I haven’t had a chance to take it out yet this year-been busy with other hunts (archery, junior rifle hunts for elk and deer for my son so range time for him shooting a tikka). I just finally got a scope mounted this past weekend and plan to take it out shortly…as far as the finish items you mentioned, mine does have a seam along the top of the handguard (see pics) not quite as pronounced maybe as yours where it meets the action, but I wouldn’t be concerned as it’s a free floated part. And not where you’d attach anything (I.E. bipod) on the underside. You could potentially contact Fierce to see if they’d swap out the handguard as well as a QC item (I get it from a finish standpoint on a $3k firearm).
As far as the nicks in the metal finish, I agree that it looks like someone hit the bolt trying to insert it into the action; purely cosmetic. It is a magnesium action, so I wouldn’t be worried with rust or it causing any long term wear issue with the overall finish…you could likely touch that up with some Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black, but it really won’t be noticeable, as is, with the bolt in and a scope mounted anyway. My bolt runs very smoothly in test cycling (especially for a Ti bolt).
From a comparison standpoint, it is every bit as nice as if you went a similar route in building an XLR Element 4.0 with a tikka action & carbon barrel. (I plan to test the two side by side at the range soon). The Fierce comes in about 6oz lighter too (I believe due to using carbon fiber handguard versus the extended magnesium chassis)