Charles Daly

[Fish_Off]

Was looking at getting a Charles daly, but so far have heard nothing but bad things for there semi auto's. I was hoping you guys could shead a little lite on the situation as I'm a lefty and there left handed Field Hunter semi auto is only around 500.

Thanks for any input you've got always appreciated!

[FOOT]

Can't say anything about the CD semi-auto but they make a nice inexpensive pump gun. Camo 12ga. 3 incher is less then $200. It's on a par with a Remington 870 Express or Mossberg

[lunker651]

I wouldn't buy one if it's $100.00 dollar for an auto. I would recommend looking some other brands. My father is lefty and he bought a browning bps, they are pump action but works good for both lefty and righty because of the bottom ejection. I don't really know that much about other brands and model that makes guns for lefty. So good luck into finding one for you.

[CodyDawg]

My neighbor would sell his CD auto (righthanded) for a song as it is a jammer. You get what you pay for. If you are serious about your hunting, spend a little more and buy a Beretta or Benelli. You will be happy every moment it is in your hands. Browning, Winchesters and Remingtons are in the next tier, both pricewise and quality wise. They would work as well, but expect a jam or two. That is my opinion.

[roosterslayer]

I won the duck unlimited edition pump, and that is the worst gun I have ever owned, it jams all the time. now how many pump guns are out there and jam. the only one i know of is the CD.

[jlm]

I think just like everything, there are good and bad within the same model of gun. For instance, I own a BPS, bought it new two years ago. Lots of good raves about the BPS. Mine is the biggest pile of #**$& I have ever owned. No matter how clean I keep it, it will jam on me. And yes, I do cycle the pump all of the way, I just think it is this one gun that has some flaws. I suspect if I bought another I would not have a problem. I believe the same can be said for the CD shotguns. I would go out and buy one someplace where you can return if you have problems. Go out and put it to the test and see what happens. If is jams on you, return it and buy another brand. Just my 2 cents!

[Nova]

JLM, great point. My Dad had a browning bps 12 gauge that was a jam master, I got the same gun the same year in a 10 gauge and it works flawlessly. I can't hit a bull in the keester with it, but it doesn't jam. Some guns do get a reputation for jamming though. I know a lot of guys who have had the remington 1187 and are constantly jamming, but some guy love them. I also have an 870 that has never jammed, but my brother gets a jam every few cycles...he might be short jacking it though . Buy the gun give a GOOD test with all types and lengths of shells and see what happens. If it jams return it and upgrade....maybe to a Benelli Nova

[captkev]

I helped out at a club yesterday for a sporting clays match, there were 8 shooters in a group, with 4 groups, and of the 8 guns with me there was a browning over/under, a BPS, a winchester model 12 in 20ga., a 20ga. remington pump, a newer winchester pump, a beretta auto, and 2 benelli's... the first gun to have problems was the BPS, the guy kept short strokeing it, thus miss fires, the next was the remington 20ga. it tryed to double load itself that one had to be torn apart to get it working again, then the BPS had more problems,... I get to see 100's of guns in action every year, I see good and bad in all, and more times than not, its the operaitor, I will say that in the last 5 years I've seen more CHEAP autos end a hunt or at least delay a hunt for malfunction, some times its the CHEAP ammo that does it, I stay away from any shells that have the aluminum aloy base to them, they have expanded when shot and I've seen alot of people ramming a stick down the barrel to free the spent shell, I've only seen one double gun malfunction in the past and if I had known the gun had been modified by an ammiture, I would'nt have let the guy use it neer me or the others, it about took a foot off! as for the charles dailey, I don't think they handle light game loads very well untill you get a few cases of ammo threw them. they'll shoot high base loads all right but your still going to deal with it jamming from time to time, My addvice is to look at a used benelli if you can't afford a new one or any other brand for that matter, if you have to have an auto. Why not a good double gun?

[Fish_Off]

Thanks for all your help. I thnk I'll just go all out and get the SBE and have many years of hunting enjoyment with it and not have to worry. Thanks for setting me straight guys

[sparetime]

I have no information about the Charles Daly, only to add that I don't believe the SBE or Beretta or Browning, etc. makes much of a difference. What are YOU comfortable with? I own both a browing gold and a remington 1187. I can't actually say what the Remington shoots like, it seems like a boat anchor compared to the Browning. But if you asked my brother, he'd take the Remington over the browning, a lot of personal choice here. Get what you like!

BTW, my browning jammed like a sob before I finally figured out how to properly oil it, now it shoots like a dream. If you want constant reliability get a double barrel.