doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Dakota model 10s?

For reasons I can't well explain, I've been lusting after a Dakota model 10 since I saw and handled one when the NRA convention was in Charlotte awhile back.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of forum discussions on the model 10 here or elsewhere that I have found.

If I were evaluating a used model 10, anything I should look for in terms of features or failings?

Don't know the rifle well (too poor to even have ever fondled one...) but there is an article on them in the latest "Rifle" magazine.

Do I dimly remember that Dakota is out of business???

I think someone is doing business as Dakota Arms, but Don Allen, one of the founders,did pass away.A very nice man, such a loss.
Mike

Hi,
Tested one a number of years ago with Don, I noted what I thought was an issue with ejecting the empty case. Don't know if Don ever corrected the issue. (case would hit the back of the breech block mortise, you then had to turn the rifle over for the case to fall out) I think if I remember right Steven Dodd Hughes mentioned the same or at least alluded to it in his book.
Maybe he will chime in and offer his thoughts. He has worked on them so I believe he will offer the best Good/Bad criticism.
Basically I would say they were very nice built guns. Don did good work without a doubt.

Thanks all for the info so far.

I had read that they should never be dry fired due to high risk of damaging the firing pin (supposedly this was rectified with later production.)

I'd also read that the model 10 has an extractor only, not an ejector, so not for dangerous situations requiring a quick second shot. But otherwise the sparse comments have been positive, particularly about fit and finish and accuracy, other than concerns about the high cost.

I took a chance and ordered a used one. Set up similar to an English single shot at the turn of the last century...29" barrel, iron sights on an express rib, in 45-70. Bit of a risk, since the only ones I've handled were in smaller bores (257, 7mm, 30-06), with shorter barrels (22-24"s).

The quarter rib, case hardened receiver and great walnut suckered me in. Hopefully it arrives tomorrow.

JMO Unless you have money to waste and burn, buy a RUGER 1A LOOK FOR ONE WITH GOOD WOOD, AND IF IT DOESN'T SHOOT WELL ENOUGH, HAVE A RIFLESMITH WHO WORKS ON THEM TO DO AN ACCURACY JOB! You just saved thousands of dollars and have just as good a rifle. HTH Jerry

Hi Jerry...I appreciate what you're saying about going with the Ruger and saving the money. I'm looking for something a little more special, in terms of aesthetics, wood and quality of finish, than I'm going to get with a No.1 rifle, which is why I'm asking about the Dakotas.

They're lovely little rifles...with the emphasis on little. I think one in 45-70 would be a thumper! Too bad there's no such thing as 257 Roberts Rimmed. That would be just about perfect for the Dakota Model 10.

Pretty easy to neck down a 7x57 rimmed to .257 and you would have a .257 Roberts rimmed.

Ryan,Cpa,
I have a 6.5x57R and it is a wonderful cartridge, as well as being factory loaded(for those that don't handload).As good as 257 roberts is, you wouldn't miss it, if you had a 6.5x57R.
Mike