No, they want to use overpriced labor because they make their buck over hundreds of thousands of automated manufactured pieces, not 20 pieces. They make for OEM and seek those contracts. You need to find someone in the business of small run proofing/prototype, and they are out there. Never go to a full scale manufacturer. I have BTDT as the GM of a company that built gun parts. Our main supplier had us commit contractually to runs of 20,000 stamped steel parts at a time. You can also find a small time hobby machinist and get a price appropriate for what you're trying to achieve. If you are trying to make a buck with this, you're looking at a massive loan to start, a lot of ITAR compliance and liability considerations, not to mention the uphill battle to sell quantities that will make your effort worthwhile. You need to have a diverse product line and enough exposure to get box stores to pick you up
