The Most Reliable Guns for Rural Living

When you live out in the country, you can’t afford to mess around with unreliable gear — and that goes double for your firearms. Whether it’s keeping predators away from the livestock, putting food on the table, or just feeling a little safer when help is miles away, you need guns that you can count on every time. Here’s a list of the ones that have earned their keep in rural America year after year.

Ruger 10/22

The Ruger 10/22 is just one of those rifles that every rural household seems to have tucked away somewhere. It’s lightweight, simple, and ridiculously reliable for everything from popping varmints to teaching new shooters. Plus, .22 LR ammo is cheap and easy to store.

Maintenance is almost an afterthought with the 10/22. Keep it clean, maybe swap a spring after years of hard use, and it’ll just keep ticking. It’s no wonder so many folks keep one by the back door.

Remington 870

The Remington 870 pump shotgun is about as no-nonsense as it gets. Whether you’re running buckshot for coyotes or slugs for bigger problems, it’s a workhorse that won’t quit on you. It cycles smooth, even after years of dirt and dust.

It’s also one of the easiest guns out there to repair or upgrade. Parts are everywhere, and you can customize it for just about any task you’ll run into around the farm or woods.

Glock 19

You’ll find plenty of folks in the country who keep a Glock 19 on their hip or tucked in the truck. It’s compact enough to carry but still big enough to shoot accurately when it counts. And Glocks are known for taking a beating and still running.

Maintenance is dead simple. Pull it apart, wipe it down, lube it up, and you’re good. It’s hard to beat a gun that works even when you don’t baby it.

Marlin 336

If you need a brush gun for hogs, deer, or anything in between, the Marlin 336 lever-action in .30-30 Winchester has been getting it done for generations. It’s quick to shoulder, easy to cycle, and hits hard inside 200 yards.

The simple lever-action design holds up to rough conditions better than you’d expect. Plus, there’s just something about carrying a lever gun that feels right when you’re working the land.

Smith & Wesson Model 686

Revolvers still have a place on the homestead, and the Smith & Wesson 686 in .357 Magnum is about as good as it gets. It’s durable, accurate, and powerful enough to handle whatever two- or four-legged threats you might run into.

Unlike a semi-auto, you’re not worrying about magazines, slides, or jams. Six shots and a smooth trigger pull are sometimes all you really need when it matters most.

Winchester Model 70

The “Rifleman’s Rifle” still lives up to its reputation out in the sticks. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action that’s built for accuracy and reliability, perfect for putting meat in the freezer year after year.

Its controlled-round feed action is almost impossible to jam, even in nasty weather. When you’re trekking through rain, snow, or mud, that extra bit of insurance is worth its weight in gold.

Henry Big Boy .357 Magnum

For those who love lever guns but want something that can share ammo with their revolver, the Henry Big Boy in .357 Magnum is a sweet setup. It’s smooth, accurate, and holds up to rough handling.

You can run light .38 Special loads for practice or step up to .357 Magnum when you need more punch. It’s a solid choice for close-quarters defense or small to medium game hunting.

Mossberg 500

The Mossberg 500 is another pump shotgun that rural folks swear by. It’s rugged, affordable, and easy to repair if something ever does go wrong. Plus, the safety on top makes it truly ambidextrous.

From birdshot to slugs, the Mossberg 500 can cover just about any job you throw at it. It’s the kind of gun you leave in the barn and know it’ll still work when you grab it in a hurry.

Ruger American Rifle

If you need a budget-friendly hunting rifle that still holds its own, the Ruger American is hard to beat. It’s lightweight, accurate, and comes in just about every popular hunting caliber you can think of.

It’s not fancy, but it’s made to work. Throw a decent scope on it and you’ll be punching tags without spending a fortune. For a rural hunter, that’s a pretty good deal.

Savage Model 64

Sometimes you just need a simple semi-auto .22 to handle pests, and the Savage Model 64 fills that role perfectly. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable and gets the job done with minimal fuss.

If you keep one by the back door or in the truck, it’s ready whenever a rabbit or raccoon makes a poor life decision. Plus, replacement magazines and parts are cheap and easy to find.

Colt Python (2020)

Colt brought the Python back, and while it’s not exactly the same as the originals, it’s still one of the best revolvers you can get for serious work. Built like a tank and chambered in .357 Magnum, it offers excellent accuracy and reliability.

It’s not just a safe queen either — the new Pythons can handle steady use without complaint. If you want a high-quality revolver that’ll still be running decades from now, this one’s worth considering.

CZ 457

If you’re serious about putting small game on the table, the CZ 457 bolt-action .22 rifle is one to look at. It’s insanely accurate for the price and built solid enough to last through years of rough country life.

It’s also easy to tweak or upgrade if you’re the kind of shooter who likes to tinker. But even straight out of the box, the CZ 457 will shoot better than most of us can.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.