10 American Gun Brands Critics Say to Avoid

Some American gun brands are known for precision and performance. Others? They’ve become infamous for falling short.

Here’s a look at 10 American gun brands that missed the mark — and why some firearms are best left behind the counter.

1. Raven Arms (later as Phoenix Arms)

In 1970, George Jennings created a low-cost .25 pistol and started Raven Arms. In November 1991, a fire destroyed the Raven Arms factory. Jennings retired and sold the equipment to Phoenix Arms. Phoenix pistols, like Raven pistols, are small and inexpensive.

Due to its size, the Raven wouldn’t pass the “sporting purposes” test required for imported but not U.S.-made handguns.

In February 1999, a jury in a Brooklyn federal court found Phoenix among the manufacturers negligent in their marketing and distribution. The jury ruled that Phoenix’s practices contributed to illegal gun trafficking in New York, which led to shootings in the area. (ref)

Also, users say that the .25 ACP caliber used in many of their models is “less than ideal,” (ref) and considered not strong enough for self-defense.

2. Taurus International

Taurus has faced much criticism for quality control problems and a major recall of almost one million pistols. This recall occurred after reports that some models could fire unexpectedly if dropped or shaken, called the “drop-fire defect”. (ref)

Even with some improvements, many users still report problems and inconsistent trigger performance. The brand struggles with a lack of support for repairs and ongoing worries about reliability and safety features.

3. SCCY Industries

SCCY is known for its budget-friendly pistols, but these guns get bad reviews for reliability and comfort. Users often report malfunctions after just a few shots, mainly due to a poorly designed trigger that can cause inaccurate shooting and discomfort. (ref)

The grips are also criticized for being slippery, which makes it hard to control during firing. Overall, many reviewers on gun forums recommend not buying SCCY firearms because they often fail when you need them most.

4. Hi-Point Firearms

Hi-Point firearms are often seen as low-quality choices because they are heavy and bulky, making them uncomfortable to carry and shoot. While they are marketed as affordable, users frequently complain about their reliability and accuracy. (ref) 

The brand has gained a reputation for making guns that are more likely to jam or malfunction than other brands, which makes them less appealing as reliable self-defense options.

5. USFA (United States Firearms Manufacturing Company)

USFA is known for its classic revolvers but became infamous for the ZIP .22 LR, which had design problems and reliability issues. The ZIP’s unique design included charging handles that were not placed correctly, and it often failed to feed, eject, or even fire correctly. (ref)

Users reported that the gun could hardly finish a magazine without having a problem, making it almost unusable.(ref) After stopping production, the brand’s reputation took a big hit because of the ZIP’s failures and the end of their popular revolvers.

6. Jimenez Arms

Once called Jennings, Jimenez Arms is known for making cheap pistols that are often unreliable. Their guns have a reputation for frequently malfunctioning, jamming, and firing accidentally due to poor safety features. 

Many controversies revolved around this brand. Jimenez Arms was one of the 25 largest U.S. pistol makers as recently as 2017, but bankruptcy records show it has less than $34,000 in assets.

In 2018, federal agents discovered that guns made by Jimenez Arms Inc. had been funneled into a suspected trafficking network in Kansas City, Missouri. (ref)

7. I.O. Inc.

I.O. Inc. makes AK-style rifles but has a bad reputation because of major reliability problems. There are issues like misfires and failures to work properly, making their rifles less reliable than others in the AK market.

Some users have reported that they had a major malfunction early in their first range session with the AKM247. (ref)

Online discussions about I.O.’s AKs are so heated that they often turn into arguments and rants. Because of their history of producing guns that could “blow up” during use, many gun enthusiasts avoid their products. 

8. Lorcin Engineering Company

Lorcin was known for making cheap zinc alloy pistols that were often unreliable and prone to problems like misfires and jams. In fact, many of Lorcin’s handguns are so poorly made that they wouldn’t meet the ATF’s standards for import.

Lorcin’s .380 pistol often ranks high on the list of guns linked to crimes by the ATF. 

The company faced 18 lawsuits for issues like product safety, personal injuries, and wrongful deaths, totaling around $32 million in claims. All these issues eventually led to the company closing down in 1998. (ref)

9. Cobra Enterprises

Cobra Enterprises is known for having multiple safety and quality violations, which has hurt its reputation. (ref) The guns they make are often low-cost, but this affordability comes at a high price in terms of reliability and safety. 

Reports suggest that many Cobra firearms are prone to issues like frequent jamming, accidental discharges, and overall poor construction. Because of these problems, Cobra guns are seen as unsafe, especially for self-defense.

10. Keystone Sporting Arms

Keystone Sporting Arms, a popular maker of youth and small-caliber rifles, has faced multiple recalls over safety concerns. (ref) Many of these recalls are due to problems with parts like triggers or firing mechanisms, which can malfunction and create dangerous situations. 

When a gun is recalled, it often means that the manufacturer has identified a problem that could pose a risk to the user. Because of these frequent recalls, Keystone Sporting Arms has developed a reputation for producing guns that may not meet high safety and quality standards.

For those interested in firearms, knowing the history of these brands can help make better choices.