24 Military Style Firearms You Can Legally Own in America

The civilian firearms market is filled with rifles, pistols, and more that have a shared history with some of the most recognizable military weapons ever built. But despite the tactical designs and battlefield heritage, many of these firearms are entirely legal for everyday Americans to own. From semi-auto versions of iconic service rifles to modern precision platforms and classic military sidearms, civilians can pick up these arms for their own use or collection. Here, we'll take a closer look at the military firearms you can legally buy today.

To identify the military firearms you can legally buy today, we reviewed various military and retail sources. We ordered these firearms chronologically from when they first entered military service. We included supplemental information regarding the caliber, country of origin, and more.

Civilian-legal firearms trace their roots back to the rifles, pistols, and shotguns that shaped modern military history. Understanding what's available today isn't just a matter of hobbyist interest, but it offers a look into how military technology has evolved over time, and how designs transfered into the civilian market. Whether it's the modular AR-15, the rugged AK pattern rifle, or iconic classics like the M1 Garand, many of these firearms reflect engineering choices that defined entire eras of conflict.

Walk into almost any gun shop in America and you'll see rifles and pistols that trace their DNA straight back to the battlefield. From AR-15s patterned after the M4 to civilian AKs and surplus M1 Garands, modern buyers can legally own guns built on proven military designs—just in semi-automatic, civilian-compliant form.

When people talk about "military firearms," they usually picture full-auto rifles and belt-fed machine guns. In reality, most civilian-legal options are semi-auto versions of service weapons or commercial guns that share the same operating systems, calibers, and magazines. These rifles, pistols, and shotguns deliver military-grade ergonomics and performance, without crossing the legal line into NFA-restricted territory.

In the United States, most of these firearms are legal at the federal level because they fire one shot per trigger pull and meet key design rules on barrel length, overall length, and features. That said, state and local laws can be much stricter. The result is a patchwork landscape: the same AR-15 or semi-auto AK that's perfectly legal in one state might be heavily regulated—or banned outright—in another.

For many owners, these guns are about more than aesthetics. Military-pattern rifles and pistols offer proven reliability, familiar controls for veterans, and huge aftermarket support for optics, stocks, and triggers. They dominate in competition, serve as serious home-defense tools, and double as platforms for training that mirrors what police and service members actually use. The same traits that made them effective in uniform carry over to the range.

The continued demand for military-inspired firearms shows how closely civilian and professional gun markets are linked. As new service rifles, optics, and calibers are adopted by armed forces, civilian versions usually follow. Understanding which military firearms you can legally buy today is really a window into where gun design is headed next.

• Weapon type: Lever-action rifle
• Year introduced: 1895
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Henry Repeating Arms (modern production)
• Firing mechanism: Lever-action
• Caliber and feed: .30-30 Winchester; Tubular magazine

Henry's modern .30-30 lever guns carry on a classic North American deer-rifle tradition. Smooth cycling, quick follow-up shots, and the proven .30-30 cartridge make them favorites in the woods and at the range alike.

• Weapon type: Single-action semi-automatic pistol
• Year introduced: 1935
• Country of origin: Belgium (original design)
• Manufacturer: FN / Browning / various clone makers
• Firing mechanism: Single-action, short recoil
• Caliber and feed: 9x19mm; Detachable box magazine

The Browning Hi-Power and its modern clones offer a classic 9mm single-action design with a double-stack magazine. Once a standard military sidearm around the world, it remains popular with collectors and shooters who appreciate its slim profile and crisp SA trigger.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic battle rifle
• Year introduced: 1936
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Springfield Armory and others
• Firing mechanism: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: .30-06 Springfield; 8-round en-bloc clip

The World War II–era M1 Garand remains legal and highly collectible. Its gas-operated action and .30-06 chambering deliver serious power at range. Collectors and marksmen prize it for history, reliability, and the unmistakable 'ping' of the ejected clip.

• Weapon type: Bolt-action rifle
• Year introduced: 1936
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms
• Firing mechanism: Bolt-action (controlled-round feed on many models)
• Caliber and feed: Multiple (from .243 Win to .375 H&H); Internal box magazine

Known as the "Rifleman's Rifle," the Model 70 is a classic hunting and precision platform. Its smooth bolt, strong locking lugs, and high build quality made it a favorite of hunters and snipers alike across much of the 20th century.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic rifle
• Year introduced: 1947
• Country of origin: Various (original design Soviet Union)
• Manufacturer: Zastava, WBP Rogów, Century Arms, PSA and others
• Firing mechanism: Long-stroke gas piston, rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x39mm (common civilian); Detachable box magazine

Civilian legal AK-pattern rifles retain the rugged long-stroke gas system of the military original but fire in semi-auto only. They are prized for reliability in poor conditions, simple maintenance, and affordable ammo, making them popular for training, defense, and recreational shooting.

• Weapon type: Bolt-action rifle
• Year introduced: 1958
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Savage Arms
• Firing mechanism: Bolt-action
• Caliber and feed: Multiple (.243 Win, .270 Win, .308 Win, etc.); Internal or detachable magazine

The Savage 110 is known for strong out-of-the-box accuracy at an affordable price. Its floating barrel, adjustable AccuTrigger, and broad caliber selection make it a staple for hunters and budget-conscious long-range shooters.

• Weapon type: Bolt-action rifle
• Year introduced: 1962
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Firing mechanism: Manually operated bolt-action
• Caliber and feed: Multiple (.308 Win, .30-06, .300 Win Mag, etc.); Internal or detachable magazine

The Remington 700 is one of the most successful bolt-action rifles ever built. Its rigid receiver, strong locking lugs, and good triggers make it a favorite for hunting and long-range shooting—and the foundation for many military and police sniper rifles.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic rifle
• Year introduced: 1963
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Multiple (Colt, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Daniel Defense, etc.)
• Firing mechanism: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm / .223 Remington; Detachable box magazine

The AR-15 is the most popular sporting rifle in the U.S. Lightweight, accurate, and highly modular, it uses a gas-operated rotating bolt and feeds from detachable magazines. Its ergonomics and customization options make it a go-to platform for range work, competition, home defense, and hunting.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic rimfire rifle
• Year introduced: 1964
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
• Firing mechanism: Blowback-operated
• Caliber and feed: .22 LR; Rotary or extended magazine

The Ruger 10/22 is a classic .22 LR rifle with a simple blowback action and a 10-round rotary magazine. Low recoil, low cost, and huge aftermarket support make it ideal for new shooters, small-game hunting, and fun plinking sessions at the range.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic battle rifle
• Year introduced: 1974
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Springfield Armory, Inc.
• Firing mechanism: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO / .308 Win; Detachable box magazine

The Springfield M1A is the civilian offspring of the M14 rifle. Chambered in 7.62 NATO, it offers classic wood or polymer stocks, strong accuracy, and battle-rifle ballistics for target shooting, competition, and hunting.

• Weapon type: Bullpup semi-automatic rifle
• Year introduced: 1978
• Country of origin: Austria
• Manufacturer: Steyr Mannlicher
• Firing mechanism: Short-stroke gas piston, rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO; Detachable box magazine

The Steyr AUG A3 M1 brings an iconic military bullpup to civilian shooters. Its integrated optics options, quick-change barrel, and compact layout make it a distinctive alternative to traditional AR platforms.

• Weapon type: Double-action revolver
• Year introduced: 1980
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
• Firing mechanism: DA/SA revolver
• Caliber and feed: .357 Magnum / .38 Special; Swing-out cylinder (6–7 rounds)

The stainless-steel Model 686 is a workhorse .357 Magnum revolver. Durable, accurate, and versatile, it handles everything from light .38 Special target loads to full-power magnum rounds for field carry and home defense.

• Weapon type: Compact semi-automatic pistol
• Year introduced: 1988
• Country of origin: Austria
• Manufacturer: Glock Ges.m.b.H.
• Firing mechanism: Striker-fired, short recoil
• Caliber and feed: 9x19mm; Detachable box magazine

The Glock 19 is a compact 9mm pistol with a 15-round magazine and polymer frame. Its simple striker-fired design, consistent trigger pull, and legendary reliability helped set the standard for modern carry pistols used by civilians, police, and military units worldwide.

• Weapon type: Pump-action shotgun
• Year introduced: 1989
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: O.F. Mossberg & Sons
• Firing mechanism: Pump-action
• Caliber and feed: 12 gauge; Tubular magazine

The 590A1 is a heavy-duty pump shotgun built to U.S. military specifications. With a metal trigger guard, thick barrel, and proven action, it's widely used for home defense, law enforcement, and security roles where reliability is non-negotiable.

• Weapon type: Full-size semi-automatic pistol
• Year introduced: 1993
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Firing mechanism: Hammer-fired DA/SA, short recoil
• Caliber and feed: .45 ACP; Detachable box magazine

The HK USP45 is a robust .45 ACP pistol with a recoil-reduction system and DA/SA trigger. Built to survive harsh military trials, it offers excellent durability, accuracy, and modular safety/decocker configurations for duty or defensive carry.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic shotgun
• Year introduced: 1999
• Country of origin: Italy
• Manufacturer: Benelli Armi S.p.A.
• Firing mechanism: Gas-operated (ARGO system)
• Caliber and feed: 12 gauge; Tubular magazine

The Benelli M4 uses a dual-piston ARGO gas system for extreme reliability with 12-gauge buckshot and slugs. Adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps, it's a premium choice for tactical roles, home defense, and competition where fast follow-up shots matter.

• Weapon type: Pistol-caliber carbine
• Year introduced: 2001
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: KelTec CNC Industries
• Firing mechanism: Simple blowback
• Caliber and feed: 9mm / .40 S&W; Detachable pistol magazines (Glock and others)

The Sub2000 is a folding pistol-caliber carbine that fits into a backpack or vehicle compartment. Chambered in common handgun calibers and using popular pistol magazines, it offers compact firepower for travel, truck-gun roles, and range shooting.

• Weapon type: Subcompact semi-automatic pistol
• Year introduced: 2008
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
• Firing mechanism: Hammer-fired DAO, short recoil
• Caliber and feed: .380 ACP; Detachable box magazine

The Ruger LCP is a tiny .380 ACP pistol built for deep concealment and pocket carry. Extremely lightweight and easy to hide, it trades capacity and sight radius for everyday portability when larger guns are impractical.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic battle rifle
• Year introduced: 2009
• Country of origin: Belgium
• Manufacturer: FN Herstal
• Firing mechanism: Short-stroke gas piston
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO; Detachable box magazine

The SCAR 17S is a semi-auto 7.62 NATO rifle derived from a SOCOM combat rifle program. Its piston system, folding stock, and monolithic top rail combine military pedigree with excellent civilian performance for long-range shooting and practical competition.

• Weapon type: Bullpup rifle
• Year introduced: 2009
• Country of origin: Israel
• Manufacturer: Israel Weapon Industries (IWI)
• Firing mechanism: Gas-piston, rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm / 9mm (conversion options); Detachable box magazine

The Tavor X95 brings Israel's bullpup combat rifle to the civilian market. By placing the action behind the trigger, it keeps a full-length barrel in a very compact overall package, ideal for tight spaces and vehicle use while still offering rifle-level performance.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic rifle
• Year introduced: 2011
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Firing mechanism: Short-stroke gas piston
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO; Detachable box magazine

The MR556 is the civilian counterpart to the HK416 used by elite units. Its piston-driven system runs cooler and cleaner than typical DI ARs, offering excellent reliability for high round counts, suppressed use, and demanding range sessions.

• Weapon type: Modular striker-fired pistol
• Year introduced: 2014
• Country of origin: Germany / United States
• Manufacturer: SIG Sauer
• Firing mechanism: Striker-fired, short recoil
• Caliber and feed: 9x19mm (and other calibers); Detachable box magazine

The SIG P320 is a modular handgun with a serialized fire-control unit that can move between frames and slides. Adopted by the U.S. military as the M17/M18, it offers civilians the same flexibility in grip size, barrel length, and caliber.

• Weapon type: Modular semi-automatic rifle
• Year introduced: 2015
• Country of origin: Germany / United States
• Manufacturer: SIG Sauer
• Firing mechanism: Short-stroke gas piston
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm / .300 Blackout; Detachable box magazine

The SIG MCX is a modular rifle built around suppressed and short-barrel use. Its folding stocks, interchangeable barrels, and piston system make it a flexible platform for everything from home defense carbines to precision-oriented builds.

• Weapon type: Competition semi-automatic pistol
• Year introduced: 2016
• Country of origin: Czech Republic
• Manufacturer: Česká Zbrojovka (CZ)
• Firing mechanism: Hammer-fired DA/SA
• Caliber and feed: 9x19mm; Detachable box magazine

The all-steel CZ Shadow 2 is purpose-built for IPSC and USPSA competition. Its low bore axis, tuned trigger, and heavy frame reduce muzzle flip, making fast, accurate follow-up shots easier for serious competitors and performance-minded shooters.