Why are some brands so much more expensive than others?

I've been out of guns for a while and recently got back into them. When I was in guns, I was mostly collecting WWII era stuff, and I think I got out of guns before the massive manufacturers really got rolling. <br><br>I'm not buying ARs because I don't really like them or see their point. I'm mostly looking at Glocks and shotguns now, as well as some bolt action stuff.<br><br>Why is it that some manufacturers are way more expensive than others? What is the difference? I've heard that glocks are garbage, but also great. I've heard that you can't go wrong w/ a HK, but they are expensive over-engineered garbage. <br><br>What is the real difference between a $200 imported shotgun and a $600 American made one? Is it all just the labor cost? I don't expect to be shooting anything thousands of yards away, or through buildings. I'm not a tactical operator. I think I'll stick to Glocks and shotguns, and then some bolt action stuff. <br><br>I have been mainly looking at:<br>Mossberg shotguns<br>HK pistols and rifles<br>Winchester shotguns<br>Browning shotguns<br>Ruger bolt actions<br>Glocks<br>Savage bolt actions<br>Beretta shotguns<br><br>What is the difference between a $200 imported shotgun and a $600 american one? Is it worth it for a first time buyer? <br><br>What is the difference between a $300 Glock and a $800 HK? <br><br>What is the difference between a $800 bolt action rifle and a $2000 one?<br><br>&#x200B;<br><br>Edit:<br><br>I realize now that there are a ton of brands, so it can be hard to address them all. I'd really like to hear your opinion on quality of some of the brands I mentioned, as well as the differences in cost between brands.