High-quality, US-built guns!
A friend of mine recently pointed out that many of our best US firearms manufacturers have gotten caught in a race to the bottom, outsourcing manufacturing and reducing quality in an attempt to capture the lowest price.
At the same time, we have small US companies that are not quite custom-builders, but also definitely not mass-producers, who are filling the niche of the well-built American gun. One manufacturer comes to mind, but I won't name it because I know there are others (whose names I can't remember) and I'm not trying to plug any specific brand. I know there are a couple in Montana and Oregon, and I'm sure some others as well.
Maybe in the era of globalization the natural course of a US company as it grows is to start with a high quality product to establish itself, then to expand it's market, and finally when its distribution is large enough, to join that 'race to the bottom'--which might be how you maximize profits. Maybe it's just time to accept that Winchester and some of the others are no longer top American brands, but simply BIG brands.
I'm shooting from the hip, here. Comments appreciated.
At the same time, we have small US companies that are not quite custom-builders, but also definitely not mass-producers, who are filling the niche of the well-built American gun. One manufacturer comes to mind, but I won't name it because I know there are others (whose names I can't remember) and I'm not trying to plug any specific brand. I know there are a couple in Montana and Oregon, and I'm sure some others as well.
Maybe in the era of globalization the natural course of a US company as it grows is to start with a high quality product to establish itself, then to expand it's market, and finally when its distribution is large enough, to join that 'race to the bottom'--which might be how you maximize profits. Maybe it's just time to accept that Winchester and some of the others are no longer top American brands, but simply BIG brands.
I'm shooting from the hip, here. Comments appreciated.
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Ditto. What he said. I don't care who you are, right there, that's sadly truthful right there. 0 -
I should clarify:
It will be sad for many that companies formerly known as top-notch American manufacturers have become simply big global manufacturers. There's a lot of sentiment tied up in those brands.
But I'm also suggesting that NEW AMERICAN BRANDS ARE EMERGING! We're losing some companies to globalization, but there will always be enough gun geeks around that somebody's willing to try and make a go of a high-quality, US-produced gun product.
It's not all bad. It's just that the brands are changing.0 -
Again, the man up above (spooge)(oh, that's right he doesn't like being called spooge), spurge' speaks for me on this issue.
READ AS FOSTER BROOKS IN HIS MOST FAMOUS ROLE.0 -
quote:Originally posted by drjew
Again, the man up above (spooge)(oh, that's right he doesn't like being called spooge), spurge' speaks for me on this issue.
READ AS FOSTER BROOKS IN HIS MOST FAMOUS ROLE.
lol. Did I once get bitchy about being called spooge? If so I recant. The reference IS to a plant, but I can't deny that I saw the possibility of the other reference when I picked the name.0 -
"there will always be enough gun geeks around"
Not if the guns are plastic.
Doug0 -
Yupp we all going to lose our jobs to the dudes that accept the lowest salaries.Then eventually the consumtion that been driving the world will come to a stop.Coz us rich americans and europeans dont have a lot of money to spend anymore.The whole planet finally then going to be filled equally poor inhabitants.
OR !!!! USA and Europe forms a trading agrement an excludes all low salary thirld world countries untill their unions manages to pump up their wages to a level all consumers globaly can benefit from.
GREED will destroy us all othervise...But thats why we have goverments thats is supposed to be balancing things up a bit,so that the world economic engine will not come to a stop.
But i dont feel they doing their job [:(]0 -
What's wrong with Smith and Wesson and Springfield? 0 -
I think gun companies have gone downhill since the various import bans were enacted. In the absence of true free market competition, there is simply no need to excel.
Although I think Kel-Tec shows a lot of promise. I've heard some bad things about their quality (SU-16's blowing up and all that), but overall people seem satisfied with their quality and innovation.0 -
I havn't seen Ruger mentioned?
They are the last of the Big US firearm companies that make a wide variety of firearms in the USA.0 -
MVP,
And the last one to NOT churn out a 1911 clone or an AR-15 clone. Let's be thankful for that.0 -
quote:Originally posted by frankcastle13
What's wrong with Smith and Wesson and Springfield?
Springfield is outsourcing just about everything to Brazil or Croatia.
Smith & Wesson, at least on their revolvers, has cheapened their internals.0 -
...and eventually the consumers cant afford the high end products.
and will be bying the cheapest possible chinese stuff instead.0 -
I am a big fan of Freedom Arms. A US company in Freedom, Wyoming. They produce excellent quality revolvers. Workmanship is what it should be. Even though they are a "niche" manufacturer, they are an example of what is being addressed in this thread -- IMHO. 0 -
Thompson Center is an example of a quality US product that is building a name for themselves time will only tell if they go south to reap the rewards of slave labor. as some many other companies have done. Maximizing Profits at the exspence of consumers "Good old american Capitalizm at its finest"
We are slowly becoming a servicable society. Meaning we won't do it for ourselves if we can pay somone else to do it for us.
I believe this to be one of many reasons that the Roman Empire Fell.0 -
Bond Arms of Granbury, Texas makes a quality derringer... 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
"there will always be enough gun geeks around"
Not if the guns are plastic.
Doug
huh?0 -
Kolar is filling that niche for trap shooters that don't want a K gun or P gun. Also Afermann, Bowen, Lujtic, and Seitz make high end trap guns. 0 -
Kimber, anyone? 0 -
Winchester has been making JUNK for years they refused to make them the way the public wanted, Now their gone, I say good reddens.
Ruger center-fire Rifles were junk for years but they had a house cleaning and are now making their own barrels and they are good shooting Rifles now. You have to watch who is STLL making good products.0 -
For those of you looking for a good high quality shotgun but dont want to buy a Italian gun you need to check out Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company, there work manship is right up there with Perrazzi and Rizzini.
http://www.connecticutshotgun.com/0 -
Ultralight arms of Granville West Virginia makes one hell of a rifle.
http://www.newultralight.com/0
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