Firearm Sight Market– Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Full Size, Microdots, Mini Reflex), By Application (Armed Forces, Hunting), By Region, Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Firearm Sight Market, valued at USD 1.46 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 3.95% to reach USD 1.84 Billion by 2030. Firearm sights are aiming mechanisms, either integrated or affixed to firearms, designed to facilitate accurate target alignment and shot placement. The global firearm sight market experiences growth driven by several factors, including rising global defense expenditures, expanding participation in sport shooting and hunting activities, and increasing demand for modern sporting rifles. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), estimated gun sales in the United States reached 15.2 million in 2024, indicating a substantial market for both new firearm purchases and sight upgrades.

Further market expansion is supported by ongoing technological advancements that enhance sight performance and user preference for improved accuracy, alongside heightened geopolitical tensions influencing military and law enforcement procurement. However, a significant impediment to market growth is the complex and stringent regulatory landscape governing firearms and accessories across various international jurisdictions. These diverse and often restrictive regulations can create considerable barriers to market entry and product distribution.

Key Market Drivers

Rising global military and law enforcement procurement significantly bolsters the firearm sight market through consistent demand for advanced optical solutions. Modern defense and security operations necessitate superior aiming capabilities, driving procurement of red dot sights, magnified optics, and thermal imaging systems to enhance situational awareness and target acquisition across diverse environments. These investments reflect ongoing efforts to modernize equipment and maintain a tactical advantage amidst evolving global security challenges. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in April 2025, global military expenditure increased by 9.4 percent to $2.7 trillion in 2024, as noted in their report "Unprecedented rise in global military expenditure as European and Middle East spending surges". This substantial spending directly translates into opportunities for manufacturers to supply high-performance optics meeting rigorous standards.

Growing participation in recreational shooting and hunting activities worldwide is another fundamental driver for firearm sight demand. As more individuals engage in sport shooting, competitive events, and hunting, the need for precise and reliable aiming devices for personal firearms increases. Enthusiasts frequently seek sight upgrades to improve accuracy, enhance performance, and personalize their equipment, ranging from holographic sights for competitions to high-magnification scopes for long-range hunting. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, in May 2024, "Report: U. S. Sports Participation Increased Across Most Categories in 2023," indicating that most shooting sports segment activities in the United States showed gains, netting a 4.8 percent increase in Total Participation Points for 2023 versus 2022. This robust consumer base actively invests in firearms and their associated accessories. Overall, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, in 2022, target shooting generated approximately $17 billion in annual retail sales within the United States.

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Key Market Challenges

The complex and stringent regulatory landscape governing firearms and accessories presents a considerable impediment to the global firearm sight market. Diverse and often restrictive regulations across various international jurisdictions create substantial barriers to market entry and product distribution. Compliance with differing legal frameworks for manufacturing, import, export, and sales of firearm sights and their components increases operational costs and extends the time required for new products to reach consumers. This regulatory fragmentation can deter smaller manufacturers from entering certain markets and complicates strategic planning for larger entities.

For instance, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearm and ammunition industry's total economic impact in the United States reached $90.5 billion in 2023 and $91.7 billion in 2024. While this demonstrates a robust underlying market, the intricate web of regulations necessitates significant investment in legal and compliance departments, diverting capital that could otherwise be allocated to innovation, research and development, or market expansion. These elevated compliance burdens ultimately restrict overall market expansion for firearm sights by limiting product availability and potentially increasing end-user prices.

Key Market Trends

Advanced Thermal and Night Vision Capabilities represent a significant upward trend in the global firearm sight market, driven by the increasing need for enhanced situational awareness and target acquisition in challenging conditions. These advanced optics provide users with the ability to detect heat signatures and amplify ambient light, offering a decisive advantage during low-light operations, adverse weather, or complete darkness. Manufacturers are continuously innovating to improve sensor resolution, battery life, and detection ranges. For example, Pulsar introduced the Thermion 2 LRF XL50 thermal rifle scope at SHOT Show 2024, featuring a 1024x768 thermal resolution, which marked a substantial advancement in imaging clarity for rifle scopes.

Smart Technology Integration in Optics is another pivotal trend transforming the firearm sight market by incorporating digital functionalities that enhance user experience and accuracy. This involves the integration of features such as ballistic calculators, rangefinders, environmental sensors, and wireless connectivity directly into sighting systems. These technologies streamline the shooting process by providing real-time data and automated adjustments, thereby improving precision and reducing user error. At SHOT Show 2024, Burris Optics introduced the Eliminator 6, a rifle scope capable of ranging targets, computing precise ballistic solutions, and displaying the necessary holdover, eliminating manual calculations for shooters. The broader accessories category, which includes such advanced optical devices, experienced a 3.7 percent growth to $1.5 billion in 2024, according to the Outdoor Industry Association's April 2025 report, highlighting expanding consumer investment in sophisticated ancillary equipment.

Segmental Insights

The Microdots segment is rapidly expanding within the Global Firearm Sight Market, distinguished by its superior operational benefits. This accelerated growth is primarily driven by the enhanced accuracy and significantly faster target acquisition these sights provide, allowing users to engage targets more swiftly and precisely than with traditional iron sights. Furthermore, Microdots offer improved performance in low-light conditions due to their illuminated reticles, alongside reduced parallax error, which together contribute to a more consistent and reliable aiming experience. Their compact and durable design also broadens application across various firearm platforms, enhancing versatility for both civilian and professional users.

Regional Insights

North America holds a leading position in the global firearm sight market, driven by a deeply ingrained culture of civilian firearm ownership and extensive participation in shooting sports and hunting activities across the region. This robust civilian demand is complemented by significant defense funding and ongoing modernization programs within military and law enforcement sectors, which necessitate advanced sighting technologies. Furthermore, the presence of prominent optics manufacturers and a well-established technological ecosystem in North America contributes to continuous innovation and the development of sophisticated products, catering to diverse consumer and institutional requirements.

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, Aimpoint announced a significant collaboration with GLOCK, resulting in the exclusive GLOCK x Aimpoint COA package. This initiative introduced the new Aimpoint COA red dot optic, optimized for concealed carry pistols and designed for both slimline and standard pistol frames. The COA optic featured a new A-CUT™ interface mounting system, enabling the sight to be mounted deeper into the pistol slide for enhanced stability and a low profile. This factory-installed optic was initially available exclusively on select 9mm GLOCK pistol models, providing a user-friendly and high-performance package.

• In January 2024, Aimpoint, a prominent manufacturer in sports and tactical optics, introduced the new ACRO S-2 red dot sight. This sight was specifically designed for shotguns featuring a ventilated rib, aiming to significantly improve hit percentages for hunters and sport shooters. The ACRO S-2 incorporates an integrated carbon fiber reinforced mounting system, allowing for a compact and low-profile optical axis. It comes with eight interchangeable adapter plates to accommodate most standard shotguns. The sight's large 9 MOA red dot aids in lead visualization, facilitating better muzzle swing and positioning for enhanced accuracy.

• In January 2024, Trijicon unveiled its new Credo 1-10x28 riflescope, expanding its established Credo line of optics. This premium model, designed for versatility, offers increased magnification up to 10x while maintaining a compact and lightweight profile. It features a first focal plane reticle with selectable red or green illumination, adapting to various lighting conditions. The optic includes a 34mm main tube, offering ample travel for adjustments, and is equipped with a zero stop for precision. The Credo 1-10x28 was made available to enhance performance across diverse shooting scenarios, from close-quarters to extended ranges.

• In January 2024, Holosun introduced its DPS line of digital pistol sights, including the DPS-TH with thermal overlay and DPS-NV with digital night vision overlay. These innovative pistol sights incorporate fusion day/night vision capabilities, projecting an overlay on a 640x480 display. Both models are powered by removable, rechargeable 18350 batteries and feature an LED Multi-Reticle System, with an option for digital reticles. The company continued to advance its thermal offerings with a concept thermal pistol optic that mounted on the accessory rail, feeding an image to the slide-mounted optic.

Key Market Players

• Bushnell Corporation
• Aimpoint AB
• Black Spider LLC
• Burris Company Inc.
• Vortex Optics
• Command Arms Accessories (CAA)
• DI Optical Co., Ltd.
• Sightmark
• EOTech, Inc.
• High Speed Gear, Inc.

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Firearm Sight Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Firearm Sight Market, By Type:

o   Full Size

o   Microdots

o   Mini Reflex

• Firearm Sight Market, By Application:

o   Armed Forces

o   Hunting

• Firearm Sight Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Firearm Sight Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Firearm Sight Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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