Small Arms Market

Market Overview:

The global small arms market size reached USD 10.6 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 16.2 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.64% during 2025-2033. The rising terrorist threats, increasing cross-border security issues, and the growing investments in the military and defense sector represent some of the key factors driving the market.

Small arms are portable, lethal weapons designed to use by an individual or a small group of people to launch a shot, bullet, and projectile for explosive action. They include handguns, rifles, revolvers, self-loading pistols, carbines, assault rifles, light and sub-machine guns, shotguns, submachine guns, and machine guns. They also incorporate ancillaries and accessories, such as slings, cleaning kits, optical sights, fore-grips and flashlights, oil bottles, under-barrel grenade launchers, and sound suppressors, to enhance the overall effectiveness and usefulness of weapons. Small arms are used by military and law enforcement agencies to protect citizens, maintain order, and provide national defense. They are also employed for self-defense, hunting, sport shooting, and prevention from theft and damage by predators and thieves. At present, automatic, semi-automatic, and manual small arms are available as per the needs of military and law enforcement agencies across the globe.

Small Arms Market Trends:

At present, the growing global population and increasing cross-border security issues represent one of the key factors positively influencing the market across the globe. In addition, rising terrorist threats and increasing demand for personal safety and security are catalyzing the demand for small arms for self-defense, especially in regions with high crime rates and political instability. Besides this, governments of various countries are acquiring advanced weapon systems to modernize police forces and prevent human rights violations. This, in confluence with the increasing investments in the upgradation of equipment and weapons by law enforcement agencies, is creating a favorable market outlook around the world. Additionally, increasing domestic crime rates, along with the imposition of several laws are enabling the possession of weapons for self-defense purposes, are offering lucrative growth opportunities to key market players operating worldwide. In line with this, customers are increasingly looking for customized and personalized firearms that suit their specific needs and preferences. This, along with the growing incidents of theft and burglaries, is promoting the utilization of small arms around the world. Moreover, the escalating demand for lightweight, high-precision and compact weapons is creating a favorable market outlook. Furthermore, inflating disposable incomes and increasing interest in shooting sports are stimulating the growth of the market around the world.

Key Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global small arms market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on type, application, caliber, technology, cutting type, and operation.

Type Insights:

• Pistol
• Revolver
• Rifle
• Machinegun
• Others
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the small arms market based on the type. This includes pistol, revolver, rifle, machinegun, and others. According to the report, pistol represented the largest segment.

Application Insights:

• Military
• Law Enforcement
• Others
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the small arms market based on the application has also been provided in the report. This includes military, law enforcement, and others. According to the report, military accounted for the largest market share.

Caliber Insights:

• 5.56 mm
• 7.62 mm
• 9 mm
• Others
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the small arms market based on the caliber has also been provided in the report. This includes 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, 9 mm, and others. According to the report, 9 mm accounted for the largest market share.

Technology Insights:

• Guided
• Unguided
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the small arms market based on the technology has also been provided in the report. This includes guided and unguided. According to the report, guided accounted for the largest market share.

Cutting Type Insights:

• Rifled
• Smoothed Bore
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the small arms market based on the cutting type has also been provided in the report. This includes rifled and smoothed bore. According to the report, rifled accounted for the largest market share.

Operation Insights:

• Automatic
• Semi-automatic
• Manual
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the small arms market based on the operation has also been provided in the report. This includes automatic, semi-automatic, and manual. According to the report, automatic accounted for the largest market share.

Regional Insights:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America (the United States and Canada) was the largest market for small arms. Some of the factors driving the North America small arms market included technological advancements, extensive research and development (R&D) activities, high investment in the military and defense sector, etc.

Competitive Landscape:

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the global small arms market. Competitive analysis such as market structure, market share by key players, player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided. Some of the companies covered include Beretta Holding S.P.A, Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC, Glock Ges M.B.H, Fabbrica dArmi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., Heckler & Koch GmbH, Herstal SA, Israeli Weapon Industries, Remington Arms Company LLC, Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, Sturm, Ruger & Company Inc., etc. Kindly note that this only represents a partial list of companies, and the complete list has been provided in the report.

Report Coverage:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the small arms market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global small arms market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the small arms industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.