Gun Gear by the Numbers: What’s Hot in Every State Right Now

Want to know more about what drives the firearm industry? So do we! 

We’re always looking for insight into what manufacturers are working on, what customers want, and what trends are taking shape.

For example, what do people want once they buy a gun? They’re going to need ammunition, optics, and maybe a few accessories, but what do they buy most?

To find out, we got in touch with online retailer OpticsPlanet. The people there were generous enough to share the top ten sales categories for all 50 states, so we can see what customers are buying and maybe identify a few regional trends as well.

Let’s dig in!

A Quick Look at the Stats

Gun Parts Top the List

Gun parts dominate this list, with no other product category anywhere close.

In 48 states, OpticsPlanet customers buy more gun parts than anything else. That means people are building AR-15s, collecting magazines, and upgrading firearms at an incredible rate.

Within this category, the three most popular items at the time of writing are the SB Tactical SBA5 pistol brace, the Breek Arms Warhammer Mod2 charging handle, and the Magpul B.A.D. Lever.

Outside of those top performers, it’s a sea of AR-15 triggers, grips, lower parts kits, and buffer systems.

That makes sense. The AR-15 is the most popular firearm in the U.S., partly because its infinitely customizable with basic tools. If you haven’t built your own yet, check out our AR-15 Ultimate Resource.

I also noticed a few Sig Sauer P365 parts sneak into the top 50. Again, that’s an extremely popular modular firearm that makes upgrading and modifying easy for the amateur gunsmith.

There are only two states where gun parts don’t top the list. Rifle scopes rank first in Alaska and Washington, where gun parts rank second. 

Must-Have Optics

Do you shoot exclusively with iron sights? Yeah, neither do we. Optics are clearly the sales silver medalists behind gun parts in OpticsPlanet sales.

Rifle scopes and red dots combine to rank second in 44 states (remember, they’re first in Alaska and Washington). Apparently, shooters in Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi, and New Hampshire are happy with their iron sights.

Rifle scopes are more popular than red dots, but OpticsPlanet’s top seller is the budget-friendly Vortex Viper red dot. Some of you probably haven’t given that optic a second thought since the Defender line came out, but money talks, and it’s still a major player.

Behind that is a parade of Vortex rifle scopes. Value-forward scopes and low-power variable optics from the Diamondback and Strike Eagle product families make up most of the top sellers, along with popular red dots from Holosun.

Accessories and…Thermals?

Once we get past gun parts and optics, the data set starts to open up a little bit. Six different categories appear at number four, with weapon accessories appearing at number four in 27 states. Thermals also appear at number two in Alabama, Kansas, and Mississippi.

This category includes things like the top-selling Magpul M-LOK QD sling mount and a slew of Streamlight pistol lights.

Interestingly, thermal imaging devices appear at the number four spot for 11 states.

AGM is the primary brand in this category, with therma rifle scopes like the Rattler V2 leading the way.

Based on the popularity of thermal rifle scopes in southeastern and western states, overlaying this data with coyote and feral hog populations would probably result in a pretty clear picture what customers are using them for.

Thermals also rank at the number four spot for Hawai’i, which is surprising because it’s illegal to hunt after dark in Hawai’i. Maybe those customers are just keeping an eye on the nearest volcano with a thermal monocular.

Other Standout Trends

So, we know the major drivers in OpticsPlanet’s sales. But what other trends are there?

Ammunition

We can’t shoot without ammunition, so you might assume that ammo is a leading sales driver in every state. Apparently, that’s not the case (for OpticsPlanet, anyway).

Ammunition is not even in the top ten product categories for Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, presumably as a result of state laws restricting how ammunition can be purchased and transported.

It barely made the cutoff at number 10 in New York, South Dakota, and Utah. New Hampshire customers buy the most ammo in relative terms, where it ranks fourth in product categories – live free or die, indeed.

What are the most popular cartridges at OpticsPlanet?

PMC X-TAC 62-grain 5.56 NATO is the site’s best-selling ammunition (PMC X-TAC 55-grain 5.56 NATO rounds out the top five). Outside of that, it’s a mix of 7.62×39, 9mm, .22 LR, and more 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem ammo.

Regional Trends

Outside of each state’s top five product categories, things start to get a little more interesting.

Binoculars rank sixth in Arkansas and seventh in Maryland. The top four binoculars in terms of popularity on OpticsPlanet are all Vortex Diamondback-series binoculars, followed by the relatively new Vortex Triumph entry-level binocular.

Magazines finally crack the list at number seven in Maryland. Unsurprisingly, the top sales performers are all various AR-15 and Glock mags.

Rangefinders make their first appearance at number seven for North Dakota. OpticsPlanet’s best-selling rangefinder is the affordable Vortex Crossfire HD 1400. Given the relatively flat, open terrain in the northern plains, I have to wonder if more customers there are opting for the next-best-selling rangefinder, the powerful Vortex Razor HD 4000.

Other interesting down-list appearances include fishing gear (ranked eighth in Alaska and tenth in Vermont), gunsmithing equipment (ranked tenth in North Dakota), and weather instruments (ranked ninth in Washington).

Final Thoughts

Sales data provides an interesting glimpse into the firearm industry. 

We may think we know what people want, what’s popular, and where customers put their money, but the numbers can surprise us from time to time.

What do you think, do these trends mirror what you see in your community? Feel free to sound off because we’d love to hear what’s going on in your corner of the shooting world!

Which products sell best in your state? Let us know in the comments. Want to know how this gear (and lots more) performs? Catch all the hands-on testing in our reviews!