rec999allis
Member
I was just on the Charles Daly site and I can't believe the prices on the 1911s. I would like to know from any one who has shot or owns one if they are a good quality firearm or should I look somewhere eles for my next 1911?
Need info on Charles Daly 1911
- Thread starter rec999allis
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You will find a lot of folks who will knock them simply for being a "low price" 1911, however many if not all of those people have never shot one. The early models did have a few issues, however those have been worked out. I have a couple of CD's and they are fine handguns, especially at that price point. You will see some differences in the finish, particularly internally, from the higher end 1911's but for what you pay they are an excellent value. Go over to www.m1911.org/forums, and check out thier Charles Daly forum. Lots of happy users there versus very few who aren't.
V
V
1911 guy
Member
CD carry gun.
I have a CD that's a backup cary gun. I'm carrying it full time right now because my Springfield is off to the gun doctor for some upgrade work. I've owned the pistol for several years, have put many thousands of rounds through it and have yet to have a non-magazine related stoppage. I even attended TDI last spring with it, went through 2,000 rounds in three days with no hitches. Shoots to point of aim with 230 grain standard pressure loads. The only mod I made to it was painting the front sight so I could pick it up faster.
It's no high dollar premium pistol, though. I switched to 18 pound springs because of frame battering (cast frame) and the slide wasn't glassy smooth on the frame rails. Since I wasn't worried about the finish (carry gun, not showpiece) I used fine scotch-brite on the rails and feed ramp to slick it up. Works fine. Probably would have worked fine before, I'm just kinda mental.
I'd have no problem buying another or recommending them to others. Yes, you can get a better 1911. No, you can't get a better 1911 for the money.
I have a CD that's a backup cary gun. I'm carrying it full time right now because my Springfield is off to the gun doctor for some upgrade work. I've owned the pistol for several years, have put many thousands of rounds through it and have yet to have a non-magazine related stoppage. I even attended TDI last spring with it, went through 2,000 rounds in three days with no hitches. Shoots to point of aim with 230 grain standard pressure loads. The only mod I made to it was painting the front sight so I could pick it up faster.
It's no high dollar premium pistol, though. I switched to 18 pound springs because of frame battering (cast frame) and the slide wasn't glassy smooth on the frame rails. Since I wasn't worried about the finish (carry gun, not showpiece) I used fine scotch-brite on the rails and feed ramp to slick it up. Works fine. Probably would have worked fine before, I'm just kinda mental.
I'd have no problem buying another or recommending them to others. Yes, you can get a better 1911. No, you can't get a better 1911 for the money.
elprofeloco
Member
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- Jan 21, 2007
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- 43
Mine was a loser
Had a CD 1911 .45 - WORST firearm I've ever owned (I've owned dozens, mostly handguns, across the price/quality spectrum).
Obviously CD makes some that work fine, or else they would not still be in business irrespective of price. Mine was NOT one of those; I dumped it(returned it to dealer) quickly as I'm not inclined to spend time or money on a product that should function but did not.
p.s. I'd get a Springfield for a few bucks more in that price range (I have Colt 1911s already).
Had a CD 1911 .45 - WORST firearm I've ever owned (I've owned dozens, mostly handguns, across the price/quality spectrum).
Obviously CD makes some that work fine, or else they would not still be in business irrespective of price. Mine was NOT one of those; I dumped it(returned it to dealer) quickly as I'm not inclined to spend time or money on a product that should function but did not.
p.s. I'd get a Springfield for a few bucks more in that price range (I have Colt 1911s already).
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michiganfan
Member
I had a CD 1911, it would no go into battery with an 18 lb spring switched to a 20 lb spring and it was relaible, but did get rid of it. Once I have a problem with a gun not going bang I lose faith. Got a Springer GI
marlin.357
Member
Got a new one a few months ago, have put about 800 rounds of both factory and hand loaded ammo through it (FMJ, plated RN, and plated SWC) with only 2 failures to feed SWC's. Very accurate and shoots to POA.
It had the 1911 upgrades I wanted, (better sights, lowered ejection port, beaver-tail grip), at a good price, plus came with 2 Mec-Gar magazines. Always had good experiences with Mec-Gar.
The gun isn't picky about which magazines I use, 8-round Mec-Gar , 8-round CMC shooting stars, or 7-round $7 gun show "mil spec" mags.
Trigger is good, crisp, very little over travel. External finish is a good low gloss blue. Some internal machining marks are visible.
I did polish the feed ramp and replace recoil spring with a 16 lb wolff spring after the 2 FTF's at about the 250 round mark. No subsequent FTF's Was it necessary to polish the ramp and replace the spring? Probably not, but It made me feel better. Also replaced the factory grips with black rubber grips because I like the feel of rubber grips.
So there you have it. Not picky about ammo or magazines, worked right out of the box. Best 1911 out there? Probably not. Bull session bragging rights? I don't think so! Best 1911 under $500? I dunno, but pleased with mine, and yes I would buy it again.
It had the 1911 upgrades I wanted, (better sights, lowered ejection port, beaver-tail grip), at a good price, plus came with 2 Mec-Gar magazines. Always had good experiences with Mec-Gar.
The gun isn't picky about which magazines I use, 8-round Mec-Gar , 8-round CMC shooting stars, or 7-round $7 gun show "mil spec" mags.
Trigger is good, crisp, very little over travel. External finish is a good low gloss blue. Some internal machining marks are visible.
I did polish the feed ramp and replace recoil spring with a 16 lb wolff spring after the 2 FTF's at about the 250 round mark. No subsequent FTF's Was it necessary to polish the ramp and replace the spring? Probably not, but It made me feel better. Also replaced the factory grips with black rubber grips because I like the feel of rubber grips.
So there you have it. Not picky about ammo or magazines, worked right out of the box. Best 1911 out there? Probably not. Bull session bragging rights? I don't think so! Best 1911 under $500? I dunno, but pleased with mine, and yes I would buy it again.
wally
Member
Could say the same about Kimber:
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163444
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163516
Since Kimber sells a lot of guns, its easy to find more bad examples. Check the Colt and Springfield forums there as well, no shortage of problem guns there either.
Did you give CD/KBI a chance to make it right under warranty?
--wally.
elprofeloco
Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2007
- Messages
- 43
Wally:
Called CD and they wanted $35, in advance, to look at it and I pay shipping. The CD person was very disinterested and unhelpful - he sounded bored.
Since I'd already eliminated mags (also tried Wilson Combat mags), and ammo as the problem AND the problems were so numerous, prevalent and frequent - I decided I did not want to invest one more cent and got my money back from the dealer (who said he would not buy or sell another CD, ever - too many defectives and returns he is the largest dealer in our state).
As an ex-Q.A. manager, my belief is that some minimal level of quality controls should be present to preclude such a bad product (especially in firearms) from going to the consumer - my CD did not meet that criteria.
Yes, I gave CD "a chance to make it right" - at the factory before it ended up in the hands of a shooter.
Called CD and they wanted $35, in advance, to look at it and I pay shipping. The CD person was very disinterested and unhelpful - he sounded bored.
Since I'd already eliminated mags (also tried Wilson Combat mags), and ammo as the problem AND the problems were so numerous, prevalent and frequent - I decided I did not want to invest one more cent and got my money back from the dealer (who said he would not buy or sell another CD, ever - too many defectives and returns he is the largest dealer in our state).
As an ex-Q.A. manager, my belief is that some minimal level of quality controls should be present to preclude such a bad product (especially in firearms) from going to the consumer - my CD did not meet that criteria.
Yes, I gave CD "a chance to make it right" - at the factory before it ended up in the hands of a shooter.
Mornard
Member
Mine is the most accurate handgun I've ever fired. No exxageration - one hole (not one bullet hole, sillies... one big'ol ragged hole) at 20 yds. Howsumever - it will only feed and chamber hardball. period.
deputy tom
Member
I owned one a few years ago.The only problem I saw was they left the casting sprue in the ejection port and the slide stop detent in the slide peaned really quick.I traded it back to the dealer for a Colt 1991-A1.YMMV.tom.
I have had no issues with my 3.5" CD. Shoots to the point of aim and cycles everything I've fed through it. It shoots a lot softer than I thought a mini 1911 would. It's a great carry piece at $320 out the door for a very lightly used sample.
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