Sniper Rifle Market Size and Share
Sniper Rifle Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The sniper rifle market size is estimated at USD 1.92 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 2.47 billion by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of 5.20% during the forecast period. Ongoing defense-modernization programs, the proliferation of multi-caliber weapon platforms, and demand for digitally enabled optics sustain this steady trajectory. Military recapitalization programs in the United States, Europe, and the Gulf states continue to anchor procurement volumes, while long-range competitive shooting and hunting build a sizeable civilian revenue base. Accelerating innovation in optical fire-control, the emergence of lead-free precision ammunition, and rising homeland-security procurements in response to urban counter-sniper requirements further reinforce future growth. At the same time, tightened export-control regimes and higher life-cycle costs temper adoption among budget-constrained end users, fostering measured but resilient expansion across the sniper rifles market.
Key Report Takeaways
- By range, beyond-1,000 m weapon systems led with 52.11% revenue share in 2024, and the same category is projected to post the fastest 6.14% CAGR through 2030.
- By application, the military segment held 60.98% of the sniper rifles market share in 2024, whereas homeland security procurement is forecasted to advance at a 7.11% CAGR to 2030.
- By caliber, .338 Lapua Magnum accounted for 23.89% of the sniper rifles market size in 2024, while “other calibers” are set to expand at a 5.98% CAGR through 2030.
- By operating mechanism, bolt-action platforms commanded 65.28% revenue in 2024; semi-automatic systems are expected to grow at a 6.64% CAGR during the outlook period.
- By geography, North America contributed 38.77% of 2024 revenue, yet the Middle East and Africa region is forecasted to deliver the highest 6.89% CAGR to 2030.
Global Sniper Rifle Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
---|---|---|---|
Increased defense modernization budgets fueling sniper rifle procurement | +1.8% | North America, Europe, Middle East | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Growing popularity of long-range precision shooting in the civilian market | +0.9% | North America, Europe | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
Counter-sniper capability upgrades driving law enforcement modernization | +0.7% | Developed markets worldwide | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Integration of digital optics and multisensor fusion enhancing targeting systems | +1.2% | Global, early NATO uptake | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Logistics benefits driving adoption of modular multi-caliber sniper platforms | +0.8% | Worldwide military users | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Environmental regulations accelerating shift toward lead-free sniper ammunition | +0.4% | North America, Europe | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
Increased Defense Modernization Budgets Fueling Sniper Rifle Procurement
Escalating allocations for precision-fire capabilities in NATO and partner nations translate into multi-year rifle replacement programs and optics upgrades. The US Army earmarked USD 367.3 million for Next-Generation Squad Weapons in fiscal 2025, and the US Marine Corps completed its 587-unit MK22 program ahead of schedule, underscoring institutional priority for multi-caliber, extreme-range performance. Gulf-state outlays—headlined by Saudi Arabia’s USD 100 billion framework purchase—add another sizeable demand pool, while smaller European militaries such as Norway and Germany standardize on new long-range rifles to match near-peer threats. These synchronous initiatives reward manufacturers that pair first-round hit probability with simplified logistic chains, positioning the sniper rifles market for enduring large-volume orders.
Growing Popularity of Long-Range Precision Shooting in the Civilian Market
Competitive shooting leagues, long-range hunting, and recreational precision matches create a vibrant non-military sales channel. Smith & Wesson attributed a meaningful share of its USD 535.8 million FY2024 net sales to precision long guns tailored for the 1,000-yard firing line. Higher civilian throughput allows shared manufacturing lines with military programs, lowering unit costs and accelerating the trickle-down of aftermarket tunable triggers, carbon-fiber barrels, and advanced ballistic calculators. The sub-MOA performance standard now expected by civilian enthusiasts pressures suppliers to maintain continuous product refresh cycles, indirectly benefiting military users that leverage the same production tooling for government contracts.
Counter-Sniper Capability Upgrades Driving Law-Enforcement Modernization
Protective-service details and tactical-response teams increasingly specify rifles chambered in 6.5 mm or similar high-BC calibers to double hit probability at 1,000 m compared with legacy .308 Winchester. Federal tenders emphasize quick-change barrels, suppressor-ready muzzle devices, and compatibility with semi-automatic carbine accessories to streamline operator transition. Urban deployment doctrines demand precision at stand-off distances to defeat barricaded threats without collateral risk, sustaining premium demand among state-level procurement even when broader public-safety budgets remain flat.
Integration of Digital Optics and Multisensor Fusion Enhancing Targeting Systems
Digitally enabled fire-control optics transform traditional rifles into networked sensors. The US Army’s USD 94 million award for Advanced Infrared Weapon Sights calls for micro-cooled thermal cores that feed real-time ballistic solutions to snipers, widening engagement windows in low-light and degraded-weather conditions. Optical manufacturers now embed laser rangefinders, atmospheric sensors, and wireless data links that synchronize with soldier systems, turning every sniper into a node on the tactical network. As these capabilities migrate from prototype to program-of-record status, adoption accelerates across allied inventories and eventually trickles into high-end civilian optics.
Restraints Impact Analysis
Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
---|---|---|---|
Tightened export controls and ITAR restrictions limiting international sales opportunities | -1.1% | US exporters and global buyers | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Elevated procurement and long-term maintenance costs restricting broader adoption | -0.8% | Budget-constrained markets | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Emergence of counter-UAS directed-energy systems diminishing the strategic role of snipers | -0.6% | NATO countries and advanced military forces | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
Limited integration with next-gen soldier systems and battlefield networks delaying modernization uptake | -0.7% | Global, with emphasis on technologically advanced militaries | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
Tightened Export Controls and ITAR Restrictions Limiting International Sales Opportunities
The May 2024 amendments to the US Export Administration Regulations introduced new license requirements for an expanded group of firearms and “crime-control” items, adding lead time and compliance cost for American manufacturers.[1]Bureau of Industry and Security, “Addition of ECCNs 0A504 and 0A505,” federalregister.gov While aimed at curbing illicit diversion, the rules inadvertently steer some foreign buyers toward suppliers operating under less stringent regimes. Compliance overhead includes legal reviews, individual part number classification, third-party due diligence fees, eroding margin on small-lot exports, and complicated after-sales support agreements.
Elevated Procurement and Long-Term Maintenance Costs Restricting Broader Adoption
A next-generation multi-caliber sniper rifle paired with digital optics can reach USD 25,000 per complete system, before factoring in specialized armorer training and software sustainment. Bulk military buys partially offset these costs, yet smaller forces and municipal police departments often postpone replacement cycles. Examples such as canceling ultra-long-range prototypes after preliminary trials illustrate how total program cost can override impressive ballistic test results. Over the weapon's life, higher barrel-replacement frequency for magnum-class calibers and firmware updates for smart optics add budget pressure that discourages universal fielding.
Segment Analysis
By Range: Heightened Demand for Extreme-Range Capability
Beyond 1,000 m rifles generated 52.11% of the total 2024 revenue, and the segment is advancing at a 6.14% CAGR as militaries prioritize overmatch at standoff distances. The sniper rifle market size for these extreme-range systems is forecast to widen by USD 0.29 billion between 2025 and 2030, reflecting procurement of .338 NM and .50 BMG platforms in active theaters. First-round hit efficacy at two kilometers underpins tactical doctrines emphasizing counter-battery engagements and anti-materiel roles. Procurement contracts increasingly include integrated suppressors and multi-sensor day-night optics to reduce signature while preserving target acquisition.
Up to 1,000 m rifles remain vital for police tactical units and urban warfare where line-of-sight is constrained. These weapons, generally chambered in 7.62 NATO or 6.5 mm Creedmoor, log consistent volume because training costs are lower and logistical commonality with service rifles simplifies ammunition supply. While their share of the sniper rifles market revenue slips slightly through the forecast horizon, consistent replenishment and replacement cycles ensure a solid customer base among national guard and gendarmerie formations.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Caliber: Entrenched .338 Lapua Magnum Leadership Meets New Cartridge Innovation
The .338 Lapua segment accounted for 23.89% of 2024 revenue thanks to widespread military qualification and established supply chains across Europe, North America, and Asia. As many armies extend qualified engagement ranges to 1,500 m, this caliber remains the benchmark for anti-personnel precision with acceptable recoil. The sniper rifle market share held by .338 Lapua erodes only marginally as new entrants arrive, but absolute demand grows in line with overall market expansion.
“Other Calibers,” encompassing .300 Norma Magnum, 8.6 Blackout, and emerging 9.4 mm cartridges, register the fastest 5.98% CAGR amid efforts to balance ballistic coefficient, barrel life, and suppressed-fire performance. Multi-caliber actions allow units to select cartridges matched to altitude, temperature, and target set, insulating users from availability shocks in any commodity supply chain. Legacy 7.62*51 mm NATO is the default training round, preserving institutional knowledge while minimizing per-shot expenditure.
By Operating Mechanism: Bolt-Action Precision Versus Semi-Automatic Responsiveness
Bolt-action rifles held 65.28% of revenue in 2024 by their mechanical simplicity, rigid lock-up, and unrivaled single-shot accuracy. These attributes align with doctrinal emphasis on first-round lethality at extended range, particularly for anti-materiel or counter-sniper roles. The sniper rifle market size attached to bolt-action platforms continues to grow on absolute terms, yet their proportion gradually dips as specialized teams experiment with self-loading designs.
Semi-automatic rifles, charting a robust 6.64% CAGR, attract users who value rapid follow-up shots, reduced shooter signature, and smoother recoil impulse. Technological gains in barrel metallurgy, two-stage match triggers, and piston systems close historical accuracy gaps, making these rifles viable for designated marksman roles and protective services requiring multi-target engagement. Software-defined fire-control optics further level the playing field, nudging procurement committees to blend both mechanisms in future force structures.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Application: Military Core with Surging Homeland-Security Demand
Military customers controlled 60.98% of 2024 revenue as doctrinal updates prioritize precision fires alongside indirect assets. Fielding schedules within brigade combat teams, special-operations forces, and naval boarding units drives predictable order patterns that underpin prime contractors and specialized gunsmiths' business models. Cross-functionality with emerging soldier systems, including powered rails and secure datalinks, strengthens the integration narrative favored by acquisition boards.
Homeland security agencies register a 7.11% CAGR, the fastest among application segments. High-visibility incidents have prompted major Western and several Asia-Pacific police departments to replace legacy .308 platforms with higher-ballistic-coefficient (BC), lower-recoil rifles capable of sub-0.5 MOA precision at 1,000 m. Procurement frameworks increasingly tie funding releases to operator certification milestones, ensuring that training budgets rise with equipment orders, cementing recurring revenue for ammunition and sustainment kits.
Geography Analysis
North America anchored 38.77% of 2024 turnover owing to sustained US defense appropriations and the world’s largest civilian precision-shooting community. The sniper rifle market size in the region benefits from economies of scale as manufacturers spread fixed R&D costs over government and commercial runs. At the same time, buy-American provisions keep domestic content above 80% in most federal contracts. Canadian special operations units follow US modernization patterns, further bolstering regional demand.
Europe maintains a significant share through gradual but steady recapitalization among NATO members seeking interoperability and extended effective ranges. Procurement agendas here emphasize integrated suppressors, lead-free ammunition compliance, and digital day-night optics, aligning with stringent environmental and soldier-sustainability standards. High-altitude training sites in Norway, Germany, and Italy also provide grounds for extreme-cold barrel metallurgy, feeding innovation that circulates back into global product lines.
The Middle East and Africa are poised for a 6.89% CAGR as Gulf monarchies advance multi-billion-dollar rearmament programs and sub-Saharan forces invest in counter-terror and border-security capabilities. Large-volume orders from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates influence platform standardization across the broader region. African special forces gravitate toward European bolt-action models compatible with NATO ammunition supply chains. Local maintenance-training partnerships often accompany these contracts, building indigenous armorer skill sets that support lifecycle sustainment.
Asia-Pacific records rising adoption propelled by India’s emerging indigenous manufacturing base and Australian special operations requirements for anti-materiel systems with multi-role optics. Parallel economic growth in Southeast Asia yields discretionary security budgets that include long-range sniper assets, though deliveries remain sensitive to export-control approvals from Western OEMs. South America shows moderate demand, driven mainly by specialized police units combating transnational crime in mixed urban-jungle environments, with procurement cycles closely tied to multilateral public-security funding.

Competitive Landscape
Competitive intensity is moderate, characterized by a mix of long-established firearm brands and diversified defense primes. Barrett Firearms has expanded its Tennessee production footprint through a USD 76 million facility investment to meet backlogged orders for the MK22 multi-role adaptive design.[2]Barrett Firearms, “Barrett Announces Headquarters Expansion,” barrett.net The company leverages decades of large-caliber expertise while integrating quick-change barrels that align with current modularity trends. European suppliers such as Heckler & Koch match domestic demand for future soldier programs, having secured the German Army G210 contract for next-generation semi-automatic sniper rifles. These platforms prioritize ergonomics, low-visual-signature coatings, and suppressor optimization, aligning with continental end-user requirements for stealth and rapid engagement. At the component level, optic manufacturers, including Leonardo DRS, ELCAN, and smaller AI-enabled sight vendors, compete on onboard computation power, sensor fusion, and network security features.[3]Leonardo DRS, “DRS Awarded U.S. Army Contract for Advanced Infrared Weapon Sights,” drs.com
New market entrants increasingly focus on sustainable materials and reduced sound signatures, addressing two fast-emerging customer pain points: environmental compliance and urban warfare concealment. Lead-free projectile makers partner with barrel suppliers to mitigate accelerated wear, forming cross-company consortia to accelerate qualification trials. Meanwhile, enterprise cyber-security companies collaborate with optic OEMs to harden wireless ballistic-calculator links against electronic-warfare threats, signaling a convergence of defense electronics and traditional firearms expertise within the sniper rifles market.
Sniper Rifle Industry Leaders
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SNT Motiv Co., Ltd.
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Accuracy International Ltd.
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Strategic Armory Corps, LLC
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Barrett Firearms Mfg, Inc.
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Knights Armament Company
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Recent Industry Developments
- April 2025: India's largest paramilitary force, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), is gearing up to conduct new trials for acquiring 200 sniper rifles along with 20,000 rounds of .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition.
- February 2025: The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched "Project SHAMER" to acquire a single chassis, multi-caliber, bolt-action sniper rifle system to replace the existing L115 and L118 rifles. The procurement contract, valued between GBP 1 million (USD 1.37 million) and GBP 4 million (USD 5.49 million), is scheduled to commence in June 2026 and conclude in June 2033.
Global Sniper Rifle Market Report Scope
Sniper rifles are high-precision, long-range rifles that are used in both military and law enforcement applications. The modern sniper rifle is a portable shoulder-fired weapon system with a choice between a bolt action or semi-automatic action. It is fitted with a telescopic sight for extreme accuracy.
The Sniper rifle market report has been segmented by range, application, and geography. By range, the market has been segmented up to 1,000 meters and beyond 1,000 meters. By application, the market has been segmented by civilian, law enforcement, and military. By geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.
The market sizing and forecasts for all the segments have been provided in value (USD).
By Range | Up to 1,000 m | |||
Beyond 1,000 m | ||||
By Caliber | 7.62*51 mm | |||
.300 Winchester Magnum | ||||
.338 Lapua Magnum | ||||
.50 BMG | ||||
Other Calibers | ||||
By Operating Mechanism | Bolt-Action | |||
Semi-Automatic | ||||
By Application | Military | |||
Homeland Security | ||||
Civilian | ||||
By Geography | North America | United States | ||
Canada | ||||
Mexico | ||||
Europe | Germany | |||
United Kingdom | ||||
France | ||||
Italy | ||||
Russia | ||||
Rest of Europe | ||||
Asia-Pacific | China | |||
India | ||||
Japan | ||||
South Korea | ||||
Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||||
South America | Brazil | |||
Rest of South America | ||||
Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia | ||
United Arab Emirates | ||||
Rest of Middle East | ||||
Africa | South Africa | |||
Rest of Africa |
Up to 1,000 m |
Beyond 1,000 m |
7.62*51 mm |
.300 Winchester Magnum |
.338 Lapua Magnum |
.50 BMG |
Other Calibers |
Bolt-Action |
Semi-Automatic |
Military |
Homeland Security |
Civilian |
North America | United States | ||
Canada | |||
Mexico | |||
Europe | Germany | ||
United Kingdom | |||
France | |||
Italy | |||
Russia | |||
Rest of Europe | |||
Asia-Pacific | China | ||
India | |||
Japan | |||
South Korea | |||
Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
South America | Brazil | ||
Rest of South America | |||
Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia | |
United Arab Emirates | |||
Rest of Middle East | |||
Africa | South Africa | ||
Rest of Africa |
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current value of the sniper rifle market?
The sniper rifle market stood at USD 1.92 billion in 2025 and is projected to climb to USD 2.47 billion by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of 5.20% during the forecast period.
Which range category holds the largest share?
Beyond-1,000 m weapon systems held 52.11% of revenue in 2024 and will maintain leadership through 2030.
Which region is growing the fastest?
The Middle East and Africa region is forecasted to record the quickest 6.89% CAGR through 2030, boosted by large Gulf procurement programs.
Why are export controls considered a key restraint?
Recent US rule changes added new license steps for many rifles and optics, increasing compliance costs and delaying shipments for exporters.
How is civilian demand influencing product innovation?
Competitive shooting leagues push for sub-MOA accuracy and smart optics, compelling manufacturers to introduce features that later migrate into military variants.
What technological trend will shape future procurements?
Integrated digital fire-control optics that combine thermal imaging, ballistic computation, and wireless networking are expected to become standard on next-generation sniper rifles.
Page last updated on: June 30, 2025