Gun Industry Trends in 2025: What to Expect

It seems like more and more often, the firearms industry carries a theme throughout the year. We can see trends emerge as firearms companies target what sells and jump on it!

Last year seemed to be the year of the tactical lever gun, so what’s next for 2025? 

That’s the question I asked myself. I went to SHOT, I follow press releases, and I am addicted to seeing what’s new. Being a part of the firearms writer’s community will do that. In doing so, I’ve noticed five distinct trends that I think we’ll see in 2025. 

Let’s check them out one by one!

More and More Glock Clones 

Ever since the patents on the Gen 3 Glock ran out, the industry has swooped in to create more and more Glock clones. How many? All of them. 

Seriously, Palmetto State Armory started it with the Dagger, and it felt like the industry waited to see what would happen. PSA sold piles of Daggers at low prices, and other manufacturers saw that they weren’t getting sued by Glock. 

You better believe we have a PSA Dagger review, so check it out for all the specs and shooting impressions.

With that in play, this year, a flurry of new Glock clones hit the market. Some are even taking the system to the next level. For example, both Ruger and Strike Industries are producing a Glock Gen 3 clone with a removable fire control system. 

This takes a Glock and gives it the P320 treatment, which opens it up to new grip modules, slides, and even calibers. To me, the most exciting part of this operation is the ability to turn a pistol into a PDW like a Flux — but for Glock. 

Some companies, like Live Free Armory and Matrix Arms, are implementing new features to the frame, like metal grip integrated grips, integral compensators, and more. This is taking old designs to new levels. 

If you want to save cash, Bear Creek Arsenal is producing a Glock Gen 3 clone known as the Grizzly. It promises to be affordable and feature-filled. GFORCE arms is doing a Glock clone as well as a quasi-super-compact Glock clone that takes a 1.5-stack magazine. 

American companies aren’t the only guys getting into the Gen 3 Glock game. Turkish producer TriStar has released a Glock Gen 3 Clone, and Israeli company Bul also has a very fancy Glock clone.

I can see why the platform is attractive. Glock has a huge ecosystem of holsters, magazines, and upgrades — along with a great reputation. It’s a platform that works, and people trust it.

People also have complaints about Glock. 

A lot of these companies are doing one of two things: they’re either addressing perceived flaws in the Gen 3 design and pressing the platform forward with features and design cues people have always wanted, or they are simply producing it cheaper. Ruger is doing both with the RXM. 

2011s Are Upon Us 

When STI became Staccato, they didn’t just change their name — they really put their backs into marketing. They wanted to capture the duty and concealed carry markets with high-quality 2011s, and it worked. These guns aren’t just for 2011 enthusiasts and competitors anymore.

Find out why they’re so popular in our Staccato 2011 P review! 

Staccato opened a can of worms in the industry. There are 2011s everywhere. Well, 2011-ish guns and double-stack 1911s. There is a difference, but that’s a different discussion (and most consumers don’t know or care).

Staccato has the new HD line that takes Glock magazines. It’s also drop-safe and integrates several new features people were seemingly clamoring for. The HD line was certainly a highlight of the show, but there were so many new double-stack 1911s and 2011s that it was hard to see them all. 

OA Defense is producing the OA 2311, which is a 2011-style firearm that takes SIG P320 magazines. 

Live Free Armory had the Apollo 11, a made-in-America 2011-style pistol that starts right around a$1,000. You can spec your Apollo 11 to your wants and needs with a buffet-like ordering system. It’s a solid shooter.  

Jacob Grey Firearms introduced the TWC Hex, which is beautiful and fits with the classic high end price point of the 2011 platform. Another high-end gun is the Romulus from Alpha Foxtrot that looks wonderful. 

Springfield introduced a compact Prodigy. Kimber showed us the 2k11. Then we got affordable designs like the MAC 9 DS Comp, the EAA Witness2311, and even a 2011 on the PSA concept wall. 

It’s easy to see why 2011-style firearms and double-stack 1911s are becoming so popular. People, especially Americans, love the 1911; however, a lot of us have been raised on capacities that range from 15 to 21 rounds.

With these pistols, you still get the 1911-like design and single-action-only trigger, but with modern capacities. They are very popular with competition shooters and are growing in LEO circles that allow such fancy firearms. The spread of competition has also brought them into the everyman’s hands. 

No longer are you spending several thousand dollars to get a 2011 (unless you want to; then the world is your oyster). 

What’s Old Is New 

There were lots of guns produced a generation ago that have lept in price over time. These are guns a lot of folks will never experience. 

Unless an enterprising company gets together and releases a new one, that is. That seems to be one of the latest themes for 2025. Old guns are coming back, and I love it. 

We have a mix of interesting firearms. Guns like the Heritage Roscoe offer an affordable, five-shot .38 Special that’s usable, shootable, and fun in an old school format that was never available to me. 

We have nice, higher-end guns like the Colt snake guns. Colt is releasing them all, including odd variants like the Viper, and guns like the Grizzly and Kodiak. Heck, they are even making them red-dot ready! 

Since we’re talking revolvers, Smith & Wesson released a Model 10, Model 36, and Model 19 in the classic blued frame and wood grip configurations. They even ditched the lock. Lipseys and S&W re-released a couple of lock-free Mountain guns. 

It’s not just revolvers. A company called P7 Pro is bringing back the famed HK P7 to the modern market. The idea is to reduce weight, minimize heat buildup, and just make a better P7. I’m pumped for it. 

Century Arms introduced the AP53, an HK 53 clone. This is a 5.56 NATO roller-delayed pistol that is brilliant.

It’s very easy to see why these guns are coming back. It’s a bit like home ownership; boomers swept them up, and younger generations are spending considerably more to own one. The “old is new” theme is allowing people to get their hands on guns that exist, but have always been too expensive to own. 

PDWs For Everyone

The civilian personal defense weapon concept exploded this year. Not that long ago, you would have seen one or two at SHOT Show. I remember when it was basically just the Flux and B&T MP9.

Check out our Sig Sauer P320 Flux Legion review!

The popularity of PDWs spurred B&T to make a Gen 2 MP9, and PSA showed off the X9, a concept gun that looks promising. These are dedicated PDW-style firearms with real promise. 

The rise of modular fire control units is a major contributing factor. Flux started it with the Raider and P365 Raider, and plenty of other companies took notice. 

Tyrant CNC is developing Sig Sauer P365 and Springfield Armory Echelon PDWs. Meta Tactical and Recover Tactical expanded their systems to be more PDW-like. Shalo Tek is making a braced grip module for the P365.

More Budget Guns 

Who doesn’t love budget guns? I do; I love them a lot. Most of the guns I buy are for fun, so why wouldn’t I want them to be cheap? 

As we mentioned there are tons and tons of new cheap Glock Gen 3 guns like the BCA Grizzly and the TriStar clone.

TriStar is doing a micro-sized 1911-style pistol in 9mm. G-Force Arms is producing a little AR-9 called the Jawbone, with ambidextrous controls and a forward mounted charging handle for less than $500. Hi-Point has turned their rifles into large-format pistols just waiting for a brace. 

Taurus has been on the rise, and some of their firearms have gotten a little more expensive. This year they returned to their roots with the GX2. It’s a standard — and dare I say boring — striker fired, polymer-frame 9mm pistol, and it will be super affordable. 

Palmetto State Armory had a massive wall of concepts with a variety of affordable prototype firearms. See which ones are going into production!

Guns are getting cheaper — way cheaper. That’s a good thing because the Second Amendment is for everyone. 

Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical

Pew Pew Tactical contributor Travis Pike authored this article. Travis spent a lifetime shooting as a kid and later joined the United States Marine Corps, where he spent five years as an infantryman. In the middle of his Marine Corps career, he began writing and never stopped. Travis is an NRA-certified instructor and Concealed Carry Instructor for the state of Florida. He has thousands of articles to his name with a variety of publications, including Pew Pew Tactical.

Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

It’s 2025 Time 

These are the trends I’ve noticed at the beginning of this year and the trends that I believe will keep expanding.

Gone is the world’s latest AR-15.  

What trends have you noticed? What’s coming? What’s going? Does anyone care about ARC calibers? Let us know below. As always, stay on top of the latest firearm-related action with our news section!