I know what you mean about some of their stuff being inferior or at least not as they advertise it. I buy a lot of surplus military stuff than I'm familiar with. I also do some on-line research to see what the armed forces members currently on duty have to say.
One thing about US Military surplus, because they have  deep pockets thanks to us taxpayers, they get good stuff and it has to pass rigorous filed tests before the government gives the contract out.

The same for British and most European stuff. When it comes to the Chinese though, your never sure how good it is. :-/