Charles Daly Wants to Hear From You!

Status
Not open for further replies.
hankdatank1362,

As for our new AR-15's, I posted this link earlier, but in case you missed it, here's our 2008 Charles Daly Defense "Suggested" Retail Price List: http://www.charlesdaly.com/pdf/2008_cdd_msrp_pl_121007_rev4.pdf.

Some other things I can tell you:
1. They are being built on DoubleStar lowers. We looked at a lot of different makers and were very impressed with their quality.
2. The rifles/carbines are 100% made in the USA. No imported parts at all!
3. In additon to the details that are included in the price list, you will find "properly" staked gas keys and "properly" staked castle nuts, a la Colt.
4. Our extractor has the black post and Crane "O" ring.

We have decided on 6 initial builds (7 actually, as there will be one, the D-M4RS that will be restricted state comliant). Of course, there will not be a model that is California compliant.

Please do not try and visit the website that is listed on the price list yet, CharlesDalyDefense.com, as the new site is not up. It should be online in two more weeks.

We will be adding accessories and uppers that will be available for sale on our website.

We will have a "Master Stocking Dealer Program" that will be unveiled at the SHOT Show.

On our 1911's, the finish is traditional blueing.

We still do the ambi saftey on the Government model but not on the Mid-Size or Compact. Sorry, but that's the only way ther are available right now.

That's about all I can think of right now. I'm sure there is more to tell you but it's been a long day. :)
 
CD:

Howdy & welcome.

I sure hope your customer service re-vamp is a success and that you can keep your customers happy and make a profit.
 
Well I appreciate all that you're doing. I'm sure that you are earning at least a handful of future customers. At least me! ( I gotta have one of those empire 1911s... The MSRP on the ARs leads me to believe that the street price will be about the same as Bushmaster, complete Doublestar rifles, etc... Now If I could find one for around $700-$750 OTD, I'd be stoked...)


Once agian, thankyou for your commitment to customer satisfaction.
 
hankdatank1362m it's very hard to maintain mil-spec quality on AR at $750 OTD, or others would be doing it already. Crome lining, proper forgings and anodizing/teflon coating, and several other things conspire to drive the price closer to the $850 OTD for a basic featured quality M4 type Carbine. Unless you are willing to buy a complete lower, then a complete upper and put them together yourself. This way you would avoid the 11% Federal Excise Tax which is not an insignificant amount.

The way I've explained our builds here at the show, we will either give you a few more features than Bushmaster for a little less money (5-7%) or we will give you a lot more features for the same money. (See the D-M4LX and compare to Bushies Modular Carbine). This is the best we can do and I think that our prices and builds will be just right to get the sales job done (we hope).
 
Do your AR's have "F" marked front sight bases? What bolt carrier are you using AR15 or M16? Are there color options?
 
Mr. Kassnar,
Let me first add my compliments to you for what you are doing here.
If all manufacturers did this, the gun industry (or any industry) would be far better than at present.

- I do not at present own a CD firearm, but as others have said, would be more likely to consider them in the future as a result of your efforts as expressed here.

- Nice AR's. Any plans for an AR-10/.308 variant?

- Please, please, can somebody make a CCO-type carry 1911 (lightweight officer's frame, commander-length slide)? It might as well be you. I know that there is a demand for such a thing.

Thanks again for all your efforts. May they be rewarded.
 
Michael,

I’m glad you have made the effort to reach out for some discussion on your products. It’s definitely a step in the right direction. Also, it’s good to know that you have made some changes to your company as your customer service does not have a good reputation. My dealer stopped stocking and recommending your products due to said customer service.

OK, you so want my 2 cents?…. How about 4 cents?

#1 Don’t town down the billboard on your pistols, eliminate them. The nicest way I can put it is your pistols look like white trash with the gaudy billboard. I was very interested in your HiPower until I saw it. Along with that, please do not imitate Ruger and put the entire owners manual on your merchandise.

#2 The Charles Daly name may work on sporting firearms, but I don’t think it cuts the mustard for military style equipment. The name "CD Defense" can work, but you need a cool logo. Armalite has the lion, Bushmaster has the snake Colt has the pony etc…, Better yet have a contest to design your logo, get your customers involved. Give away a free AR and you will have more designs than you can shake a stick at. Personally I think the Jolly Roger would ROCK!!! Also, please do not put a deer’s head or hunting crap on a military style firearm, someone else already does it and it looks tacky.

#3 I think your going to have a hard time making a name for your self in the world of AR’s as CD will be way behind the established brands. I’m glad Doublestar is working with you on this but your really going to need something special to compete. As with my point above, custom logo lowers would score you big points. No offence to THR, but the first thing I would do is make some friends at AR15.com. Do some group buys on different custom designed lower logos here and there, trust me people will notice.

#4 I’ve always seen your 1911’s as somewhat trashy looking. Like a girl with too much makeup. Call me old school, but I will not purchase ANY 1911 with forward slide serrations (BARF). If you want to sell me one, here are a few ideas. I would like to see USGI styled pistols both standard and enhanced with a parkerized finish ala RIA. I’ve read above in the thread that this is planned, however if you want to get a leg up on RIA (same pistol) I would recommend you do authentic style looking makings and proofs. Do not label them Charles Daly, CD Defense would look more military. Stick your initials (MK) on the frame as a proof mark and don’t forget the US property mark and the authentic UGSI looking grips. Do it right and trust me you will sell a ton. As long as were going retro, don’t forget to do a pre A1 1911 in a real blue finish with old school style markings. And lastly, I read you will be doing a 22LR 1911, but what about 9mm 1911’s??? I love to shoot my .45’s, but ammo has become too expensive. Offer an enhanced USGI in 9mm and I’ll be the first in line.

I don’t do shotguns or sporting rifles so I’ll stop here. If you use any of my ideas, don’t forget to invite me to see the finished product. I’m only a half hour away from you.

HH
 
But, what's with the warranty being voided if I pull the mag safety? Yeah, I pulled it. Improves the trigger a lot.
Click to expand...

FWIW, it voids the warranty on FN/Browning HPs, too. Usually, anything that changes the gun from factory specs will void the warranty (within reason, not including things like grips, etc.).

Wes
 
jerkface11, all of our CDD-15 rifles that have a flattop also have the proper forged "F" front sight base (see our price list that shows the major features of each model here: http://www.charlesdaly.com/pdf/2008_cdd_msrp_pl_121007_rev4.pdf.

The bolt is AR-15 type. Presently there no color options. But our blacks are definitely black. Uppers and lowers match. You won't see any of grey/black combinations.
 
Rick O'Shea, Sorry, no .308 this year. I've been after Armscor for almost 10 years to build a lightweight commander. I doubt that they will ever do one so we're going to have to look elsewhere for an aluminum frame. Any suggestions?
 
I agree with Harold... In that 1911's and AR15's should be a strong focus of the company. (keeping the company logo to a minimum)

They are the Camaros and Mustangs of the shooting world.

And YES Mike, that problem 1911 came from the Gun Gallery. How'd you guess ?
 
Mr. Kassnar, I've very impressed with your posts here and your commitment to customer service. I have to admit, I never really considered Charles Daly firearms before, although I was familiar with the name.

I'm in the market for a concealed firearm right now and will definitely look closely at Charles Daly Commander 1911s.

Oh, and welcome to the forum! Thanks for participating so actively. I hope you stick around for a while. :)
 
I wrote to CD when I was in Iraq about ordering one of the Zastava mausers. Never received a reply. That was the end of that.
 
CD Quality difference

CD,
Is there any significant difference between the metal quality/material from pre 2001 to post 2001 firearms? The only CD I own is one of your field grade 1911s (purchased it in 1999 or 2000). Overall, it is a wounder pistol, have fired 3,000+/- rounds through it with out failure except the front sight and recoil spring plug. The base of the front sight (dove tail) broke and during a cleaning, I dropped the spring plug on the cement ground and bent the lip. The plug does seem to made of very thin metal (as compared to my Colt Govt) and I was very surprised to see the lip bend inward from a drop.
 
.45Guy, If you've read through this thread, you probably saw that we fired our Customer Service Manager who had been with the company for 21 years. I'm guessing he moved your inquiry to the bottom of his inbox, with low priority, since we lost the Mauser rifle line to Remington. Regrdless of that, your email should have been answered and for that I apologize. Things are improving, albeit not as fast as I would like, but it is happening.
 
Mr. Kassnar,

I'm impressed that you've come to the forum and opened yourself up to some feedback, I nod my hat to you. I only own one Charles Daly product, a EMF 1911, that I've put a few hundred rounds few and it has been reliable with ball ammo. Accuracty wasnt what I hoped but wasnt un-acceptable either.

The biggest complaint I've heard about your company is the lack of customer service. With your recent changes, hopefully those issues will be resolved.

I have a suggestion for you that was done ins another forum. Would you be willing to host a "private" tour to a couple forum members from your area? It doesnt have to be me, you could draw 5 names from a hat of people that live in SouthCentral, PA. These members could come in, see your operation, take a few pictures, and report back on the internet forums. This has been done several times by Sig Sauer with sigforum.com. Sig has actually shown and allowed a demo of new products to sigforum members before they were even announced to the public. Opening your doors and giving a private tour really goes a long way into showing how serious you are about customer service and feedback.

Just an idea that I hope you give some serious consideration.

Thanks.

John
 
I have never had a bad experience with your firearms...

One thing though since I have your ear...

Whats the possibility of producing new SKS rifles? The market is always ready to buy an SKS and the surplus market is not what it used to be. I would think that a new SKS selling for $250 would be a hot item especially if you offered it in .223 with just the standard 10 round fixed magazine. It would be a popular, practical item that most likely would fly under the radar of the anti-gun crowd. You would have to give it a different name though, just to be safe.

Thanks!
 
.45Guy, If you've read through this thread, you probably saw that we fired our Customer Service Manager who had been with the company for 21 years. I'm guessing he moved your inquiry to the bottom of his inbox, with low priority, since we lost the Mauser rifle line to Remington. Regrdless of that, your email should have been answered and for that I apologize. Things are improving, albeit not as fast as I would like, but it is happening.
Click to expand...

Good to go, but this was back in May of '04. But that sounds about right.
 
Mr Kassnar,

I applaud your honesty & courage to engage forum members in conversation. It's not everyday that the owner of a company takes the time to talk with potential customers. I am truly impressed and am now willing to look at CD as a top notch company worthy of my hard earned dollars. I need another 1911 style 9mm, any of these in CD lineup?
 
As for our new AR-15's, I posted this link earlier, but in case you missed it, here's our 2008 Charles Daly Defense "Suggested" Retail Price List
Click to expand...
Those look nice!

I realize it's going to take you a while to get some momentum with these, but how about offering a midlength carbine?

Everyone and his brother makes CAR/M4 carbines, but only a few makers make Midlength AR15s. They have quite a following and you won't have as much direct competition, ask the folks over at AR15.com
 
You know, Mike, it might be a good idea to partner with someone like Jon Ciener for .22 uppers for a 1911... And while you're at it, I'm not sure about the mechanics involved, but a variety of calibre choices for a 1911 platform would be interesting - Would switching to a 9mm require an entire new upper, or just a barrel/magazine change? Or would there have to be changes made to extractor/ejector? Extractor's easy....

On the AR side, consider a non-mil-spec (I hate chrome lined barrels anyway) line - Some varmint guns, maybe with name barrels, and some deer rifle guns, chambered in 7.62x39 (with new magazines). Set 'em up as purpose-built hunting rifles - camo finish, etc., and show a ballistics chart comparing the 7.62x39 to the .30-30 in print ads...

Idea: Have a "design a boomstick" contest, and see what shakes out...
 
Well here is my input on charles daly weapons. I have a charles daily field model 20 ga. that the cocking lever keeps falling out of. I called customer support and the guy I got treated me like I didn't know which end the pellets came out of. I just want my gun fixed. They sent me a new cocking handle to put in it but it also falls out when the action is in the closed position, and yes I lined up the notch in the bolt before you ask. This is the second charles daly I have owned and most likley my last.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
New Charles Daly Forums!
Replies
3
Views
456
Charles Daly
C
H
  • Locked
Charles Daly closes up shop
Replies
10
Views
1K
MrIzhevsk
M
J
  • Locked
Charles Daly Customer Service
Replies
1
Views
579
wditto
W
M
  • Locked
Charles Daly and Armscorp
Replies
13
Views
926
wally
wally
C
  • Locked
Some Interesting Numbers
Replies
0
Views
458
CB900F
C
Back
Top