EXPLORING THE GLOBAL SHOTGUN MARKET

In a world where sports shooters, professional users and hunters seek the perfect blend of tradition and innovation, the global shotgun market stands as a testament to both craftsmanship and technological advancement. This month’s Gun Trade insight delves into the multifaceted realm of shotguns, exploring their historical significance, evolving trends, and the aspects that define the global shotgun market.

SHOTGUNS BACK AND FORTH

Shotguns, with their origins dating back many centuries, have played a pivotal role in hunting, sports shooting, and personal defence. If you could have only one single gun, a shotgun would be hard to beat. From the classic double-barreled designs of the 19th century to modern semi-automatic models, shotguns have adapted to the changing needs of users while retaining their iconic design as well as intuitive handling.

A DIVERSE INDUSTRY

The global shotgun industry is a diverse and dynamic landscape influenced by factors such as cultural preferences, hunting traditions, shooting sports, and self-defense needs. When looking at shotgun production, the following countries are making their mark.

The United States has one of the largest shotgun markets in the world due to its strong hunting and shooting sports culture. A myriad of American manufacturers produce a wide range of shotguns, catering to various purposes from hunting to tactical use.

Italy is a hub for premium shotgun manufacturing, particularly in the realm of over-and-under, side-by-side and semi-auto shotguns. Italian brands are known for their craftsmanship and innovation. Italy's shotguns are often associated with high-quality materials, intricate engravings, and fine woodworking.

Turkey has rapidly risen as a significant player in the shotgun market. Turkish manufacturers produce a range of shotguns that are known for their affordability and quality. Turkish shotguns have gained popularity globally for offering reliable options at competitive prices.

Japanese manufacturers produce shotguns that are highly regarded for their precision engineering and attention to detail. These shotguns often appeal to both hunting and sporting enthusiasts.

Brazil is home to manufacturers who produce shotguns that are popular in various markets due to their affordability and functionality.

Various other countries also contribute to the global shotgun market, often with niche or specialized offerings. The UK for example has a tradition of producing side-by-side shotguns, and countries like Germany, Spain and France have manufacturers catering to specific hunting and shooting needs.

OVERALL SHOTGUN SALES

The global shotgun market has witnessed notable trends in recent years, reflecting shifting consumer preferences and emerging technologies. While the market for traditional hunting shotguns remains steady, there is a growing demand for tactical shotguns intended for home defense and law enforcement / military use. Additionally, the surge in popularity of shooting sports, such as clay target shooting and practical shotgun competitions, has contributed to the market's diversification.

Compared to last year’s survey, retailers claim shotgun sales have stabilized. The majority of gunshops in our survey sell up to 50 shotguns per annum, whereas one fifth of the shops in our survey are selling between 51 and 100 guns per year. Another 20 percent even sells over 200 shotguns per year. The rest of our respondents yearly sell between 50 and 200 guns, with an emphasis on the lower end (51-100 items) of this bracket.

The number one most important feature for shotgun buyers remains brand/make. Nearly one third of retailers claim price is the most significant reason why buyers decide for or against a purchase. Handling qualities comes in third tying with the importance of technical features which is also very real.

Sales of clay target and hunting shotguns for last year have remained largely stable, with over half of retailers claiming the number of guns sold is the same as the previous year. Nearly one quarter of retailers meanwhile claim their clay and hunting gun sales are on the rise. A positive trend in the market that maintains its growth spurt is the growing popularity of tactical shotguns. Nearly half of the retailers in our survey claim sales of this type of shotgun have increased year upon year.

SHOTGUN TYPES

When considering shotgun types sold for game and field hunting, it appears the over-and-under still reigns supreme. Semi-automatics and pump action shotguns meanwhile account for half of sales while the popularity of the venerable side-by-side seems to be dwindling yet remains present. This will certainly vary from region to region. A lot depends on what type of guns is being used to teach you to shoot. When you learn to shoot with an over-and-under, as many people do nowadays, it is only obvious you will continue shooting over-and-unders and not switch type all of a sudden. Therefore, when considering guns for clay shooting, it does not come as a surprise that the over-and-under comes out on top. Gas-operated semi-automatic shotguns meanwhile are still far more popular than inertia-driven semi-automatics.

REASONS TO BUY

Looking at the main reasons people purchase shotguns, general field hunting comes out on top according to our survey. 30 percent of respondents claim this is the main reason for buying shotguns. Personal and home defense are another major reason for purchasing a shotgun. Tactical and practical shooting is a growing niche in the shotgun market, reaching 25 percent in the last survey and overtaking clay shooting as a reason to buy.

SMALL GAUGES CONSOLIDATE

The trend for smaller gauges is definitely established by now but appears to have slowed down a bit. Guns from 20 gauge to .410 are in demand, from the budget to the luxury end of the market. In the medium to high end sidelock side-by-side market for example, 20 gauge is today's champion. According to our survey, the sales of smaller gauge shotguns is up for only 22 percent of the respondents in our survey.

GIRL POWER

Next to the popularity of the smaller gauges, the number of ladies starting out clay shooting and/or hunting appears to have stabilized as well. Our survey confirms this as the number of ladies buying shotguns is up only 11 percent compared to the previous year.

WRAPPING UP

The global shotgun market is a testament to the intersection of history, innovation, and diverse user preferences. From classic designs steeped in tradition to state-of-the-art models equipped with cutting-edge features, shotguns cater to a broad spectrum of needs. As the market continues to evolve, it remains essential for manufacturers and retailers? to strike a balance between embracing new market segments as well as upholding the traditional ones.