Of these 3 Firearm Companys which is Best??
Of these 4 firearm Company's - Kimber of Oregon, Kimber of America, Cooper Firearms and Dakota - who do you think has the best 22's and or centerfire's when it comes down to workmanship to price? Workmanship to me is wood to metal fit, checkering, bluing and little flaws that should not have left the factory - buggered screw heads, scratches in the wood or metal, bad borders around the checkering, small chips or dents in the wood, bad finish in wood or metal... One of these company, for some reason, the price has just sky rocketed on there guns, but I just do not remember which one??
Thanks for your time and opinion these 4 firearm Company's!!
Vern
Thanks for your time and opinion these 4 firearm Company's!!
Vern
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I've had various rifles from all three companies and Cooper Arms 22 and 308 rifles were better quality made than Kimber of Oregon or Dakota; and were also consistently more accurate. That said I still hunt with customized Ruger 77II rifles (i.e., 257R, 8X57mm, and 22 LR) all-weather stainless rifles in all kinds of weather no matter how rough it gets. I liked their safeties and I'm confident they will they will be there when I need them to be. 0 -
Kimber of America didn't build there own rifles or .22's, as far as I know.
They went into business, after Kimber of Oregon went belly up. The rifles they sold, were reworked center fire Swedish Mausers. Also believe, they imported various Daewoo semiauto rifles and handguns. They sold out to Kimber Manufacturing in the mid 90's.0 -
quote:Originally posted by my-handyman
Of these 4 firearm Company's - Kimber of Oregon, Kimber of America, Cooper Firearms and Dakota - who do you think has the best 22's and or centerfire's when it comes down to workmanship to price? Workmanship to me is wood to metal fit, checkering, bluing and little flaws that should not have left the factory - buggered screw heads, scratches in the wood or metal, bad borders around the checkering, small chips or dents in the wood, bad finish in wood or metal... One of these company, for some reason, the price has just sky rocketed on there guns, but I just do not remember which one??
Thanks for your time and opinion these 4 firearm Company's!!
Vern
I've handled but down't own any Kimber rifles.
Cooper prices have stayed pretty consistent. I've seen pretty wide swings on the Dakota rifles. I have both - 2 Cooper bolts and 1 Dakota bolt. Close, but I think the Dakota is better finished although I get better accuracy from my Cooper 21 in 222 Remington.0 -
I have owned none of the above, but have worked as a range master for many years and shot many examples of each at all levels of finish and price. Also had the pleasure of touring Dakota Arms a number of years back with their chief engineer and can tell you at that time their wood room was astounding and they were pretty up to snuff on the tech end; the real gem was the fitting and engraving masters who were at work while I was there. This explained to me why the Dakota Arms guns were always the cream of the crop finish-wise of the guns in this quality range I've handled. I still have to place them a VERY respectable position two. I put Kimber rifles in position three; fine rifles, just not in my opinion the equal of either Dakota or Cooper. If given a choice, I'm opting for a Cooper. They have at all levels outshot (slightly better than Dakota; a close run thing to be sure) the other two brands and as regards their look cosmetically, they are as gracile as any rifle I have ever seen. The small bores are the equal of their center fire stablemates . IMHO, for what it's worth. 0 -
Might want to check this out before you go jumping into Cooper.
http://forums.GunBroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=332337&SearchTerms=Cooper0 -
That was waay back on 2008 and it cost Cooper his company. Cooper rifles are probably the most accurate out of the box rifles you can buy. Not impressed with the Kimbers, have had two rimfires and 2 CF's. No experience with the Dakotas. They are beautiful rifles, but I think they have folded. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 25-06
That was waay back on 2008 and it cost Cooper his company. Cooper rifles are probably the most accurate out of the box rifles you can buy. Not impressed with the Kimbers, have had two rimfires and 2 CF's. No experience with the Dakotas. They are beautiful rifles, but I think they have folded.
They should of changed the name when Cooper left. Personally, every time I see the name Cooper. It gets me thinking, about him giving money to BHO's campaign. They're not positive/happy thoughts.0 -
quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
quote:Originally posted by 25-06
That was waay back on 2008 and it cost Cooper his company. Cooper rifles are probably the most accurate out of the box rifles you can buy. Not impressed with the Kimbers, have had two rimfires and 2 CF's. No experience with the Dakotas. They are beautiful rifles, but I think they have folded.
They should of changed the name when Cooper left. Personally, every time I see the name Cooper. It gets me thinking, about him giving money to BHO's campaign. They're not positive/happy thoughts.
Well you do have to admit that he is the best firearms salesman since Sam Colt.0 -
25-06,
quote:They are beautiful rifles, but I think they have folded.
That will certainly come as a surprise to the Board of Directors of Remington.
Madison, NC (PRWEB) June 8, 2009
Remington Arms Company, Inc. through its fully owned subsidiary DA Acquisitions LLC has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire certain assets of Dakota Arms, LLC including the Dakota, Miller Arms, Dan Walter and Nesika Bay Precision brands. The transaction closed on June 5, 2009. Established in 1982 and headquartered in Sturgis, South Dakota, Dakota Arms is the leading manufacturer of custom and semi-custom rifles for the sporting markets.
The Dakota product lines are universally recognized for outstanding quality, design, accuracy and aesthetic appeal. The Dakota brands include Nesika, Miller Arms and Dan Walter. Nesika Bay Precision actions and rifles renowned for their exceptional accuracy; Miller Arms is known for the reliability and performance of its single-shot actions and custom rifles; and Dan Walter Cases are regarded as the premier travel and display cases for shotguns and rifles. Dakota Arms is strongly anchored in the Black Hills of South Dakota and currently employs 35 people.
"I am pleased to announce that Dakota Arms is joining Remington and the Freedom Group of companies," stated Ted Torbeck, CEO Remington Arms Company, Inc. and Freedom Group Inc. "Dakota Arms is an icon within the industry and its fine products exemplify quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Dakota is the perfect compliment to our industry leading family of brands. We look forward to continue to develop and expand the Dakota brand and thank all its employees for their continued dedication and success of Dakota Arms."
On the other hand, the backlash against Dan Cooper was swift and final. His Board of Directors forced his resignation immediately with the reports of his donations and support for Dumbo.
quote:Just minutes after the USA Today broke the story on the Internet, thousands and thousands of gun owners sent angry emails, called and sent boycott letters to Cooper Arms threatening to never purchase any of their firearms again.
Just 48 hours later, this is what appeared on the company website:
In response to the recent article highlighting Dan Cooper's personal political donations, the board of directors, shareholders and employees of Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc would like to issue the following statement.
The employees, shareholders and board of directors of Cooper Firearms of Montana do not share the personal political views of Dan Cooper.
Although we all believe everyone has a right to vote and donate as they see fit, it has become apparent that the fallout may affect more than just Mr. Cooper. It may also affect the employees and the shareholders of Cooper Firearms.
The board of directors has asked Mr. Cooper to resign as President of Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc.
Daily operations will continue with the competent staff currently in place in Stevensville, MT producing the finest, most accurate rifles money can buy.
Dan Cooper has spent all of his working life producing the highest quality rifles built here in the USA. He started with nothing but the American Dream and built that into firearms company anyone would be proud of. We firmly believe Dan stands by the 2nd amendment.
We wish him all of the best in his future pursuits.
Here is his current status via LinkedIn:
Dan Cooper
Pres/CEO ESHU East African Development, Founder of Cooper Arms
Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area
Sporting Goods
Current
ESHU East African Development
Previous
Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc, North American Divide Expedition 1980-1985
Education
Lewis and Clark College
Former Experience:
Pres/CEO
Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc
October 1990 - January 2009 (18 years 4 months)
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While I have handles some Dakota's, and their quality and workmanship, is second to none, so is their price. There are no free lunches, so to speak, but there might be a better deal????
That said, I have several Cooper rifles, and their accuracy, and desirability are also second to none, on the semi custom/semi production basis. Their Western Classic, in an exhibition grade stock, is really something to behold.
There is one more that no one has tossed out there to you, and that is Montana Rifle Company. They have rifles with a big strong hybrid action, that has the best of the Mauser, Winchester 70,and Remington 700 in its design.
Best0
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