i recently spoke to loather walther barrels and was informed that since investors took over dakota all barrels were no longer being bought from him and at least seven differnt manufactors were now being used. this concerns me when you are buying a gun of that price and reputating. i hope they know what their doing and not just trying to improve the bottom line. if anyone has priced their rifles they seem to be making a big enough profit as is.

I was considering them for a new rifle recently. I met an ex-Dakota employee that was the "barrel guy". He said that Dakota is headed the way of others, meaning they are into so many new things (travel agency, 3 other guns makers, custom cartridges) that they are doing the small things that made Dakota the best semi-custom gun in the world. He said quality is sliding and that he has headed off to start up a competitor to Dakota.

I would note what a supplier with a smaller order and a possibly disgruntled former employee have to say as part of due dilligence, but I would still check it out for myself.

I would expect Dakota to use barrels from different makers as they add actions such as the benchrest Nesika Bay to their mix. I have used L-W barrels on hunting rifles, and I like them. I would not think of them first on a bench gun though.

I hope we get some posts from folks buying rifles on their results.

jim