N/A Huben and Western Airgun

If Huben and Western Airguns are made in China (correct me if I am wrong), why are they so expensive?

I’ve been looking into the GK1 and Mordax to add to my collection and came across several articles confirming they’re actually manufactured in China.

I also had a chance to chat in person with a dealer who used to sell Huben, and he shared some interesting insights. He mentioned that the quality has definitely improved.

But I still can’t shake the question: why are they so pricey?
 
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I don't know why this type of topic comes up so much with American made brands and products, and not just with airguns either. Might I suggest googling the US legislation on the requirements for labeling USA made products and the like. The Western Rattler's are clearly labeled as Made in the USA because of their design and their assembly of both American and foreign made parts is within this rule. Yes, there are parts on there that are not made here, and could very well be made in the same factory that produces Huben's. (Now there's a rumor for the masses!) For their cost, which isn't exactly cheap, they are a nice evolution in the airgun world and We should support them.
I am ambivalent to the source anymore. It is a global economy and pretty much anything of complexity or high volume has parts sourced from all over the world. The idea that where these parts are assembled makes a difference no longer matches the reality of the modern economy.

It is when humans, regardless of location, get greedy that problems occur.
 
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If Huben and Western Airguns are made in China (correct me if I am wrong), why are they so expensive?

I’ve been looking into the GK1 and Mordax to add to my collection and came across several articles confirming they’re actually manufactured in China.

I also had a chance to chat in person with a dealer who used to sell Huben, and he shared some interesting insights. He mentioned that the quality has definitely improved.

But I still can’t shake the question: why are they so pricey?
From the Western Airguns web site:

PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA!
Our products are proudly assembled in the USA from domestic and some foreign made parts. We take pride in our attention to detail in building the best product possible that caters to the US market.
 
For many years Harley Davidson was made in America and if you wanted to be a REAL BIKER you had to buy a Harley because it was built in America. Some outlaw MC clubs even required you to ride a bike MADE IN THE USA. Then it came out in the early 2000s that in fact more than 40% of the parts in a Harley were imported. Didn't make a bit of difference to 90% of Harley riders as long as the quality remained. Now Indian has surpassed them in quality and nobody questions where they are made. Times are changing. Seems like build quality is more important the where something is made.
 
Aoa told me when I bought mine that the guns are assembled in the USA from Chinese parts except for the American barrel. That's a while back and I assumed it was common knowledge. The use of M8 gauges should also be a clue to anyone wondering. Both the Huben and Western have a lot of really high quality parts and since I still have a sidewinder and owned a Huben I can attest to the high quality.
 
For many years Harley Davidson was made in America and if you wanted to be a REAL BIKER you had to buy a Harley because it was built in America. Some outlaw MC clubs even required you to ride a bike MADE IN THE USA. Then it came out in the early 2000s that in fact more than 40% of the parts in a Harley were imported. Didn't make a bit of difference to 90% of Harley riders as long as the quality remained. Now Indian has surpassed them in quality and nobody questions where they are made. Times are changing. Seems like build quality is more important the where something is made.
Apple and the millions of iPhones that Foxcon builds in China. Apple has whole teams of engineers dedicated to testing and quality.

Other companies, who shall remain nameless, just throw it over the wall to lowest bidder and take what they are given as "good". And suffer the consequences, if any, of their actions.

-- Matt
 
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For many years Harley Davidson was made in America and if you wanted to be a REAL BIKER you had to buy a Harley because it was built in America. Some outlaw MC clubs even required you to ride a bike MADE IN THE USA. Then it came out in the early 2000s that in fact more than 40% of the parts in a Harley were imported. Didn't make a bit of difference to 90% of Harley riders as long as the quality remained. Now Indian has surpassed them in quality and nobody questions where they are made. Times are changing. Seems like build quality is more important the where something is made.
Agree, quality is quality. I am old enough to remember when US auto makers had a wake up call when Japan's vehicles surpassed US in quality.
 
There are a lot of poor products made in China. There are also a lot of good quality products that come out of China.
Like any market that produces product they are happy to build it to your specifications if you are willing to pay the price.
It comes down to what the seller specifies from the maker and then enforcing quality control.
I have no idea where Western is built or where they source their parts. I have owned two of their products. Nothing wrong with the quality, they just didn’t suit my desires.
 
@markhooper There is a thread I read through recently about prices and price increases on high-end airguns and if members though my they’re worth it. I don’t recall which forum I read that and got tired of looking for it. There was a somewhat interesting conversation on the topic. If I locate it I’ll PM you a link.
thank you so much I had a great read.. honestly I think I read pretty much the same thing somewhere awhile back.. great explanation.. for any who care about facts .
Mark
 
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They work well, shoot straight, hold air, what more do you want? Mad because they cost too much? Save your pennies.
I'll just throw this in to the equation.. it's been awhile so I don't remember exactly but I used to work for a pump company and the boss priced according to wholesale.. so like if we got a pump wholesale for $500 it sold for $1000 but I'm not really sure, been too long but I think that also included installation.. but whatever, we can't expect Kelly at Krazy cool airguns to import and stock Huben GK1 for free..if he doesn't make money,he'd have to be having a lot of fun because you sure don't want to pay to go to work.. generally you need to make money to stay in business..
that said Huben GK1 is out of my price range that I can honestly afford but I keep looking for a well used one so hopefully someday I can get one..in the meantime, like you said save pennies.. would be a lot easier if like other friends have said if they still worked but being disabled it's a very limited budget..
I'm happy for anyone who gets a chance to enjoy them.
Mark
 
I'll just throw this in to the equation.. it's been awhile so I don't remember exactly but I used to work for a pump company and the boss priced according to wholesale.. so like if we got a pump wholesale for $500 it sold for $1000 but I'm not really sure, been too long but I think that also included installation.. but whatever, we can't expect Kelly at Krazy cool airguns to import and stock Huben GK1 for free..if he doesn't make money,he'd have to be having a lot of fun because you sure don't want to pay to go to work.. generally you need to make money to stay in business..
that said Huben GK1 is out of my price range that I can honestly afford but I keep looking for a well used one so hopefully someday I can get one..in the meantime, like you said save pennies.. would be a lot easier if like other friends have said if they still worked but being disabled it's a very limited budget..
I'm happy for anyone who gets a chance to enjoy them.
Mark
There is a new GK1 in the classifieds here for 800.00. He lives in the SE. He purchased it from Krazy Cool Airguns. They shipped it to him.
BUT he refuses to sell it to anyone he would have to ship it too.
SMH🥲
You live in the NW. so even though the price is great. The gas money to go get it would far outweigh the discount
 
There is a new GK1 in the classifieds here for 800.00. He lives in the SE. He purchased it from Krazy Cool Airguns. They shipped it to him.
BUT he refuses to sell it to anyone he would have to ship it too.
SMH🥲
You live in the NW. so even though the price is great. The gas money to go get it would far outweigh the discount
you live in the NW? I thought I saw Iowa on the profile.. I'm in Oregon and well he's probably blocked me by now.. I keep begging him to, let's figure out how I can send you the money in a acceptable form..everytime the add renews.. I don't even offer less.. and if you have been following the add it's been going down in price..
oh well, I'm on Kelly at Krazy cool airguns waiting list.. told him I don't care how well used or if the finish is worn..as long as it functions properly.. I don't travel much anymore, to town for groceries is usually farther than I want to go.
Mark
 
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you live in the NW? I thought I saw Iowa on the profile.. I'm in Oregon and well he's probably blocked me by now.. I keep begging him to, let's figure out how I can send you the money in a acceptable form..everytime the add renews.. I don't even offer less.. and if you have been following the add it's been going down in price..
oh well, I'm on Kelly at Krazy cool airguns waiting list.. told him I don't care how well used or if the finish is worn..as long as it functions properly.. I don't travel much anymore, to town for groceries is usually farther than I want to go.
Mark
LOL! YOU live in the NW. not me
 
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Besides being an avid Airgun collector I also dabble in pocket knives and watches, all of which fall into this conversation. When it comes to quality in China, you choose whether or not you want something to be made cheaply or well. Your costs change accordingly this becomes very evident with pocket knives where you can get a Chinese pocket Knife for $10 which is a piece of junk or one for $500 which is made exquisitely.
Keep in mind that that same $500 Chinese knife would cost anywhere between 800 and $1200 if it was made in the US. Many of us in the US think that because it’s made in China it’s cheap and it’s junk. This is not the case. If you want something high-quality made in China they are very capable of doing so but it is reflected in the manufacturing price. A good example is the iPhone, it is made in China, but admittedly a very high-quality piece of engineering. You also have the additional cost of the vendor profit.
If the Hubens were made in the United States, they would be much more expensive. Keep in mind these guns are engineered to hold and work under 5000 psi of pressure. This takes tremendous skill, high-quality materials and very exacting standards. I have both the K-1 and the GK one and find that even though there are things that I would change or improve the quality of both is extremely high and they are both very reliable if used properly.
The days of everything from China being cheap junk are long over.