Rifles Market Report 2025

The rifles market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.48 billion in 2024 to $4.75 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The historic growth is driven by rising defense expenditures worldwide, increased demand for advanced infantry weapons, ongoing military modernization programs, heightened cross-border conflicts and geopolitical tensions, along with a growing interest in sport shooting and hunting activities.

The rifles market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.92 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. This projected expansion can be attributed to the growing adoption of smart and modular rifles, increased investments in defense research and development, a rising demand for lightweight and durable materials, enhanced focus on soldier lethality and efficiency, and the increased procurement of rifles by law enforcement agencies. Key trends anticipated during the forecast period include improvements in rifle optics and aiming systems, the advanced integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in firearms, innovation in lightweight composite materials, development of modular weapon designs, and greater customization options for end users.

The increasing interest in hunting is anticipated to significantly boost the growth of the rifles market in the coming years. Hunting, which involves tracking, capturing, or killing wild animals for food, sport, or population control, is becoming more popular as people seek outdoor recreational activities that offer relaxation and a connection with nature. Rifles play a crucial role in hunting by delivering precise targeting capabilities, making them essential tools for ethical and accurate wildlife harvesting. They improve hunting efficiency by increasing success rates, minimizing tracking time, and supporting sustainable wildlife management. For example, in January 2025, Ely Echo, a US-based newspaper, reported that hunters harvested over 170,000 deer in 2024, representing a 7% increase from 2023. This rising demand for hunting is therefore driving growth in the rifles market.

Leading companies in the rifles market are emphasizing the development of advanced firearm models such as bolt-action rifles, which enhance shooting accuracy, stability, and offer greater customization for users. A bolt-action rifle requires manual operation of the bolt handle to load a cartridge, eject spent shells, and cock the firing mechanism. This process involves lifting and pulling back the bolt, pushing it forward, and locking it down. For instance, in January 2023, Colt, a US firearms manufacturer, introduced a bolt-action rifle targeting competitive and long-range shooters. This model features flat-bottom receivers with CBX and is built on a modular aluminum chassis, combining durability with flexibility for customization. The bolt-action design provides precise and dependable cycling of each round, making it ideal for precision-focused applications.

In January 2023, Australia-based defense and munitions company NIOA Group acquired Barrett Firearms Manufacturing for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, NIOA plans to broaden its global presence and enhance its product portfolio by incorporating Barrett’s leading long-range precision rifles, which are extensively used by military, law enforcement, and civilian markets worldwide. Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, based in the US, specializes in designing and producing large-caliber, long-range precision rifles.

Major players in the rifles market are Smith & Wesson Brands Inc, SIG SAUER, Sturm Ruger & Co. Inc., Taurus Holdings Inc, Heckler & Koch AG, Colt's Manufacturing LLC, FN America LLC, Springfield Inc., Howa Machinery Ltd, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc, Browning Arms Company, Daniel Defense LLC, Savage Arms Inc, Weatherby Inc, Remington Firearms, Česká zbrojovka, Accuracy International, Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., Steyr Arms GmbH, Winchester Repeating Arms.

North America was the largest region in the rifles market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in rifles report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the rifles 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.

A rifle is a long-barreled firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, featuring a barrel with spiral grooves (rifling) cut into its interior. They are utilized in a variety of contexts, including hunting, sport shooting, law enforcement, and military operations. Rifles are generally chambered for high-velocity cartridges and are renowned for their accuracy over long distances.

The primary product categories of rifles include assault rifles, light machine guns, designated marksman rifles, general-purpose machine guns, and others. Assault rifles are military-grade firearms capable of selective fire, commonly using intermediate cartridges, and designed for rapid and accurate firing in combat scenarios. These weapons are employed in defense and law enforcement, personal protection, as well as sporting and hunting, and are distributed via direct sales, online platforms, and specialty retail outlets.

The rifles market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides rifles market statistics, including the submachine guns industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the rifles market share, detailed rifles market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the rifles industry. This submachine guns 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 rifles market consists of sales of bolt-action rifles, semi-automatic rifles, lever-action rifles, pump-action rifles, and automatic rifles. 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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