is topnotch. External controls are designed for an easier to conceal pistol.
Image Credit: Springfield Armory.
Best-Selling Guns – Glock 17
Finishing fifth is the Glock 17. It’s popular with law enforcement and militaries around the world. A 1945 review said that the Glock 17 Gen 5 had an improved and comfortable grip. It’s accurate at 25-yards on the range with a 100-bullet sample shoot, according to the reviewer. A big selling point is its 17-round magazine. It has little recoil. The rail can hold various accessories such as optics and red dot sights. The price is around $600.
Glock 17 with ammo. Image: Creative Commons.
Glock 17. Image: Creative Commons.
The trend in sales appears to be the popularity of subcompact pistols. The gun-buying public wants easy-to-carry handguns for self-defense. Gun carry laws are changing. For example, Texas has constitutional carry in which people who qualify under the law can carry a pistol in a public place in Texas without a license to carry. Some states also have forms of unrestricted carry. We’ll see if other states follow suit in 2022.
Now serving as 1945’s Defense and National Security Editor, Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare. He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Army Infantry officer. You can follow him on Twitter @BMEastwood.
