Congrats! We’ve nearly made it, and soon we can stuff 2020 into a vault and bury it out back. But before we bid this year farewell, it’s worth remembering the good things that got us through.
We’ve collected the top 10 rifles that flew off the shelves and brought joy to American gun owners across the country this year. This is a list of rifles we've sold on Guns.com and not a true count of the industry as a whole. Without further ado, we count them down and reveal the most popular rifle of 2020 at the very end.
10. DANIEL DEFENSE DDM4 V7
Daniel Defense has a well-earned reputation for making fantastic firearms, and the DDM4 V7 is no exception. This AR-15 is designed to survive harsh conditions and still deliver solid performance. It has a mid-length gas system, cold hammer-forged barrel, and M-LOK rail for any accessories you need. The factory Daniel Defense buttstock and pistol grip also provide great controllability.
Related: Daniel Defense DDM4V7 is a Great AR-15
9. HENRY BIG BOY
There’s nothing like an American lever action, and the Henry Big Boy delivers some serious power in a classic package. If you want the thumping power of a .44 Magnum or a classic Western round like the .45 Colt, the Big Boy offers you a range of choices and styles. This tube-loading rifle is a tip of the hat to classic Americana and great for hunting or target shooting.
Related: Henry Big Boy Rifles, Carbines in .327 Fed Mag
8. RUGER AMERICAN RANCH
Classic bolt-action reliability with some modern features, the Ruger American Ranch comes with a threaded barrel and factory-installed scope rail. But it goes much further than that. The American Ranch rifles give you all the benefits of a bolt-action rifle and come in a wide range of modern calibers from 5.56 NATO and 7.62x39mm to 450 Bushmaster.
7. WINCHESTER MODEL 1894
You’re holding well over 100 years of history when you pick up one of these rifles. The lever-action Winchester Model 1894 holds a special place in American history. More than seven million of these rifles have been sold since its launch in 1894, and it’s one of the first and most successful repeating rifles to use smokeless powder. But more than that, it’s a joy to shoot and you can’t miss the history behind this gun when you hold it in your hands.
6. SIG SAUER M400 TREAD
This isn’t just your standard AR rifle. The market is filled with entry-level AR-15s, but the Sig Sauer M400 Tread is much more than “more of the same.” These rifles offer quality and a pretty impressive number of accessories built specifically for the Sig M400 Treads. This makes it easy for you to pick different handguards, charging handles, triggers, sights, and more that fit your specific needs.
Related: Sig Sauer M400 Tread - The New Face of Freedom
5. RUGER 10/22
Let’s face it, no one should be surprised by the fact the Ruger 10/22 made this list. It is, after all, one of the most common and beloved rifles out there. Countless people learn to shoot for the first time with a Ruger 10/22, and it’s a fine gun for plinking or hunting small game. It even has a new takedown version with a Magpul stock that brings this classic into the 2020s with style.
4. REMINGTON 700
The love for the Remington 700 is well deserved. This is a rifle that has earned its place as one of the top hunting rifles in America. From small game to some of the largest animals in North America, the Remington 700 has delivered untold stories of great hunts. Remington produced more than 5 million of these rifles, and they continue to be a go-to gun to this day.
Related: Sharing the Remington 700 Love - Four of Our Favorite Models
3. DIAMONDBACK DB-15
Looking for an affordable AR-15 that can still chew through hundreds of rounds without a single malfunction? This gun can certainly fit that need. Diamondback Firearms are known for being affordable and reliable so they make great entry-level AR-15 rifles for anyone who is looking to get started. These firearms are also 100 percent made in the USA so you can purchase knowing that your dollars are staying put here in America.
Related: Diamondback Firearms Factory Tour
2. RUGER AR-556
Chambered in 5.56 NATO, this AR rifle easily earns its place on our list for its performance and value. This rifle has a 16-inch, cold hammer-forged barrel with a 1-in-8 twist. It combines quality and affordability, and we found the Ruger AR-556 to be an excellent value for anyone looking for an AR rifle.
Related: Ruger AR-556 - An Outstanding Gateway AR
1. SMITH & WESSON M&P 15
Smith & Wesson’s M&P 15s made the top of our list this year. This AR was the most popular rifle of 2020, and the M&P 15 Sport II came out as the absolute king. It’s a great entry-level rifle, but it still provides performance that would support even seasoned competition shooters.