15 Classic Firearms Anyone Can Afford

Owning a classic firearm is a feeling that can’t be beat. Of course, here at Guns.com, we love the familiar classics like M1911s and Walther PPKs, but we also appreciate the lesser-known choices. Here are 15 unique handguns, rifles, and shotguns that are historic, affordable, and readily available.

Table of Contents

Handguns:
Colt Single Action Army
High Standard Sport King
Walther P38 & P1
Browning Hi-Power
Smith & Wesson Model 10

Rifles:
M1 Garand
Arisaka
Winchester 94
M1917 Enfield
M1 Carbine

Shotguns:
Browning Auto-5
Winchester Model 12
Ithaca 37
Remington 870 Wingmaster
Winchester 1897

Handguns

Colt Single Action Army

The Colt Single Action Army is an old-school single-action-only revolver rooted deep in American history. You may recognize it as the gun that inspired toy cap guns and appeared in just about every Western movie made. Dating back over 150 years, there are many iterations, all featuring the classic aesthetic that made the SAA famous.

Known as the “gun that won the West,” the Single Action Army is simply an American icon worthy of any collection. Because so many were produced, there are now numerous used SAAs available on the market, catering to almost every price point.

High Standard Sport King

High Standard may not be in business anymore, but its reputation for producing fantastic target shooting .22s lives on. The Sport King is a vintage semi-automatic rimfire with a futuristic look and notable accuracy. Aside from the unique style, it had a few distinctive features, including a takedown button on the front of the trigger guard.

Sport Kings are relatively easy to find these days and come with an affordable price tag. Whether you’re a plinker searching for a reliable .22 or a collector who values American history, you can’t go wrong with High Standard.

Walther P38 & P1

The Walther P38 was developed in 1938 to replace the Luger P08, which was costly and complicated to produce. The steel-framed, hammer-fired pistol was the service pistol for the German army, and during World War II, it was also manufactured by Spreewerk and Mauser. The P38 uses a DA/SA trigger and was the first locked-breech pistol to feature this design. In 1963, the German military adopted a post-war variant with an aluminum frame, the P1.

With such a distinct look, the P38/P1 makes for a cool collector’s piece that’s also fun to shoot. Depending on your budget, you can find them in good condition and own a piece of history.

Browning Hi-Power

Introduced in 1935, the Browning Hi-Power is revered as one of John Moses Browning’s finest pistol designs. Sadly, he passed away before the design was produced. The Hi-Power was the first pistol to hold 13 rounds in its double-stack magazine, making it a revolutionary choice in an era of pistols with seven- or eight-round capacities. This game-changer paved the way for modern pistols in many ways.

The Hi-Power is no longer in production, but used pieces are easily attainable. With many variations designed over the years, there’s something for every type of collector.

Smith & Wesson Model 10

When you think of iconic revolvers, the Smith & Wesson Model 10 is the first to come to mind. Used by law enforcement, the military, and even Hollywood, it has a rich history. With over 6 million produced in various forms, the double-action K-frame revolver boasts a beautifully simple design. Accuracy and reliability were the name of the game, and the Model 10 delivered.

As one of the most prolific firearms ever produced, there are many to choose from on the used market. Over the years, the Model 10 has changed and evolved, allowing you to easily find one that suits your taste.

Rifles

M1 Garand

Designed by John C. Garand in 1928, the M1 Garand became the standard infantry rifle for the United States military in 1936. It served as the primary battle rifle for American troops during World War II. Unique for its time, it is an eight-shot semi-automatic, allowing troops the advantage of loading and firing more rapidly than other militaries that were still using bolt-action rifles.

My Grandfather’s M1 Garand: An American Story

When you add an M1 Garand to your collection, you're taking ownership of a piece of American history. While modern rifles are much more technologically advanced, shooting enthusiasts will appreciate the reliability and accuracy of this historic rifle.

Arisaka

Perhaps overshadowed by the M1 Garand, the Arisaka Type 99 was a formidable rifle used by the Empire of Japan during World War II. The bolt-action design is distinctly Mauser-esque, but it also features unique elements, such as the cock-on-close bolt and a knurled rear safety knob. Known for having exceptionally strong actions, tests showed Arisakas outperformed contemporaries like Springfields, Enfields, and Mausers.

An Arisaka may not be the first choice for a casual collector, given its complicated history and the fact that it kicks like a mule. However, for the World War II buff seeking a unique piece, it’s a score.

Winchester 94

The Winchester Model 94 was the first commercial rifle to use smokeless powder. Designed in 1894 by the renowned John Browning, the lever-action Model 94 has been a top choice of close-range game hunters for over 130 years. It’s compact, lightweight, accurate, and comfortable to shoot. The 94 comes in many calibers, including the hard-hitting .30-30.

Whether you’re a hunter or a lever gun enthusiast, the Model 94 is a practical classic rifle to add to the collection. These days, you can buy a new one or pick up a used piece with a bit of history.

M1917 Enfield

Although the U.S. M1917 Enfield is largely forgotten by time, it was the primary rifle used by American forces during World War I. Due to difficulties in producing the M1903 Springfield, the U.S. adapted a British design, and the M1917 was born. It featured an adjustable rear aperture sight, giving an edge for its time. The M1917 had a classic cock-on-close bolt and was known for its speed.

For military history buffs, the M1917 and M1903 are great collector’s pieces. Serving alongside each other in World War I cements their place in military and firearms history.

M1 Carbine

Although the M1 Garand is touted as America’s battle rifle, the M1 Carbine entered military service in 1942 and played a vital role in World War II. Chambered in .30 Carbine, it was light and nimble, featuring a 15-round detachable box magazine that gave it an edge in capacity. These features made the Carbine a desirable choice for paratroopers, tank crews, mortarmen, infantry, radio operators, and more.

M1 Carbine History: America’s WWII Battle-Ready ‘Baby Rifle’

This rifle checks all the boxes for collectible handguns with rich American military history. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can pick up original and reproduction M1 Carbines today.

Shotguns

Browning Auto-5

The John Moses Browning-designed Auto-5 is an iconic semi-automatic shotgun. Fondly referred to as the “Humpback” for its unique drop at the rear of the receiver, it's been a hunter's best friend for over 100 years. For such an old design, the Auto-5 is easy to control, has light recoil, handles well, and hits the mark as far as accuracy.

There’s no doubt the Auto-5 is a beautiful shotgun with traditional wood furniture, hand-checkering, and a logo-embellished butt plate. Looks aside, it’s a fun gun to shoot and a worthwhile addition to a classic collection.

Winchester Model 12

The Winchester Model 12 is a classic pump-action shotgun designed by T.C. Johnson, inspired by John Moses Browning’s designs of the Model 1893 and Model 1897. Its rich heritage with the U.S. military takes it back to before World War I. The Model 12 is simple and light, outfitted with classic wood furniture and its signature ribbed front grip.

Although the Model 12 is more than a century old, it remains affordable and attainable today. In fact, if you can find one in good shape for your collection, it may just become your favorite workhorse pump shotgun.

Ithaca 37

Designed by John Moses Browning, the Ithaca 37 pump-action shotgun entered production in 1937. With the choice of the standard or Featherlight, the Model 37 has been a dependable choice for bird and deer hunters for many years. A unique feature that makes it lefty friendly is how it loads and ejects via its port on the underside of the receiver.

The Ithaca Gun Company is credited with contributing to the United States' war efforts with a run of shotguns during World War II. The Model 37 is still being produced today, so you can easily add it to your collection. A used version will save you about half the cost.

Remington 870 Wingmaster

The Remington 870 series of pump-action shotguns dates to 1950 and remains in production today. The Wingmaster variant is built for bird hunting. The receiver is machined from a solid billet of steel and has a sharp-looking blued finish. High-gloss wood furniture complements the simple, yet classic, look.

The Wingmaster would make a great first shotgun for anyone looking to get into bird hunting or shooting clays. It’s arguably the most aesthetically pleasing of the 870s, too, making it a great choice for any collection.

Winchester 1897

Another famous John Moses Browning design, the Winchester 1897, quickly became the gold standard of its time. Building off the previous 1893, Browning’s new pump-action shotgun rolled out in 12-gauge and 16-gauge smokeless powder loads. It also had some unique features, such as an exposed hammer, which provided shooters with both visual and tactical confirmation that the gun was cocked.

The Model 1897 isn’t just a classic shotgun; it’s an iconic piece of American history that began with hunters and went on to serve in two world wars. These days, you can add one to your collection for a surprisingly affordable price.