In the firearms, optics, and accessories industry, margins are measured in thousandths—of an inch and of a dollar. Recent tariffs have added another variable to an already complex manufacturing environment, one where suppliers balance precision machining, regulated components, long qualification cycles, and unforgiving end-user expectations.
For B2B suppliers supporting OEM firearm manufacturers, optics brands, and accessory companies, tariff impacts go far beyond higher material costs. They influence alloy selection, coating processes, electronic sub-assemblies, packaging decisions, and even whether certain SKUs make sense to produce at all. In an industry where redesigns can require re-qualification and re-testing, “just switch suppliers” is rarely a simple option.
To understand how suppliers are navigating these pressures, we reached out to a range of U.S.-based and international companies serving the firearms, optics, and accessories market. We asked how tariffs are shaping pricing strategies, supply-chain decisions, and product development—often in ways invisible to the consumer.
One such perspective comes from Jon Dobosenski, General Manager of LANG Technik USA, whose experience highlights both the immediate impact of tariffs and the longer-term strategic thinking they’ve forced.
Where Tariffs Show Up First
For LANG Technik USA, the effects of tariffs were felt not just in costs, but in operational processes tied to importing and logistics.
“We work hard to try to keep our product pricing very competitive in the market,” Dobosenski explained. “The tariffs did cause us to do some procedural changes with our brokers and also in Germany, which we hope will help ‘soften’ some of the charges.”
Rather than a single cost spike, tariffs introduced friction into established workflows—forcing suppliers to look closely at how products move across borders and where efficiencies might still be found.
Absorbing Costs—Until Reality Set In
Like many suppliers, LANG Technik USA initially treated tariffs as a temporary disruption.
“Initially, we did absorb the tariff-related costs hoping that this would just be a temporary situation,” Dobosenski said.
As time went on, however, it became clear that tariffs were not going away quickly. The company ultimately adopted a blended approach—splitting the tariff cost while making a deliberate effort not to raise list pricing.
“We decided to split the tariff charge without increasing our prices and did keep the tariff cost separate from our list pricing in hopes that we could eventually drop this charge,” he said.
That separation was intentional. By keeping tariffs distinct from base pricing, LANG Technik preserved flexibility for both the company and its customers should conditions change.
Limited Sourcing Options—and a Long-Term Shift
For some suppliers, tariffs prompt rapid supplier changes or material substitutions. That wasn’t an option here.
“We only import from our Germany plant, so really have no other sourcing options,” Dobosenski noted.
However, tariffs did accelerate longer-term thinking around domestic manufacturing.
“One item we have pushed forward is the hope to bring some of this manufacturing to the U.S. side in the future,” he said.
In a precision-driven industry, such moves require significant planning and investment—but tariffs can serve as the catalyst for those conversations.
Customer Reactions: Frustration, but Understanding
Tariff charges are rarely welcome news, but Dobosenski said customer response has largely been pragmatic.
“Of course, some of our customers are not happy about the tariff charge,” he said. “But overall, I think most customers understand the situation and are encountering the same issues with other suppliers.”
That shared experience across the supply chain has helped temper reactions, even as costs rise.
Keeping Product Development Moving Forward
Despite the added complexity, tariffs have not slowed LANG Technik USA’s product development efforts.
“Not at this point,” Dobosenski said when asked about delays or changes to product launches. “The U.S. is very important to our growth, and as with everything, you need to keep pushing forward and good things will happen.”
That mindset reflects a broader trend among suppliers who see continued innovation as essential—even when margins are under pressure.
From Short-Term Headache to Long-Term Strategy
If tariffs were once viewed as a temporary obstacle, Dobosenski now sees them as a long-term planning factor.
“I look at this as more of a long term now,” he said. “Would love it to be short-term, but now we look more at how we can develop our business in the U.S. and avoid such issues in the future.”
That shift has expanded internal planning discussions.
“This takes a long-term strategy and has caused us to look at a wider range of scenarios and contingencies to make sure we are able to keep supporting our customers at a high level,” he added.
The New Tariff Reality
LANG Technik USA’s experience underscores a reality many firearms-industry suppliers now face: tariffs aren’t just a pricing issue—they’re a strategic one. From operational adjustments to long-term manufacturing considerations, suppliers are being pushed to think more broadly about how and where they do business.
For OEMs and brands, understanding these upstream decisions can provide valuable context. Because long before a component reaches the assembly line, suppliers are already making calculated tradeoffs to ensure consistency, quality, and continuity in an increasingly uncertain environment.
– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network
Editor’s Note: We deeply appreciate Jon Dobosenski of LANG Technik USA for taking the time out of a very busy pre-SHOT Show schedule to share his insights with The Supplier Wire. If you’d like to share your company’s experience dealing with the challenges of tariffs, please email me at PR@TheOutdoorWire.com.
