I'm no machinist,either,I've just watched CNC tooling of various types transform metalwork in this country. CNC machines are VERY expensive,so those who own them will make parts very cheap per unit,just to keep the machines working.However,the CAD design work ,programing,testing,redesign,etc,can get very expensive on short run(under 1000) parts. The big co's own thier machines,realy little guys can buy time from specialists,but in the middle,what you pay the CNC shop takes potential profit and gives it to to the cnc shop.I suspect the margins are narrow in airguns.
I think your streetbike analogy is pretty good,brit sportscars another. Many old time makers went under,many more were borderline during the transition to modern bikes. Some types are nearly extinct,because there isn't the market to support new models(500cc kickstart singles,for instance) Modern sportbikes are very good,but over the top IMO,not realy offering much to the average Joe they couldn't get from a vintage ducati (except lack of oil leaks and reliable electrics) How often can you sanely use 150 hp in a 350 lb streetbike?
Another point I think is worth thinking about.Springers are mature tech,and have been pushed about as far as is reasonable,or maybe past that. The Porshce flat four is a good analogy. Based distantly on a 45 hp VW engine,it was made to work,at increasing HP output,for 40+ years.Porsche finaly gave up and went to a watercooled 6.The lotus 4 is another example, replaced with an 8 when lotus finally had money (bought by ford(?) I'm hoping the hi end PCP tech will trickle down to low end guns,but I'm not holding my breath.
The chinese pcps are remarkably good in looks and perfomance,QC still needs work.I think the chinese guns are already haveing an influence,the low end BSA's seem to be a responce to the B-50's.I wonder how much the cheapening trend was to blame for Webly going under?The chinese may very well dominate the market in the next decade,they certainly are a huge presence in the bicycle market.
I'd love to see airguns become even as mainsteam as sportbikes(still not a big market,relative to PC's,for instance),but with worldwide attempts to outlaw personal firearms(UN driven),I don't think it's going to happen.Historically,firearms get registered,then outlawed,then airguns get restricted,then emasculated,then outlawed.
You can have a lot of fun with a $500 ft setup,if you dont plan on competeing nationaly. I think the idea that you need to put serious money into a FT gun is hurting the sport a lot. Remember FT is the "fringe of the fringe" a small part of a very small sport,relative to almost any other hobby I can think of.My local bookstore caries 3 different magazines devoted to paintball, and 2 aimed at scale RC model boats,NONE for airgunners...