Last January, I wrote an article discussing the Golden Age of the Precision Rifle, and proposed this question: Have we peaked? Now that another year has passed, we have another 365 days’ worth of evidence to answer that question. And that answer is still no—but kind of. So, what does that mean?
PEAK OR PLATEAU
If you look around the industry or listen to industry experts, you’ll quickly recognize that 2025 was a down year for gun sales. Specifically, when looking at the NSSF-adjusted NICS number each month, you’ll notice a downward trend compared to years past. People just aren’t buying as many guns right now. Why? That’s a more long-winded answer that goes beyond the scope of the MDT Blog. The short version: people are pinching more right now than earlier in the decade.
However, after nearly 14 years in the industry, my observations indicate that enthusiasts and collectors are still buying. The individuals who bought a gun for self-defense or panic reasons aren’t looking to continue adding to their collection. Although they are part of the community at large, they aren’t necessarily the same as those who are constantly seeking the next purchase.
Those individuals are satisfied and focused on other things. It’s the rest of us who are keeping things afloat.
But back to the original question. When it comes to precision rifles, I don’t believe we’ve peaked; however, we might have temporarily hit a plateau as people navigate today's economic conditions. In this context, a plateau is a normal phase where growth, sales, or key metrics level off after a period of increase, meaning you're not declining but also not making progress. While "advancing" in this context means increasing sales, the precision rifle industry hasn’t stopped advancing in product development. MDT is a prime example of a company that continues to push the envelope.
NEW FOR 2025
This year, MDT redesigned and reframed the popular LSS chassis system into a modular unit that can be built out to the exact needs of the user. The new MDT LSS GEN 3 features a core with interchangeable forend and stock modules. This is a really innovative idea, and honestly, one I haven’t seen before.
In many ways, gun owners are tinkerers. We enjoy taking the items we purchase and modifying them to better suit our needs. For years, this was the motto of AR-15 owners. Now, that mindset is spreading to bolt-gun owners. Today, almost anyone with some mechanical skills can build a custom rifle in their garage or basement without needing a lathe or mill. Only a vice, a torque wrench, and a couple of gauges are required.
But MDT went beyond steel and introduced the updated TIMBR CORE. The TIMBR CORE builds on classic lines and incorporates modern features into a wood stock—the result: a classic, traditional fit in a modern design.
This year also marked the third birthday of the MDT ACC ELITE chassis, one of the most popular and dominant precision rifle chassis on the market. Don’t believe, check out the data collected by the Precision Rifle Series in their yearly surveys.
Moreover, MDT released new inlets and left-handed models across its entire chassis lineup, giving users more options because more options are always better.
Beyond stocks and chassis, MDT introduced a host of new products to give shooters a competitive edge. This includes the CKYE-POD GEN 3, the lightweight MOUNTAIN and BACKCOUNTRY Bipods, the MDT HAND CANNON, the NANOGUARD cleaning system, and more.
LOOKING AHEAD
To be frank, I have no inside information. While I work in the industry professionally, I’m as much of a fan, enthusiast, and collector as the rest of you. But what I hope to see is more innovation, not just focusing on legacy models. In terms of the larger precision rifle industry, cartridge development will continue to advance. But not just in new cartridges, perse, but in new cases and propellants. We saw this with the 7mm Backcountry, and I think that trend will continue. There’s only so much that can be done within the current case parameters. New materials could certainly be the driving force behind development.
Finally, apart from stocks and cartridges, I believe optics will continue to improve in electronics and connectivity. This means an ecosystem where ballistic calculators, rangefinders, and optics work together. Connected via Bluetooth and controllable via an app, this will provide shooters with real-time information and increased confidence at long ranges. We’ve seen this idea for a few years, but I argue it’s about to go mainstream.
ZOOMING OUT
As we move forward, 2025 will be seen as a transitional year—a year when a new normal was found. We’ve finally come off the highs of COVID and the Presidential elections and entered a new landscape. While sales numbers are down, manufacturers will pivot to innovation to drive sales. As one of the leaders in the precision rifle space, I’m excited to see where MDT goes next.
