Guys
I just recieved my Dakota 375 the other day, a 10 month wait for a special order 76. My question is this. The rifle in question arrived as ordered except that the forend has a gouge in it and there is a small scratch on the barrel. I am assuming that this all happened when the rifles open sights were being regulated(why is this an option I do not know) I will hunt with it, It is not going to be a safe queen. I just think for the money that this sort of BS should not happen. If any marks are going to occur I will put them there. What do you guys think? Should I Complain about it or just let it go and be happy. My Other 76 has yet to be sighted and I am A little leery about sending it back for the operation. I guess that not charging me for the sight in is supposed to make it all right. I would have rather paid the 300 dollars and not had to deal with this small but ANNOYING problem, Iguess I am just a anal retentive, complaining customer.
Have any of you experienced this sort of aggrevation and what did you do about it.
On A side note one of the rifles is a Don Allen and the other is a Kokesh special. There are differences in finish and fit but they are both nice rifles.

thanks for the input
JPaul

Your entirely right to not be happy with such a ding (I'm assuming it's somewhat substantial) in a VERY expensive custom rifle.

Whether you elect to send it back depends on whether you can live with it and whether you "need" it for a hunt sooner than it's likely to be returned to you. I assume fitting a new stock will add quite a wait onto the many months you already waited for it.

I'd certainly raise hell and perhaps get some $$$ sent back your way (perhaps buy yourself a scope or bino's out of the deal at least).

A factory rifle is one thing, but a Dakota like that is another category of expectation as far as quality and detail...

Contact them immediately and complain. Insist, firmly but politely, that they either replace the stock or 'make it right'.

George

yep i agree a NEW rifle should be pristine when you first get your hands on it...... they will treat you right on it ...........

No excuse for shipping like that. You deserve either a correction of the problem or a deduct on the price. As to the intended use, that shouldn't have a bearing on what Dakota lets leave the door.

As for the bluing, whether I sent the entire rifle back would depend on how noticeable it is and whether a little judicious use of cold bluing would fix it.

But I would definitely send the stock back for refinishing.

They can and should fix it.

They should make it right.

Speak up now, sooner - rather than later.

It your going to hunt with it, why let something like that worry you, but you have every right to send it back if you want the hassle...It wouldn't bother me, but I don't sweat the small stuff.

I totally agree and I am a psycho when it comes to keeping scratches of my guns, I camo tape them to hunt with.

Nothing shits me more than to purchase a new gun custom or factory and to have blemishes on it.......should not happen !!

How bad are the "marks"?
I would shoot it first, if it is a good shooter, lie Ray says, dont sweat the small stuff.

I wouldn't be happy either. I would definitley let them know about it (at a minimum) and depending on how bad the scratch was, would determine my response. Don't let them get away with that crap or they might begin to think it is OK for everyone. I had the stock crack on my Dakoata 416 Rigby. I sent it back and they made everything right and then some - it took about 3-4 months to get my new stock.

I wouldn't assume that it was from the factory sight in. It could have been from any point in the process- like proof firing or even just before shipping. I would let them know about it though. I highly doubt you need a new stock. They should be able to make that as new. Same with the barrel. If you have a hunt coming up soon, they may give you the option of sending it back after your hunt.

That's the problem...waiting for them to fix it and send it back could take weeks. If it's not that bad just take it out hunting and scratch it up good yourself.

Wow, thank you gentleman for all the opinions I took the advice of at least contacting them. I needed to send my 300 off to be range sighted anyways and while discussing that I also mentioned the small problems that I am expieriencing with the 375, I must say that I was presently suprised. They said that the new Dakota policy is that all rifles with irons are factory sighted and it is not an option anymore it is included. so all I have to do is send it in and they will mount my scope and range sight the irons and all at no charge. They also said to send the 375 back also and that he will see what can be done. So far I would call all this excellent service. I was worried that when Mr Allen passed on, that the spirit of what Dakota represents would be lost to the bean counters.

Thanks guys I will let you all know how the customer service ultimately works out.

JPaul