Types of Guns

The most common gun types are:

• Rifles
• Shotguns
• Handguns

The the most popular use cases for guns are:

• Hunting
• Self Defense
• Law Enforcement
• Military

Let’s take a deeper look at each type of gun.

Rifles

Rifles are one of the main firearm families beginners compare with shotguns and handguns. On this page, think of them as the long-gun category for longer sight lines and deliberate aiming when portability is not the top priority.

Stay on this page if you are learning the broad categories. Use the full rifles guide when the question becomes which rifle style, cartridge, optic, or setup fits a specific job.

Related rifle guides: Rifles, best hunting rifles, and best 30-06 rifles.

Shotguns

A shotgun is a long gun that fires shells instead of a single standard bullet cartridge. Depending on the shell, it may launch multiple pellets for close-range moving targets or a single slug for heavier impact at limited distances.

Shotguns are common in bird hunting, clay target sports, home-defense discussions, and some law-enforcement roles. Their advantage is payload flexibility; their limitation is shorter practical range and often heavier recoil.

Types Of Shotguns

There are two main types of shotguns: break-action shotguns and pump-action shotguns.

1) Break-action Shotgun

This shotgun has the capability of “breaking” the barrel and loading/unloading additional rounds into the chamber for shooting.

This is the most basic type of shotgun and can only accept one shell at a time (per barrel of course).

2) Pump-action Shotguns

Today, this is the most common (modern) type of shotgun.

These shotguns allow you to carry numerous preloaded shells, and when you need a new round, you simply press the trigger, and BAM, you have a new shotshell in the chamber.

Examples of pump-action Shotguns:

• Smith & Wesson Model 3000
• Stevens Model 520/620
• Weatherby PA-08
• Winchester Model 1200

Handguns

Handguns, as the name implies, are intended to be fired with a single hand, while modern handgun technique generally advocates two-handed operation for stability unless there are specific reasons to utilize a single hand.

Types Of Handguns

Handguns are divided into two types: revolvers and pistols.

1) Revolvers

Unlike other handguns, a revolver does not use a magazine to feed rounds into the barrel.

Instead, before shooting, a cylinder feeds ammunition into the barrel.

The revolver differs from other weapons in that the cartridges are put in chambers that rotate around in a cylinder to line with the barrel of the gun, rather than aligning on their own.

Because they are easy to operate, revolvers are ideal for use on the range, especially for rookie gun owners.

They can’t contain as many rounds as other handguns like pistols, and reloading can take longer than usual, but they’re still wonderful firearms to have.

2) Pistol

There are many various types of firearms available, but the pistol is the most prevalent.

A pistol is a type of gun in which a magazine automatically feeds ammo into the chamber after firing a round.

Pistols exist in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all have short barrels, no stock, and only one grip.

They are now often used as home defense weapons since they are simple to operate and produce less collateral damage than a larger caliber rifle.

Any option you choose will be heavily influenced by how you intend to use your weapon.

For example, if you’re just interested in something to keep your family safe from house invasions, a pistol is definitely your best bet.

However, if you intend to go hunting, you will most likely need a rifle (depending on the type of hunting).

Best Guns For Self-defense And Home Defense

So, if you’re looking for the greatest home defense gun to protect you and your family, this is the guide for you.

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to home defense.

It all relies on you and your needs.

More particular, it comes down to your shooting ability.

For example, if all you do is drill with pistols, that’s the gun for you.

Similarly, if you solely practice with a rifle, it will be your best home defense weapon.

Why is this the case? Stress.

You won’t have time to contemplate when the frantic home invasion comes.

You’ll only have a limited amount of time to act.

Choosing a gun with which you are familiar with will allow you to respond faster, potentially saving your and your family’s lives.

If I were to propose the best self-defense and home defense guns for you, I would go with the ones listed below.

• Glock 19, Gen 5
• Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0
• Sig Sauer P320
• Walther PDP
• Smith & Wesson Model 686+

Best Guns For Hunting

Nothing is more crucial than selecting the best hunting gun for a successful hunting trip.

Whether you’re going out for the first time or the fiftieth, it all comes down to selecting a rifle that fits your hunting style and the game you’re after.

Guns, in their most fundamental, are hunting tools.

Some weapons, like tools in a toolbox, are better at some hunting jobs than others.

Depending on the animals you intend to hunt and where you want to hunt them, it’s important to choose a gun that will help you hunt ethically and legally.

With the guns on this list, you can hunt almost any animal anywhere in the world:

• Nosler M21
• CZ-USA 600 Alpha
• Christensen Arms Ridgeline Scout
• Seekins Havak HIT
• 12 Gauge Shotgun

Best Guns For Law Enforcement

Law enforcement officers understand they are signing up for a risky job.

Their weapon is a critical tool when they hit the streets.

Here is a list of the best guns for law enforcement officers:

• Glock 19
• Glock 22
• Sig Sauer P226
• Heckler and Koch HK45
• Remington 870 Shotgun

Best Guns For Military

While tanks, planes, and artillery have a greater impact on the battlefield, the military gun remains an important aspect of any military.

The best military guns are listed below:

• M16/M4/AR-10 family
• AK-104
• AK-105
• SG 550 series (mostly used in Switzerland)
• G3 family (mostly used in NATO nations and Germany)

Gun Ownership Statistics

According to a survey by Pew Research Center, 30% of adults in the United States own a gun, and 42% live in a home with someone who owns a gun.

Guns are deep-rooted in American society, with around 48% of adults in the United States growing up in families with firearms.

59% of U.S. people have gun-owning acquaintances, and 72% have fired a pistol before.

Gun owners typically have many guns in their houses, with 66% owning more than one and 29% owning more than five.

The most prevalent type of gun in American homes is the handgun or pistol, which is owned by 72% of gun owners.

62% of gun-owning American adults own a rifle, while 54% own a shotgun.

The motives for gun ownership vary, but the vast majority, almost two-thirds, own a gun for defense.

38% of gun owners buy guns for hunting, while 30% buy them for sport shooting.

Names of Guns: Models, Nicknames & Gun Talk Decoded

Gun names carry meaning. A firearm’s name can point to its origin, use, caliber, manufacturer, or military role. It can also reflect cultural identity, slang, or internet memes. This guide explores how firearms are named and the various ways they’re referred to in different circles.

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Manufacturer & Model Naming Conventions

Most guns are officially named using the manufacturer + model number, sometimes followed by the caliber or version. These are the names found in manuals, retail listings, and legal references.

• Glock 17: The 17th design by Glock; not related to magazine size.
• Colt M1911: “Model of 1911,” the year it was adopted by the U.S. military.
• Smith & Wesson Model 29: The famous .44 Magnum revolver made iconic by Dirty Harry.
• Ruger GP100: “GP” stands for “General Purpose.”

Some manufacturers assign numbers sequentially (e.g., Glock), while others use acronyms or abbreviations tied to features or historical context.

Naming conventions also vary by country. For example:

• Heckler & Koch MP5 (Germany): “MP” stands for Maschinenpistole, or submachine gun.
• FN FAL (Belgium): “Fusil Automatique Léger” translates to “Light Automatic Rifle.”
• Steyr AUG (Austria): “Armee Universal Gewehr,” or “Universal Army Rifle.”

These international naming styles often reflect the original language and design philosophy of their country of origin.

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Military Designations

Military weapons often use a letter-number combo with “M” for “Model” or “Mk” for “Mark.” These designations are used officially but have spilled into civilian and collector circles. It’s important to distinguish military firearms from their civilian counterparts. For instance, the M4 Carbine is a fully automatic or burst-capable rifle used by the military, while the AR-15 is a semi-automatic-only civilian version. Though similar in appearance and parts, their internals and legal classifications are different.

• M4 Carbine: “Model 4 Carbine,” the fourth primary model in a U.S. military carbine series. The term “carbine” signifies a shorter, more compact rifle designed for close-quarters combat.
• M16A4: “Model 16, Alteration 4,” the fourth major version of the M16 platform. Known for its modular design and flat-top upper receiver.
• M1 Garand: “Model 1 Garand,” named after designer John Garand. The first standard-issue semi-automatic rifle for U.S. forces during WWII.
• Mk18: “Mark 18,” a specialized M4 variant with a shortened barrel for close-quarters operations. “Mark” indicates a particular version or configuration.

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Caliber-Based Naming

Some guns are identified by their caliber — either officially or informally.

• .22 LR: Short for .22 caliber Long Rifle, a small cartridge commonly used in rimfire pistols and rifles.
• .308 Winchester: The name reflects the .308 inch (7.62mm) bullet diameter and the manufacturer, Winchester. It’s a popular choice for hunting and precision shooting.
• .45 ACP: Short for Automatic Colt Pistol, named for its .45 inch bullet and original development by Colt. Designed for the M1911, it served as the U.S. military’s standard sidearm round for decades.

Caliber-based slang is common:

“I carry a nine” = 9mm pistol
“That’s a thirty-aught-six” = .30-06 hunting rifle

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Slang, Nicknames & Cultural Terms

Gun owners often give their firearms informal names. These nicknames can be based on history, utility, size, pop culture, or community slang.

Nickname	Refers To	Meaning / Origin
Deuce-Deuce	.22 LR	Slang for a .22 caliber pistol or rifle
Nine	9mm	Refers to 9mm handguns, especially common carry pistols
Tommy Gun	Thompson SMG	WWII-era submachine gun, iconic in gangster movies
Boomstick	Shotgun	Pop culture nickname from Evil Dead
Peacemaker	Colt Single Action Army	Old West revolver; “the gun that won the West”
Black Rifle	AR-15 style rifles	General nickname, often used in pro-2A communities
Mouse Gun	Very small pistol	Compact pistols, often .380 or .22 caliber
Truck Gun	Utility firearm	Rugged rifle or shotgun kept in a vehicle for emergencies

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Internet & Meme Culture

Younger shooters and online communities have created their own vocabulary around guns that is part humor, part identity.

• Yeet Cannon: Internet-given name for a Hi-Point pistol. The manufacturer embraced it after a viral naming contest.
• Tupperware Guns: A joking term for polymer-frame pistols like Glocks.
• Spaghetti Blaster: Nickname for Italian-made Beretta firearms.
• Plastic Fantastic: Praise for the reliability and durability of modern polymer pistols.

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Legendary Names

Some firearm names have become legendary, recognized worldwide even by non-shooters.

• AK-47: Named after its designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov, and the year 1947. Known for its rugged reliability.
• Winchester 1873: Called “The Gun That Won the West” due to its popularity in 19th-century America.
• Desert Eagle: A massive .50 AE pistol, often featured in movies and video games.

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Why Gun Names Matter

Understanding gun names helps you:

• Buy the right firearm with confidence
• Speak clearly with other gun owners
• Understand product listings and legal references
• Appreciate the history and purpose behind each model

Whether you’re a new shooter or a seasoned collector, knowing how guns are named makes you more informed and better prepared.