Small Arms Market Report 2025

The small arms market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $8.87 billion in 2024 to $9.32 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the growing popularity of shooting sports and recreational hunting, increasing government initiatives for military modernization, rising terrorist activities and insurgencies, growing need for law enforcement modernization, and increasing procurement of small arms by private security firms.

The small arms market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $11.25 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. This anticipated expansion is supported by growing global defense spending, rising interest in personal protection arms among civilians, ongoing geopolitical conflicts and regional instability, expanded use of upgraded small arms by military forces, and the increasing need for modular and lightweight firearms. Forecast trends include the use of lighter materials to improve portability, the creation of modular weapon systems for adaptability, improved recoil-reduction technologies, the adoption of biometric and RFID-based user verification systems, and advancements in precision-based engineering and manufacturing practices.

The rising terrorist threats are expected to propel the growth of the small arms market going forward. Terrorist threats are warnings or indications of planned acts of violence intended to cause fear and advance extremist objectives. The increasing terrorist threats often result from political instability, which creates opportunities for extremist groups to grow and carry out attacks. Small arms address terrorist threats by offering rapid deployment and high mobility, making them essential tools for security and defense forces. They enable quick, precise responses in critical situations, enhancing public safety and counterterrorism effectiveness. For instance, in March 2023, according to the Institute for Economics & Peace, a US-based non-governmental organization, the average number of fatalities per terrorist attack rose to 1.7 in 2022, up from 1.3 deaths in 2021. Therefore, the rising terrorist threats are driving the growth of the small arms market.

Major companies operating in the small arms market are focusing on developing technologically advanced systems, such as computerized small arms systems, to enhance targeting accuracy, improve situational awareness, and integrate with modern battlefield networks. A computerized small arms system refers to a firearm integrated with digital technologies such as electronic targeting, fire control systems, data collection, and communication capabilities. For instance, in April 2024, Israel Weapon Industries Ltd., an Israel-based arms industry company, launched an Arbel. This system boosts lethality, accuracy, and survivability by up to three times, helping soldiers hit fleeting targets and reduce errors even under fatigue or stress. It also optimizes ammunition usage and reduces the need for extensive training while ensuring the weapon remains fully functional even when the computerized system is disabled.

In January 2023, NIOA Group, an Australia-based defense company, acquired Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. for an undisclosed amount. With this strategic acquisition, NIOA Group seeks to strengthen its international presence by penetrating the US market and utilizing Barrett’s strong reputation to provide top-tier firearms and munitions. Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. is a US-based manufacturing company specializing in providing small arms for military, law enforcement, and civilian use.

Major players in the small arms market are Thales Group, Smith & Wesson Brands Inc., SIG Sauer GmbH & Co. KG, Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc., FN Browning Group, Heckler & Koch GmbH, Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC, GLOCK Ges.m.b.H., Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., Accuracy International Ltd, Indumil, PTR Industries Inc., Israel Weapon Industries Ltd, Caracal International LLC, Daniel Defense LLC, Browning International S.A., Brügger & Thomet AG, Kalashnikov Group, Česká zbrojovka Group, Steyr Arms GmbH USA, and Zastava Arms.

North America was the largest region in the small arms market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in small arms report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the small arms market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

Small arms are lightweight firearms intended for individual use, designed for personal operation and handling. These weapons are mainly utilized by military personnel, law enforcement agencies, and civilians for defense, combat, and security functions. Small arms hold a crucial role in ensuring both national defense and internal security enforcement.

Key types of small arms include pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, machine guns, and other variants. A pistol is a kind of handgun that features a single chamber combined with the barrel, and is typically semi-automatic in nature. These weapons function using various firing mechanisms, such as gas-operated, recoil-operated, and manual systems, and they can be operated in semi-automatic or automatic modes. Technologies employed may be either guided or unguided, and these arms are applied across several end-user sectors, including military, defense, law enforcement, as well as civilian and commercial applications such as sporting, hunting, self-defense, and more.

The small arms market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides small arms market statistics, including the small arms industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with the small arms market share, detailed small arms market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the small arms market. This small arms market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The small arms market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as firearm repair and maintenance, training and certification for safe handling, customization and modification, armory management, and logistical support for supply and distribution. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The small arms market also includes sales of handguns, submachine guns, light machine guns, ammunition, and firearm accessories. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values and are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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