It sure seemed like 2023 was a slow year when it came to firearms. Sales were down, according to NICS, and manufacturers just didn’t introduce many new models. Or so we thought. After looking back at the different announcements throughout the year, we realized the past year had more fun guns of 2023 than we realized.

Sure, some of the new guns of 2023 were simply line expansions. Manufacturers brought out a new caliber in a popular rifle or created a compact version of a pistol. However, others were some that hadn’t been seen before. Or at least hadn’t come from that company before. 

Either way, the past year has seen manufacturers bring more than just a few firearms to the marketplace. A few of these guns were also pretty interesting and looked to be a whole lot of fun. In fact, that was the criteria when we decided to sift through last year’s offerings. 

It’s not hard to choose a gun for a use. GLOCK, SIG, Smith & Wesson and more construct excellent self-defense and concealed-carry handguns. Browning and Ruger have some of the best plinkers for which one could ever ask. And Benelli and Mossberg make shotguns that handle anything. And while all guns can be a joy to shoot, some just have a fun factor that beats others for a variety of reasons, including each person’s preference. In fact, what one considers fun is the main factor. So, we decided to find the most fun guns of 2023 available on GunBroker.com. Here are nine to consider. 

2023 Fun Gun: Rifles 

Henry Homesteader

The potent 9mm has long been popular for self-defense, as well as training and plinking. This, of course, refers to handguns. There are, however, several 9mm rifles available to shooters, including the Henry Homesteader. Shooters can easily use this 9mm semi-auto carbine for home-defense, varmints, plinking and more, and it looks real good regardless of the chosen chores. 

The feature-rich Homesteader comes with two magazines — a five round and a 10 round — standard. What’s really cool, though, is that it also comes with one of three magazine-well adaptors, each compatible with a different popular pistol magazine. Depending on which adaptor is chosen, shooters can use GLOCK, SIG Sauer or Smith & Wesson M&P magazines in the Homesteader. Other features include a Weaver scope mount, adjustable aperture rear sight, a screw-in post front sight and threaded barrel for use with brakes or suppressors. It also comes with an ambidextrous charging handle, so it’s good right- or left-hand shooters. 

Noreen ULR-50 BMG Mini Rifle

When it comes to powerful rifle calibers, few reach the level of cool of the .50 BMG. Unfortunately, the price of .50s are out of reach for most shooters. Well, the Noreen ULR-50 BMG Mini Rifle kind of fixes that problem. At around $1,700, the ULR-50 isn’t cheap, but it’s not the five to 10 grand that most rifles that can fire a mile or more cost. Most of the cost reduction on this single-shot rifle comes from the simplicity of design. 

For this gun, Noreen attached a basic aluminum stock via a Picatinny rail on the back of a bedding block. These bring down the weight and the costs. It doesn’t, however, bring down the quality. The ULR-50 features a Noreen designed muzzle brake for all-day shooting, along with a Timney Trigger for accuracy. Noreen designed this gun to “fire large caliber rounds further than most people are capable of.” 

KelTec R50

Some guns look normal. The KelTec R50 isn’t one of those guns. In fact, the R50 looks more like something out of a science fiction movie than a functional semi-auto rifle. KelTec based this rifle of the company’s P50 handgun, using a combination of metal and polymer to create a lightweight rifle that is very easy to use. Considering it’s chambered for the extremely fast and light 5.7x28mm round, it is also very easy to shoot.

The company threaded the 16.1-inch barrel for muzzle brakes or suppressors, which give the rifle a 30.5-inch overall length; it measures 21.5 inches with the stock folded back. Unloaded this rifle weighs under 3.5 pounds. This rifle even comes with two Picatinny rails, one for mounting optics with the other underneath for lasers or lights. The most interesting feature, however, is that this rifle uses FN P90 magazines, but are loaded differently. Shooters insert these 50-round mags between the upper and lower receivers via a hinge. It may not be the fastest gun to load, but it will look like you’re holding a space gun at the range. 

2023 Fun Guns: Shotguns

Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 in 28 Gauge 

In many hunting situations, a good 12 or 20 gauge typically rules. Many species require the heavy power and pellet count of the larger bores. However, smaller shotguns, such as the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 in 28 gauge, provide additional challenges against smaller birds and clays. 

This sub-gauge features the reliable Inertia Driven System that can handle any load provided. It also comes with the Comfort Tech 3 stock configuration that featured excellent ergonomics. This stock reduces recoil on an already mild shooting gun, meaning that anyone, regardless of size and strength, can handle this shotgun. It also comes in a few different finishes, including Mossy Oak and Realtree camouflage. 

Escort DF12

Those looking for a shotgun that looks different should consider the Escort DF12. This 3-inch 12-gauge looks and feels like America’s rifle, the AR-15. This semi-auto uses the modern sporting rifle design to capitalize on adaptability. This take the DF12 beyond being merely a shotgun; it reaches the level of modern sporting arm. 

Manufactured from aircraft-grade alloy, the DF12 is not light. But its self-regulating gas piston system handles everything from light field loads up to heavy slugs. It comes with Picatinny rails for attaching accessories and an 18-inch, chrome-plated barrel. It also comes with an ambidextrous magazine release and reversible charging handle. A soft rubber buttpad helps mediate recoil, while the adjustable sights help keep shooters on target. And with two, five-round magazines, this shotgun can put some rounds down range. 

Stoeger M3000

There are all levels of fun regarding shotguns, including knocking down ducks and geese with an affordable semi-auto. And the Stoeger M3000 rules that list with its inertia spring and rotating locking head. Inertia guns are known for handling pretty much any type of load. Unfortunately, these guns are also known for stiff recoil with heavy loads. 

The M3000 isn’t a high-end shotgun. Instead, it’s a workhorse with features designed for use, not show. It comes with a red-bar front sight and decent checkering, but some of the ergonomics and feel isn’t to par with higher end shotguns. However, game has never cared whether a hunter drops only $600 on a shotgun rather than $1500 or more. So, the fun of this gun is in its use in the field. 

2023 Fun Guns: Handguns

Arsenal Inc. SAM7K-44

While the AK-style rifle may not be as popular as the AR, it is still excellent system that has served numerous militaries for decades. And its 30-caliber round provides nice stopping power without excessive recoil. Well, Arsenal decided to bring out a pistol version called the SAM7K-44. This Bulgarian-made pistol comes chambered in 7.62x39mm, the standard AK round, and an 8.5-inch barrel that is threaded for attachments. It also comes with a scope rail, QD sling attachment and a Picatinny rail for rear attachments. While it only comes with a single, five-round magazine, larger capacity magazines are available for this manageable 30 caliber gun. As such, this pistol easily slides between the uses of sporting, self-defense and even hunting. 

Bond Arms Stubby

There are few guns that are more fun to shoot than a .22. The round is light and easy for anyone to handle, and rimfire guns just seem to always be a blast. This includes little derringers like the Bond Arms Stubby. Sure, firing two rounds doesn’t have the same effect as 10 or more, but it’s kind of cool coming from a derringer. Kind of like being an old west gambler. 

Like all derringers, the Stubby is small, light and short barreled. It only weighs 13.6 ounces, measuring only 4.25 inches in length. It is also extremely thin, coming in at well under an inch in width. Derringers are designed for concealment and ease of use. The Stubby is no different; it can be concealed almost anywhere for last ditch defense. In addition to .22 LR, shooters can choose .380 ACP and 9mm, all of which can be fun to shoot in a compact derringer. 

Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7

Few rounds are as light recoiling as the .22 LR. One that comes close is the 5.7x28mm. Unfortunately, there are only a few firearms chambered in this round with the latest being the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7. Now, because of the energy of this round, S&W created a locked-breech, gas recoil system it calls the TEMPO. Basically, after the bullet passes a gas port, pressure is applied to rotate and unlock a pair of lugs. This allows the slide to extract spent cases and replace with loaded rounds. 

It also allows S&W to use a lighter recoil spring, making the gun much easy to manipulate. Other features include a Picatinny rail, forward slide serrations and slide cut for optics. It can even be used by left- or right-handed users via an ambidextrous slide stop and reversible magazine release. This light recoiling semi-auto even comes with two, 22-round magazines for a whole lot of fun at the range.