Gun & Ammunition Manufacturing Industry Profile

Companies in this industry manufacture small arms and ammunition. Major companies include American Outdoor Brands, Colt, National Presto, Remington Outdoor, and Vista Outdoor (all based in the US), as well as Beretta (Italy), FN Herstal (Belgium), Glock (Austria), Heckler & Koch (Germany), Kontsern Kalashnikov (Russia), Norinco (China), and Taurus Armas (Brazil).

International trade of small arms, parts, accessories, and ammunition involving leading exporters and importers is estimated to be worth about $6 billion, according to Small Arms Survey analysis of UN data. The US is the largest importer and exporter of small arms. Other major exporters include Italy, Brazil, Germany, and South Korea; Canada, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia are among the leading importers.

The US gun and ammunition manufacturing industry includes about 600 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $10 billion.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven partly by hunters, gun enthusiasts, and weapon upgrades by police departments. The profitability of individual companies is closely linked to marketing. Large companies have economies of scale in purchasing. Small companies can compete effectively by producing premium-priced high-quality or decorative guns. The industry is highly concentrated.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Firearms and accessories take up a major part US industry revenue (about 60%) while ammunition (40%)accounts for the rest. The US industry produces about eight million guns per year: majority of the guns are pistols and revolvers; followed by rifles, and then shotguns ...