Weihrauch- troubled waters?

[Bear-of-Grayling]

This question has been asked in another thread and it’s a question worth discussion. “Why is every retailer selling Weihrauch products low or out of inventory?” Is it that they (Weihrauch) simply cannot keep up with demand or is the reason something else?
Could it be Weihrauch is experiencing the same problem most manufacturers are? Getting and keeping help and obtaining the supplies they need because their suppliers have the same problems? Also in this atmosphere of rising labor costs, how long can they hold down their prices? How much can they raise them? What will the springer market bear? How long can these companies survive running on empty is the question. Owning my own business for over 42 years, a manufacturer like Weihrauch is a money eating machine. When things get tough, it’s just a matter of time. It seems the remaining momentum in the springer industry is going cheaper. China cheaper. For some reason the PCP market is drawing the deeper pockets.
I sure hope that Weihrauch is going gangbusters and just can’t keep up with orders.

 

[crosman2016]

Seems like there are a few manufacturers that have problems replacing stock as well. Looking online at the usual suppliers, Diana seems to be having issues filling orders as well...even Beeman seems to be spotty.

I don't know what the future holds for the higher-end airgun makers, but I sure as heck hope they don't all go to China for their products...things would never go back the other way if they did.

 

[beerthief]

hopefully it is supply and demand . then maybe it is just cost shipping to USA also ? US customs ? it took 37 days to get a 9.5 inch barrel from Barcelona Spain most time spent in Chicago customs

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

hopefully it is supply and demand . then maybe it is just cost shipping to USA also ? US customs ? it took 37 days to get a 9.5 inch barrel from Barcelona Spain most time spent in Chicago customs

Krale in the Netherlands cannot seem to get restocked either. And if it’s just supply and demand then why all the changes in the Weihrauch look? Companies don’t usually change things that are working. Don’t know but hope all is well with one of our last really awesome made springer manufacturers.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

The other school of thought could be that since all the changes made to the Weihrauch look, (new stock designs) orders are now pouring in and they can’t keep up especially considering the labor and supply issues. It would seem that some retailers would be getting stock in though.

 

[beerthief]

maybe i do NEED a new rifle right now ?

actually i am trying to save for a Mac1 Really like that gun

 

[SpiralGroove]

Krale and most Weihrauch distributors have been under stocked for years now. IMO, they cannot keep up with demand - period.
I'm sure materials and labor shortages aren't helping. If Weihrauch guns increased with general inflation, the HW35E would likely sell for $800 today.
Since they've been making roughly the same (great) guns for 30 years, with ever increasing quality, they will likely raise prices if anything.

Like old Ford truck parts, they can be had dirt cheap because low cost manufacturing has been perfected.

 

[crowski]

You can’t dodge rising costs in gasoline for deliveries. Heating fuel, their in Germany not Texas. Steel costs have more than doubled. 10 bucks for a 2x4, stock blanks can’t be cheap. Labour costs etc. etc. l’m going to guess a 25-30 % increase. A lot of things went up 50% which is called gouging. I bought several Weihrauch’s over the last 3 years and have to say I never noticed a large price increase. When I got my rifles in Jan. I was expecting a increase then from year before but same price to my joy.
If there’s a gun you want and it’s available, I would grab it, you snooze you lose.
I was told a year ago and again a few weeks ago that the TX200 and Pro Sport are being considered for the chopping block. A year ago complaining on costs, even worse now.
Maybe they are manufacturing Arms for Ukraine. Crow

 

[EMrider]

Most of Weihrauch's most popular models have been in short supply for years. Pyramyd air is out of stock on hw30, hw50, hw95........ditto AOA........ditto Krale. Meanwhile, Diana seems to be flailing about and having an identity crisis. None of us here are Weihrauch insiders, but my reading of the tea leaves suggests that the company is in a pretty solid position.

R

 

[Sqwirl57]

There has been a huge uptick in people buying HW on Reddit. My guess is that people are starting to realize that those off the shelf Walmart guns aren't quite up to par compared to what they are used to. A lot of people are migrating in from the firearm side of the hobby and most of them are looking for every bit of precision that they can get.

 

[cjtamu]

Possible there was an uptick in demand from Covid response? I don’t know about air guns but I know it happened with bicycles and RC cars. High demand, coupled with labor and supply shortages, shutdowns, etc. as mentioned above. Still shortages in both those industries right now.

 

[gbmarcht]

A few more available now and the prices have certainly increased, More demand, lack of supply, the war in Ukraine; who knows?
I was looking at a Benjamin field and target made here in NY. Now $700 w/ Lothar barrel.

 

[maxtrouble]

I think that the demand is high right now. Weihrauch is making products as fast as possible. Most people buy one and then another and another... A lot of new springer shooters from the powder burner community. I used to shoot trap every weekend. Shells went from $5 a box to $12 and I started shooting springers on the weekend now.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

It’s a good point that the cost and availability of ammunition is helping the airgun industry. This is a time of uncertainty and it is creating a climate of unrest. An airgun is a good survival item. A springer is the best.

 

[maxtrouble]

Hand gun ammo has also sky rocketed. A box of 9mm range ammo used to be $8. Now they are going for $18 if you can find it. There used to be 40 or more shooters every weekend shooting steel plates (a real hoot). Now there are maybe two or three.