Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Dakota Arms

Is Dakota Arms closed? They list as dealers outfits that closed years ago. I have called several times and left messages without receiving answers.

It is a Remington company, so ---

They are a mess. I have several of their rifles. Wanted info so I could buy more and couldn’t get a call answered or returned. I hope someone can get it turned around their rifles are beautiful.

Have you checked with First Stop in Rapid City? They always seem to have some Dakota rifles.

If you want a Dakota I’ve had good luck going through Gulfbreeze Firearms. The owner Duke McCaa knows everything knows everything about Dakota rifles and apparently has the secret numbers to actually talk to someone in Sturgis. Trying to contact Dakota directly is virtually impossible.

Thank you both for the information. I have one in 280 that needs some work and would like to buy another perhaps in 300 Win Mag.
Customer Service is extremely important to me and I will not commit unless I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
It is sad when a company such as Dakota closes. I knew Don Allen and Pete Grisell. Pete built my most accurate rifle yet, also a 280, on an FN action. This was in 1979. Their rifles function extremely well and mine is very accurate.
When compared with pre WWI Rigbys, Hartman& Weiss of the best era, pre 64 Winchesters and even Burgess Mausers they are as smooth or better.
I hope they can be rescued.

I tried to contact them several times nearly a year ago via phone and email to inquire into having a rifle built to my specifications (upgraded wood, LOP, twist etc) . I have never received a reply. Figured I was safer getting a different brand in the event I needed customer support as it appears to be non-existent there.

I don’t want to be to critical of Dakota, I have 3 that I bought used and one new off the rack no problems whatsoever. I ordered two through Gulfbreeze with custom LOP, barrel length, sights etc. and they did a wonderful job. They did install the wrong front sight on one sent it back on their dime and I had it back in two weeks with the right sight. All six rifles shoot moa or better and 3 are “big bores”, function perfectly.

I cherish mine but if ordering now I would go through First Stop or Gulf Breeze as added assurance. I heard of one friends order that did not come in until almost a year after the Safari he went on. This was during one of the rough transition times and would have been very unusual previously.

Another good option for Dakotas is Lance Hendershot of Hendershot Sporting Goods. Bought both of mine from him at well under retail.....but of course they were not custom orders....