Every year, ATF releases its Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report. The report gives a look at how many firearms U.S. manufacturers reported as manufactured and disposed of in commerce during the year.
It is not the same thing as retail sales, and it does not tell us exactly what customers bought at gun stores. It also does not fully reflect imported firearms. But it is still one of the better snapshots of U.S. firearm manufacturing.
For 2024, the headline is simple: overall production was down slightly, pistols remained strong, and Ruger came out on top.
The quick numbers
U.S. manufacturers reported 9,474,540 firearms in 2024.
That was down from 9,772,259 in 2023, a decline of about 3%.
The movement was different depending on the category:
- Pistols were up slightly
- Rifles were down
- Revolvers were down sharply
- Shotguns were nearly flat
- Miscellaneous firearms increased
Pistols remained the biggest category
Pistols were the largest category in the 2024 report, with 4,025,829 reported.
That fits what we see every day in the shop. Carry pistols, home-defense handguns, optics-ready pistols, and compact 9mm options continue to be a major part of the market.
Rifles were still a major category, but they dropped from 2023. Revolvers dropped more sharply. Shotguns barely changed.
Ruger was number one
When the 2024 ATF data is grouped by company name, Sturm, Ruger & Company reported the highest U.S. firearm production total.
The top three were:
- Ruger — 1,356,710
- Smith & Wesson — 970,160
- SIG Sauer — 944,605
Ruger’s number is not just from one type of firearm. The company makes pistols, revolvers, and rifles, so its total comes from a broad product line.
That is the part I think a lot of people will find interesting. Ruger may not always get talked about the same way as some of the flashier brands, but the production numbers put it at the top for 2024.
Do not read this as a retail sales ranking
The ATF report is useful, but it needs to be read the right way.
AFMER is a manufacturing report. It is not a point-of-sale report from gun stores. It also does not fully show the impact of imported firearms.
So this does not necessarily mean these are the best-selling brands at every gun counter. It means these were the largest reported U.S. manufacturers based on ATF’s reporting.
What it means for buyers
The market looks more normal than it did during the rush years.
That can be good for customers. A more normal market usually means better availability, more choices, and more competitive pricing. Manufacturers also have to work harder to offer better features and better value.
Whether you are looking for a carry pistol, home-defense firearm, hunting rifle, shotgun, revolver, AR-style rifle, or something else, there are plenty of good options right now.
If you have questions about what fits your needs, stop by Brown & Son Guns and we will help you compare the choices.
Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report, 2024 Final Report, with 2023 comparison from the prior AFMER report.