Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $19.6bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Shift to 6.8mm ammunition revolutionizes infantry weapons and production
- The production of advanced 6.8mm ammunition marks a significant shift in small arms technology. For example, the US Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon program has adopted the 6.8mm round, replacing the 5.56mm NATO cartridge used for decades. This new ammunition is designed to enhance range, accuracy and lethality, particularly against advanced body armor. The 6.8mm round can maintain supersonic flight at greater distances, improving its effectiveness in modern combat scenarios.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Regulatory changes will shape industry dynamics
- The regulatory environment for firearms and ammunition is expected to evolve significantly over the next five years. For example, some states are mandating smart gun technology integration, while environmental concerns are driving restrictions on lead-based ammunition. Federal debates over deregulation versus stricter oversight will add complexity to compliance requirements for manufacturers.
Biggest companies in the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 | Profit ($m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Olin Corporation | 1,718.9 | 91.9 | 5.3 | |
Boeing Co | 1,201.7 | 41.8 | 3.5 | |
Northrop Grumman Corp | 1,115.6 | 94.3 | 8.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Small arms ammunition, Other ammunition and Small arms and machine guns. Small arms ammunition is the largest segment of the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US.
Trends and Insights
Demand for small arms ammunition is driven by personal safety concerns and recreational shooting
- Small arms ammunition includes cartridges for handguns, rifles and shotguns used in civilian, law enforcement and military applications. This category encompasses various calibers and types designed for different purposes, from self-defense to hunting and target shooting.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry manufactures small weapons (including shotguns, rifles, revolvers, pistols, machine guns and grenade launchers), ammunition, artillery and accessories.
What's included in this industry?
Machine guns manufacturingShotguns and rifles manufacturingHandgun manufacturingGun magazines manufacturingSmall arms ammunition manufacturingAmmunition (except small arms) manufacturingGrenade manufacturingMines manufacturingArtillery and tank ammunition manufacturingHowitzers and man-portable and vehicle installed rockets and rocket launchers manufacturingCompanies
Olin CorporationBoeing CoNorthrop Grumman CorpPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
ORDNANCETAMPIONAMMUNITIONIndustry Code
NAICS 332992 - Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The new 6.8mm round improves range and lethality. It remains supersonic at greater distances, making it more effective against modern threats like advanced body armor and enh...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Cultural, social and economic factors influence demand for small arms. Factors like crime rate, urbanization and cultural aspects reflect the complex interplay of external in...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Manufacturers locate near densely populated areas and ports. This makes it easier to reach downstream markets and is favorable for international trade.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Fluctuations in exchange rates affect the pricing of imported firearms and ammunition. A weaker US dollar typically makes imports more expensive, benefiting domestic manufact...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Vista Outdoor's recent restructuring, involving the sale of The Kinetic Group and Revelyst, marks a shift in the industry landscape. This move highlights a trend towards spec...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Olin Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Boeing Co's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Northrop Grumman Corp's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Olin Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Boeing Co, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Northrop Grumman Corp, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The industry is heavily regulated. Regulations are put in place for environmental protection; the manufacture, sale and purchase of firearms; design features on safety ground...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Manufacturers in the gun and ammunition industry effectively manage cost increases by passing them onto consumers. Due to the inelastic nature of demand, where price changes ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2018-2023)
- Industry Tax Structure (2018-2023)
- Income Statement (2018-2023)
- Balance Sheet (2018-2023)
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US industry in United States in 2025?
The market size of the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US industry in United States is $19.6bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US industry in 2025?
There are 693 businesses in the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.2 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 2.0 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing market in United States are Olin Corporation, Boeing Co and Northrop Grumman Corp
What does the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US in United States include?
Machine guns manufacturing and Shotguns and rifles manufacturing are part of the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Olin Corporation.
How competitive is the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing in the US industry in United States.
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Competitors
Complementors
View all industries in United States
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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