I am curious to learn how many people value American-made guns and accessories over imported products. Please vote below. Thanks!
My number one thing: that it not be made in China. That’s my long standing policy and I constantly do pay a premium to buy things made ANYwhere but China. Just about anywhere else, OK. Taiwan is especially OK in most cases since Taiwan is a big ol’ middle finger in the Chinese gov’s face. Of course, my first choice is made in USA… as one who is diligent about checking “made in” labels, it always is a pleasant surprise finding things made in the USA that are good quality and reasonably priced.
Although important to support US business, I won’t simply buy an inferior made product to satisfy that point.
I’m with Ned on this one.
BUT, there are some exceptions…
Some damn fine guns are made in foreign countries.
Aks, Sig, Beretta, Glock and the list goes on.
But when it comes to everyday purchases I do my best to buy American.
Especially when it involves gun accessories for the AR. Theres a very short list of foreign parts and accessories that I would put in or on my ARs.
As for Taiwan…
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Used to have a Saab; now have Chevy trucks. Had Elcans; sold to buy Trijicon. Aimpoint isn’t made here. Bought them (used) anyway as I much prefer them to Eothingies. LT mounts for all. Texas is in the USA, right?
No Made-in-Viet Nam Blackchicken either. :mad: DuPont Cordura ™, sewn in the US, or nuthun’.
ETA: No foreign ammo.
I will not purchase a Chinese made firearm.
I do my best to avoid Chinese made products whenever possible. I didnt enjoy taking away my sons toys because they cant figure out that lead paint is a bad thing. The toxic dog food didnt inspire confidence, either. Their record of human rights abuses, lack of respect for another person’s intellectual property and frequent cyber attacks on DOD computers dont make me want to hand them my paycheck.
The problem is I often dont have much of a choice. I recently bought a new dining room set. The Chinese made set was about $800. The American made set was $3000 +. This isnt much of choice. We bought the Chinese made table and chairs.
The Danner boots on my feet and the flashlight on my belt are Chinese made.
My firearms are heirlooms for my children. They are weapons to use against enemies (hopefully never). They are examples of inventiveness and excellence in engineering. I couldnt bring myself to put a Chinese weapon in my safe.
I assume that the poll was primarily related to firearms and firearm accessories, and I answered accordingly.
My firearms were manufactured in the U.S., except for a Glock 23 (might have been produced in GA).
I prefer Swiss watches, British cars, and British audio speakers, however. My computer was designed in CA but built in Taiwan.
I go out of my way to NOT buy Made in China, it’s tough. Add to that, I will not buy a firearm made in China.
Made-in-USA matters to me (thinking globally), but I also consider who actually hands me the product or provides the service (acting locally).
As much as possible, I patronize independent businesses, ideally in my township and town. My next preference is a 25-mile radius, followed by a 100-mile range.
Example: If I have the choice of buying ammo from the big-chain sporting-goods superstore five miles up the road or the independent gun shop 22 miles away, I’ll generally choose the latter if the prices are within 10% or so. (I’m not inclined to drop the proverbial soap, however. :rolleyes: I do shop on the WWWeb.)
In a global-competitiveness sense, yes, it makes sense for me to buy US-made products. But IMO, there may come a time when my neighbors (so defined) and I absolutely will have to rely on each other for products and services. So for now, I do my best to apply this imperfect principle.
I don’t believe I own anything firearms-related that is Chinese made. China excels at making low-cost stuff like all the junk at Wal-Mart. I don’t really have a problem with that stuff.
When I look at my firearms, most are U.S. made, with the exception of my Glock and some AK’s; however Glock has a plant in Georgia and my AK’s have had so much work here they are considered American-made. I have some other Russian and Eastern European gear as well. FWIW, Aimpoints are made in Sweden I believe.
I used to have a Chinese AK, and this weekend picked up 1,000 rounds of Chinese 7.62x39mm off of a guy I know. I guess it’s just a matter of personal political protest.
- 1 with Ned.
My exeptions will be for Glock pistols and as I am from Belgium the FN MAG, Minimi and .50mg. All of these last 3 are also manufactured in U.S.
I buy quality but err to the side of US made products.
My wife was made in China and has turned out well:) …first two were American made and ended up being of low quality.
I wonder why “I will buy the best product available, regardless of origin” isn’t an option?
I thought we were own own country? Close enough.
I buy quality products. If it is not made in the US then so be it. i figure that is the epitome of a free market economy in action. And most of all I don’t like to wast my money on junk.
I prefer American Made, in fact I only own one fire arm that is not American made. Thats My Walther P99 .40s&w.
I try and avoid chinese products, but as many others have said, sometimes the choice is limited. I think overall American products are excellent quality, but I refuse to pay a premium when that premium is going into the pockets of corporate managment and directors. In many consumer categories American products are grossly overpriced for the quality they represent. It is up to the manufacturers and distributors to get a quality product to market at a price point the consumers can pay, and so far almost across the board, they have failed. Don’t get fooled by the “get what you pay for” mentality. Be grounded in supporting companies that offer solid values.
I have to agree. Rewarding lesser workmanship at a premium cost does not do me any good and certainly doesn’t do the US any good. I learned that lesson the hard way when I traded my Honda in for a Chrysler.
Re: guns, as others have said, there are a number of European makers who put out very nice products: H&K, Sig-Sauer, Glock, Holland & Holland, Beretta, Perazzi, etc. I wouldn’t think twice about purchasing those makers’ weapons. Indeed, my first handgun purchase was an H&K. I WOULD think twice about purchasing a weapon from a less developed country. Over all though, I’d say the vast majority of my gun purchases are American-made.
So, my vote falls in the I-support-American-business-but-will-not-pay-a-premium-for-a-lessor-quality-product-no-matter-where-it-is-made category.
Ha!
I’m a big fan of products, especially guns, made in the Eastern European countries. I think it’s time that some of these good folks had some breaks go their way, and they are pretty competent at producing firearms.