Dakota Arms Restock

T

TrumpzHair

Private
Minuteman
Mar 2, 2018
12
2
#1
Long time lurker. My first rifle is a Dakota Arms Model 97 that I plan to own until the day I die. However, I’ve had it since I was 12 and it’s a youth model. Now that I’m out of college I can afford to get it restocked.

I called (many many times) and emailed Dakota Arms to talk about getting it restocked but I’ve not heard back...That was in October. So now I'm looking at alternatives.

Does this action differ in dimensions to a rem 700? If it does that means I need to get a custom inlet stock right? In which case I was thinking of a McMillan A1-3 (I dont like adjustable cheek rests). But that means I have to mail them the action and etc and it just sounds like a pain. Also where can I get it glass & pillar bedded? Are there any gunsmiths near Atlanta? For the price, I wish McMillan would just install and bed stocks themselves for an additional fee.

Thanks
 
#2
You may not need to mail the action out. They have inlet programs for a ton of actions. One phone call will answer that question. Look into Manners stocks as well. Many reputable gunsmiths can do the bedding. Pick a local person or find someone here.


The 97 appears to be flat bottomed, so nothing like a Remington.
 
#3
The website says for Dakota actions that you may need to send it in, but I will call and find out. I‘ll check out Manners aswell. If anyone can recommend someone near ATL that would be awesome.
 
#4
The 97 has a loose recoil lug like a 700 but you’ll be looking at Model 70 style stocks to fit the tang angle. McMillan used to do installs do they not anymore?
 
#6
@RyanScott Their website specifically says they dont bed stocks anymore, however it doesnt say whether or not they do regular installations.

@Wyfox It looks amazing on the website, but I graduated college, I didnt win the lottery. That would put it over a thousand dollars for a restock, not including shipping.
 
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#7
TrumpzHair said:
@RyanScott Their website specifically says they dont bed stocks anymore, however it doesnt say whether or not they do regular installations.

@Wyfox It looks amazing on the website, but I graduated college, I didnt win the lottery. That would put it over a thousand dollars for a restock, not including shipping.
Click to expand...

You may consider asking Chad if he’ll just do your top/bottom and barrel channel inlet. You could do the rest yourself, or have the beddding done locally. That is, if mcmillan and manners won’t do the inlet there. I’ve become increasingly unhappy with mcmillans inlets in general. Manners aren’t perfect either, but better than mcmillan for sure. If you end up sending the barreled action, I’d imagine the inlet should come out better. Never tried that myself though.


Unless you get fickle with stocks, you’re making a lifetime purchase here. A few hundred bucks extra will be meaningless down the line.
 
#8
@Supersubes, So I just checked out the Manners online stock builder. It doesnt have a dakota arms inlet and I don't see anything that says they sell flat tops. I’ll have to call to see what they can do.

In either case, I’m thinking i’ll just send McMillan my rifle, have them inlet it, and get the bedding done sometime down the line. What does LRI do for bedding that other gunsmiths dont for like a third of the price?
 
#14
TrumpzHair said:
@Supersubes, So I just checked out the Manners online stock builder. It doesnt have a dakota arms inlet and I don't see anything that says they sell flat tops. I’ll have to call to see what they can do.

In either case, I’m thinking i’ll just send McMillan my rifle, have them inlet it, and get the bedding done sometime down the line. What does LRI do for bedding that other gunsmiths dont for like a third of the price?
Click to expand...

Manners most certainly will sell a flat top. LRI takes bedding to a whole new level. Unmatched by anyone I’ve seen. Chad has done some nice threads detailing it. And as someone else has already mentioned, it won’t take months to complete.
 
#20
Given the family history, I would persevere and send it back to Dakota to keep it as original as possible.

I have not had a problem contacting Dakota in past. They are mixed up in the Remington reorganization, but that shouldn't affect day to day operations.

I forgot the name of the top technician at Dakota, but he is very good.

Good luck.i
 
#21
Hawk in WY said:
Given the family history, I would persevere and send it back to Dakota to keep it as original as possible.

I have not had a problem contacting Dakota in past. They are mixed up in the Remington reorganization, but that shouldn't affect day to day operations.

I forgot the name of the top technician at Dakota, but he is very good.

Good luck.i
Click to expand...


Do you have his contact info? Every time I call the number on the website it goes to voicemail.
 
#27
TrumpzHair said:
Long time lurker. My first rifle is a Dakota Arms Model 97 that I plan to own until the day I die. However, I’ve had it since I was 12 and it’s a youth model. Now that I’m out of college I can afford to get it restocked.

I called (many many times) and emailed Dakota Arms to talk about getting it restocked but I’ve not heard back...That was in October. So now I'm looking at alternatives.

Does this action differ in dimensions to a rem 700? If it does that means I need to get a custom inlet stock right? In which case I was thinking of a McMillan A1-3 (I dont like adjustable cheek rests). But that means I have to mail them the action and etc and it just sounds like a pain. Also where can I get it glass & pillar bedded? Are there any gunsmiths near Atlanta? For the price, I wish McMillan would just install and bed stocks themselves for an additional fee.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Is it one of the youth rifles that was supposed to come with the free full size stock as you grew? I almost bought my oldest one. They had the program so if you bought the youth gun, which was just a shorter lop, then they would restock it for free with a full size stock later.

Doesn't do you much good if they are out of business, but I'd shake the hell out of that tree before I paid anyone else to restock it.

Then if that fails I'd probably go to lri
 
#28
jbuck88 said:
Is it one of the youth rifles that was supposed to come with the free full size stock as you grew? I almost bought my oldest one. They had the program so if you bought the youth gun, which was just a shorter lop, then they would restock it for free with a full size stock later.

Doesn't do you much good if they are out of business, but I'd shake the hell out of that tree before I paid anyone else to restock it.

Then if that fails I'd probably go to lri
Click to expand...


Well shit. You are correct. I asked my father (who originally purchased the firearm) and it is supposed to be replaceable. I’ll try a different extension on the phone tomorrow and see if someone picks up.
 
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