What guns do you currently own, or have owned in the past, would you consider the most overrated or underrated based on your own experience?

Most overrated - Henry 30-30 lever action. Great customer service, shoots fine but the matte finish on the barrel is very lacking compared to others. Just don't consider it worth the $700 I paid for it.

Most underrated - Savage Axis XP-II. One of the cheapest rifles I own but with a trigger that's as light and crisp as my most expensive rifles. Shoots equally tight groups. Consider it worth well more than the $350 I paid for it.

Overrated: my 2 Kimber pistols; look good, cost a bunch; shoot mediocre with whatever hand loads or factory fodder I've tried pushing through them.

Most underrated - I'd have to agree with TD: my Savage Axis XP-II; very inexpensive, shoots almost any hand load or factory fodder I feed it; trigger is absolutely one of the best in my arsenal. I know we have loads of Savage Haters, stacked in like cordwood here at THF, but my 3 Savages have performed perfectly, right out of the box, and have been the most accurate rifles I own, without me having to mess with the trigger or the beddine; just set 'em up and shoot 'em.

I don’t own an over rated firearm.

Under rated would be a bolt action Ruger American carbine. Not an expensive gun but man does it shoot.

Overrated: S&W Victory (the .22 pistol not the storied WW2 revolver) jam-o-matic even with a wide variety of ammo, even had triple feeds. Brand new and thoroughly cleaned and lubricated etc and yet the most unreliable gun I've ever fired.
Underrated: S&W 4006 TSW - Dirt cheap police trade-in; sturdy, accurate, reliable pistol that shoots 40 S&W with about as much recoil as a polymer full size 9mm.

Underrated: H&R/NEF single shots. I’ve had many that shot very well and one that was exceptional.

Overrated: Mossberg shotguns. Seems like everyone that owns one swears they are the best ever. I have owned 3 or 4 and currently own none for a reason.

Like JCB, you’ll have to ask the folks I sold the overrated ones to. Why keep one?

I wouldn't consider any of mine overrated. The most underrated is probably the Thompson Center Venture. I have two and they are great rifles for the price.

Most over-rated would be the Sig Mosquito 22 pistol.

Most under-rated would be my GP100

I’ve owned 3 and own one now that was passed down to me and one riot gun I have in case of a riot.


Functional, yes, they are functional. But the best ever? That’s just a loud and bold statement of inexperience with shotguns

A buddy of mine, whose SHTF Rifle is an FN SCAR-H .308 with an ACOG (about 4000 bucks worth of rifle) has a Mossberg 500 shotgun for home defense. Yes it will work, but it is like comparing a Humvee to a Yugo compared to his other much higher end firearms.

My most overrated - any 1911. The only reason I own one is because it (Colt 1991A1 .45) was left to me by a dear friend who passed away from MS.

My most underrated - Any Benelli shotgun

Overrated: Ruger No.1 in 45-70. Sure it was cool, but those No.1 loads sure got old quick in a 7lb rifle. I swapped it for something.

Underrated: probably going to have to say the Canik TP9SFX

Overrated, anything Remington 700 that I’ve owned

Underrated, anything Tikka I’ve owned.

Underrated- Remington 700 VTR, 308. Got it for $400 and put a $100 Redfield Revenge on it. It is my go-to hunter.

I had a buddy in high school that had an accidental discharge with a Mossberg right between another friend and I while quail hunting. It scared the chit out of me and I grabbed him he the throat. He was hollering that the safety was on and sure enough the safety was non functional. He wasn’t very sharp and never hunted with us again. The weapon should have never been pointed towards us and we should have been smart enough not to let him load up behind us.

I wouldn’t hunt with a Mossberg I if they paid for my quail leases. I’ve also tried to get a buddy’s Patriot 243 to shoot. It was jamming factory ammo into the lands. Customer service was good and they sent him a new rifle. That’s my experience with Mossberg.
I only have a few firearms, (less than 30,) but don’t own any that are underated.

Not sure about firearms but most underrated caliber has to be the 6.5 creedmoor…

Over rated. Ruger MK ll lh in 270. First let me say it is utterly reliable and looks good. I love the safety. It is the first left handed rifle I purchased and although I’ve killed a pile of big game with it, it is beyond finicky to get to shoot MOA. The factory trigger was the worst on any rifle I have purchased. The three action screws with an angled front action screw tourqued to 90 inch pounds is an abortion. Bedding it was a major pain in the Arse. The torque on the action screws has to be front screw gorilla tight first. Back screw tight, 35 inch pounds second. Middle screw just snugged up so the hinged floor plate is secure and functions without binding. I found one hand load it is consistently moa with. A tack driver it is not. Most ammo it is about a 1.5 MOA rifle. The only way I would buy another one would be a big bore with iron sights for dangerous game because of the reliability.

Underrated. Smith and Wesson M&P 40. For a striker fired pistol the trigger is decent. Not what I would judge it a good trigger like a 1911, but good enough to easily shoot it well. Grip angle is 18 degrees like a 1911 and points very natural for me. I love the modular back straps to adjust the grip size to fit your hand. The one I have is utterly reliable with everything I’ve shot through it. It is the easiest semi automatic pistol I have to shoot well and routinely prints tiny little groups with full hose loads of Power Pistol or Longshot. It is equally as accurate with light target loads with 700x or WSF. I put it as my favorite of the striker fired pistols.

Idk about overrated, we all know Savage’s are hideous looking

But underrated, give me the Ruger American…I’ve had 2, under $450 that shot under 1”

Savage easily makes the ugliest factory rifles. They are like the popular ugly chick back when I was in high school though….

Overrated, any rifle Ive owned by Arsenal. Mostly just a problem with their finish though. Its slightly better than black shoe polish. Function and QA are spot on with the Arsenals though.

Underrated, Browning Gold. Its the worst feeling/fitting shotgun I own but shoot lights out with it for some reason.

Over rated: A Kimber 1911 I bought from a guy. I have an original 1998 year Kimber Custom and it's amazing. I bought this other Kimber and it was night and day difference. I sold it immediately.
Under rated: I have some very nice shotguns, but the one that just shoots like crazy is a side by side 20 ga EAA made in Brazil that I paid 250.00 dollars for. I love this shotgun.

It’s impossible for Tikka to be in the underrated category on THF.

It’s the number one bolt action recommended on this site.

Don't own and won't anything Mossberg or Savage.
Old Savage 99's are a different story.

Underrated? The Mossberg 500 pump is a dirt cheap and super reliable utility shotgun that will take tremendous abuse. Everyone should own one just as spare if nothing else.

Underrated would be a Remington 710 in .280 Win I bought years ago for well under $200 with included rebate. Walmart was running them on clearance. Ugly as sin with the greyish stock, and bolt was like running a cheese grater. But…that thing would shoot. Killed a bunch of deer and pronghorn with that rifle.