12 Dangerous Firearms That Arizonans Love

Arizona is the land of guns, with some of the most permissive firearms laws in the country and plenty of wide-open spaces where residents can unleash lead.

Below are some of our state's cowboys' and -girls' firearms of choice, judged by overall popularity and cool factor, as well as their over-the-top ability to kill and wound. Whether you take them to the range or read about their use in the headlines, these are the dangerous weapons that Arizonans love.

Links are included to corresponding for-sale or wanted items on armslist.com, the controversial Craigslist of guns, in case you feel a sudden need to start or complete a collection. 

12) Colt AR-15 Sporter 

Nothing says "I'm serious" like a fully loaded banana clip locked into America's premier rifle chassis.


11). Kalishnikov AK-47  

Although considered the ultimate weapon for the apocalypse (zombie or otherwise), the need for AK-47s in a big city is a never-ending source of debate.

10) Mossberg Maverick 88 Security Shotgun


Chik-chik: The sound that sends chills up the soon-to-be-severed spines of midnight home intruders.


9). Barrett .50 rifle

Expensive to shoot, but mandatory for metro Phoenix residents who strive to be the biggest gun nut on the block.


8). Handgun with SilencerCo Osprey .45

For hunting wabbits and generally creating surprise. Silencers also are fabulous when used by other shooters at a noisy gun range.


7). Glock 19 


Illustrating how popular this weapon is in Arizona is the stark fact that Congresswoman Gabby Giffords owned a Glock and was shot by a Glock. 



6). Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum 


"This is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean off." — Dirty Harry




5). Colt Single Action Army Revolver


As the official state gun, it's the Handgun That Won the West . . . away from its former owners.


4). Beretta .40


Three words: Gaping chest wound.

3).  Kel-Tec .380 


Slips invisibly into any pocket, then out it comes when needed, barking and snapping.


2). Ruger 9mm 

Versatile going from the car to a fanny pack. And the best part? Rugers are made in Arizona.

1). Marlin .22 


Everyone's got to start somewhere, and Arizonans typically graduate from pellet guns to .22 rifles at some point in their teens.