10 Guns Built to Last for Generations

Some guns don’t just last a lifetime—they outlive the person who bought them. They’re built right from the start. Steel where it matters. Tight tolerances. Quality parts that don’t wear out under hard use.

These are the rifles, shotguns, and handguns that get passed down through generations because they keep working. These are the guns you run hard, maintain right, and eventually hand off to someone else who’ll do the same.

Winchester Model 70

The Winchester Model 70 has been around since 1936 for a reason. The controlled-round feed action is built solid, the barrels are accurate, and the fit and finish hold up for decades.

You take care of it, it takes care of you. These rifles handle hard hunts, rough weather, and a few bumps along the way without falling apart. Plenty of old Model 70s are still punching tags long after the original owners hung it up.

Remington 870

There’s a reason the 870 shows up in duck blinds, deer camps, and squad cars everywhere. It’s dead simple, overbuilt, and keeps running year after year. Pump it, shoot it, repeat.

The steel receiver and heavy-walled barrels can handle thousands of rounds without blinking. Parts are everywhere, and even the roughest 870 looks better after a wipe down and keeps sending lead where it needs to go.

Ruger 10/22

The 10/22 isn’t flashy, but it never quits. Built with a solid receiver and a rotary magazine that feeds better than most rimfires, this little rifle racks up decades of use without drama.

It’s the .22 you learn on, hunt with, and eventually pass down. The aftermarket support is endless, but even bone stock, a 10/22 will run for generations with nothing more than basic cleaning and a drop of oil now and then.

Marlin 336

A Marlin 336 has probably fed more deer camps than any other lever gun. The solid steel receiver and simple lever design make it a tank that cycles smooth year after year.

It’s the rifle that lives behind the truck seat, rides through brush, and keeps putting meat on the ground. You take care of it, and it’ll be ready for the grandkids without question.

Colt Python

The Colt Python was built like a bank vault. Hand-fitted, heavy-duty, and built to a level that’s rare today. The lockup is solid, the action’s smooth, and the barrel-to-frame fit holds tight for a lifetime of shooting.

It’s not just pretty. The steel frame and overbuilt internals handle magnum rounds without flinching. Properly maintained, a Python will outlast several owners before anything starts to wear out.

Browning A5

The original Browning Auto-5 has been cycling shells since 1902. That humpback receiver isn’t pretty to everyone, but the long-recoil action is built solid. These shotguns handle abuse, mud, and thousands of shells without losing a step.

Plenty of old A5s are still hammering ducks, pheasants, and doves today. If it’s cleaned right and not abused beyond reason, it runs as well at 50 years old as it did the day it left the factory.

Smith & Wesson Model 686

The Model 686 is one of those revolvers that flat-out doesn’t quit. Built from stainless steel with a frame that shrugs off .357 loads, it handles recoil, time, and use without issue.

There are 686s out there with round counts most semi-autos would choke on. Keep it clean, give it the occasional spring tune-up, and it’ll outlast whoever’s pulling the trigger.

Ruger M77

The Ruger M77 doesn’t get fancy, but it’s built tough. A solid steel action, controlled-round feed, and a barrel that holds accuracy for the long haul make it one of the most reliable bolt guns out there.

Hunters run these in mountains, swamps, and deserts year after year. It’s a rifle that doesn’t care about bad weather or rough use. The finish holds, the action stays tight, and it keeps sending rounds exactly where they’re aimed.

Glock 17

Say what you want about polymer, but the Glock 17 has proven it’ll outlast most owners. The frame holds up. The slide and barrel eat tens of thousands of rounds. Springs and small parts are easy to swap and keep it running.

There are Glocks out there with six-figure round counts that still run like new. It’s not pretty. It’s not flashy. But it flat-out refuses to quit if you give it even the bare minimum of maintenance.

Henry H001

The Henry H001 lever-action .22 looks simple, but it’s built tight. The machined receiver and smooth action hold up over decades of plinking, small game hunting, and passing it down through the family.

Plenty of folks bought one for their kids and watched it run clean for 30 years before handing it off to grandkids. It’s the kind of gun that doesn’t care if it’s run hard—as long as it’s kept oiled, it keeps cycling.