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I worked for Dakota from '92 to '97 and spent a lot of time on the single shot project. When I started they had shipped very few #10s and I helped them build fixtures and processes for sub assembling the machined parts into working actions. Worked in the metal shop for about 6 months and trained someone else to take over the sub assembling, quarter ribs, barrel bands and polishing on the #10s. Then I moved into the stock shop and remained there for the rest of my time. I built the stock patterns for the #10s and bolt guns and digitized them for CNC production. I really enjoied stocking the trim little #10. It comes up like a fine shotgun and points very well "for me". There is lots of work to do when the stock comes off the CNC so different stockmakers there produced slightly different looking finished rifles. I probably removed more wood than the rest of the guys while trying to shape that perfect "feel".

I don't have any #10s in my collection because of my personal love of bolt actions. The wood has much more impact to the viewer in a one piece stock.

The only problems I have with the #10 are the firing pin design and lack of ejector. If the pins are not fit right they will break. I wouldn't trust the #10 on a trophy hunt like I would one of my Mausers. But for local deer/varmint hunting it's great. This is just my personal opinion, remember I no longer work there.

It's a great little rifle if you are looking to add to your collection. If you've seen Tom Turpin's book Modern Custom Guns then you've seen some of my work. I stocked most, not all of the #10's and some of the bolt guns featured in his book. I do miss working on them.

gunmaker
http://users.elknet.net/chico

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