Thinking about a Charles Daly full size...

[CZ52GUY]

...any first person opinions based on RECENT experiences?

I say that because my research so far shows a mix of opinions. I'm reticent to act or constrain action based on hearsay so I'm really most interested in hearing from CD owners.

Those that have had issues in the past tend to post the negatives, those who have purchased within the last year or two seem to be positive.

Since I'm considering a NEW CD, I'm more interested in 2002 or 2003 model year experiences...as well as service since their Lifetime Warranty is contingent on them doing the work with no meaningful customizations...or handloads...more legal-ease from their web site, etc., etc., etc.

I thought about a Springfield Mil-Spec, but I like the looks of the CD better and I've heard as many "horror stories" about Springfield service as I have about CD.

In the end, I'm looking to add a nice looking 1911 to the stable which will provide some enjoyment at the range. I don't want to break the bank. I'm not going to enter any competitions with it, and I have alternatives for more serious needs.


Thanks in advance,

CZ52'

 

[michiganfan]

Had mine about a year now.. At first it would fail to go into battery once a mag. Then i went to the 1911 forum and the advice was to put in a heavier recoil spring. i did and it has been perfect for the 300-400 I have put through it since then. i consider it well worth the money I paid for it. That being said i hardly ever carry it because it is BIG. I carry a Glock 33 most of the time. Easy to conceal and a lot lighter to lug around daily than the Daly,(no pun intended) but there is something magical about a 1911. Like carrying a legend.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

After adding a Wolff 16 lb recoil spring (I thought I had picked up an 18lb, but I double checked), and smacking my "friend" around after he tried to plop one in the chamber and and close the slide, it's been fine. Approaching 1K rounds now. Purchased the beginning of 2002, and paid $500 out the door for it (it was my first gun, I didn't know how much I could have gotten it for). The trigger has a bit of up and down play, but not too bad.

 

[Sean Smith]

http://www.pistolsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=18903

 

[NevadaPistolero]

My expeirence with the CD was any thing but good. Needless to say I sold it. Some people have good luck with them and some dont......their nice looking guns but Im sticking with Springfield and Colt.

 

[9x19]

Yes, but I changed the steel trigger for lightweight McCormick, the mag release for a McCormick "tactical" length model and the ambi-safety for a single side McCormick... and cleaned up the sear/hammer surfaces.

Just personal preference, nothing needed for reliability. It runs just fine even with JHP ammo, and the supplied Mec-Gar mag. It will never be a carry gun, as I don't like the weight, but its proven to be quite capable for most any other role.

Mine's the commander size, purchased used, and its the only Daly I've owned.

 

[chaim]

Mine has 6K+ rounds and it has been a good gun. The factory mags were bad but with Chip McCormack Power Mags it has been good. It does very occasionally fail to go into battery initially. It should be an easy fix with a stronger recoil spring, but since it is only a problem when first loading it up and it never fails to go into battery while firing I'm not worried and haven't been in too big a hurry. I will get another (probably one of the compact models) eventually.

 

[BHPshooter]

Well, CD has their HP out now. If I had to go with a full size from CD that I needed to work, that would be it. It takes a lot to screw up a Hi Power.

I've heard mixed opinions about their 1911s. I don't have an opinion myself, since I've never tried/owned one, so take that for what it's worth.

Wes

 

[Preacherman]

I handled two or three of the early ones, and they were uniformly HORRIBLY unreliable when it came to feeding and ejecting - even with hardball. As for a good wide-mouth JHP, fahgettabahtit!

I'm told they've improved in recent years, but I'm afraid that after those first encounters, I've never considered them again.

 

[Bainx]

As I stated on another recent thread, mine [2003 EFS] has been very good once I found the preferred ammo. Fit and finish just ain't as good as Springfield, etc.
For an entry-level 1911 with a bunch of features, I think its hard to beat!
In my case, the factory mags run better than a Wilson, believe it or not.

 

[HarryRod]

I don't have a full size but their compact has been an exceptional piece. The only problem I had was with their cheap factory magazines. Once I replaced them everything worked fine......over 1000 rounds and not a hiccup since.