Best-Selling Guns of 2016
2016 was a big year for gun sales. Concealed carry & self-defense handguns were more popular than ever. AR15 sales also saw an increase. But it was the first year, since we started our best-selling list in 2013, that a rimfire gun didn't make the top 5.
This is our list of the best-selling guns of 2016.
Also see our list of best selling guns in 2017.
1. Anderson AR15 Lower Receiver
The #1 best-selling "gun" of the year for three years in a row. No surprise though. These could've been purchased as low as $40 in 2016.
2. Ruger LCP 380ACP
Even without counting the new LCP II, the LCP series climbed its way up to the #2 spot for the first time since 2013.
3. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
2016 saw plenty of new additions to the M&P Shield series of concealed carry pistols. The most popular new addition being the 45 caliber models.
4. Springfield XDS
The XDS has been on our list of best-selling guns every year since first being released. It still remains one of the most popular concealed carry pistols on the market.
5. Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols
Double-stacked magazines in 3 different calibers. M&P pistols also offer more variations than any other S&W series. They range from compact to competition models.
6. Ruger 10/22
This one should be no surprise. There's probably not a single rifle on the market that offers as many configurations and customizable options as the Ruger 10/22.
7. Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II
S&W's new M&P15 Sport II, which added a dust cover and forward assist to the original Sport model, was 2016's best-selling AR15 rifle.
8. Ruger AR-556
Ruger's first entry in M4-style direct-impingement rifles was this year's close second to the best-selling AR15.
9. Glock 43
The G43 costs more than comparable models like the M&P Shield and XDS. But the continued rise in CCW purchases puts it in the top 10 for the first time since its release.
10. Glock 23 Police Trade-ins
After the FBI's report on the decided advantages of 9mm over .40, it was no surprise that PD's across the country began trading in their 40 S&W pistols for 9mm variants.
Other notable mentions
About the Best-Selling Guns of 2016
When compiling 2016's list, we changed the way each gun was ranked. In previous years, guns were ranked based on the sales of each individual style. Different calibers, colors, and configurations of the same model previously had separate rankings. This year we changed the ranking of the best-selling guns of 2016 by combining the sales of each variation for the same gun model.
For example, the M&P Shield is offered in 3 different calibers (9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP). Each caliber also comes in multiple configurations, such as having a thumb safety, night sights, a laser, a ported barrel, and other options. Sales of all configurations and calibers were counted together.