When considering buying a firearm, several factors need to be taken into account, like the size of the gun, safety features, reliability and accuracy. Additionally, consider if the handgun or pistol is affordable or not. You may note that if the gun is cheaper, you may have to compromise with several other important factors.
Here are some of the worst guns in America, that you shouldn’t even consider buying.
Apache Pistol
This handgun combines multiple other weapons like knife, brass knuckles, and a small-calibre revolver into a compact and foldable design. However, it is the most overhyped and underperforming gun. Although the brass knuckles work well, the knife is thin and weak, and is attached to a flimsy hinge. The revolver, which lacks barrel, is underpowered and inaccurate. It’s unsafe as the trigger is unguarded and the user can accidentally fire the gun.
Lemat Grapeshot Revolver
The LeMat grapeshot revolver was designed for use during the US Civil War, but it suffered poor execution. The revolver could store nine bullets, with an extra barrel and a single shotgun shell in the middle. The shooter could use the movable firing pin to choose which round they wanted to fire. Although it was a great idea, the guns were poorly made and didn’t work as expected.
Gyrojet Pistol
The Gyrojet was a unique firearm that was developed in 1960s. In the modern history of firearms, the Gyrojet pistol used the most creative ideas. Instead of inert bullets, these pistols used rocket propulsion to fire projectiles called microjets. Since they were highly inaccurate, they were discontinued.
Cochran Turret Revolver
In the early 1830s, when the Colt Revolver became popular, several firearm makers tried to create their own version of an evolving mechanism, one such concept was of the “turret gun.” This gun had a round disc with holes that held gunpowder and a ball. To fire the next bullet, the disc had to be moved from an empty hole to a loaded one.
It had an unsafe design. Some of the loaded chambers were pointed at the shooter, and if they were misfired, which often happened, other chambers could accidentally fire, including the one facing the shooter.
Davy Crockett
The U.S. developed the Davy Crockett, an ultra-close-range nuclear recoilless rifle, as a tactical weapon during the Cold War. Although it provided soldiers with significant firepower, it wasn’t easy to use. It had limited accuracy as it was the smallest and lightest nuclear weapon ever deployed by the U.S. military. The weapon’s short range posed a risk to U.S. troops, and its potential to escalate a conventional conflict into a nuclear one made it unpopular with commanders.
“Ring Of Fire” Gun
These are also known as “Saturday night special.” These guns were cheaply made, fragile and inexpensive pistols which were designed to be hidden easily. They were unsafe as they suffered jams, were inaccurate, lacked durability and could fire accidentally. These guns were used in robberies and shootings. The manufacturers who made these guns were mostly based in southern Florida and Los Angeles.
FP-45 Liberator
These were the handguns manufactured by the US military during World War II. They were cheap and single-shot pistols designed to be dropped in large numbers behind enemy lines for use by resistance fighters. However, in reality, it was unpopular with military leaders and only a few thousand were made. The pistol was inaccurate, clumsy and it was so difficult to reload that users were expected to throw it away rather than attempt to reload.
ZIP .22LR
ZIP .22LR is a semi-automatic, light and compact gun. It has a simple design and its new Modular Weapons System offers great features, performance and upgrade options. The problem with this weapon is resetting the striker with a live round in a chamber, which requires putting fingers or hands at the muzzle. Also, clearing jams requires your fingers to be placed over the barrel of a loaded gun.
Pepper-Box Revolver
Due to its resemblance to a pepper grinder, it is also known as a pepper-pot. This type of firearm was popular in North America until the American Civil War. This is a gun with multiple barrels grouped around a central axis. It is designed to shoot several rounds in a row. The issue is, if the length and number of barrels are increased, it becomes front heavy, making it hard to aim accurately.
Desert Eagle 50AE
Designed by Magnum Research Inc. (MRI) in the US and redesigned by Israeli Military Industries, this powerful semi-automatic handgun became popular because it was used in films and video games. The major issue with this gas-operated mechanism is its large size. Since it is heavier, it is not ideal for using unjacketed lead bullets, as lead particles can clog the gas release tap and prevent it from properly functioning.
Hi-Point (Hi-Point C-9)
Also known as Strassell’s Machine Inc., Hi-Point Firearms was founded in 1992. Hi-Point is a polarizing brand and inexpensive semi-automatic pistol. These are the most affordable guns. Except for the metal slide, these guns are made of plastic. Despite this, they are bulky and heavy, which makes them less comfortable to carry. The guns are fundamental, and the designs aren’t user-friendly. The triggers have problems as they need more force, and shooting with accuracy is a problem.
Lorcin (L380 and L22)
Jim Waldorf founded Lorcin Engineering Company in 1989. The handguns they produced were usually sold to pawn shops or low-income people. The guns they made often malfunctioned and were prone to deformations and cracks under stress due to their weak zinc frames. These guns were also dangerous as they had poor safety features, leading to accidental discharge. Since they were made of zinc, they were unsuitable for long-term use or heavy shooting. The company eventually shut down due to its negative factors. These guns are still available in the second-hand market, but finding replacement parts is difficult as production ceased in 1998.
SCCY (SCCY CPX)
SCCY Industries was founded by Joseph Vincent Roebuck in 2003. They are known for producing budget-friendly pistols. However, there are many negative reviews, as their guns are cheaply built and of low quality. Especially for beginners, it can be difficult, as the soft trigger on these guns can make it hard to shoot accurately. The trigger requires a lot of force to pull. With sweaty hands, the gun becomes slippery. Since they are lightweight, they tend to have more recoil.
Sundance (Sundance Firearms A-25)
Sundance Industries was founded by Steven Jennings, the nephew of George Jennings, who is the founder of Raven Arms, in 1989. Both of these brands have many things in common. Their firearms are no longer manufactured as the company was shut down in 2004 due to legal and financial troubles. They produced budget-friendly pistols and that were sold to women because of their compact size. Since they were made of zinc, as it wore out, they had problems like misfires and jams. They had safety concerns, and several lawsuits claimed they were defective firearms, eventually leading to its shutdown.
Taurus (Taurus Curve)
Although Taurus Holdings, Inc. is a Brazilian gun manufacturer, they own some of the durable and well-known firearm brands currently available in the US market. Although they had quality and manufacturing issues, they have improved but still have malfunctions and finish imperfections. Many of them feel that the trigger, an essential part of the gun, is heavy and inconsistent. Finding extra parts is difficult since they don’t have much aftermarket support.
Jimenez Arms (Jimenez JA-9 and JA-380)
Jimenez Arms, founded by Bruce Jennings, the son of Raven Arms founder George Jennings, in 1978, is based in Henderson, Nevada. The company, now known as JA Industries, has undergone several acquisitions and name changes. This firearm manufacturer is known for its budget-friendly pistols. However, their reputation is not great. They produce poor-quality guns with reliability issues. The brand has been criticized for poor safety features. The guns they produce have low accuracy and don’t suit everyone. The company’s customer service is also unsuitable due to reports of long wait times or no responses.
Raven Arms (Raven MP-25)
Raven Arms was founded by George Jennings in 1970. They are mostly known for the MP-25 pistol, which is infamous for being made cheaply. These manufacturers use zinc alloy frames and slides, prone to breakage, rust, and fragility. Not suitable for long-term use. Early models had safety issues, but later models were improved. However, the new models, too, had some safety issues. The manufacturers ceased production in 2006, but the used models are still available and are inexpensive. Since they are cheap, they have a reputation for being involved in crimes, so there might be difficulty finding one at a professional dealer.
