Small Arms Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The Small Arms Market Report is Segmented by Type (Pistols, Revolvers, Rifles, Machine Guns, Shotguns, and Other Types), Caliber (5. 56 Mm, 6. 8 Mm, 7. 62 Mm, 9 Mm, 12. 7 Mm, and Other Calibers), Operation (Manual, Semi-Automatic, and Fully Automatic), End User (Military and Civil and Law Enforcement), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Small Arms Market Size and Share

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Small Arms Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The global small arms market is valued at USD 10.29 billion in 2025 and is set to reach USD 12.78 billion by 2030, advancing at a 4.42% CAGR. Elevated defense spending, cyclical replacement of legacy assault rifles, and resilient civilian demand for personal-protection handguns are the principal growth levers. Military agencies now favor next-generation 6.8 mm weapons that defeat modern body armor, illustrated by the US Army’s USD 367.292 million budget line for the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program. Civilian participation in target shooting climbed sharply, with 34.4 million US residents visiting ranges in 2024, underpinning retail momentum for modern sporting rifles. On the supply side, players mitigate material bottlenecks caused by China’s export curbs on nitrocellulose and antimony by localizing propellant production and pursuing vertical integration. Asia-Pacific is the quickest-expanding region as India, South Korea, and Australia consolidate indigenous manufacturing programs, yet North America still holds the largest revenue base.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By type, rifles captured 32.56% revenue share in 2024 and are projected to grow at a 5.10% CAGR through 2030.
  • By caliber, 5.56 mm ammunition commanded 24.98% share of the small arms market size in 2024, while the 6.8 mm segment is forecast to expand at a 7.22% CAGR between 2025 and 2030.
  • By operation, semi-automatic platforms held 37.80% of the small arms market share in 2024, whereas fully automatic systems are poised for the fastest 5.81% CAGR to 2030.
  • By end user, the military segment accounted for 53.47% revenue in 2024, yet civil and law-enforcement demand is advancing at a 5.44% CAGR through 2030.
  • By geography, North America led with 36.71% revenue share in 2024, while Asia-Pacific is set to record the highest 5.58% CAGR over the forecast period.

Segment Analysis

By Type: Rifles Drive Military Modernization

Rifles accounted for 32.56% revenue in 2024, and the segment is forecast to grow at a 5.10% CAGR through 2030, reflecting the broad replacement of M4-family weapons with 6.8 mm platforms. Within the small arms market size for rifles, XM7 adoption commands the largest budget allocation in the current Pentagon spending cycle. The UK selection of the Knight’s Armament KS-1 with a short-stroke piston improves reliability under maritime conditions, while Sweden’s emergency M4 order shows how operational urgency overrides domestic sourcing debates. Modular sniper systems like Barrett’s MRAD address demand for multi-caliber precision and bolster export prospects.

Machine guns, led by the .338 Norma Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LMMG) prototype, illustrate the small arms market pivot toward extended reach without the weight penalty of legacy 7.62 mm platforms. Pistols and revolvers remain indispensable for law-enforcement sidearms, with Smith & Wesson leveraging polymer-frame designs that cut ounces while adding accessory rails. Shotguns find niches in breaching and riot-control roles, whereas modular weapon architectures permit common lower receivers to accept rifle, carbine, and personal-defense upper assemblies, driving lifecycle cost savings.

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

By Caliber: 6.8 mm Emerges as Next-Generation Standard

Due to entrenched inventories across NATO, the 5.56 mm cartridge retained 24.98% revenue in 2024. Yet the 6.8 mm category is on track for a 7.22% CAGR, the fastest in the dataset, elevating its share in the small arms market by the decade's end. SIG SAUER’s hybrid-case design withstands higher chamber pressures, supplying ballistic energy advantages over legacy rounds. NATO partners weigh whether to adopt the US round or fund indigenous programs such as Europe’s SAAT project, which earmarks EUR 8.3 million (USD 9.63 million) to harmonize a continental standard.

The 7.62 mm segment maintains relevance for designated marksman and medium-machine gun roles, offering better barrier penetration than intermediate calibers. Handgun-centric 9 mm ammo dominates police and civilian carry because of manageable recoil and ease of global sourcing. Heavy-caliber 12.7 mm rounds remain integral for anti-materiel missions and vehicle-mounted platforms.

By Operation: Fully Automatic Systems Gain Momentum

Semi-automatic actions controlled 37.80% revenue in 2024 as civilian and police procurement favors accuracy and regulatory compliance. However, fully automatic systems will lead segment growth at a 5.81% CAGR. Adoption is propelled by doctrinal shifts emphasizing high-volume suppressive fire at the squad level. Patent filings for electromechanical sear assemblies with dual-actuator failsafes underscore a safety-first path to higher cyclic rates. Manual bolt-action and pump designs persist in precision shooting, sniper training, and less-lethal crowd control where deliberate fire matters.

Trade-compliant “aided reset” triggers blur lines between semi-auto and full-auto performance, granting shooters improved split times while evading restrictive classifications. Such features appeal to special-operations units and competition shooters, reinforcing cross-segment technology spillovers within the small arms market.

Small Arms Market_By Operation
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Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By End User: Civil and Law Enforcement Accelerates

Military organizations still command 53.47% of the 2024 demand; however, civil and law-enforcement purchases are growing faster at 5.44% CAGR as societal security concerns increase gun ownership. The small arms market size for the civil segment is poised to close the gap, underpinned by concealed-carry reciprocity and female first-time buyers. Police forces now procure red-dot-ready pistols, reflecting tactical doctrines imported from special operations.

Hunting and sporting activities add incremental volume. Competitive shooters frequently upgrade barrels and triggers, creating a secondary aftermarket revenue stream. Manufacturers design dual-use platforms that migrate from barracks to retail shelves, maximizing tooling ROI.

Geography Analysis

North America retained the largest revenue base at 36.71% in 2024, fueled by expansive defense budgets and the world’s most active civilian firearms population. Yet Asia-Pacific will post the fastest regional CAGR at 5.58%, driven by India’s 20% annual defense-investment growth outlook through 2029.[3]Asia Pacific Defence Reporter, “India forecasts 20% defense sector growth,” asiapacificdefencereporter.com India delivered its first indigenous submachine guns in October 2024, signaling industrial maturation. Australia and Japan similarly channel procurement toward local assembly lines to hedge geopolitical risk.

Europe confronts the dual challenge of replenishing stocks sent to Ukraine and re-arming its brigades. The EU committed EUR 500 million (USD 579.97 million) to lift artillery-shell production to 2 million units by 2026, indirectly benefiting small-arms propellant suppliers. The Middle East and Africa spend heavily on modern infantry kits, crowned by Saudi Arabia’s USD 100 billion April 2025 package with the United States. South America shows steadier growth as security forces modernize sidearms and carbines to counter organized crime.

Small Arms Market_Growth Rate by Region
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Competitive Landscape

The small arms market is moderately fragmented. SMITH & WESSON BRANDS, INC. recorded USD 535.8 million net sales in fiscal 2024, an 11.8% rise yearly.[4]Smith & Wesson, “FY24 Annual Report,” smith-wesson.com Heckler & Koch GmbH logged EUR 99.8 million (USD 107.8 million) in Q1 2025 orders, displaying solid European defense intake. Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC boosted Q1 2025 revenue 50.3% to CZK 5.5 billion (USD 239.1 million) and bought Valley Steel Stamp to deepen vertical integration.

Strategic alliances reshape the field. FN UK partnered with True Velocity to localize .338 Norma machine-gun production, meeting the UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s domestic-manufacturing targets. Rheinmetall’s acquisition of Hagedorn-NC secures critical nitrocellulose supply, easing exposure to Chinese export curbs. Technology-centric challengers such as Biofire exploit gaps in smart-gun offerings, while blockchain-enabled forensic logging patents hint at a future of connected firearms.

Companies ride consolidation to scale R&D, but niche precision-rifle makers retain pricing power through craftsmanship and military credentials. The competitive hierarchy, therefore, balances mass-production cost efficiency with high-margin specialist contracts.

Small Arms Industry Leaders

  1. SMITH & WESSON BRANDS, INC.

  2. Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

  3. SIG SAUER, Inc.

  4. GLOCK Gesellschaft m.b.H.

  5. FN Browning Group

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Recent Industry Developments

  • April 2025: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled its first 6.8x43mm assault rifle prototype. It features a polymer 30-round magazine with metal inserts and a telescopic stock. The weapon combines 7.62x39 mm-like stopping power with reduced weight, positioning it as a potential Indian Army standard-issue firearm.
  • January 2025: Kalashnikov Concern JSC delivered the first batch of Model 2023 AK-12 rifles to fulfill government contracts for 2025. The AK-12 serves as the primary automatic weapon for Russian Armed Forces personnel, with sustained high production volumes annually.

Table of Contents for Small Arms Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Increased defense procurement from modernization programs
    • 4.2.2 Growing civilian demand for personal-protection firearms
    • 4.2.3 Surge in competitive shooting and hunting sports memberships
    • 4.2.4 Shift toward lightweight, modular firearm platforms
    • 4.2.5 Emerging adoption of biometric and smart-locking handguns in law enforcement
    • 4.2.6 Increased focus on domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Stricter end-use monitoring and export control regulations
    • 4.3.2 Reduced financing due to ESG-aligned divestment trends
    • 4.3.3 Ammunition supply chain disruptions from primer material shortages
    • 4.3.4 Technological substitution from gunshot detection and surveillance systems
  • 4.4 Value Chain Analysis
  • 4.5 Regulatory Landscape and Technoloical Outlook
  • 4.6 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
    • 4.6.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.6.3 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.6.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.6.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS (VALUE)

  • 5.1 By Type
    • 5.1.1 Pistol
    • 5.1.2 Revolver
    • 5.1.3 Rifle
    • 5.1.3.1 Assault Rifle
    • 5.1.3.2 Sniper Rifle
    • 5.1.3.3 Others
    • 5.1.4 Machine Gun
    • 5.1.4.1 Light Machine Guns
    • 5.1.4.2 Heavy Machine Guns
    • 5.1.5 Shotgun
    • 5.1.6 Other Types
  • 5.2 By Caliber
    • 5.2.1 5.56 mm
    • 5.2.2 6.8 mm
    • 5.2.3 7.62 mm
    • 5.2.4 9 mm
    • 5.2.5 12.7 mm
    • 5.2.6 Other Calibers
  • 5.3 By Operation
    • 5.3.1 Manual
    • 5.3.2 Semi-automatic
    • 5.3.3 Fully Automatic
  • 5.4 By End User
    • 5.4.1 Civil and Law Enforcement
    • 5.4.1.1 Civilian Protection
    • 5.4.1.2 Hunting and Sporting
    • 5.4.1.3 Other End Users
    • 5.4.2 Military
  • 5.5 By Geography
    • 5.5.1 North America
    • 5.5.1.1 United States
    • 5.5.1.2 Canada
    • 5.5.1.3 Mexico
    • 5.5.2 Europe
    • 5.5.2.1 Germany
    • 5.5.2.2 United Kingdom
    • 5.5.2.3 France
    • 5.5.2.4 Russia
    • 5.5.2.5 Rest of Europe
    • 5.5.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.5.3.1 China
    • 5.5.3.2 Japan
    • 5.5.3.3 India
    • 5.5.3.4 South Korea
    • 5.5.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 5.5.4 South America
    • 5.5.4.1 Brazil
    • 5.5.4.2 Rest of South America
    • 5.5.5 Middle East and Africa
    • 5.5.5.1 Middle East
    • 5.5.5.1.1 United Arab Emirates
    • 5.5.5.1.2 Saudi Arabia
    • 5.5.5.1.3 Rest of Middle East
    • 5.5.5.2 Africa
    • 5.5.5.2.1 South Africa
    • 5.5.5.2.2 Rest of Africa

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Strategic Moves
  • 6.3 Market Share Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global-level Overview, Market-level overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share, Products and Services, Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 SMITH & WESSON BRANDS, INC.
    • 6.4.2 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
    • 6.4.3 SIG SAUER, Inc.
    • 6.4.4 FN Browning Group
    • 6.4.5 Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A.
    • 6.4.6 Heckler & Koch GmbH
    • 6.4.7 GLOCK Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    • 6.4.8 Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC
    • 6.4.9 Browning International S.A.
    • 6.4.10 Kalashnikov Concern JSC
    • 6.4.11 Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc.
    • 6.4.12 Benelli Armi S.p.A.
    • 6.4.13 Česká zbrojovka a.s.
    • 6.4.14 Taurus Holdings, Inc.
    • 6.4.15 Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Ltd.
    • 6.4.16 STEYR ARMS GmbH
    • 6.4.17 Armscor International, Inc.
    • 6.4.18 Springfields, Inc.

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

  • 7.1 White-space and Unmet-Need Assessment
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Global Small Arms Market Report Scope

Small arms are individual-service kinetic projectile firearms. These include handguns (revolvers and pistols), shotguns, rifles (assault rifles, sniper rifles, anti-materiel rifles, carbines, etc.), and machine guns (submachine guns, automatic weapons, and light machine guns).

The small arms market is segmented by end user, type, and geography. By end user, the market is segmented into civil and law enforcement and military. By type, the market is segmented into handguns, machine guns, shotguns, and rifles. The report covers the market sizes and forecasts for the small arms market in major countries across different regions. For each segment, the market size and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD).

By Type Pistol
Revolver
Rifle Assault Rifle
Sniper Rifle
Others
Machine Gun Light Machine Guns
Heavy Machine Guns
Shotgun
Other Types
By Caliber 5.56 mm
6.8 mm
7.62 mm
9 mm
12.7 mm
Other Calibers
By Operation Manual
Semi-automatic
Fully Automatic
By End User Civil and Law Enforcement Civilian Protection
Hunting and Sporting
Other End Users
Military
By Geography North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific China
Japan
India
South Korea
Rest of Asia-Pacific
South America Brazil
Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa Middle East United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Rest of Middle East
Africa South Africa
Rest of Africa
By Type
Pistol
Revolver
Rifle Assault Rifle
Sniper Rifle
Others
Machine Gun Light Machine Guns
Heavy Machine Guns
Shotgun
Other Types
By Caliber
5.56 mm
6.8 mm
7.62 mm
9 mm
12.7 mm
Other Calibers
By Operation
Manual
Semi-automatic
Fully Automatic
By End User
Civil and Law Enforcement Civilian Protection
Hunting and Sporting
Other End Users
Military
By Geography
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific China
Japan
India
South Korea
Rest of Asia-Pacific
South America Brazil
Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa Middle East United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Rest of Middle East
Africa South Africa
Rest of Africa
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Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the current value of the small arms market?

The small arms market stands at USD 10.29 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 12.78 billion by 2030, advancing at a 4.42% CAGR. .

Which segment holds the largest revenue share?

Rifles lead with 32.56% of 2024 revenue owing to extensive military modernization contracts.

Why is the 6.8 mm caliber gaining popularity?

It offers superior armor penetration and ballistic performance, aligning with the US Army’s NGSW requirements and driving a 7.22% CAGR through 2030.

Which region is expanding the fastest?

Asia-Pacific registers the highest regional CAGR at 5.58% due to escalating indigenous procurement programs in India, Australia, and South Korea.

How are ESG trends affecting manufacturers?

ESG-driven divestment restricts access to traditional financing, prompting firms to seek private capital or relocate operations to investor-friendly states.

What technological advancements are shaping future small arms?

Modular weapon architectures, polymer-cased ammunition, and biometric trigger locks are among the key innovations differentiating next-generation platforms.

Page last updated on: July 2, 2025

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