Have you ever wondered about the impressive line-up of Charles Daly shotguns? In this post, we’ll highlight our top five picks from this brand. Read on.
Who is Charles Daly?
Charles Daly is one of the oldest names in shooting sports, with a storied history dating back to the late 1870s when it was founded by Charles Daly and August Shoverling. Now owned by Chiappa Firearms, Charles Daly focuses on importing high-quality shotguns, rifles, and handguns. Their product lineup various shotgun styles, such as semi-auto, pump action, side-by-side, and over-under models. Throughout its history, Charles Daly has partnered with some of the best manufacturers globally, including famous names like Beretta and Miroku. Today, they continue to innovate with a rich selection of firearms, including the remarkable Triple Barrel shotgun lineup, which we are going to discuss among others.
The Best Charles Daly Shotguns
CHARLES DALY 601
Kicking things off with the Charles Daly 601, this shotgun series is all about versatility. You can choose from a variety of finishes and materials to suit your style—whether it’s a classic walnut stock and black receiver or rugged camo synthetic furniture by Realtree or Mossy Oak. Barrel lengths include 22″ (20ga only), 24″ (12ga only), 26″ (20ga and .410), and 28″ (12ga, the most varying configuration) as well as a 30-inch option for the sporting clays model.
The sporting clays 30″ 12ga model is particularly noteworthy. It features a cheek riser for proper eye alignment and a comfortable shooting experience, along with a stock made from select walnut. This version also includes a thicker rubber recoil pad for added comfort.
The CD 601 uses the popular Beretta/Benelli Mobil Choke pattern and comes with multiple choke tubes—usually Full, Modified, and Improved Cylinder. Variants with a Pic rail, like the 12ga/24″ Turkey Mossy Oak Bottomland and Turkey Mossy Oak Country DNA, come with Flush Full, Modified, and Extended Ported XXF chokes. The Sporting Clays model even includes five chokes: Cylinder, Full, Modified, Improved Modified, and Improved Cylinder.
Perfect for hunters and range shooters alike, the Charles Daly 601 series is lightweight and easy to handle, making it a favorite among shooting enthusiasts. Most models are priced around $350, with some even going below $300. However, the Sporting Clays model is a bit pricier, almost twice as much, but worth every penny for its added features.
CHARLES DALY 601 Field 12ga 24" Semi-Auto Shotgun
Specifications:
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 4
- Gauge: 12 gauge - 3"
- Weight: 6 lbs
- Barrel length: 24"
CHARLES DALY 601 Field 20ga 26" Semi-Auto Shotgun
Specifications:
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 4
- Gauge: 12 gauge - 3"
- Weight: 6 lbs
- Barrel length: 26"
CHARLES DALY 601 DPS Tactical
The Charles Daly 601 DPS Tactical is a standout shotgun inspired by the legendary Benelli M4. This 12-gauge shotgun features an 18.5” barrel and a 5+1 capacity, making it a versatile choice for both home defense and hunting.
Equipped with a front sight with a red bead and an adjustable Ghost Ring rear sight, this shotgun ensures you have accurate aim. It also comes with a Picatinny rail, perfect for attaching accessories like a red dot sight. The collapsible pistol grip stock with a cheek riser and a thick rubber recoil pad enhances shooting comfort. The safety is conveniently located behind the trigger guard.
The Charles Daly 601 DPS Tactical has a relatively thin barrel, which means it heats up quickly during extended shooting sessions but also cools down fast. While it might not be the best for rapid-fire target practice, it’s excellent for versatile and reliable use, whether in the field or at home.
Shipped with three Beretta/Benelli Mobil chokes—Full, Modified, and Improved Cylinder—this shotgun is a great value at around $400, offering an affordable tactical option that’s 5 times cheaper than Benelli.
CHARLES DALY 601 DPS Tactical 12ga 18.5in Semi-Auto Shotgun
Specifications:
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 5
- Gauge: 12 gauge - 3"
- Weight: 8 lbs
- Barrel length: 18.5"
CHARLES DALY Honcho Tactical
The Charles Daly Honcho Tactical is a fantastic stockless shotgun. Made in the USA, this shotgun is marketed at about half the price of the Mossberg 590 Shockwave, on which it is designed. The Honcho Tactical features a 14-inch barrel, but because it lacks a stock, it’s not considered a shotgun from a legal standpoint, which means it doesn’t require the usual paperwork.
One of the standout features of the Honcho Tactical is its rubberized bird’s head grip, which provides a tacky surface for better contact and control. The forend is thick and ribbed, allowing for a confident grip, and it also includes a molded-in Picatinny rail at the end for accessories. The safety is conveniently located behind the trigger guard, and the action release latch is on the trigger guard as well. The firearm boasts an aluminum receiver and a steel barrel, making it both lightweight and durable. It is compatible with both 3-inch and 2 ¾-inch shells.
This Charles Daly shotgun is perfect for home defense or keeping in your car due to its compact size and ease of use. However, it comes with a longer learning curve, as is typical with stockless shotguns.
CHARLES DALY Honcho Tactical 12ga 14in Pump-Action Shotgun
Specifications:
- Action: Pump-Action
- Capacity: 5
- Gauge: 12 gauge - 3"
- Weight: 4.7 lbs
- Barrel length: 14"
CHARLES DALY Honcho Tactical Triple
The Charles Daly Honcho Tactical Triple is a distinctive shotgun that stands out with its tough design and unique triple-barrel setup. But the appeal lies not only in its eye-catching three barrels. Dimensionally, it’s very similar to the Shockwave—their total lengths are nearly the same. However, unlike the 14″ Shockwave, the Honcho features an 18.5-inch barrel length, so it is legally considered a shotgun, allowing you to add a stock without the need for cumbersome registration.
This shotgun uses a single non-selective mechanical reset trigger system. It also boasts a bottom-mounted Picatinny rail and sling studs for added functionality. But one of the standout characteristics of this Charles Daly Honcho is its ergonomic pistol grip, which contrasts with the bird head grip found on many similar models. This design choice enhances control and comfort.
Overall, the Honcho Tactical Triple combines style and practical versatility very nicely. Whether you’re looking for something unique for home defense or just a cool piece for your collection, this shotgun offers a blend of functionality and flair that’s hard to beat.
CHARLES DALY Honcho Tactical Triple 12ga 18.5in Break-Action Shotgun
Specifications:
- Action: Break-Action
- Capacity: 3
- Gauge: 12 gauge - 3"
- Weight: 6 lbs
- Barrel length: 18.5"
CHARLES DALY AR12T
The Charles Daly AR12T is a traditional AR-style shotgun that’s budget-friendly, especially when compared to the popular Armscor VR80—it’s about 1.5 times cheaper. With an 18.5″ barrel and a 3″ chamber, this shotgun can handle a wide range of loads. It also accepts Beretta/Benelli Mobil Chokes, allowing you to tailor your shooting experience to your specific needs, whether for home defense, pest control, or hunting.
One of the key features of the AR12T compared to the more popular AR12S model is its free-float style handguard with a full-length Picatinny top rail. This model also includes a set of flip-up sights, so you’re ready to go straight out of the box. The polymer AR-style furniture includes a fixed stock with an adjustable comb, ensuring a comfortable and customizable fit.
This versatile shotgun is ideal for home defense, hog hunting, pest control, or as a truck gun. If you’re in the market for a reliable and affordable semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun, the Charles Daly AR12T is an excellent choice. And if customization and upgrades are what you’re after, consider the Charles Daly AR12S, as it’s even more budget-friendly.
CHARLES DALY AR-12T 12ga 18.5in Semi-Auto Shotgun
Specifications:
- Action: Break-Action
- Capacity: 5
- Gauge: 12 gauge - 3"
- Weight: 9 lbs
- Barrel length: 18.5"
A triple barrel shotgun is a firearm that features three barrels, allowing the shooter to fire three shots in quick succession without having to reload. One of the primary benefits of a triple barrel design is the increased firepower and versatility it offers, as it can be used for various shooting applications, including hunting and sport shooting. These shotguns can also be designed to operate with different choke configurations, giving users the ability to adapt their setup depending on the type of game or shooting scenario.
The AR12 is a semi-automatic shotgun that has been designed in the style of an AR-15 rifle. It typically features a detachable magazine, an ergonomic grip, and modular components, making it highly customizable. The AR12 is popular for home defense and recreational shooting due to its reliability, ease of use, and adaptability to various shooting situations.
Stockless shotguns can be practical in specific scenarios, particularly where compactness and ease of maneuverability are key considerations, such as home defense or vehicle carry. They offer a lightweight and easily portable option. However, the lack of a stock can lead to a steeper learning curve in terms of stability and control while shooting. Shooters may need to invest more time in practice to become proficient, especially if they are accustomed to traditional shotguns with stocks.
The legality of stockless shotguns varies by jurisdiction. In the United States, many stockless shotguns, often classified as “pistol grip” shotguns, do not fall under the same regulatory requirements as traditional shotguns because they lack a shoulder stock. However, it’s essential to check local laws and regulations, as some states may impose restrictions or requirements related to firearm ownership, including stockless designs.
The 20-gauge offers a lighter recoil compared to its larger 12-gauge counterpart, making it more manageable, especially for younger or less experienced shooters. This reduced recoil allows for quicker follow-up shots. Additionally, the 20-gauge is versatile enough to effectively take down small to medium-sized game, such as upland birds and deer, while still offering a sufficient range for various hunting environments. This balance of power and ease of use has made the 20-gauge a popular choice among hunters looking for a reliable and functional shotgun.
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