Top Selling Guns | October 2023

Millions of Americans have purchased semiautomatic handguns since March 2020, and many of these are first-time firearm purchases. To accommodate buyers looking for a concealed carry or home defense handgun, firearm manufacturers now offer hundreds of models that are designed for personal protection. In fact, there are so many options, that choosing the right handgun can be challenging.

One semiauto pistol that appears regularly on our “best-seller” lists is Smith & Wesson’s venerable M&P handgun. The M&P is a polymer-frame, striker-fired semiautomatic pistol first released by Smith & Wesson in 2005. The “M&P” name actually predates the current line of polymer frame pistols by over a century, having first been applied to the Hand Ejector revolver in 1899.

Obviously, much has changed in the handgun game since 1899. In fact, polymer-frame striker-fired pistols have evolved even since the M&P semiauto arrived in 2005, and in 2017 Smith & Wesson released the M&P M2.0, an updated version of the original gun with a new extended stainless steel chassis, improved grip texturing, and a better trigger.

On this month’s GunBroker.com Top Selling Report, presented by GunGenius.com, the M&P9 ranks fourth among the best-selling used semiauto pistols, which hints at the success that this pistol has enjoyed over the years. The Glock G19 ranks third in used semiauto handgun sales while SIG’s P320 ranks second. The top-selling used semiauto pistol this month is another Smith & Wesson, the SW22 Victory.

Why is the M&P a Perennial Best-Seller?

There’s no tougher market segment in firearms than the polymer-frame semiauto pistol market. With so many options available from so many manufacturers including SIG, Springfield, Glock, FN, and others it takes an exceptional firearm to maintain strong sales like the M&P pistols have enjoyed. But what sets them apart?

First, these guns have adapted with the times to offer the features that shooters want. The more compact M&P Shield is trim, lightweight, and easy to conceal. The EZ line of M&P pistols is also easy to conceal and carry and offer a slide that is easier to manipulate than most semiautos. There are also M&Ps available in .22 WMR, 5.7x28, .40 S&W and 10mm Auto. Black and FDE models are available with durable Armornite nitride finishes to protect the metal. There are full-sized and compact versions, and there are options for polymer or metal frames. Performance Center guns are tuned and offer even more premium features.

In addition to so many chambering options, the M&P guns have done an admirable job keeping up with customer requests and desires. The M2.0 guns offer advanced microtexturing on the grip that makes the guns easy to control but comfortable to shoot. The 18-degree grip angle and low bore axis also make these guns very easy to shoot accurately and quickly. Smith & Wesson has continued to refine the grip geometry so that the M&P feels good in the hand, and by including four interchangeable grip modules the shooter can customize the gun for an even better fit.

Other features that make M&P pistols attractive include C.O.R.E. slides that are cut for optics and include mounting plates for several popular red dots as well as front and rear slide serrations for enhanced control of the pistol. Raised sights allow the pistol to co-witness with optics and some models offer compensators that reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise. But perhaps the most impressive feature of these guns is their new, crisp, M2.0 trigger. The flat-face bladed design allows for maximum control, and the crisp break and short reset make the M&P stand out in the semiauto pistol the market.

Traditionally, the M&P brand has been applied to shotguns, but Smith & Wesson has expanded the M&P family substantially over the last several years. There are multiple M&P MSRs available as well as the new FPC folding pistol-caliber carbine. Recently Smith & Wesson also introduced the M&P12 bullpup shotgun as well.

Of course, safety is always a top concern when selecting any firearm, and Smith & Wesson’s M&P pistols offer a long list of standard safety features. The rotating takedown lever does not require a trigger pull to disassemble the gun, and there are models available with or without a manual thumb safety. The trigger, striker, and drop safeties help protect against negligent or accidental discharges as well.

“We’re extremely proud of the M&P handgun line. Throughout its tenure in the industry, it has remained true to what Smith & Wesson represents. This platform is dependable, reliable, and durable, and continues to live up to the legacy of our brand. The consistent evolutions of the M2.0 are driven through professional and consumer-based feedback that we look to when designing our products, with a continuous goal of improving performance and delivering the best product,” said Director of Brand Marketing, Vince Perreault. Smith & Wesson’s “I Trust M&P” content is available on the company’s social media pages and provides feedback from users who rely on M&P pistols every day for both duty and personal carry.

The polymer frame/striker fired duty and personal defense market is ever-changing, but there’s no doubt that Smith & Wesson has kept pace with those changes and continues to be a leader in the handgun market. It’s also safe to assume that M&P handguns will continue to appear on our best-selling lists in the future.

Top Selling Guns Sold in October 2023

Source: gungenius.com/top-selling/

To learn more or shop for any of the guns listed, visit Gun Genius at www.gungenius.com/top-selling.

Editor's note: In the report, guns are rated from one to five within each category, with the number one gun being the most popular that month. The numbers are color-coded to show any changes in the ranks from the previous report.

Black = Steady
Green = Up
Red = Down

Source: gungenius.com/top-selling/

To learn more or shop for any of the guns listed, visit Gun Genius at www.gungenius.com/top-selling.