Holiday Gift Guide: Top 15 New Handguns on GunBroker for 2026

Finding the right gift for the shooter on your list gets easier when you know what fellow gun owners are actually buying. This holiday gift guide is built on GunBroker’s monthly Top Selling Reports, ranking the 15 new handguns that sold best on GunBroker across the new semi-auto pistol and revolver categories from January through September 2026.

The list is led by the Colt Python, the SIG Sauer P365 and the Heritage Rough Rider, and it includes eight revolvers and seven semi-auto pistols. Colt and Ruger each placed three models, the most of any brands. Whether you are shopping for an everyday carrier, a first-time shooter or a revolver collector, the picks below are grounded in nine months of GunBroker sales data.

What New Handguns Sold Best on GunBroker in 2026?

From January through September 2026, the top-selling new handguns on GunBroker were the Colt Python, the SIG Sauer P365 and the Heritage Rough Rider. The Python ranked No. 1 among new revolvers every month, the P365 led new semi-auto pistols in six of nine months, and the Rough Rider never left the revolver Top 5.

How We Built This New Handgun Gift Guide

Each month, GunBroker ranks the best-selling new models in every major firearm category. For this guide, we scored the monthly Top 5 in the new semi-auto pistol and revolver categories for January through September 2026 (nine monthly reports), awarding five points for a No. 1 finish down to one point for No. 5. Ties were broken by the number of months a model appeared in the Top 5, then by No. 1 finishes, then by its most recent Top 5 finish. Each pick is paired with the type of gun owner it suits best.

Top 15 New Handguns on GunBroker: 2026 Holiday Gift Guide

The list below is ranked from No. 15 to No. 1, counting down to the best-selling new handgun on GunBroker from January through September 2026.

No. 15: Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 — Best Gift for the Pocket-Carry Minimalist

The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 ranked No. 4 among new semi-auto pistols in April and No. 5 in August. It tied the GLOCK 19 and Ruger New Model Blackhawk on points and months in the Top 5, and claimed the final spot with the most recent Top 5 finish.

The Bodyguard 2.0 is a striker-fired .380 Auto micro-compact pistol and the successor to the original Bodyguard 380, carrying 10+1 or 12+1 rounds in a slim frame that weighs about 12 ounces. It is not the same gun as the Bodyguard 38, a five-shot .38 Special +P revolver that shares the name. For someone who wants a carry pistol that disappears under everyday clothing, it is a practical gift.

Months in the new semi-auto pistol Top 5: April (No. 4), August (No. 5)

Related: S&W Bodyguard 2.0 vs. Bodyguard 38: What’s the Difference?

No. 14: Taurus Judge — Best Gift for the Versatility Seeker

The Taurus Judge opened the year at No. 2 among new revolvers in January, its only Top 5 finish of the period.

The Judge is known for firing both .45 Colt cartridges and .410 bore shotshells from the same five-shot cylinder, with select models handling 3-inch shells. That flexibility makes it a conversation-piece gift for the shooter who likes a revolver that can handle a little bit of everything.

Months in the new revolver Top 5: January (No. 2)

No. 13: Colt King Cobra — Best Gift for the .357 Magnum Fan

The Colt King Cobra ranked No. 2 among new revolvers in February, when it joined the Colt Python and Colt Anaconda in a Colt sweep of the top three new revolver spots.

Colt reintroduced the King Cobra in 2019 as a six-shot, stainless steel .357 Magnum double-action revolver, and a .22 LR target version later joined the line. It is a strong gift for a shooter who wants a Colt .357 that is sized for carry as well as the range.

Months in the new revolver Top 5: February (No. 2)

No. 12: Ruger Vaquero — Best Gift for the Cowboy Action Shooter

The Ruger Vaquero climbed to No. 2 among new revolvers in August, between the Colt Python and Heritage Rough Rider, for its lone Top 5 finish of the period. It edged the Colt King Cobra and Taurus Judge, which also scored one No. 2 finish each, on the most-recent-finish tiebreaker.

The Vaquero pairs Ruger’s rugged single-action design with fixed sights and traditional Western styling. Offered in chamberings such as .357 Magnum and .45 Colt, it is a favorite in cowboy action shooting and a natural gift for anyone drawn to classic six-gun lines.

Months in the new revolver Top 5: August (No. 2)

No. 11: SIG Sauer P320 — Best Gift for the Modular-Pistol Tinkerer

The SIG Sauer P320 made five appearances in the new semi-auto pistol Top 5, ranking No. 4 in January and August and No. 5 in April, June and July.

The P320 is built around a serialized fire control unit that can move between grip modules and slide assemblies of different sizes and calibers, and military variants were adopted by the U.S. Army as the M17 and M18. That modular design makes it a fitting gift for a shooter who likes to configure and customize.

Months in the new semi-auto pistol Top 5: January (No. 4), April (No. 5), June (No. 5), July (No. 5), August (No. 4)

No. 10: North American Arms Mini Revolver — Best Pocket-Sized Gift

North American Arms mini revolvers appeared in the new revolver Top 5 five times, peaking at No. 3 in March and September.

NAA’s stainless steel mini revolvers are among the smallest handguns made, typically holding five rounds of .22 LR or .22 WMR depending on the model. Their palm-sized, single-action design makes them a memorable pocket-sized gift for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate a novel piece of American gunmaking.

Months in the new revolver Top 5: March (No. 3), May (No. 5), June (No. 4), July (No. 5), September (No. 3)

No. 9: Ruger Super Redhawk — Best Gift for the Handgun Hunter

The Ruger Super Redhawk reached No. 2 among new revolvers in May and added Top 5 finishes in March, July and August.

Ruger’s large-frame, double-action Super Redhawk is built for heavy magnum cartridges, with chamberings that include .44 Magnum and .454 Casull. Integral scope-ring cuts on the frame and a cushioned grip make it a top gift choice for the hunter who wants to take a handgun afield.

Months in the new revolver Top 5: March (No. 4), May (No. 2), July (No. 3), August (No. 4)

No. 8: Colt Anaconda — Best Gift for the Big-Bore Enthusiast

The Colt Anaconda appeared in the new revolver Top 5 six times, with its best finishes at No. 3 in February and June. It tied the Ruger Super Redhawk on points and earned the higher spot with two more months in the Top 5.

Colt brought back the Anaconda in 2021 as a six-shot, stainless steel .44 Magnum built on a larger frame derived from the modern Python. For the big-bore enthusiast, it pairs Colt heritage with full-power magnum performance.

Months in the new revolver Top 5: February (No. 3), April (No. 5), June (No. 3), July (No. 4), August (No. 5), September (No. 5)

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No. 7: Smith & Wesson M&P — Best Gift for the Do-It-All Shooter

Smith & Wesson’s M&P pistols placed in the new semi-auto pistol Top 5 six times, with a best finish of No. 2 in May.

Introduced in 2005, the polymer-frame M&P line spans full-size, compact and carry models, including the M2.0 series, in calibers such as 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. That range makes it a versatile gift for a shooter who wants one platform for the range, home defense and carry.

Months in the new semi-auto pistol Top 5: February (No. 5), March (No. 3), May (No. 2), June (No. 4), July (No. 4), September (No. 5)

No. 6: GLOCK 43X — Best Gift for the Slimline Carry Fan

The GLOCK 43X ranked No. 3 among new semi-auto pistols in January and February, then climbed to No. 2 in March and April.

Part of GLOCK’s Slimline series, the 43X pairs the slim slide of the GLOCK 43 with a longer grip that holds a 10-round 9mm magazine. It is a natural gift for the carrier who wants a thin pistol without giving up a full firing grip.

Months in the new semi-auto pistol Top 5: January (No. 3), February (No. 3), March (No. 2), April (No. 2)

No. 5: Ruger Mark IV — Best Gift for the Rimfire Target Shooter

The Ruger Mark IV is one of four handguns that appeared in the Top 5 in all nine months, and it finished No. 3 among new semi-auto pistols in April and again in every month from June through September.

Introduced in 2016, the Mark IV added one-button takedown to Ruger’s long-running line of .22 LR target pistols. Offered in Target, Hunter, Lite and 22/45 configurations, it is a great gift for the rimfire target shooter or anyone who wants accurate, low-recoil practice.

Months in the new semi-auto pistol Top 5: January (No. 5), February (No. 4), March (No. 5), April (No. 3), May (No. 4), June (No. 3), July (No. 3), August (No. 3), September (No. 3)

No. 4: Taurus TX22 — Best Gift for the New Shooter

The Taurus TX22 took the No. 1 spot among new semi-auto pistols in February, July and August and finished No. 2 in January, June and September. It tied the Rough Rider on points and placed No. 4 on the months-in-Top-5 tiebreaker.

The TX22 is a full-size .22 LR pistol that ships with a 16-round magazine, and an optics-ready Competition model is also available. Low recoil and full-size ergonomics make it a strong first-handgun gift for a new shooter, and an inexpensive-to-feed range companion for experienced ones.

Months in the new semi-auto pistol Top 5: January (No. 2), February (No. 1), May (No. 3), June (No. 2), July (No. 1), August (No. 1), September (No. 2)

No. 3: Heritage Rough Rider — Best Gift on a Budget

The Heritage Rough Rider appeared in the new revolver Top 5 all nine months and finished No. 2 in five of them, second only to the Colt Python for consistency among revolvers.

The Rough Rider is a six-shot, single-action rimfire revolver chambered in .22 LR, and many models include an interchangeable .22 WMR cylinder. Classic Western looks and an approachable price make it an easy budget-friendly gift for plinkers and single-action fans alike.

Months in the new revolver Top 5: January (No. 4), February (No. 4), March (No. 2), April (No. 2), May (No. 3), June (No. 2), July (No. 2), August (No. 3), September (No. 2)

No. 2: SIG Sauer P365 — Best Gift for the Everyday Carrier

The SIG Sauer P365 ranked No. 1 among new semi-auto pistols in six of the nine months covered and never finished lower than No. 2.

When SIG Sauer introduced the P365 in 2018, it fit 10+1 rounds of 9mm into a micro-compact frame, and the family has since grown to include the P365XL, P365X and P365-XMACRO. Its size, capacity and range of configurations make it a proven gift for the everyday carrier.

Months in the new semi-auto pistol Top 5: January (No. 1), February (No. 2), March (No. 1), April (No. 1), May (No. 1), June (No. 1), July (No. 2), August (No. 2), September (No. 1)

No. 1: Colt Python — Best Gift for the Revolver Collector

The Colt Python ranked No. 1 among new revolvers in every month from January through September 2026, earning a perfect score in this guide’s ranking and the top spot overall.

Colt reintroduced the Python in 2020 with a strengthened frame and updated internals, while keeping the vent-rib barrel and polished stainless look that made the original famous after its 1955 debut. Chambered in .357 Magnum, it is a showpiece gift for the revolver collector that is just as at home on the range.

Months in the new revolver Top 5: All nine months, January through September (No. 1 every month)

2026 New Handgun Gift Guide Takeaways

The Colt Python Went Nine for Nine

The Python was the only handgun to rank No. 1 in its category in all nine months covered, earning a perfect score in this guide’s ranking and accounting for every No. 1 new revolver finish of the period.

Four Handguns Never Left the Top 5

The Colt Python, SIG Sauer P365, Heritage Rough Rider and Ruger Mark IV appeared in their category’s Top 5 in all nine months, marking them as the most consistent sellers of the period.

Two Pistols Split Every No. 1 Semi-Auto Finish

The SIG Sauer P365 (six months) and the Taurus TX22 (three months) claimed every No. 1 new semi-auto pistol finish from January through September.

Rimfire Handguns Earned a Big Share of the Top 10

Four of the top 10 picks are rimfire handguns: the Heritage Rough Rider, Taurus TX22, Ruger Mark IV and North American Arms mini revolvers, a reminder of how popular .22-caliber handguns were with buyers of new guns.

Colt and Ruger Led the Brand Count

Colt (Python, Anaconda and King Cobra) and Ruger (Mark IV, Super Redhawk and Vaquero) each placed three models. SIG Sauer, Taurus and Smith & Wesson placed two each, while GLOCK, Heritage and North American Arms each placed one.

Revolvers Claimed Eight of 15 Spots

Revolvers made up more than half of the list, including the No. 1 Colt Python and No. 3 Heritage Rough Rider, while semi-auto pistols filled seven spots led by the SIG Sauer P365.

Tips for Giving a New Handgun as a Gift

• Know the laws first. Firearm gifting and transfer rules vary by state and locality, so review federal, state and local requirements before buying a handgun for someone else.
• Plan for the FFL transfer. Firearms purchased on GunBroker ship to a licensed dealer (FFL), where the transfer is completed.
• Read the listing closely. Review photos, model details, included accessories and seller feedback, and ask the seller questions before you bid or buy.
• Match the gun to the person. Consider how they shoot, whether for carry, home defense, hunting, collecting or the range, and which calibers they already own.
• Round out the gift. Holsters, cases, magazines, optics and ammunition are all available on GunBroker.com.

Final Thoughts on the 2026 New Handgun Gift Guide

From the nine-for-nine Colt Python to the steady Heritage Rough Rider and Ruger Mark IV, this year’s best-selling new handguns on GunBroker covered everything from micro-compact carry pistols to big-bore magnum revolvers. Each pick earned its place on nine months of real sales data, giving gift shoppers a proven starting point.

Ready to find the right handgun for someone on your list? Browse new handguns on GunBroker.com, review each listing carefully and follow all applicable federal, state and local laws and transfer requirements.

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