Small Arms Market Report 2026

Small Arms Market Overview

• Small Arms market size has reached to $9.32 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $11.76 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% • Growth Driver: Rising Terrorist Threats Fueling The Growth Of The Market Due To Increasing Demand For Rapid Precise Security Responses • Market Trend: Smart Weapon Systems Revolutionize Combat Effectiveness • North America was the largest region in 2025 and Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region.

What Is Covered Under Small Arms Market?

Small arms refer to lightweight, individual-use firearms designed for personal handling and operation. They are primarily used by the military, law enforcement, and civilians for defense, combat, and security purposes. Small arms play a significant role in both national defense and internal security operations. The main types of small arms are pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, and others. A pistol is a type of handgun characterized by a single chamber integrated with the barrel and is typically semi-automatic. They utilize various firing systems, including gas-operated, recoil-operated, and manual, and are operated in either semi-automatic or automatic modes. The technologies used can be guided or unguided and are employed across a wide range of end-use sectors, such as defense, military, law enforcement, and civilian and commercial sporting, hunting, self-defense, and others.

What Is The Small Arms Market Growth Forecast?

The small arms market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $11.76 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to advancements in lightweight materials and modular weapon designs improving adaptability and user mobility, rising demand for training and certification services to support safe firearm handling, increasing adoption of smart firearm accessories enhancing accuracy and situational awareness, expansion of private security sectors driving sustained procurement of small arms and related services, growing modernization programs in developing nations boosting demand for upgraded small arms platforms. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for modular and customizable small arms, increasing emphasis on lightweight materials and ergonomic weapon design, expansion of civilian ownership for sporting and self-defense, rising adoption of precision-focused firearm accessories, growth in training, certification, and maintenance services.

Global Small Arms Market Segmentation

1) By Type: Pistol, Revolver, Rifles, Shotgun, Machine Gun, Other Types 2) By Firing System: Gas-Operated, Recoil-Operated, Manual 3) By Mode Of Operation: Semi-Automatic, Automatic 4) By Technology: Guided, Unguided 5) By End Use Sector: Defense, Military, Law Enforcement, Civil And Commercial, Sporting, Hunting, Self-defense, Other End Use Sectors Subsegments: 1) By Pistol: Semi-Automatic Pistols, Automatic Pistols, Single-Shot Pistols 2) By Revolver: Single-Action Revolvers, Double-Action Revolvers 3) By Rifles: Bolt-Action Rifles, Automatic Rifles, Semi-Automatic Rifles 4) By Shotgun: Pump-Action Shotguns, Double-Barrel Shotguns, Semi-Automatic Shotguns 5) By Machine Gun: Light Machine Guns (Lmg), Heavy Machine Guns (Hmg), Medium Machine Guns (Mmg) 6) By Other Types: Submachine Guns, Carbines, Assault Rifles

What Is Driver Of The Small Arms Market?

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 September 2025, according to the Home Office, a UK government department, in the year ending 30 June 2025, 83 people were tried for terrorism-related offences, which is five more than the number in the year ending 30 June 2024. Therefore, the rising terrorist threats are driving the growth of the small arms industry.

Key Players In The Global Small Arms Market

Major companies operating 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, Ceská zbrojovka Group, Steyr Arms GmbH USA, Zastava Arms.

Global Small Arms Market Trends and Insights

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.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Small Arms Market? NIOA Group Acquires Barrett Firearms To Expand Global Footprint

In January 2023, NIOA Group, an Australia-based defense company, acquired Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, NIOA Group aims to expand its global reach by entering the US market, leveraging Barrett’s reputation to deliver world-class 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.

Regional Insights

North America was the largest region in the small arms market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in this market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in this market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

What Defines the Small Arms Market?

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.

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 Small Arms Market Report 2026?

The small arms 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 small arms 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.