just wondering what everybody else thinks. I got dakota's new catalog the other day and it sure seems like they are trying to be the department store of the high end business. Rifles, shotguns, videos, clothes, etc. Sure seems like somebody is taking don allens thing and running off the end of the pier with it.

I'd be happy if they took some lessons in Quality control.....

Someone no doubt paid quite a bit for the company (or controlling interest) and turnaround business priciples would indicate that they are surely looking for ways to cut corners, streamline production and ultimately maximize earnings.

This could argueably be the onset of the "post-64" era of Dakota.

And, they are booking hunts now too having merged with John Barth (Adventures Unlimited).

quote:

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Originally posted by vapodog:
I'd be happy if they took some lessons in Quality control.....

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Can you elaborate on your comments. I recently ordered a 76 Safari in 375 H&H. Have I made a $6000 mistake?

CRL - i don't think you've made a mistake, but i sure notice a differance since don has left us. 10 years or so ago he made me a matched set in 375 and 416, and I ended up putting different scopes on the 2 just to tell them apart. from what i see that sort of quality isn't anymore. It's just that over the years you see companies trying to grow to fast and leaving their values behind, and I sure would hate to see dakota go that way

actually...
this is like the turn of the last century gunmakers, that offered a full line.. HH, Rigby, even lefleurs

jeffe

They should re-read the history of Browning Arms and rethink conglomeratization.

I had screey thoughts when the company was sold in regards to QC. It sounds as if my fears have been substatiated by the comments I see on the Net. I was truly disheartened when the new owners purchased Nesika Bay as well. Oh well, think of all the money I'll save.

I'd just like to to see Dakota reshape the pistol grip on the Model 76. That's all I want, and I don't care about the rest of it.....

AD

quote:

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Originally posted by crl:

quote:

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Originally posted by vapodog:
I'd be happy if they took some lessons in Quality control.....

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Can you elaborate on your comments. I recently ordered a 76 Safari in 375 H&H. Have I made a $6000 mistake?

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My chickenshit little trist with them is over a three position safety for a '98 mauser I bought from them.....I didn't fit the bolt and I returned it....they made an entire new batch and they too were not good and it's now three months and they still have my bolt waiting to make one that fits. The first three pos safety I bought from them was bad as well and I reworked it and said nothing but this time I decided to speak up.....and I still don't have a working safety from them.....and these are not cheap little items at $150 for two ounces of steel.

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill C:
And, they are booking hunts now too having merged with John Barth (Adventures Unlimited).

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Hey there is a name we used to see on AR occasionally. He disappeared for some reason.

I wonder why?

Just the sales alone they made at SCI would not indicate the majority of the public is unhappy with Dakota.
They had record sales at SCI. No idea about SHOT.
The new owner is pouring the money into Dakota to make it the rifle to own and shoot.

Harry
And some people still booked with OOA.Doesn't mean the quality
has not declined.

Right... but then some people do not think the quality has declined. Not all those folks spending that money were first time buyers. One man bought "many" barreled actions and another bought "many" rifles to put in each of his camps. I forgot the numbers but it staggered me.
I own, sell, use a Dakota. I have been through that plant under Don Allen days. I have toured other firearms manuf. plants (Sako, Kimber) and I would say Dakota is doing well.
You can not get people to spend the price of a Dakota today if they did not see value received for dollar spent. Their sales at Reno were dramatically up from any year before. Surely not all those buyers were fools or first time buyers.
If you do not see the value there for the dollar spent...I understand that and have no problem with it. I still sell more Mod 70's per day than I sell Dakota's but...which is better for dollar spent???? I doubt the dead buffalo knows or cares.

The price is rapidly approaching the price for a custom rifle. I assure you that you will have more control over the outcome and have a better product with the custoom rifle. Many of those that bought hunts at SCI were relatively new to hunting or were rediscovering hunting and were buying on name not overall quality. I agree with you that buying a new Winchester is all a hunter really needs to get the job done especially if evaluated and tweaked a bit by a good gunsmith.

Harry
I used to buy Knapp shoes all the time,because of previous satisfaction. The last pair I brought,my feet were in pain.On investigation the new Knapps came from China. I now buy Miendls
for both work and play.

How much of Dakotas new sales are from new advertising?And how
much from reputation?

At $6000.00 who gives the better value a custom or
Dakota?

Last year I bought a Model 76 Classic in 7X57. I have been extremely satisified with it. I know that it is a small sample but I have no issue with Dakota's quality.
TerryR

JeffP
I have no beef with you or Dakota. If you have a hard on about Dakota then so be it. Just not everyone thinks the same as you on the issue.
I am happy with mine.
I am sure the new owner is not spending all those dollars just for the hell of it.
If you do not see the value for the dollar spent then buy what you think is right for the value...evidently that is what the buyers in the Dakota booth were doing.I saw no gun being held to their heads making them buy those rifles.
If I had endless dollars I would pop for a Hartman & Wiess and who knows what else. Would it shoot better than my Dakota or my Sako or my Kimber or my CZ...who the hell knows?
But I sure like the way it looks and feels.

No hard on Harry.Just,I have seen so many companies stray from thier original "mission statements".All headed the same way.
In the end all they do is whore out the name.I hope it does not
happen with Dakota too.