Air Arms outsourcing production to India
- Thread starter Potshot
- Start date
It seems that no matter how clear Claire and AA try to be, people still misunderstand.
I have no insider information whatsoever here, but from all of the public statements alone, the partnership with Precihole is 1) so that Air Arms can import and distribute Precihole rifles and 2) Precihole can produce lower end Air Arms guns so that AA has an option at the entry level price point.
People seem to forget that years ago an Air Arms S400 WAS considered an "entry level" rifle because of the price point it fell into. Decades of inflation later, along with an incredible advance in quality of guns from the Far East, that isn't really the case.
There's also the elephant in the room that the S200 (which the Indian produced X200 will replace) was also NOT made by Air Arms but rather made in the Czech-Republic. Eastern European manufacturing has not always had a solid reputation either, yet that gun is extremely well regarded. I am confident that the X200 will do the same since it has so many features that people have been clamoring for from AA rifles (reversible side lever cocking, a BOTTLE, external hammer spring adjustments, etc.). Why is it a bad thing that Air Arms is bringing a less expensive rifle to market? There are so many threads on this forum that complain about the rising prices in this industry but when a manufacturer actually tries directly address that problem we get threads like this.
There is no evidence whatsoever that Air Arms will outsource any part of production for their existing product line to India. To make that claim is disingenuous.
Looking forward to getting my hands on the Indian produced X200 and taking it to the podium at PA's Gunslynger event at next year's cup.
EDIT: Typo.
I have no insider information whatsoever here, but from all of the public statements alone, the partnership with Precihole is 1) so that Air Arms can import and distribute Precihole rifles and 2) Precihole can produce lower end Air Arms guns so that AA has an option at the entry level price point.
People seem to forget that years ago an Air Arms S400 WAS considered an "entry level" rifle because of the price point it fell into. Decades of inflation later, along with an incredible advance in quality of guns from the Far East, that isn't really the case.
There's also the elephant in the room that the S200 (which the Indian produced X200 will replace) was also NOT made by Air Arms but rather made in the Czech-Republic. Eastern European manufacturing has not always had a solid reputation either, yet that gun is extremely well regarded. I am confident that the X200 will do the same since it has so many features that people have been clamoring for from AA rifles (reversible side lever cocking, a BOTTLE, external hammer spring adjustments, etc.). Why is it a bad thing that Air Arms is bringing a less expensive rifle to market? There are so many threads on this forum that complain about the rising prices in this industry but when a manufacturer actually tries directly address that problem we get threads like this.
There is no evidence whatsoever that Air Arms will outsource any part of production for their existing product line to India. To make that claim is disingenuous.
Looking forward to getting my hands on the Indian produced X200 and taking it to the podium at PA's Gunslynger event at next year's cup.
EDIT: Typo.
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They don't make their own stocks & barrels, doubt they make their own air tanks, why not go all the way & have everything made overseas? If AA & companies like FX can make air rifles to the same quality that the CZ200 was, we'll get closer to consitently accurate guns again, but noooo, let's try & compete with the East & make the guns to poorer & poorer standards (eg. FX 'barrels', which are now straws), yet ask crazy money for them.
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I searched the Gun on Google, I was not impressed. Without a Shroud, and that "Pencil Barrel" it looks "Unfinished' to Me.
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I feel Air Arms (Claire) has always maintained high standards. I think some people are trying to create a problem before there is one. Remember... Your IPhone is made in China.... and possibly my DRS... lol (Sorry I can't pass up an opportunity to take a shot at someone).
Anyone is capable of doing good work, as long as they are held to a standard.
Anyone is capable of doing good work, as long as they are held to a standard.
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Diana did about the same thing que no?
They make their standard models in Germany but the new ones in China? The new models are great guns and won't break the bank.
The model numbers are different and the cost is less. I think it's a great solution to offer a rifle at a lower price point.
As production costs rise and the high quality guns get more expensive it makes sense to have an offering that costs less. It appeals to a much bigger demographic.
I considered a TX200 but decided on an HW97 with a synthetic stock. Price was the driver for me. I'm sure that the majority of shooters out there are in the same boat.
Would I consider a less expensive model produced in India? You betcha! If the quality matched the price point and I can afford it I'll buy one.
They make a lot of high quality products in India. There is no reason to believe the rifles will be inferior simply because they come from India. Or China. Or Mexico. Or anywhere else. That all depends on how AA handles the contract and sets quality standards.
If superior quality at rock bottom prices is your standard then you are just going to have to buy a rifle manufactured here in the US. I'm sure there are dozens of competitive offerings available.
They make their standard models in Germany but the new ones in China? The new models are great guns and won't break the bank.
The model numbers are different and the cost is less. I think it's a great solution to offer a rifle at a lower price point.
As production costs rise and the high quality guns get more expensive it makes sense to have an offering that costs less. It appeals to a much bigger demographic.
I considered a TX200 but decided on an HW97 with a synthetic stock. Price was the driver for me. I'm sure that the majority of shooters out there are in the same boat.
Would I consider a less expensive model produced in India? You betcha! If the quality matched the price point and I can afford it I'll buy one.
They make a lot of high quality products in India. There is no reason to believe the rifles will be inferior simply because they come from India. Or China. Or Mexico. Or anywhere else. That all depends on how AA handles the contract and sets quality standards.
If superior quality at rock bottom prices is your standard then you are just going to have to buy a rifle manufactured here in the US. I'm sure there are dozens of competitive offerings available.
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for a melting pot country, you would think melting pot manufacturers would be well received, need we forget how many USA cars parts and cars are made elsewhere? Isn't the end result what is important,a product that satisfies the people at said price point? I think this is an emotional exercise in our lost days past. I miss the marking of "Made in the USA or England or other "white " countries as much as anyone. In the end it is the results of "how can we make a product that sells ,that consumers like, and we can make a profit from.....the big picture and the realization that past days are past should result in trying to obtain those items that please you because they work right from the start,not where they are made. I hate to say the above, but I am health conscious, not because I like to be, but because I want to live longer
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I recently bought one of the Precihole diopter sights to play with, and from a price to value standpoint, it is a winner.
It is well made, and is leaps ahead of the standard stamped housing FWB clone sights that AA used to provide with their S400 MPR rifles. I believe that those units are Chinese in origin and are the same diopter equipped on the AR 2078 and AR 2079 rifles.
The clicks ARE NOT up to the Anschutz or Walther level, but it is also priced at half the cost of the basic level Gehmann rear sight.
If the sight is any indicator, then Precihole products appear to be at a level slightly above what we see coming from China as entry level precision air guns. They are not to the standard of mainline European equipment, but appear to be perfectly serviceable and well made.
It is well made, and is leaps ahead of the standard stamped housing FWB clone sights that AA used to provide with their S400 MPR rifles. I believe that those units are Chinese in origin and are the same diopter equipped on the AR 2078 and AR 2079 rifles.
The clicks ARE NOT up to the Anschutz or Walther level, but it is also priced at half the cost of the basic level Gehmann rear sight.
If the sight is any indicator, then Precihole products appear to be at a level slightly above what we see coming from China as entry level precision air guns. They are not to the standard of mainline European equipment, but appear to be perfectly serviceable and well made.
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American made products rely on immigrant labor. Almost everything that is made, built or grown in this country is made "affordable" by using labor from outside our borders.
The same for the UK. I'll wager the work force in the AA facility is largely from various middle eastern countries.
Weihrauch? Germany? I'll wager the same.
The Indians LOVE air rifles. Every village has a machine shop and production facility for some darn thing. Lots of people are proficient in that type of work.
The average young man in India has MUCH more mechanical experience and aptitude than any western country. More formal education in engineering too. Often a degree at US universities. It just makes sense to take manufacturing to a place where the skill and labor meet the demands of the market.
The same for the UK. I'll wager the work force in the AA facility is largely from various middle eastern countries.
Weihrauch? Germany? I'll wager the same.
The Indians LOVE air rifles. Every village has a machine shop and production facility for some darn thing. Lots of people are proficient in that type of work.
The average young man in India has MUCH more mechanical experience and aptitude than any western country. More formal education in engineering too. Often a degree at US universities. It just makes sense to take manufacturing to a place where the skill and labor meet the demands of the market.
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I've owned guns from both the Czech Republic and from India and from what I have seen there is a world of difference between the two. Czech guns have always been top notch IMO, and from a standpoint of precision and accuracy I'd actually rate them above guns made in the UK. Indian guns on the other hand I'd rate significantly lower than their British counterparts. Some seem to be of good quality, while others are abysmal.
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