I just received the new issue of Dakota Magazine. It says in there that they have tripled the number of machinists, gunsmiths, and stock makers, while increasing capacity six fold.

Here is what interests me. They say, "we have also been able to dramatically decrease the time it takes for such standard procedures as threading, chambering, crowning barrels and bedding actions."

Wouldn't that mean more machine work on what is supposed to be a semi-custom (handmade) rifle?
Sounds like they are gearing up to be another Winchester Repeating Arms.

I wouldn't want my barrel threaded, chambered, or crowned without the use of a lathe and a good machinist running it 'by hand'. They have always used machines for that.

I'm curious about getting a six-fold increase in production from a three-fold increase in staffing. Methinks we're about to see a drop in quality control, though I sure hope not. Okie John

All of that's fine as long as the quality remains at least the same or improves.

Amoung other things, Dakota needs to hire better wood purchasers and grade their wood more realistically.

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My recommendation is buyer beware and learn to “negotiateâ€. I don’t enjoy paying full tag price for anything other than a hamburger. I would negotiate that too, but I don’t like spit...

Zero Drift, that is particularly well put. Spit other than one's spouse or love object can be extremely distasteful. Negotiating on the other hand is an art lost in this current top dollar only please economy.

IMO Dakota needs some lessons in quality assurance and customer service.....I'm not impressed by what I've experienced so far!!!