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.
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.
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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, Ceska 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.
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.
Rifles Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on rifles market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for rifles ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The rifles market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.
Scope
Markets Covered:1) By Product Type: Assault Rifles; Light Machine Guns; Designated Marksman Rifles; General-Purpose Machine Guns; Other Product Types
2) By Application: Defense and Law Enforcement; Personal Defense; Sporting and Hunting
3) By Distribution Channel: Direct Sales; Online; Specialty Retail
Subsegments:
1) By Assault Rifles: Selective Fire Assault Rifles; Semi-Automatic Assault Rifles; Fully Automatic Assault Rifles
Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Rifles Market Characteristics
3. Rifles Market Trends And Strategies
4. Rifles Market - Macro Economic Scenario Including The Impact Of Interest Rates, Inflation, Geopolitics, Trade Wars and Tariffs, And Covid And Recovery On The Market
4.1. Supply Chain Impact from Tariff War & Trade Protectionism
5. Global Rifles Growth Analysis And Strategic Analysis Framework
5.1. Global Rifles PESTEL Analysis (Political, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal Factors, Drivers and Restraints)
5.2. Analysis Of End Use Industries
5.3. Global Rifles Market Growth Rate Analysis
5.4. Global Rifles Historic Market Size and Growth, 2019 - 2024, Value ($ Billion)
5.5. Global Rifles Forecast Market Size and Growth, 2024 - 2029, 2034F, Value ($ Billion)
5.6. Global Rifles Total Addressable Market (TAM)
6. Rifles Market Segmentation
6.1. Global Rifles Market, Segmentation By Product Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Assault Rifles
Light Machine Guns
Designated Marksman Rifles
General-Purpose Machine Guns
Other Product Types
6.2. Global Rifles Market, Segmentation By Application, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Defense And Law Enforcement
Personal Defense
Sporting And Hunting
6.3. Global Rifles Market, Segmentation By Distribution Channel, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Direct Sales
Online
Specialty Retail
6.4. Global Rifles Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Assault Rifles, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Selective Fire Assault Rifles
Semi-Automatic Assault Rifles
Fully Automatic Assault Rifles
6.5. Global Rifles Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Light Machine Guns, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Belt-Fed Light Machine Guns
Magazine-Fed Light Machine Guns
Air-Cooled Light Machine Guns
Water-Cooled Light Machine Guns
6.6. Global Rifles Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Designated Marksman Rifles, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Semi-Automatic Designated Marksman Rifles
Bolt-Action Designated Marksman Rifles
Magazine-Fed Designated Marksman Rifles
Precision Designated Marksman Rifles
6.7. Global Rifles Market, Sub-Segmentation Of General-Purpose Machine Guns, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion