Riflescopes Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031)

Global Riflescopes Market Trends and Insights

Growing Participation in Recreational Shooting Sports

US target-shooting participation stabilized at 47 million enthusiasts in 2022, creating a dependable upgrade cycle for mid-range and premium scopes.^{[1]U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, “2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation,” fws.gov} Many shooters are transitioning from entry-level 3-9x glass to higher-magnification first-focal-plane models that support precision rifle disciplines. In Europe, Germany’s 1.4 million licensed shooters face recurring permit renewals, motivating them to spend more on optics to maximize the value of a limited firearms fleet. Consequently, the riflescope market sees robust demand for premium European glass in Central Europe, while North American volume sustains competitive mid-tier brands. Growing female participation and collegiate-shooting programs add new customer cohorts who favor lighter, low-power variable optics. These factors collectively lift average selling prices and unit volumes across the riflescope market.

Rising Global Defense Spending and Infantry Modernization Programs

World military outlays surged to USD 2,718 billion in 2024, the steepest annual increase since records began, and a sizable portion is earmarked for soldier-borne optics. The US Army’s XM157 program demonstrates a doctrinal appetite for electro-optical fire-control systems that blend laser range-finding with atmospheric sensing.^{[2]Army Technology, “US Army Awards Contract for XM157 Fire Control System,” army-technology.com} Allied nations are following suit: Japan lifted its 2025 defense allocation by 16.4%, India is channeling USD 130 billion into domestically designed gear, and Australia’s 2024–2025 budget prioritizes AUKUS-aligned rifle-optic upgrades. Multi-spectral solutions that merge day, thermal, and laser channels are now standard requirements in special-operations solicitations, guaranteeing high-margin follow-on orders for firms with prior NATO stock numbers. These procurement waves not only boost immediate sales but also drive long-tail revenue through spares, training, and lifecycle upgrades.

Rapid Optical Technology Upgrades (HD Glass, Integrated Range-Finding)

HD extra-low-dispersion glass, onboard ballistic computers, and Bluetooth firmware updates have shifted from military exclusivity to mainstream sporting offerings within three years. Leica’s 2024 Calonox Sight features a 640×480 sensor and a 1,700-meter detection range, available at a price tag of USD 4,500, making thermal imaging accessible to affluent hunters.^{[3]Leica Camera AG, “Calonox Sight Thermal Riflescope,” leica-camera.com} Burris’s Eliminator series auto-illuminates holdover points, eliminating the need for laminated drop charts. Driven by component-cost deflation, FLIR’s 12-micron detectors saw retail monocular prices drop from USD 800 to USD 599 between 2020 and 2024. This price drop enabled value brands to bundle feature-rich electronics for under USD 1,000. In retaliation, premium brands are now extending warranties and emphasizing their distinctive lens coatings. The riflescope market is now mirroring consumer electronics trends, shifting from a traditional decade-long purchase pattern to shorter replacement cycles.

Expansion of E-Commerce Channels for Hunting Optics

Gross merchandise value at OpticsPlanet reached USD 347 million in 2024, with optics representing roughly 40% of transactions. Direct-to-consumer storefronts help brands like Vortex pocket higher margins; online revenue averaged USD 2.83 million per month in 2024. Digital storefronts also enable the rapid promotion of limited-run military-clone scopes, which fetch premium prices. However, ease of online ordering fuels counterfeit proliferation: Leupold continues to flag fake VX-3 optics on global e-marketplaces. Brands are therefore investing in serialization, blockchain-based provenance, and exclusive online bundles to preserve integrity and differentiate from copycats.

Stringent Firearm-Ownership and Hunting Regulations

Obtaining a German hunting license requires a 120-hour course and exceeds EUR 2,000 (USD 2,328.42) in fees, thereby narrowing the pool of potential optics buyers. France levies annual license costs of EUR 150-390 (USD 174.63-454.04) and caps magazine capacity at three rounds, thereby curbing demand for tactical-style scopes. The EU’s 2017/853 directive harmonizes stricter renewals and medical checks, further tightening civilian access.^{[4]European Union, “REACH Regulation 2015/628,” eur-lex.europa.eu} These administrative and financial barriers reduce unit volumes but encourage remaining buyers to opt for high-end optics, thereby cushioning revenue while limiting the expansion of the riflescope market.

Proliferation of Low-Cost Counterfeit Scopes from East Asia

Leupold’s serial-number look-up reveals a rising share of forgery queries on platforms such as AliExpress, where counterfeit VX-3 models sell for approximately one-quarter of the authentic pricing. The NRA uncovered fake Meprolight and Magpul sights that shattered under recoil, exposing users and agencies to liability. While Holosun’s legitimate USD 159 red-dot blurs price disparities, unchecked counterfeits erode consumer trust. Major brands combat the issue with holographic stickers and online authenticity portals, but enforcement lags due to jurisdictional hurdles. The riflescope market, therefore, faces margin squeeze and potential safety-recall costs in entry-level tiers.

Segment Analysis

By Application: Law Enforcement Outpaces Legacy Segments

Law enforcement demand for electro-optical and thermal fusion sights is forecast to grow at a 9.78% CAGR between 2026 and 2031, surpassing the broader riflescope market. Sporting and hunting still account for 43.78% of the riflescope market share in 2025, driven by 47 million US recreational shooters and Europe’s 1.5 million licensed hunters. Agency procurements bundle optics with new service rifles, illustrated by a USD 1.29 million NYPD package that included Nightforce scopes. Military contracts remain lumpy yet lucrative; SOCOM’s USD 96 million multi-application scope award in 2024 evidences premium pricing.

The riflescope market size gains in law enforcement reflect modernization budgets that prioritize low-power variable and clip-on thermal devices for active-shooter scenarios. Sporting optics bifurcate: cost-sensitive buyers opt for scopes under USD 500 from China, while affluent hunters purchase scopes costing USD 2,000 or more. Government sales pipelines favor vendors with GSA schedules and proven durability metrics, creating barriers to entry for newer brands. Consequently, optics makers balancing civilian volume with institutional contracts will capture outsize riflescope market growth.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Sight Type: Reflex Platforms Gain at Telescopic Expense

Telescopic models still accounted for 74.78% of the riflescope market revenue in 2025; however, reflex and red-dot platforms are projected to grow at a 10.94% CAGR through 2031. Aimpoint’s factory collaboration with Glock introduces enclosed red dots on service pistols, signaling institutional confidence in unmagnified optics. Meanwhile, Holosun’s solar-charging dots, priced at USD 235, reduce maintenance burdens.

Traditional scopes retain the lion’s share of the riflescope market size for hunting and long-range target sports. Still, entry-level 3X to 9X SKUs are bleeding volume to 1X to 8X low-power variable optics and budget red dots. Market leaders, therefore, diversify with hybrid designs, embedding fiber-optic illumination and quick-throw levers to stay relevant. The telescopic segment’s premium sub-category, however, enjoys insulated demand among precision rifle competitors and high-end hunters who value rugged turrets and lifetime warranties.

By Magnification Range: Ultra-Long-Range Gains Traction

Mid-range 8X to 15X optics held a 47.89% market share in the riflescope market in 2025, striking a balance between versatility and cost. Yet scopes above 15X will expand at an 8.94% CAGR as disciplines like King-of-2-Miles popularize 25X-plus optics. Nightforce’s 5X to 25X civilian variant, priced at USD 2,800-3,200, caters to this surge.

Low-power 1X to 4X and 1X to 6X products grow in absolute terms, but they concede market share as shooters either skip magnification entirely or opt for high-powered glass for ethical long-range shots. Digital overlays, such as Swarovski’s dS Gen II, which compute holdover in real-time, further differentiate ultra-long-range offerings. The riflescope market therefore stratifies, with distinct buyer segments for dynamic carbine matches, mainstream hunting, and extreme-distance competitions.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Technology: Thermal Imaging Closes Gap on Electro-Optical

Electro-optical platforms still commanded 51.27% of the riflescope market share in 2025; however, thermal imaging is advancing at an 8.69% CAGR. FLIR’s Scout TK price cut to USD 599 illustrates sensor cost erosion. Finland’s legal green light for thermal wild-boar hunts accelerates adoption, and Germany’s state derogations add further momentum.

Export-control ceilings cap resolution and frame rate on internationally shipped units, compelling vendors to maintain dual product lines. Nonetheless, thermal clip-ons that preserve existing zero positions are proving popular among hunters invested in premium day scopes. As a result, the riflescope market size attributed to thermal devices will steadily converge toward that of electro-optical devices over the medium term.

Geography Analysis

North America’s 40.12% riflescope market share in 2025 rested on the United States’ defense-procurement pipeline and 47 million recreational shooters. The US Army’s XM157 rollout from 2026 ensures recurring spares demand, while SOCOM’s USD 96 million night-scope award in 2024 underscores appetite for multi-spectral systems. Canada’s 8% drop in license sales reflects demographic shifts, yet premium optics sales remain stable due to a committed core of hunters. Mexico’s consumer market is negligible due to stringent ownership rules, which limit optics demand to official agencies.

Asia-Pacific will chart a 9.54% CAGR to 2031, fueled by India’s USD 130 billion defense budget, Japan’s 16.4% spending hike, and Australia’s AUKUS-aligned modernization. South Korea directs part of its USD 44.9 billion allocation to advanced fire-control systems, boosting local optical manufacturing. China’s domestic night-vision market surpassed RMB 1 billion (USD 143.10 million) in 2019 and continues to grow at an annual rate of over 20% backed by localized detector production.

Europe’s riflescope market expansion is tempered by strict licensing; Germany counts 400,000 hunters, France 1.1 million, and a preference for premium optics that rationalize high compliance costs. Thermal-scope uptake is climbing after Finland’s regulatory shift and Germany’s state derogations, while competitive-shooting circuits in the UK sustain high-magnification demand despite only 710,000 firearm certificates. Beyond Europe, the UAE and Saudi Arabia earmarked USD 28 billion and USD 75.8 billion, respectively, for defense in 2024, with infantry optics high on their procurement lists. South America remains nascent, though Brazil’s regulatory softening modestly lifts law-enforcement optics purchases. Africa’s fragmented economies limit broader adoption, aside from niche hunting-tourism demand in South Africa.