Handguns Market Report 2026

Handguns Market Overview

• Handguns market size has reached to $4.09 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $6.37 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% • Growth Driver: Rising Demand For The Market Growth Due To Increasing Participation In Outdoor Sporting Activities • Market Trend: Innovative Striker-Fired Semi-Automatic Design Boosts Performance And Safety • North America was the largest region in 2025 and Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region.

What Is Covered Under Handguns Market?

A handgun is a small, portable firearm designed to be operated with one hand. It includes types such as pistols and revolvers, commonly used for self-defense, law enforcement, and sport shooting. Due to their compact size, handguns are easier to carry and conceal compared to larger firearms. The main types of handguns are revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, single-shot handguns, and other types. Revolvers refer to a type of firearm with a rotating cylinder that holds multiple rounds, allowing several shots to be fired before reloading. These firearms are typically constructed from materials such as metal, polymer, or composite substances and are distributed through various channels, including online platforms, offline retail outlets, and specialty stores. The main end users include defense and homeland security agencies, individuals for self-defense, sports shooters, hunters, and law enforcement.

What Is The Handguns Market Growth Forecast?

The handguns market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.37 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for modular handgun platforms enabling customization across user groups, rising adoption of enhanced-safety and low-recoil designs improving usability, expansion of sport-shooting participation increasing consumption of target and air pistols, increasing innovation in lightweight materials improving durability and concealability, development of smart and integrated-optic ready handgun models supporting advanced shooting applications. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for compact and polymer-framed pistols, increased customization and aftermarket upgrades, growth of online firearm and accessory sales, expansion of sport shooting and competitive handgun categories, adoption of lightweight composite materials in manufacturing.

What Is Driver Of The Handguns Market?

The rising demand for recreational shooting and hunting is expected to propel the growth of the handgun market going forward. Recreational shooting and hunting refer to leisure activities where individuals engage in target practice and wildlife pursuit for sport, skill development, and outdoor recreation. The growing interest in these activities is largely driven by increasing public awareness of firearms safety training and proficiency programs, as more individuals seek structured environments to develop responsible firearm handling skills and marksmanship abilities. This rising participation in recreational shooting and hunting directly increases consumer purchases of handguns, as these firearms are essential equipment for both target shooting practice at ranges and as sidearms for personal protection during outdoor hunting expeditions. For instance, in August 2025, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), a US-based government agency, in 2023, over 1 million hunters in the US harvested nearly 17 million mourning doves. Therefore, the rising demand for recreational shooting and hunting is driving the growth of the handgun industry.

Key Players In The Global Handguns Market

Major companies operating in the handguns market are Diamondback Firearms LLC, Smith And Wesson Brands Inc., Sig Sauer Inc., Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal, CZ-USA Inc., Heckler And Koch GmbH, GLOCK Ges.m.b.H., Colt s Manufacturing Company LLC, Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A, Springfield Armory Inc., Kimber Manufacturing Inc., Israel Weapon Industries Ltd., Browning Arms Company, Walther Arms Inc., Kahr Arms Inc., Kalashnikov Group, Fratelli Tanfoglio S.N.C., Taurus Holdings Inc., Zastava Arms d.o.o, Canik Firearms Manufacturing Inc.

Global Handguns Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the handgun market are focusing on developing innovative products such as striker-fired semi-automatic pistols to enhance performance, safety, and user experience. Striker-fired semi-automatic pistols refer to handguns that use a spring-loaded striker instead of a traditional hammer to ignite the primer, offering a consistent trigger pull and faster firing. For instance, in January 2024, Daniel Defense, Inc., a US-based firearms manufacturer, introduced the DANIEL H9 Handgun. This pistol combines the ergonomic feel and aiming ease of a 1911 with the straightforward shooting and maintenance of a striker-fired design. Its low bore axis helps minimize recoil and muzzle rise, allowing for quicker and more accurate follow-up shots. Made with an aircraft-grade aluminum frame, the H9 is both lightweight and durable. It features fully ambidextrous controls and a modular design for improved ergonomics and customization. Additionally, the handgun is optics-ready and comes with a 1911-style straight-pull trigger that includes a safety blade for precise and safer operation.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Handguns Market? RSBC Investment Group Acquires Austrian Firearms Manufacturer Steyr Arms To Boost International Growth

In April 2024, RSBC Investment Group, a Czech Republic-based private investment firm, acquired Steyr Arms GmbH & Co. KG for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, RSBC Investment aims to drive the strategic development and international growth of Steyr Arms, particularly by strengthening its position in foreign markets and leveraging RSBC’s resources and expertise. Steyr Arms GmbH & Co. KG is an Austria-based arms manufacturer that manufactures handguns, specifically service pistols and air pistols.

What Defines the Handguns Market?

The handguns market consists of sales of single-shot pistols, target pistols, air pistols, accessories, and custom parts and upgrades. 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.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

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 that 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.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Handguns Market Report 2026?

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