Which Bostitch roofing nail gun is best?

The Bostitch RN46-1 remains the best-value choice for most pros — light, reliable, and. The BRN175A is the newer-generation upgrade with a smoother trigger group. For coil siding, step over to the N66C.

Is the Bostitch RN46 still made?

Yes. The current generation is the RN46-1, sold both new and refurbished. Replacement parts and o-ring kits are widely available, which is why it's still a contractor favorite.

What size nails does a Bostitch roofing gun shoot?

Bostitch coil roofing nailers accept standard 15-degree wire-collated coil nails from 3/4" to 1-3/4" — covering virtually every asphalt-shingle roofing job.

Bostitch Roofing Nail Gun: Models, Specs & Buyer's Guide

Bostitch has been making coil roofing nailers since the 1980s, and the RN-series is on more residential roofs than any other brand in North America. Here's the full lineup — what each model does well, where it falls short, and which Bostitch roofing nail gun fits the way you actually work.

Why Bostitch dominates the budget-pro tier

Bostitch roofing nailers earned their reputation the hard way: by surviving thousands of roofs in the hands of crews that didn't baby them. The RN46 platform is mechanically simple, parts are at every supply house, and the price has stayed reasonable while everyone else's premium guns crept past.

Premium MAX and Hitachi-lineage Metabo HPT guns will outlast a Bostitch on a 200-roof-a-year crew, but for the other 95% of users, a Bostitch is the right answer.

The current Bostitch roofing nail gun lineup

Bostitch RN46-1 — the workhorse

The 15-degree wire-coil roofing nailer that defined the budget-pro category. Drives 3/4" to 1-3/4" coil nails, weighs about 5.7 lb, and runs on 70–120 PSI. Around new. Read the full RN46 review for the long-term verdict.

Best for: contractors and serious DIYers who want pro reliability without paying premium prices
Skip if: you need the lightest possible gun for all-day production work

Bostitch BRN175A — the upgraded generation

Bostitch's newer-generation coil roofing nailer with a redesigned trigger group, improved depth adjustment, and a slightly more refined feel. Specs are similar to the RN46, but the build quality is noticeably tighter.

Best for: buyers who want the Bostitch reliability with the latest refinements
Skip if: you're buying primarily on price — the RN46 is cheaper for similar performance

Bostitch N66C — coil siding nailer

Not a roofing gun — but it shows up in Bostitch searches because they share the coil-fed design. The N66C drives larger 1-1/4" to 2-1/2" coil siding nails for fiber cement, cedar shake, and composite siding.

Bostitch RN175 — older generation, still in service

Predecessor to the BRN175A. You'll see plenty of these in supply-house refurbished bins. Parts are interchangeable with the RN46 family.

Pneumatic only — Bostitch doesn't currently make a cordless roofing nailer

As of 2026, Bostitch doesn't offer a cordless roofing nailer. If you want battery-powered, look at DeWalt (same parent company, 20V MAX platform), Metabo HPT, or Milwaukee. See our best cordless roofing nailers shortlist.

What size nails fit a Bostitch roofing gun

All Bostitch coil roofing nailers accept standard 15-degree wire-collated coil nails. Length range is 3/4" to 1-3/4" — covering everything from cap sheet work to thick architectural shingles over an existing layer. They feed industry-standard coils from any major nail manufacturer; you're not locked into Bostitch-branded nails.

Air requirements

Operating pressure: 70–120 PSI (most pros run at 90 PSI)
CFM: ~2.2 CFM at 90 PSI for typical roofing pace
Compressor: a 4-gallon "pancake" or hot-dog will keep up with one nailer; two guns need a 6+ gallon

Maintenance — the reason Bostitch guns last

Two drops of pneumatic oil down the air inlet at the start of every shift, blow out the magazine, and drain the compressor tank daily. That's it. When the gun finally starts hissing or losing power, an o-ring kit and 20 minutes will fix it. See the Bostitch parts & repair guide for the five wear items worth keeping on hand.

How Bostitch compares to the competition

vs DeWalt: same parent company. DeWalt skews newer-design, Bostitch skews proven-and-cheap. Full comparison.
vs MAX: MAX is lighter, faster, jams less, and lasts longer — at twice the price. Bostitch vs MAX.
vs Metabo HPT: very close on price and reliability. The NV45AB2 has a slight edge on jam rate; the RN46 wins on parts availability.

Bottom line

If you want a roofing nail gun that works, costs more, and can be repaired with parts you can actually find, buy a Bostitch. The RN46-1 is the safe pick. Browse the lineup on the Bostitch brand page or jump straight to all roofing nailers.