Here is the way I see. I spent the past 40 years of my life working in quality assurance for both private industry and government. So I know quality when I see it. And the same for shoddy work. And sometimes the old saying "you get what you pay for" doesn't always apply. Lets take MLs for example being that this is a BP thread. I own Knight and T/C MLs. All my T/Cs are Hawkens but they do not have T/C barrels. Every one of them has a GM barrel on it. Why, Because the GMs just outshoot the T/Cs. But both are American made. Now I did just purchase a CVA Accura VR. Why, because it cost less and IMO is a better value in price and quality and performance than the T/C Triumph I almost did buy.
Just about all my CF firearms are American made S&W, Remington, Savage and Marlin. But look closely at the newer CFs coming out by Remington and Savage. Their low end models look like they were finished with a file. The bolts feel like they have sand in them just to name a few problems. I know they make these models to be inexpensive but come on! Now go to the higher end models: the Remington 700 for example and compare it to a comparatively priced Tikka T3 (made in Finland). The Tikka's bolt is so slick - like water on glass. The Remingon not so much. And the Tikka guarantees it accuracy.
Pride and craftsmanship for most companies have been replaced by greed for the almighty dollar. Sad but true.