Why don't SIG-Sauer just bring guns from Germany over to the US?

Question

Most SIG-Sauer pistol in the US are made in the US. But why don't SIG-Sauer just bring guns from Germany over to the US? From what I've seen, the German made SIG pistols are a lot more high quality than the US made one.

http://sigsauer.de/index.php?id=sauer&lang=en

EDIT: JD most SIG pistol in the US are manufacture in the US by SIG-Sauer US. Except for the X-5 series

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Answer 1

Sig arms (the actual designer of the pistols) is actually a Swiss company, sauer and sons (Mauser) is a German company that is used to manufacture sigs for export to avoid the high export tariffs.
only the slide is made here (except for the 1911's, sig should have stuck with what they are good at on that one, and p229) the rest is made in Germany, my older p220 is entirely German, p226 is new so us slide everything else is German, my sig pro is a first year (has 4 digit serial #) has a swiss made frame/fire mechanism and german slide. I've put a lot of rounds through them with no problems except p220 was rebuilt (after about 35,000 rounds) and has always been picky about ammo (doesn't like lead reloads or ultra max)
why they make the slides here may have to do with import laws, may have something to do with all the military contracts, I really don't know for sure but those would normal reasons for manufactures to move production to the U.S. (like Beretta). and check sigsauer.com/sigarms.com

go read it directly from Sig Sauer, p229 is us made the rest are imported.

and your link is for j.p. sauer and sohn

Answer 2

For one reason it is the same as why Honda makes some of their motorcycles here in ther states and some foreign owned car manufactureres make their cars here in the states. It is because it is cheaper to import parts than it is to import a finished car or motorcycle. Another reason is marketing, people would prefer to spend money on a product that puts money into the pockets of American workers than in the pockets of foreign workers. It also enables the manufacturer to bettere service his products here in the US. Better service translates to better sales. Sig-Sauer has a rather big market in the US so it is to their benefit to assemble and service the guns here. I have no idea what percentage of their parts are actually made in the US and how many are imported.

Answer 3

Interarms was importing guns for Sig. Then Sig brought a company down in VA and started importing and distributing them themselves. Then they moved to NH where the manufacturing plant is. Might have had to do with import taxes they would get hit with as well as shipping from Germany/Switzland to US. Look here for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIGARMS

Answer 4

New importing laws that were put into place by the BATF. Same reason why Walther and Smith and Wesson joined forces.

Edit- Yeah, distributing. Now on a few of the new Walthers I have seen they not only have made in Germany, but assembled in Mass. USA (Smith & Wesson's place) stamped on it. Is that apart of the distribution or is it actually put together here.

Answer 5

Big hassle with importing laws.