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

Finding the right gift for the shooter or hunter 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 rifles that sold best on GunBroker across the new bolt-action, lever-action, semi-auto and single-shot rifle categories from January through September 2026.

The list is led by the CVA Scout, the Ruger 10/22 and the Ruger American Rifle, and it includes five lever actions, four bolt actions, three semi-autos and three single shots. Ruger and Marlin each placed five models, the most of any brands. Whether you are shopping for a deer hunter, a first-time shooter or a lever-gun fan, the picks below are grounded in nine months of GunBroker sales data.

What New Rifles Sold Best on GunBroker in 2026?

From January through September 2026, the top-selling new rifles on GunBroker were the CVA Scout, the Ruger 10/22 and the Ruger American Rifle. The Scout ranked No. 1 among new single-shot rifles every month, the 10/22 led new semi-autos in eight of nine months, and the American Rifle topped new bolt actions six times.

How We Built This New Rifle 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 bolt-action, lever-action, semi-auto and single-shot rifle 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. Models are ranked as GunBroker lists them, so variants such as the Marlin 1895 and 1895 Trapper are counted separately. Each pick is paired with the type of shooter or hunter it suits best.

Top 15 New Rifles on GunBroker: 2026 Holiday Gift Guide

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

No. 15: CZ 457 — Best Gift for the Rimfire Precision Shooter

The CZ 457 appeared in the new bolt-action rifle Top 5 five times, with a best finish of No. 2 in March.

The CZ 457 is a rimfire bolt-action platform with an adjustable trigger, a short 60-degree bolt throw and interchangeable barrels across models such as the Varmint and MTR. It is an excellent gift for the shooter who wants a precise rimfire rifle for small game or target work.

Months in the new bolt-action rifle Top 5: March (No. 2), May (No. 3), June (No. 3), August (No. 5), September (No. 5)

No. 14: Marlin 1895 SBL — Best Gift for the Modern Lever-Action Fan

The Marlin 1895 SBL finished No. 2 among new lever-action rifles in January and February and No. 3 in June and July.

The SBL pairs the .45-70 Government 1895 action with a stainless finish, an enlarged lever loop, a Picatinny rail and ghost-ring sights. It is a strong gift for the lever-action fan who likes classic power with modern features.

Months in the new lever-action rifle Top 5: January (No. 2), February (No. 2), June (No. 3), July (No. 3)

No. 13: Marlin 1894 Trapper — Best Gift for the Compact Carbine Fan

The Marlin 1894 Trapper ranked No. 1 among new lever-action rifles in January, February and April, its three Top 5 finishes of the period.

The 1894 Trapper is a compact, short-barreled version of the pistol-caliber Marlin 1894, and Ruger has expanded the Trapper line to include a 10mm Auto model. It is a handy gift for the shooter who wants a light, maneuverable carbine.

Months in the new lever-action rifle Top 5: January (No. 1), February (No. 1), April (No. 1)

No. 12: Marlin 1895 — Best Gift for the .45-70 Traditionalist

The Marlin 1895 ranked No. 1 among new lever-action rifles in March and returned to the Top 5 at No. 2 in July and August and No. 3 in September.

The 1895 is Marlin’s classic big-bore lever action, best known in .45-70 Government, a cartridge with roots in the 1870s that remains a favorite for deer, elk and bear. It is a natural gift for the hunter who appreciates traditional lever-gun power.

Months in the new lever-action rifle Top 5: March (No. 1), July (No. 2), August (No. 2), September (No. 3)

No. 11: Marlin 1895 Trapper — Best Gift for the Big-Bore Brush Hunter

The Marlin 1895 Trapper appeared in the new lever-action rifle Top 5 six times, with a best finish of No. 2 in May. It tied the Marlin 1895 on points and earned the higher spot with two more months in the Top 5.

The Trapper is a compact, short-barreled version of Marlin’s .45-70 Government lever action, built for quick handling in thick cover. It is a fitting gift for the hunter who wants big-bore power in a carbine that is easy to carry through brush.

Months in the new lever-action rifle Top 5: January (No. 3), February (No. 4), May (No. 2), July (No. 4), August (No. 3), September (No. 4)

No. 10: Smith & Wesson M&P Rifles — Best Gift for the Modern Sporting Rifle Shooter

Smith & Wesson’s M&P rifles appeared in the new semi-auto rifle Top 5 five times, finishing No. 2 in March, May and June.

The M&P rifle line includes AR-style M&P15 rifles chambered in 5.56 NATO as well as the rimfire M&P15-22, which offers AR-style handling with low-cost .22 LR ammunition. That range makes it a solid gift for the modern sporting rifle shooter, from first-time AR owners to experienced range regulars.

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

No. 9: Ruger American Predator — Best Gift for the Varmint and Predator Hunter

The Ruger American Predator appeared in the new bolt-action rifle Top 5 seven times, with best finishes of No. 2 in May and July. It tied the Smith & Wesson M&P rifles on points and earned the higher spot with two more months in the Top 5.

A variant of the Ruger American Rifle, the Predator adds a threaded, medium-contour barrel and is offered in calibers suited to varmints, predators and medium game, such as .223 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor. It is a great gift for the hunter who spends cold mornings calling coyotes.

Months in the new bolt-action rifle Top 5: February (No. 3), March (No. 5), April (No. 5), May (No. 2), June (No. 5), July (No. 2), August (No. 3)

No. 8: Ruger No. 1 — Best Gift for the Classic Single-Shot Purist

The Ruger No. 1 appeared in the new single-shot rifle Top 5 in eight of nine months, with best finishes of No. 2 in May and July.

Introduced in the 1960s, the No. 1 is a falling-block single-shot rifle with classic lines and a reputation for craftsmanship. It is a refined gift for the hunter who values one well-placed shot and a rifle with heirloom appeal.

Months in the new single-shot rifle Top 5: February (No. 5), March (No. 4), April (No. 5), May (No. 2), June (No. 3), July (No. 2), August (No. 5), September (No. 4)

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No. 7: Marlin 1894 — Best Gift for the Pistol-Caliber Lever Fan

The Marlin 1894 ranked No. 1 among new lever-action rifles in each of the last four months covered, June through September.

The 1894 is Marlin’s pistol-caliber lever action, chambered in revolver cartridges such as .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum, and it is now built by Ruger, which acquired Marlin in 2020. It is a strong gift for the shooter who wants a lever gun that can share ammunition with a revolver.

Months in the new lever-action rifle Top 5: June (No. 1), July (No. 1), August (No. 1), September (No. 1)

No. 6: Ruger Mini-14 — Best Gift for the Ranch and Farm Hand

The Ruger Mini-14 placed in the new semi-auto rifle Top 5 in eight of nine months and finished No. 2 in July, August and September.

Introduced in 1973, the Mini-14 uses a Garand-style action and is chambered for .223 Remington/5.56 NATO in its most popular configurations, including the Ranch model. Compact handling and a classic look make it a fitting gift for anyone who wants a practical rifle around the ranch or farm.

Months in the new semi-auto rifle Top 5: January (No. 4), February (No. 3), March (No. 3), April (No. 4), May (No. 4), July (No. 2), August (No. 2), September (No. 2)

No. 5: Tikka T3x Lite — Best Gift for the Backcountry Hunter

The Tikka T3x Lite took the No. 1 spot among new bolt-action rifles in February and finished No. 2 in April, June and September, appearing in the Top 5 in eight of nine months.

Built in Finland, the T3x Lite is a lightweight bolt action known for its smooth action and accuracy, with a polymer stock and a detachable magazine. It is a natural gift for the hunter who covers serious miles on foot in the backcountry.

Months in the new bolt-action rifle Top 5: February (No. 1), March (No. 3), April (No. 2), May (No. 4), June (No. 2), July (No. 3), August (No. 4), September (No. 2)

No. 4: Thompson/Center Encore — Best Gift for the Multi-Caliber Hunter

The Thompson/Center Encore appeared in the new single-shot rifle Top 5 all nine months and finished No. 2 five times, in January, February, March, June and September, second only to the CVA Scout.

The Encore is a break-action single-shot built around interchangeable barrels, so one frame can be set up for different cartridges, from varmint rounds to big-game calibers. That flexibility makes it a great gift for the hunter who chases more than one kind of game.

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

No. 3: Ruger American Rifle — Best Gift for the First-Time Deer Hunter

The Ruger American Rifle ranked No. 1 among new bolt-action rifles six times, in January, March, May, June, August and September, and finished No. 4 in April and July.

Ruger introduced the American Rifle as an affordable, hunting-ready bolt action, and it is known for its Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger and Power Bedding system. Offered in popular deer calibers, it is a dependable gift for someone heading into their first deer season.

Months in the new bolt-action rifle Top 5: January (No. 1), March (No. 1), April (No. 4), May (No. 1), June (No. 1), July (No. 4), August (No. 1), September (No. 1)

No. 2: Ruger 10/22 — Best Gift for the New Shooter

The Ruger 10/22 ranked No. 1 among new semi-auto rifles in every month from February through September, eight of the nine months covered. In January, the separately listed 10/22 Carbine held the top spot.

Introduced in 1964, the 10/22 is a semi-auto .22 LR rifle fed by a compact 10-round rotary magazine, and it has one of the largest aftermarket followings of any rifle. Low recoil, inexpensive ammunition and endless customization make it a classic first-rifle gift for a new shooter.

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

No. 1: CVA Scout — Best Gift for the Straight-Wall Deer Hunter

The CVA Scout ranked No. 1 among new single-shot rifles in every month from January through September 2026, earning a perfect score in this guide’s ranking and the top spot overall.

The Scout is a break-action single-shot rifle offered in a wide range of chamberings, including straight-wall deer cartridges such as .350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster and .45-70 Government. Its simple, lightweight design makes it a smart gift for the deer hunter, especially in areas that limit hunters to straight-wall cartridges.

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

2026 New Rifle Gift Guide Takeaways

The CVA Scout Went Nine for Nine

The Scout was the only rifle 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 single-shot rifle finish of the period.

Two Single Shots Never Left the Top 5

The CVA Scout and Thompson/Center Encore were the only rifles on the list to appear in their category’s Top 5 in all nine months, marking them as the most consistent sellers of the period.

Ruger Owned the Semi-Auto and Bolt-Action Top Spots

The Ruger 10/22 claimed eight No. 1 new semi-auto finishes, and the Ruger American Rifle claimed six No. 1 new bolt-action finishes, the most of any rifles outside the single-shot category.

Marlin Swept the Lever-Action Category

Every No. 1 new lever-action finish from January through September went to a Marlin, split among the 1894, 1894 Trapper, 1895 and 336, and five Marlin lever guns made this list.

Ruger and Marlin Led the Brand Count

Ruger (10/22, American Rifle, Mini-14, No. 1 and American Predator) and Marlin (1894, 1895 Trapper, 1895, 1894 Trapper and 1895 SBL) each placed five models. Because Ruger acquired Marlin in 2020, rifles built under the Ruger umbrella filled 10 of the 15 spots. CVA, Thompson/Center, Tikka, Smith & Wesson and CZ each placed one.

Lever Actions Claimed the Most Spots

Lever actions took five spots, bolt actions four, and semi-autos and single shots three each, with every action type represented in the top five overall.

Tips for Giving a New Rifle 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 rifle for someone else.
• Plan for the FFL transfer. Firearms purchased on GunBroker ship to a licensed dealer (FFL), where the transfer is completed.
• Check hunting regulations. Some states limit the cartridges allowed for deer and other game, so confirm the chambering suits where the recipient hunts.
• Read the listing closely. Review photos, model details, included accessories and seller feedback, and ask the seller questions before you bid or buy.
• Round out the gift. Scopes, slings, cases and ammunition are all available on GunBroker.com.

Final Thoughts on the 2026 New Rifle Gift Guide

From the nine-for-nine CVA Scout to the Ruger 10/22 and a lineup of Marlin lever guns, this year’s best-selling new rifles on GunBroker covered everything from rimfire plinkers to big-bore hunting rifles. Each pick earned its place on nine months of real sales data, giving gift shoppers a proven starting point.

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

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