Charles Daly 1911 commander?

stitcher · July 28, 2012, 07:45

Have an opportunity ti get a charles daly 1911 "commander", have only seen pictures but it looks like a 3". The frame has a redish fleck finish, and the owner thought it was steel but wasn't sure. Looks like a nice gun.

**MAINER** · July 28, 2012, 11:12

Reddish fleck finnish? Rust?

Probably a 3 1/2" barrel. Depending on the age of the pistol, it was made in the Philippines by the same outfit that makes Rock Island and Armscorp.
Or, it could have been produced by BUL in Israel, starting in 2005, I think. The Izzy gun would likely be marked as Charles Daly M-5 or maybe BUL M-5.

Daly's were known to be finicky about their mags according to a couple shooters. Fit and finish quality was was hit and miss on the PI guns, some very good , others pretty bad.

If you're asking "Should I buy it"? My answer would be yes, if it's cheap enough, especially if it's made by BUL.
Personally, I'd probably pass on it. I just don't like sub-compact 1911's with their problematic recoil systems. I like the 4" Commander as a minimum sized 1911.

The subs are not pleasant guns to shoot, more of a CCW thing.

NEWFNL1A1 · July 28, 2012, 11:22

What Mainer said....

A reg size Commander is great to shoot but the smaller ones were not, in my experience.

stitcher · July 28, 2012, 11:51

He send me some better pics, it looks like a redish tint to the bluing, not rust. It looks like an older gun with carry wear, it's marked "charles daly" on the slide. He bought it from the original owners son, said it eats fmj out of the mecgar mags just fine. It has the bull barrel as well.
I don't know if it's a "good deal", but I recently got a glock 32 in a trade for a kayak(I've never liked glocks, but figured they have a good reputation so I'll try it)but I cannot bring myself to like or trust the gun. Everybody and their brother has a glock around here, so a trade offer for a compact 1911 is pretty appealing. I was such an idiot.

**MAINER** · July 28, 2012, 19:44

Oh! well!, why didn't ya say so in the first place? This changes everything, you know!

Yes, of course I'd trade the Glock for the Daly. I'd trade a Glock for almost anything!

I don't really know if this is a good deal for you as I'm not a fan of "Poly-Pistols" and don't know their value.
I think the Daly is worth something in the $350~$400 range, if that helps.

As I said, the sub-compacs are kinda nasty critters to shoot with a quick recoil impulse and loud bark. I had a 3 1/4" .45ACP as a carry gun for a long time. Always grateful that I never had to use the thing.

The reddish brown is likely a problem with the Bluing solution or methods used on cast steel. No problem, just cosmetics.

stitcher · July 28, 2012, 20:32

Thanks for the support mainer, and for not scolding me over the glock, I am ashamed enough already!

**nearmisses** · July 28, 2012, 20:42

Dont sweat the color issue. Either a cast frame and hard or just hard steel. Sometimes a little more cyanide in the bluing salts can overcome if you don't mind almost killing yourself in the process, depending on whose salts are being used too! As far as 3 1'2" barrel 45's go. personal choice I carried my DEtonics and it was heavy but a comfort to know it was there. Shot everything. THe Daly may be a good choice like the boys said if Israeli.
I prefer the 5 1/2" colt but sometimes you just need a shorty. The weight of the SS Detonics made it the same as a full size in my hands.
Enjoy. I don't like Glocks either. Sympathize.

**gobbler** · July 29, 2012, 09:19

I had a CD govt model......it was ok for the price, but the quality was lacking compared to most. For the price range, a Norinco IMHO is much better.....but this was 20 yrs ago. I have Colts & Springfields but one of my old Norincos is still my range / truck pistol for the most part.

gobbler

stitcher · July 29, 2012, 14:01

Well, I'm gonna do it. Like I said, the glock market is full and the 357 sig isn't a big hit here and I don't want to sit on this glock

. Plus it will heal my broken heart, I bought a colt 1991a1 this spring in near mint condition, it turned out the slide was machined so poorly that the barrel pointed so low to the sight radius that the sights were worthless.

**gobbler** · July 29, 2012, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by stitcher

Well, I'm gonna do it. Like I said, the glock market is full and the 357 sig isn't a big hit here and I don't want to sit on this glock

. Plus it will heal my broken heart, I bought a colt 1991a1 this spring in near mint condition, it turned out the slide was machined so poorly that the barrel pointed so low to the sight radius that the sights were worthless.

I totally agree on the 1991A1.....Colt really flubbed it on that one. I bpoght one NIB & you could not hit the side of the barn with it....really disappointing.Series 70 & below is a different story.....

gobbler

NEWFNL1A1 · July 29, 2012, 17:30

My well broke in 1991A1 Commander will keep em in 4" at 25 yards...or it could back when I shot a lot. I've had 1911 C's, 70's. 80's, Gold Cups, Commanders and full size. They all functioned perfectly, were accurate and in 36 years, aside from normal wear on extractors, I've broke 1 ejector pin and shot off some GC front sights.

Fit and finish varied but accuracy/function was as advertised....no complaints.

The only 45 I ever had trouble with was an MS Safari Arms tricked out Commander. Fired two shots with it...the first, the red front sight insert flew out and the second it fell to half cock....returned it the next day.

stitcher · July 29, 2012, 18:54

The other issue with my 1991a1 was the bottom of the sidewas machined out of round, and every time the pistol cycled it wore of the park finish, then the bluing, then began to cut a groove in the slide. After considerable sanding and polishing of the frame(boy was it rough), it didn't get too much worse in the 100rds I put through it. Point of impact was 10inches low at 10yards, but at least it grouped well.

stitcher · August 02, 2012, 18:18

I picked up that CD 1911, and it shoots great! It is a KBI import, but it was worth the trade. Now it's time for tear down and refinishing!

July 28, 2012, 07:45	#1
stitcher Registered FALaholic #: 65879 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Somerset, Pa Posts: 309	Charles Daly 1911 commander? Have an opportunity ti get a charles daly 1911 "commander", have only seen pictures but it looks like a 3". The frame has a redish fleck finish, and the owner thought it was steel but wasn't sure. Looks like a nice gun.

July 28, 2012, 11:12	#2
MAINER Old Fart Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 18465 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 6,285	Reddish fleck finnish? Rust? Probably a 3 1/2" barrel. Depending on the age of the pistol, it was made in the Philippines by the same outfit that makes Rock Island and Armscorp. Or, it could have been produced by BUL in Israel, starting in 2005, I think. The Izzy gun would likely be marked as Charles Daly M-5 or maybe BUL M-5. Daly's were known to be finicky about their mags according to a couple shooters. Fit and finish quality was was hit and miss on the PI guns, some very good , others pretty bad. If you're asking "Should I buy it"? My answer would be yes, if it's cheap enough, especially if it's made by BUL. Personally, I'd probably pass on it. I just don't like sub-compact 1911's with their problematic recoil systems. I like the 4" Commander as a minimum sized 1911. The subs are not pleasant guns to shoot, more of a CCW thing. __________________ Joe Biden for President.

July 28, 2012, 11:22	#3
NEWFNL1A1 Out standing in his field Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 43401 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 3,208	+1 What Mainer said.... A reg size Commander is great to shoot but the smaller ones were not, in my experience. __________________ Neo-Luddite - Traigo Mi Cuarenta y Cinco - Inch Guy I'm just a peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many hours on Call of Duty.

July 28, 2012, 19:44	#5
MAINER Old Fart Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 18465 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 6,285	Oh! well!, why didn't ya say so in the first place? This changes everything, you know! Yes, of course I'd trade the Glock for the Daly. I'd trade a Glock for almost anything! I don't really know if this is a good deal for you as I'm not a fan of "Poly-Pistols" and don't know their value. I think the Daly is worth something in the $350~$400 range, if that helps. As I said, the sub-compacs are kinda nasty critters to shoot with a quick recoil impulse and loud bark. I had a 3 1/4" .45ACP as a carry gun for a long time. Always grateful that I never had to use the thing. The reddish brown is likely a problem with the Bluing solution or methods used on cast steel. No problem, just cosmetics. __________________ Joe Biden for President.

July 28, 2012, 20:42	#7
nearmisses The LTR guy Contributor FALaholic #: 41474 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Laclede, Idaho Posts: 435	Dont sweat the color issue. Either a cast frame and hard or just hard steel. Sometimes a little more cyanide in the bluing salts can overcome if you don't mind almost killing yourself in the process, depending on whose salts are being used too! As far as 3 1'2" barrel 45's go. personal choice I carried my DEtonics and it was heavy but a comfort to know it was there. Shot everything. THe Daly may be a good choice like the boys said if Israeli. I prefer the 5 1/2" colt but sometimes you just need a shorty. The weight of the SS Detonics made it the same as a full size in my hands. Enjoy. I don't like Glocks either. Sympathize. __________________ Lighter, lower, faster, & accurate!

July 28, 2012, 11:51	#4
stitcher Registered FALaholic #: 65879 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Somerset, Pa Posts: 309	He send me some better pics, it looks like a redish tint to the bluing, not rust. It looks like an older gun with carry wear, it's marked "charles daly" on the slide. He bought it from the original owners son, said it eats fmj out of the mecgar mags just fine. It has the bull barrel as well. I don't know if it's a "good deal", but I recently got a glock 32 in a trade for a kayak(I've never liked glocks, but figured they have a good reputation so I'll try it)but I cannot bring myself to like or trust the gun. Everybody and their brother has a glock around here, so a trade offer for a compact 1911 is pretty appealing. I was such an idiot.

July 28, 2012, 20:32	#6
stitcher Registered FALaholic #: 65879 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Somerset, Pa Posts: 309	Thanks for the support mainer, and for not scolding me over the glock, I am ashamed enough already!

July 29, 2012, 09:19	#8
gobbler Curio & Relic Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 44154 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 2,752	I had a CD govt model......it was ok for the price, but the quality was lacking compared to most. For the price range, a Norinco IMHO is much better.....but this was 20 yrs ago. I have Colts & Springfields but one of my old Norincos is still my range / truck pistol for the most part. gobbler

July 29, 2012, 14:01	#9
stitcher Registered FALaholic #: 65879 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Somerset, Pa Posts: 309	Well, I'm gonna do it. Like I said, the glock market is full and the 357 sig isn't a big hit here and I don't want to sit on this glock. Plus it will heal my broken heart, I bought a colt 1991a1 this spring in near mint condition, it turned out the slide was machined so poorly that the barrel pointed so low to the sight radius that the sights were worthless.

July 29, 2012, 17:30	#11
NEWFNL1A1 Out standing in his field Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 43401 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 3,208	Beem lucky I guess.... My well broke in 1991A1 Commander will keep em in 4" at 25 yards...or it could back when I shot a lot. I've had 1911 C's, 70's. 80's, Gold Cups, Commanders and full size. They all functioned perfectly, were accurate and in 36 years, aside from normal wear on extractors, I've broke 1 ejector pin and shot off some GC front sights. Fit and finish varied but accuracy/function was as advertised....no complaints. The only 45 I ever had trouble with was an MS Safari Arms tricked out Commander. Fired two shots with it...the first, the red front sight insert flew out and the second it fell to half cock....returned it the next day. __________________ Neo-Luddite - Traigo Mi Cuarenta y Cinco - Inch Guy I'm just a peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many hours on Call of Duty.

July 29, 2012, 18:54	#12
stitcher Registered FALaholic #: 65879 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Somerset, Pa Posts: 309	The other issue with my 1991a1 was the bottom of the sidewas machined out of round, and every time the pistol cycled it wore of the park finish, then the bluing, then began to cut a groove in the slide. After considerable sanding and polishing of the frame(boy was it rough), it didn't get too much worse in the 100rds I put through it. Point of impact was 10inches low at 10yards, but at least it grouped well.

August 02, 2012, 18:18	#13
stitcher Registered FALaholic #: 65879 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Somerset, Pa Posts: 309	I picked up that CD 1911, and it shoots great! It is a KBI import, but it was worth the trade. Now it's time for tear down and refinishing!

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