Charles Daly

[gotgunz]

I am looking throught the latest issue of Shotgun News and see on page 55 an ad for Charles Daly AR's !

I have a 1911 from them and it is reliable as all get out but an AR? Did they feel left out and were compelled to get into the game?

LOL

They have their own website too.

https://www.charlesdalydefense.com

[RECCE556]

Did they feel left out and were compelled to get into the game?

I have no idea why they decided to get into this game now (with a very mediocre lineup at that). Guess they just wanted to cash in on the current craze...

[Fjold]

Charles Daly (KBI Inc) is one of the biggest importers of firearms in the nation. They used to import the Zastava made Mausers before Remington out bid them for the import rights and they were on the ground floor of importing the Russian and Turkish shotguns.

Mostly they aim for the lower price products.

[aplinker]

Charles Daly (KBI Inc) is one of the biggest importers of firearms in the nation. They used to import the Zastava made Mausers before Remington out bid them for the import rights and they were on the ground floor of importing the Russian and Turkish shotguns.

Mostly they aim for the lower price products.

Their ARs look like US-made bottom rung stuff - and it's overpriced.

[gotgunz]

Their ARs look like US-made bottom rung stuff - and it's overpriced.

Yeah I noticed that they were awefully proud of their stuff.... but the lowers are only $119.00.

At least another source for OLL's.

[sb_pete]

Seems a bit odd that the "DV-24 Match Target & Varmint Rifle Upper Assembly" is advertised as coming with a 2-stage match trigger.

[elroy]

just shows how mainstream the AR has become in the free states

[jandmtv]

Seems a bit odd that the "DV-24 Match Target & Varmint Rifle Upper Assembly" is advertised as coming with a 2-stage match trigger.

I too found that odd! A typo perhaps?

[aplinker]

I too found that odd! A typo perhaps?

Possibly, but looking at the price... they might include it along with the upper.

Some of the rifles had bizarre combos of features. Like one had a winter trigger from Magpul in their mid-low price range... none of the others did, even their top-end M4gery.

[railroader]

I can't remember which forum I saw it on but I think it was the president of Charles Daly talking about the rifles. He said that those prices were just msrp and that in the real world the customer will be paying less. One thing they will have to be very competively priced and decent quality or they won't sell. There are too many players already in the field. Mark

[Stanze]

I can't remember which forum I saw it on but I think it was the president of Charles Daly talking about the rifles. He said that those prices were just msrp and that in the real world the customer will be paying less. One thing they will have to be very competively priced and decent quality or they won't sell. There are too many players already in the field. Mark

Yup, a few months ago, Michael Kassnar the President of Charles Daly went to arf.com seeking input from arfcommers about their venture into the AR-15 market. A very ballsy move IMO. I can't find the original thread where he introduced himself, but here's a recent one: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.htm...=363025&page=1

The majority said something to the effect of "Make it the same quality as Colt, Bushmaster and Armalite for less money.".

Mr. Kassnar listened and made the CD AR-15 line into what arfcommers expect in these types of rifles (select models include: chrome-lining 1x7 twist, extractor has the black insert with O-ring, etc. M4 feed ramps, etc.)

They really have something to offer if they can sell high quality at an affordable price.

[aplinker]

I think "middle america" has a MUCH different take on ARs than we do in CA.

As CA AR consumers, up until recently, we have ONLY had the option of building from parts. Most people outside CA just buy complete rifles... From that perspective, both these and the Remington stuff have the potential to do well. I'm guessing the CD models will come in priced a good $100-300 less than MSRP, minimum.

Yup, a few months ago, Michael Kassnar the President of Charles Daly went to arf.com seeking input from arfcommers about their venture into the AR-15 market. A very ballsy move IMO. I can't find the original thread where he introduced himself, but here's a recent one: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.htm...=363025&page=1

The majority said something to the effect of "Make it the same quality as Colt, Bushmaster and Armalite for less money.".

Mr. Kassnar listened and made the CD AR-15 line into what arfcommers expect in these types of rifles (select models include: chrome-lining 1x7 twist, extractor has the black insert with O-ring, etc. M4 feed ramps, etc.)

They really have something to offer if they can sell high quality at an affordable price.

[CombatMP]

I think "middle america" has a MUCH different take on ARs than we do in CA.

As CA AR consumers, up until recently, we have ONLY had the option of building from parts. Most people outside CA just buy complete rifles... From that perspective, both these and the Remington stuff have the potential to do well. I'm guessing the CD models will come in priced a good $100-300 less than MSRP, minimum.

That's why I love California, just living on the edge when it comes with AR type rifles

[Charles Daly]

Charles Daly Responds

Hello Everyone,

My name is Michael Kassnar, President of KBI, manufacturers, importers and distributors of Charles Daly firearms.

I was brought to your website through a search engine and I thought it might be a good idea to comment on some of the posts here.

We decided to get in the AR market segment for several reasons. First, as someone here mentioned, these rifles are selling very good now and we do like to be in segments that we were missing out on. Secondly, as we launched a new division to handle this business (see: http://www.CharlesDalyDefense.com), we have found that we have many products that fit the HD and LE markets and by being in the AR segment we can start to get into other HD and LE business. (We made need that next year after Hillary or Barack put us out of the civilian business.)

There have been a few comments here about our MSRP prices and our quality. Like all gun manufacturers, you can expect to get at least 15-20% off of the MSRP. Our "real world" prices might look something like this:

Model......MSRP......Street
D-M4..........1,119........899
D-M4LE.......1,169........939
D-M4S........1,079.........869
D-M4LX.......1,619........1,299
DR-15.........1,089........879
DV-24.........1,319........1,059

Thanks to you guys for catching the typo on the DV-24 upper. There is no trigger supplied with it.

And uclaplinker, you seem awfully negative about these before they even hit the dealers shelves. So one model has a Magpul enhanced trigger guard and this leads you to comment that we had models with "...a bizarre combo of features..." And what makes you think they are "...bottom rung stuff"? Have you handled one or seen one at The SHOT Show? Or are you going off of our website pictures. Everyone we spoke to at SHOT was quite impressed with the obvious quality of them and the standard features that are costly options on our competitors guns.

I don't mean to get confrontational with my first post on a site, but I just have to wonder why someone would be so negative with a new line like this.

These guns are 100% made in the US (unlike many other AR's) and the quality and features we put in them, at the price we are selling them, make them one of the better values available in this very competitive AR market.

But you don't have to take my word on it. We started shipping oru first guns to the wholesalers last week. Several guns are going out for T&E to some very respected names in the AR business. You should start seeing some reviews on these guns within a few weeks.

Well, I've said enough I think in my first post. I will visit here as often as I can and hope to contribute when I can add to the discussion. If you ever have any questions or comments concerning Charles Daly guns, feel free to PM me.

Sincerely,

[aplinker]

Apologies if it seemed like I was drawing conclusions rather than giving my impressions.

The street prices do put you in a very nice, competitive position for the entry-level AR buyers. My view of Charles Daly has been very positive - I own both a 1911 and a shotgun. Your products have functioned well for me in the past.

To respond to your questions... I liked seeing the 4150 barrel and the Magpul winter triggerguard, but it was only on 1 rifle, which wasn't even the top M4. Seemed strange to leave it off that. Additionally, the ACE stock on the varmint rifle is an odd choice. Varmint rifes are so front heavy that a lightweight stock seems like a non-optimal decision.

Bottom rung referred to the choice of YHM parts on the "D-M4LX" the only identifiable source (other than the Magpul and ACE products). I've had some poor experiences with their products on more than one occasion. Was disappointed to see their inclusion.

As with anything, there are often reasons associated with choices that I could very likely be unaware of. I could offer up a slew of questions, but I'm guessing it's all been hashed elsewhere. I would love to see a mid-length gas system instead of carbines on all your M4-style uppers.

Regardless, I'm actually personally pleased to see a manufacturer on our site. Most others consider us anathema.

Which leads to the biggest and most important question: will Charles Daly ship complete rifles to California in compliant configurations?

Hello Everyone,

My name is Michael Kassnar, President of KBI, manufacturers, importers and distributors of Charles Daly firearms.

I was brought to your website through a search engine and I thought it might be a good idea to comment on some of the posts here.

We decided to get in the AR market segment for several reasons. First, as someone here mentioned, these rifles are selling very good now and we do like to be in segments that we were missing out on. Secondly, as we launched a new division to handle this business (see: http://www.CharlesDalyDefense.com), we have found that we have many products that fit the HD and LE markets and by being in the AR segment we can start to get into other HD and LE business. (We made need that next year after Hillary or Barack put us out of the civilian business.)

There have been a few comments here about our MSRP prices and our quality. Like all gun manufacturers, you can expect to get at least 15-20% off of the MSRP. Our "real world" prices might look something like this:

Model......MSRP......Street
D-M4..........1,119........899
D-M4LE.......1,169........939
D-M4S........1,079.........869
D-M4LX.......1,619........1,299
DR-15.........1,089........879
DV-24.........1,319........1,059

Thanks to you guys for catching the typo on the DV-24 upper. There is no trigger supplied with it.

And uclaplinker, you seem awfully negative about these before they even hit the dealers shelves. So one model has a Magpul enhanced trigger guard and this leads you to comment that we had models with "...a bizarre combo of features..." And what makes you think they are "...bottom rung stuff"? Have you handled one or seen one at The SHOT Show? Or are you going off of our website pictures. Everyone we spoke to at SHOT was quite impressed with the obvious quality of them and the standard features that are costly options on our competitors guns.

I don't mean to get confrontational with my first post on a site, but I just have to wonder why someone would be so negative with a new line like this.

These guns are 100% made in the US (unlike many other AR's) and the quality and features we put in them, at the price we are selling them, make them one of the better values available in this very competitive AR market.

But you don't have to take my word on it. We started shipping oru first guns to the wholesalers last week. Several guns are going out for T&E to some very respected names in the AR business. You should start seeing some reviews on these guns within a few weeks.

Well, I've said enough I think in my first post. I will visit here as often as I can and hope to contribute when I can add to the discussion. If you ever have any questions or comments concerning Charles Daly guns, feel free to PM me.

Sincerely,