The analysis shows that the Top 30 manufacturers account for 8.4 million of the 9.6 million firearms produced domestically in 2024 — roughly 88% of total U.S. output. Overall, American firearm production declined 2% year over year to 9.6 million units.
At the top of the list, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and Sig Sauer retained their positions as the three largest U.S. firearm manufacturers, with Smith & Wesson moving into the #2 spot ahead of Sig Sauer. Across product segments, the four leading pistol makers — Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, and Glock — held steady; Ruger climbed to #1 in rifles ahead of Savage Arms; and Mossberg secured its fifth consecutive year as the top shotgun manufacturer, with Beretta advancing to #2. Notably, Empire Precision Plastics broke into the Top 30 for the first time at #23, jumping 25 spots from the prior year, while Charter Arms returned to the revolver top 10 after a three-year absence.
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In 2024, U.S. firearm production declined by 2% to 9.6 million units, down from 9.8 million units in 2023. Production declined for the third consecutive year following its peak of 13.8 million in 2021, driven by the COVID pandemic and social unrest.
The ATF publishes its Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER), documenting data for all firearms produced or exported by manufacturers during the previous calendar year. This data is published one year (plus) in arrears. The 2024 AFMER report was released in early May 2026.
Following the recent release of the ATF’s 2024 AFMER Final Report, we have reviewed production data from over 3,900 Manufacturing FFLs to compile a list of the Top 30 largest USA firearm manufacturers of 2024, responsible for 8.4 million of the 9.6 million reported firearms manufactured in the USA (88%). This data excludes firearms manufactured outside the USA and imported into the USA.
In 2024, U.S. firearm production declined by 2% to 9.6 million units, down from 9.8 million units in 2023. Production declined for the third consecutive year following its peak of 13.8 million in 2021, driven by the COVID pandemic and social unrest.
Key Takeaways
- The firearm industry is returning to normal levels of production following the 2021 peak, driven by COVID and social unrest.
- The top 30 USA manufacturers produce ~88% of firearms annually.
- Ruger maintained the #1 USA manufacturer ranking for the 3rd year in succession.
- The top three manufacturers for total firearms (Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and Sig Sauer) maintained their top three status from the prior year, with Smith & Wesson moving into the #2 rank ahead of Sig Sauer
- Empire Precision Plastics (EPP) achieved Top 30 status (#23) in 2024 for the 1st time since our annual ranking analysis commenced. EPP was up 25 spots from its rank in 2023
- The top four pistol manufacturers remained unchanged (Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, and Glock)
- In the revolver product segment, Charter Arms is back in the top 10, at #6, after missing the rankings for three years (no data reported)
- The top five rifle brands maintained their head of the pack status, with Ruger moving into the #1 spot ahead of Savage Arms
- Mossberg held its #1 rank in shotguns for the 5th straight year. With Beretta moving into the #2 spot, reflecting improved share or a shift of production from Italy to its plant in Gallatin, TN
- From 2020 through 2024, the Top 5 brands with the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) are Remington (+70%), Staccato 2011 (+24%), Shadow Systems (+23%), Empire Precision Plastics (+18%), and Colt (+17%)
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