Why are air guns so expensive ?

[kent]

The engineering is different in a CF not cheaper,, think proof testing, pressures and metal quality. Then add ability to hold sub MOA groups at hundreds of yards in truth you might struggle to discern 1/4 moa difference in an airgun. Remember MOA is 1/60 of a single degree

[hoggysreels]

The reason why gun are expensive is that people are willing to pay the asking price ... "the free market is anything but "free"...

[Dave-G]

My two penny worth:

 

Precision micro machining cost loads more than than larger items to avoid tool breakages and have to work to much closer tolerances with regard to thread depths for just one example - and there are many times more components being fitted - then manually tuned to below the legal limits for unlicensed users. I'd say that probably at least doubles the manufacturing cost.

 

You then have distributor and dealer percentages to add onto that so a gun that was twice as expensive to make will have twice as much mark up to keep the same profit margin per pound invested.

 

Add that UK's 12ftlb limit is I think unique which makes the relatively small volume of specialist tuning even more expensive.

[Underdog]

My two penny worth:

 

Precision micro machining cost loads more than than larger items to avoid tool breakages and have to work to much closer tolerances with regard to thread depths for just one example - and there are many times more components being fitted - then manually tuned to below the legal limits for unlicensed users. I'd say that probably at least doubles the manufacturing cost.

 

You then have distributor and dealer percentages to add onto that so a gun that was twice as expensive to make will have twice as much mark up to keep the same profit margin per pound invested.

 

Add that UK's 12ftlb limit is I think unique which makes the relatively small volume of specialist tuning even more expensive.

Errrrrrrr no!

 

U

[turbo33]

One point overlooked here is the quality of the wood/style in the stock on a lot of PCP's. It makes marketing sense, that when you have a reasonably complicated list of components put together, its going to be expensive. The manufacturer that puts that lot in a beautifully styled piece of Turkish walnut is going to have an advantage over the one who does a plain nasty looking beech stock. That again, will ramp up the cost to the manufacturer and then to the end user. How many times do we see the comment, "Gorgeous stock mate"

 

Setting aside the accuracy and engineering argument over which is better, a case in point is the Anschutz 1517 thumbhole over a CZ455/452. Almost twice the money and won't be any more accurate. The Annie simply looks better and does feel good in the hand. There are plenty of people that just want a tool, irrespective of its looks. For that you get a Hatsan AT44, plastic stock or a CZ 455 with a plywood, or cheap nasty short wood (of some description) stock.

[FalconFN]

I agree with Dave, although that isn't the only bearing on price, a PCP is a more complex bit of machinery than a rim fire or a shotgun. I find it more baffling why a shotgun that is essentially just a simple hand cannon can cost more than a grand! When you look at what you get compared to a shotgun, a modern PCP is very good value.

[Gimlet]

There is also the economy of scale. I doubt that any airgun manufacturer produces anything close to the volume of big name firearm makers or has comparable resources. Air rifles may be popular here but compared to the manufacture of cartridge rifles which are in high demand world wide and the huge market for law enforcement and military arms, air rifle manufacturing is practically a cottage industry.

[bostonmick]

 

 

much like hatsan vs beretta really...

 

in what world could hatsan ever compete with beretta.as with anything engineered you get what you pay for.

[brett1985]

in what world could hatsan ever compete with beretta.as with anything engineered you get what you pay for.

That was my point, you cant.

One is worth infinately more than the other.

 

I was trying to use that as an example to the person that suggested that one type of air rifle was no better than a less expensive one.

 

But re reading my post, it would seem that i edited that line into the wrong place in the paragraph.

 

Apologies for any confusion...