Alright Ladies and Germs, pull up your big girl panties and pull out your butthurt cream because you are about to be given a dose of reality that many of you aren't going to like.
For all of you who insist that everything in your gun safe needs to be 100% made in the U.S.A. get set to cry a river, because it's not. This is especially true when it comes to optics. Despite what any manufacturer tries to say, no optic is produced entirely inside of the U.S. NOT ONE.
The reason for this is that EPA regulations make it prohibitively expensive to grind glass in the U.S. So for those of you that are going to throw a fit about it, put your money where your outrage is and be prepared to shell out 12,000 - 18,000 dollars for that optic on top of your custom precision rifle.
For those of you who would like to muddle through here is the link to the EPA regulations
"But my scope is made in the U.S!!!"
Sit down and shut up spanky, you are gullible and your Google Fu is weak. Your scope that is so proudly made in the U.S. is most likely using Japanese glass, and simply assembled here, and in some cases "assembly" consists of installing the final lens.
Another way that companies can dupe the consumer is to have their optics assembled in the Philippines. Because it is a U.S. protectorate, companies are able to claim U.S. made. But is it really?
And another thing: Ever wonder how the Chinese can sell a $45 Trijicon on the Wish app? It's because they have the tooling for the scope paid for by Trijicon. The fact is they can produce a lower grade product and sell it at $45 and still make money. Kinda makes you wonder how much you are being ripped off when you spend over $1000 for the real thing. I can promise you the markups are several hundred percent. Kind of explains how some of these companies can afford the top floor booth at SHOT doesn't it?
Don't get me wrong, my intention is not to disparage the companies making excellent gear, or to out anyone for bad business practices. But at some point there needs to be some honesty brought to the consumer. Personally I couldn't care less where it is made. If the manufacturers are doing proper quality control, and they are on their facilities to maintain specifications, I don't see a problem.
Where the issue comes in is the uneducated consumer that refuses to even consider good quality gear because the manufacturer is honest about where their gear is produced. What we as consumers need to understand is that we are in a global economy, and this is not a bad thing. Just demand honesty from the manufacturers. Do your homework and don't be afraid to ask hard questions. At the same time, don't climb so high on your righteous pedestal that you refuse to accept the reality of business in the 21st century.
We live in a golden age of firearms and accessories, and we should be applauding our manufacturers for doing all they can to deliver us top quality for a reasonable price. At the end of the day the most important question to answer is this: Does the manufacturer stand behind their product, and the functionality that they promise? If so, then what the hell is your issue?
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