"Quality slipping" is a judgment comparing quality at one point and comparing it to quality at a later point. I understand your point of view concerning the validity of your judgment, and do not want to continue this but please compare apples with apples.

Did you own an older Express and find the quality better than a newer Express? Did you have an older Wingmaster and find the quality better than a newer Wingmaster? It is not a valid comparison to compare a Wingmaster to an Express in terms of finish or wood.

In this matter our positions and opinions are clear and unchanged. We disagree on some, but not all, things. No big deal.

The Daly is semi auto... probably good for duck?? What would be considered a deer barrel?

Agreed, no big deal. And I am comparing my current Rems to a couple inherited rifles, that are much older, so maybe not a relevant comparison. So, I probably don't have a valid basis to say "slipping." In any event, I'm dissatisfied with the quality (as described above) of the two Rems I bought, regardless of how they compare to earlier Rems.

Murdy---I'm glad the OP didn't ask about the Rem 770 or Big Uncle would really get his panties in a wad after reading what I'd have to say about that one, LOL!

I don't know about "panties in a wad." In fact, I was thinking this was one of those rare on-line disagreements that was actually rather civil.