[Research Report] The small caliber ammunition market was valued at US$ 5,923.61 million in 2020 and is projected to reach US$ 10,241.57 million by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2021 to 2028.
Analyst Perspective:
The small caliber ammunition market refers to the industry involved in producing and selling ammunition for firearms with smaller bore diameters. These firearms typically include pistols, rifles, and certain types of shotguns. Small caliber ammunition is used by military forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilian shooters for various purposes such as self-defense, target shooting, hunting, and sport shooting competitions. One of the essential drivers is the increasing demand for firearms for personal safety and protection. Rising concerns about personal security and the need for self-defense have led to higher adoption of firearms, fueling the demand for small caliber ammunition. In addition to personal use, the military and law enforcement sectors are major consumers of small caliber ammunition. These organizations require constant ammunition for training exercises, operational purposes, and combat situations. As a result, government contracts play a crucial role in the small caliber ammunition market
Furthermore, the popularity of shooting sports and recreational shooting activities has contributed to the growth of the small caliber ammunition market. Competitive shooting events, such as IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) and USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association), have gained significant traction, driving the demand for high-quality ammunition. Technological advancements have also played a function in shaping the small caliber ammunition market. Innovations in bullet design, propellant technology, and manufacturing processes have led to the development of more accurate, reliable, and efficient ammunition. Manufacturers continually strive to improve the performance characteristics of their ammunition, catering to the evolving needs of shooters. However, it is important to note that the small caliber ammunition market is subject to various regulations and legal frameworks in different countries. These regulations govern the production, sale, and possession of firearms and ammunition, and they vary significantly worldwide.
Market Overview:
Small caliber ammunition is used in firearms with barrels smaller than 20mm in diameter. The military, law enforcement, hunting, and sporting activities use small-caliber ammunition. Small-caliber ammunition is often produced in massive quantities and can be used in various weapons, including pistols, rifles, and machine guns. It is also used by automatic weapons, which must shoot quickly and precisely. Production of small-caliber ammunition requires precision engineering and high-quality components.
Customize This Report To Suit Your Requirement
You will get customization on any report - free of charge - including parts of this report, or country-level analysis, Excel Data pack, as well as avail great offers and discounts for start-ups & universities
Published Report - Small Caliber Ammunition Market: Strategic Insights

- Get Top Key Market Trends of this report.This FREE sample will include data analysis, ranging from market trends to estimates and forecasts.
You will get customization on any report - free of charge - including parts of this report, or country-level analysis, Excel Data pack, as well as avail great offers and discounts for start-ups & universities
Published Report - Small Caliber Ammunition Market: Strategic Insights

- Get Top Key Market Trends of this report.This FREE sample will include data analysis, ranging from market trends to estimates and forecasts.
Market Driver:
Increase in Adoption of Guns for Safety Purposes to Drive Growth of Small Caliber Ammunition Market
The increasing adoption of guns for safety purposes has significantly contributed to the growth of the small caliber ammunition market. In recent years, there has been a rise in concerns about personal safety and a growing desire among individuals to protect themselves and their families. As a result, more people are turning to firearms for self-defense. The decision to acquire a firearm for personal safety creates a demand for small caliber ammunition. Firearms require ammunition to function effectively, and individuals who purchase guns for protection need a steady supply of ammunition to ensure their firearms are ready for use in potential self-defense situations. This surge in demand for small caliber ammunition from individuals seeking safety and protection has created a substantial market opportunity for ammunition manufacturers and suppliers. As more people enter the market as firearm owners, the need for small caliber ammunition grows, driving the overall market growth. Furthermore, adopting guns for safety purposes extends beyond individuals to businesses, institutions, and organizations concerned with security. This includes private security firms, retail establishments, educational institutions, and more. These entities often require firearms and ammunition to enhance their security measures, contributing to the demand for small caliber ammunition. The market growth driven by the adoption of guns for safety purposes is not limited to just ammunition sales. It also ripple effect on related sectors, such as firearm manufacturing, firearm accessories, shooting ranges, training facilities, and safety equipment. As more individuals and organizations embrace firearms for safety, these sectors experience increased demand and growth, creating a positive market environment. However, it's important to note that various factors, including legal regulations, social perceptions, and safety training initiatives, also influence the growth in the small caliber ammunition market. The market growth is intricately connected to the complex dynamics of firearms ownership and usage, which can vary significantly across different regions and countries.
Segmental Analysis:
Based on ammunition size, the small caliber ammunition market is segmented 5.56mm, 7.62mm, 9mm, 12.7mm, 14.5mm, 45ACP, .338mm, .22LR, 223 REM, and .308 Winchester. The 9mm segment held the largest share of the market in 2020, whereas the 7.62 mm segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. Due to several factors, the 9mm segment holds the largest share of the small caliber ammunition market. The 9mm cartridge is versatile and suitable for various applications, including self-defense, target shooting, and competition. It is widely used by military, law enforcement, and civilians. The availability of a wide range of handguns chambered in 9mm contributes to its dominance. The 9mm allows for higher magazine capacities and generates manageable recoil, making it popular among shooters. It is cost-effective and widely available, and industry standardization ensures compatibility. Advancements in performance have further solidified its market share. The 9mm segment's popularity and attributes have made it the leading choice in the small caliber ammunition market.
Regional Analysis:
The North America small caliber ammunition market was valued at US$ 2.29 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach US$ 3.68 billion by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period. Due to various factors, North America has emerged as the dominant player in the small caliber ammunition market. Firstly, the region has a robust firearm culture, particularly in the United States, where owning firearms is deeply ingrained in society. This cultural affinity for firearms produces a substantial demand for small caliber ammunition. Furthermore, North America boasts one of the highest civilian gun ownership rates globally. Many people own firearms for self-defense, recreational shooting, and hunting purposes. This widespread ownership creates a consistent and substantial demand for small caliber ammunition to support the firearms owned by individuals. The region's military and law enforcement sectors also contribute significantly to its market dominance. North America has a large defense industry, and military and law enforcement agencies require a substantial supply of small caliber ammunition for training, operational activities, and law enforcement purposes. Government contracts and procurement programs further bolster the demand for ammunition.
Moreover, North America has many shooting competitions, sports events, and recreational shooting activities. These events attract participants from across the region and even internationally. The demand for small caliber ammunition rises as shooting enthusiasts and competitors require ammunition for practice and participation in these events. North America's strong manufacturing and technological capabilities further contribute to its dominance in the small caliber ammunition market. The region is home to prominent ammunition manufacturers and suppliers, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality products to meet the growing demand.
Key Player Analysis:
The small caliber ammunition market analysis consists of the players such as BAE Systems, CBC Global Ammunition, Denel Pretoria Metal Pressing, Elbit Systems Ltd., FN Herstel, General Dynamics OTS, Nammo AS, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Remington Arms Company LLC, and Winchester Ammunition. Among the players in the small caliber ammunition Northrop Grumman Corporation and Elbit Systems Ltd. are the top two players owing to the diversified product portfolio offered.
Recent Developments:
Inorganic and organic strategies such as mergers and acquisitions are highly adopted by companies in the small caliber ammunition market. A few recent key market developments are listed below:
- In April 2021, PT Pindad, the state-owned enterprise, received orders from Thailand for an undisclosed quantity of 5.56 mm caliber munitions.
- In January 2021, Philippines awarded a contract to Brazilian arms manufacturer Taurus Armas to fulfill a requirement for more than 12,000 new Taurus T4 5.56 x 45mm automatic rifles. In 2019, SIG Sauer USA was awarded a contract to deliver 2,702 SIGM400 rifles.
Published Report - Small Caliber Ammunition Market Regional Insights
The regional trends and factors influencing the Published Report - Small Caliber Ammunition Market throughout the forecast period have been thoroughly explained by the analysts at Insight Partners. This section also discusses Published Report - Small Caliber Ammunition Market segments and geography across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America.

- Get the Regional Specific Data for Published Report - Small Caliber Ammunition Market
Published Report - Small Caliber Ammunition Market Report Scope
Report Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Market size in 2020 | US$ 5.92 Billion |
Market Size by 2028 | US$ 10.24 Billion |
Global CAGR (2020 - 2028) | 7.5% |
Historical Data | 2018-2019 |
Forecast period | 2021-2028 |
Segments Covered |
By Ammunition Size
|
Regions and Countries Covered | North America
|
Market leaders and key company profiles |
Published Report - Small Caliber Ammunition Market Players Density: Understanding Its Impact on Business Dynamics
The Published Report - Small Caliber Ammunition Market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.
Market players density refers to the distribution of firms or companies operating within a particular market or industry. It indicates how many competitors (market players) are present in a given market space relative to its size or total market value.
Major Companies operating in the Published Report - Small Caliber Ammunition Market are:
- BAE Systems
- CBC Global Ammunition
- Denel Pretoria Metal Pressing
- Elbit Systems Ltd.
- FN Herstel
Disclaimer: The companies listed above are not ranked in any particular order.

- Get the Published Report - Small Caliber Ammunition Market top key players overview
- Historical Analysis (2 Years), Base Year, Forecast (7 Years) with CAGR
- PEST and SWOT Analysis
- Market Size Value / Volume - Global, Regional, Country
- Industry and Competitive Landscape
- Excel Dataset


- Photo Editing Software Market
- Virtual Pipeline Systems Market
- Point of Care Diagnostics Market
- Cell Line Development Market
- Aesthetic Medical Devices Market
- Medical Audiometer Devices Market
- Mice Model Market
- Fixed-Base Operator Market
- Biopharmaceutical Tubing Market
- Airport Runway FOD Detection Systems Market

Report Coverage
Revenue forecast, Company Analysis, Industry landscape, Growth factors, and Trends

Segment Covered
Ammunition Size , End User , Gun Type , and Geography

Regional Scope
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, South & Central America

Country Scope
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States
Frequently Asked Questions
Which factor is driving growth of the Small Caliber Ammunition market?
The militaries of almost all major defense spending nations maintain an arsenal consisting of numerous self-propelled and towed howitzers and main battle tanks (MBTs). The armies are involved in regular training exercises with these weapon systems. Therefore, they need to stock significant quantities of tank, artillery, and training ammunition, depending on the number of launch platforms they possess. Small caliber ammunition is a part of artillery ammunition of various defense forces across the world is used in a range of weapon systems. Moreover, military professionals are focusing on calibers like 7.62mm for higher projectiles as the existing widely used calibers like the 5.56 mm are becoming ineffective in piercing the tougher armors. Therefore, the government and military forces are emphasizing on investing on ammunitions which is fostering the small caliber ammunition market.
Which ammunition led the Small Caliber Ammunition market?
The 9MM is leading the global Small Caliber Ammunition market. Due to the availability of lightweight handguns with wide magazine capacities that use the 9 mm Parabellum cartridge, it has become the most common caliber among law enforcement officers in the US as well as other countries
Which region led the Small Caliber Ammunition market in 2020?
Presently, North America held the largest share of the global Small Caliber Ammunition market owing to rising investment in research and development for military modernization plans for procuring the latest ammunition assets to replace the existing ammunition assets.
Trends and growth analysis reports related to Aerospace and Defense : READ MORE..
The List of Companies - Small Caliber Ammunition Market
- BAE Systems
- CBC Global Ammunition
- Denel Pretoria Metal Pressing
- Elbit Systems Ltd.
- FN Herstel
- General Dynamics OTS
- Nammo AS
- Northrop Grumman Corporation
- Remington Arms Company LLC
- Winchester Ammunition