CBlackjr...
I've been tracking CDs for a couple months, talking, looking, listening, reading. It seems that, as with about all firearms (1911's too) there are good and better; bad and badder. They all put out perfection and boat anchors.
That said, the CD had problems earlier - real problems. A couple years ago - the story goes - CD sent some real engineers, etc. to PI to fix the problems at the plant. Since then the evidence (owner input) is that quality control and design/engineering has upped. And they have added items like better steel, combat hammer, lowered port, polished ramp, ambi-safety, and other improvements - many of which come in higher priced firearms. Since they are targeting the well-under $500 market, there are, no doubt refinements and even workmanship that may not be in every piece delivered.
I haven't bought yet since I am hovering at the $4-500 level and have seen a couple others that were intriguing and I'm tempted when I see good Makarovs (get two for the same price, right?). Anyway, I wouldn't shut down on a good Daly until I look, feel, and if possible, shoot one.
If you haven't yet searched TFL for Charles Daly (or Daly), that might be a good idea... there have been posts in the past. Also I'd suggest
http://www.charlesdaly.com/supemp_single.html (in Stainless Steel) or other Daly pages to see what they offer and get some historic material. And, when the 1911 forum
http://www.1911forum.com/ comes back on line next week, you might review the Charles Daly forum; there you will get some pros and cons.
As an aside, I just came from a range/store where they had just gotten in a SS FS. It is a really pretty machine, but I was put back a bit due to some light burrs at the front of the ejection port and three small imperfections in the slide finish. The mag had a plastic-like floorplate but did have a steel follower... unlike the Para-Ord 12.45 LDA which had a plastic-type follower (at over $600 and $54 per mag).
The best I can pass along to you is that - like all things in life - "you plunks your money down and takes your chances". That works for CDs, for Springfields, and for Kimbers. A TFL search on those might interest you. Kind of "your call".
My $0.02 for whatever the value (FWTV)
-Andy