I don't have any Dalys. Years ago, probably 10-15, I remember a representative from CD asking members about some features on a 1911 and they were to incorporate them. I never followed the thread much but the initial feedback seemed pretty good. I haven't tested one personally but I did look at one. It was kind of on par with a Remington R1. I wouldn't buy it, but can't give a definitive reason why other than I think there are better alternatives for entry level. Tisas comes to mind. If I remember right, they were to be contracted by Armscor out of the Phillipines. I have a couple of Tisas and recommend those for sub 800 with nothing else even close in value. They are great products that work and have good parts in them.
Charles Daly 1911s
- Thread starter RandallC
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TexasShooter
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I have never owned a Daly. I do have a Metro Arms American Classic ll, about 12 yrs. old. Very tight and dependable.
I've worked on a few. They Italian made by Brixia, imported by Charles Daly/Chiappa. They are standard 1911. The Slide and Frame are Forged, with MIM parts. The interior of the Frame and Slide show some tooling marks. They are on a par with RIA. They only offer GM sized guns. There is one model with a "bolt on" Rail. I would prefer a Tisas or a Springfield. If you're looking for an Officer's sized model look at RIA or Kimber. The Tisas are Forged Slide Rail and internals. They include a Titanium Firing pin.
Joe Coogan
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For the price range, I'd have to vote for the Tisas. I've got one for just plain shooting fun and I cannot find fault.
As a side note, Tisas has no MIM parts. Upon disassembly of my three, there was not one MIM part. All barstock and therefore no need to put any upgraded Wilson Combat, EGW, Nighthawk or any other parts in the gun. I did polish all mating parts for smoother operation but no need to upgrade. I'm not aware of ANY other maker in this price range that does that, and if so, please let me know. MIM parts are everywhere in the lower priced SA 1911's. Check for casting lines and circles, you'll find them..........oops, just saw seagiant and I agree 100%.
Have not owned nor shot a Charles Daly 1911. They are commissioned by Chiappa, through a company called Brixia in Italy. Brixham I know nothing about, however Chiappa I have had extensive experience with as a former retail proprietor and none was favorable. Many who bought various Chiappa firearms were returned for repairs, many of which had to be returned again. This continued until we made the decision to stop carrying any Chiappa Firearms. If their commissioned firearms are to the same spec, no thanks, in fact no thanks anyway. There are plenty of inexpensive 1911s out there like Tisas, Girsan and others that you can enjoy and appreciate because they function well and don't disappoint you after the cheap price wears off.
Slim
Fanatic
Charles Daly is an ok pistol for an entry level 1911. For my money though I would look at the Tisas line or even an ATI or Rock Island Armory. I would stay away from Girsan, they shoot well but if you intend to upgrade, not all standard 1911 parts will fit.
Keep this in mind, "my opinion". Not everyone will agree and their opinion is not necessarily wrong.
Keep this in mind, "my opinion". Not everyone will agree and their opinion is not necessarily wrong.
Mike D
Well-Known Fanatic
I just got a reply from one of my gunsmith buddies, here it is;
"
Mike:
"Those are indeed Italian made by Brixia. They are all Forged Frames and Slides & MIM internals. They are in the approximate price range as Tisas. All the models offered are Government sized. There is (1) Model with a Bolt on Rail. MSRP Ranges from $589.00 - $1183.00. I've seen a few, mostly the Plain Jane models. They aren't as well fit as Tisas. I'd say they are on a par with Rock Island, again without the wide selection. Warranty is on an as assessed basis."
"
"Those are indeed Italian made by Brixia. They are all Forged Frames and Slides & MIM internals. They are in the approximate price range as Tisas. All the models offered are Government sized. There is (1) Model with a Bolt on Rail. MSRP Ranges from $589.00 - $1183.00. I've seen a few, mostly the Plain Jane models. They aren't as well fit as Tisas. I'd say they are on a par with Rock Island, again without the wide selection. Warranty is on an as assessed basis."
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Mike D
Well-Known Fanatic
And then there's this article;
americanhandgunner.com
Charles Daly Field G.I. Grade 1911 - American Handgunner
Charles Daly’s Field G.I. 1911 pistol will force you to widen your perspective. It’s one of three 1911 pistols made exclusively for them by Brixia.
americanhandgunner.com
Yep. Agree. The only thing I will add is in SA, MIM parts are in all of their standard lineup. Even the Pros. My Vickers Master Class, advertised as having tool steel parts instead of MIM, has lots of MIM. It's not a problem, but does point to cost savings instead of using the best possible.
Mike D
Well-Known Fanatic
And, a reply from my other gun guru, be kind, he has a hard time with a keyboard these days, due to health reasons. (Old Navy vet)
"I believe Rock Island Aris the importer of the Charles Daly 1911 pistol. Brixia is the manufacturer in Italy . Rock Island Armory is the importer. I think the Brixia is good 1911 pistol that is one of many other 1911 pistols available in today's market. Nothing bad to say about it other than field of 1911 pistols is quite full.
The Tisas Government Model 1911 is very good. It was judged as by the CMP as being the best copy of the 1942 Government model 1911a1. It is an excellent pistol . Tisas is manufactured in Turkey.
None of these pistol will as good as old Colt Gold Cup or a Wilson. You get a 1911 pistol made the 1911a1 specifications I think the Tisas is marked to resemble the actual 1942 original better than 1911 available"
Thats all I got. Hope you get something you enjoy shooting! Whatever you shoot, remember to stock up while it's out there!
"I believe Rock Island Aris the importer of the Charles Daly 1911 pistol. Brixia is the manufacturer in Italy . Rock Island Armory is the importer. I think the Brixia is good 1911 pistol that is one of many other 1911 pistols available in today's market. Nothing bad to say about it other than field of 1911 pistols is quite full.
The Tisas Government Model 1911 is very good. It was judged as by the CMP as being the best copy of the 1942 Government model 1911a1. It is an excellent pistol . Tisas is manufactured in Turkey.
None of these pistol will as good as old Colt Gold Cup or a Wilson. You get a 1911 pistol made the 1911a1 specifications I think the Tisas is marked to resemble the actual 1942 original better than 1911 available"
Thats all I got. Hope you get something you enjoy shooting! Whatever you shoot, remember to stock up while it's out there!
No C.D. in my safe, I have Colt and RIA. I have heard both good and bad about CD 1911s. I have done polish and trigger jobs on them and do not think they are any worse than any other budget line 1911. I do know Tisas do not need as much polishing as CD but both end up about equal when finished. I can not say about durability but I never had to do repairs on eather. Hope this helps. I personally would buy a RIA but it will need polishing and trigger work also.
Shadetree
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Boy, that's a beauty!
