Charles Daly 601 DPS: DO NOT BUY - A Bargain Bin “Turkenelli” Failure (Benelli M4 Clone)

I truly hate having to put out negative videos on products. They are not fun to make and I do not take their potential impact lightly. Here we take a look at the first shots with the Charles Daly 601 DPS. The 601 DPS is marketed as a defensive shotgun. It is a Turkish produced “clone” of the Benelli M4. Unfortunately for this particular clone, it seems that it was take out of the test tube a little prematurely. While a solid feeling gun, it’s finish and quality of components lead my example to be a total failure in less than 100 shells.



Update 7/15/2021: 14 weeks later Chiappa finally returned the shotgun to me "Repaired". They repla ed the barrel and bolt, while deciding it was OK to simply grind off the bur on the bolt carrier instead of replacing it. This "fix" reduces the surface area the new piston has to impinge upon as well as ignores the fact that there may be a heat treatment issue with the bolt carrier. Smaller details that do matter such as a loose front sight block and a severed O-ring for the firing pin retaining pin were left unchecked or deemed OK to ship as-is.

I am extremely unhappy with Chiappa's "service" and lack of care regarding returning a firearm in a condition that will offer the owner confidence it will reliably function and not repeat prior damage. Chiappa's performance is pathetic. I do not enjoy these kinds of reviews, but I hope it saves someone else the trouble. The video of the returned 601 DPS can be found here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7zERHkgvBM


Update 6/15/21: 9 Weeks since the 601 DPS was received by Chiappa and no update on time frame of return to me. To quote their response to my 6/14 email requesting an update, "Unfortunately i do not have any further updates. Still waiting on the parts to come in from Turkey".

At this rate, I am doubtful I will have the shotgun returned to me before the end of August, but surprises can happen. One would think that they should have lead times on both production of components AND shipping time frames/clearing customs to provide their best-guess at a ETA on a return of serviced product to their customer; I suppose that would be asking too much. Should this stretch much longer, I will be requesting either a refund for the purchase price or a new example of the 601 DPS. We all know that the world is in a state of chaos still with the tyrannical actions of governments globally and the recoil socioeconomically from fiat currency manipulation, so I do question how reasonable I am being about this. However, at a certain point it's a cut losses situation for a company like Chiappa, and I'd like to ensure I have a working firearm or a refund prior to that occurring.

Update (07/08/2021) - The repairs to the firearm are complete as of 7/08 and it will be shipped back to me tomorrow (07/09). I should have it in hand sometime this coming weekend or early next week (firearms always ship on 2-day tickets).

Being that Tuesday 7/6 marked 13 weeks since it was received by Chiappa, I made sure to make contact and let them know I was out of patience and the inability to have a lead time on components was unacceptable; I want a repaired gun, a new gun, or a full refund. And wouldn't you know it, the firearm was "literally just repaired and will be in the mail tomorrow."

I am not cynical enough nor narcissist enough to think that my email was what prompted an immediate miracle, but I do find it quite ironic and comical. SO, I am looking forward to giving the repaired shotgun a go. Fingers crossed it doesn't fail again! (I genuinely want it to be a good gun with High value).

Update 5/25/21: 5/25 marks week 6 of the firearm being in Chiappa's hands for repair (4-13/21 - 5/25/21). I wrote Chiappa to check on the status and quickly received a reply: "it is on hold right now waiting for a new bolt and barrel to come in from Turkey"

No mention of the damage to the receiver, pistons or optics rail, however I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that the "barrel" will consist of a completely assembled gas system and "bolt" to mean that the entire Bolt group (Carrier and Bolt) are to be replaced. Is this ideal? No. However, I really did not expect them to totally replace the firearm even though that is probably the best path for them to prevent the potential of having it returned for repair again. So, as of today the firearm sits in limbo until parts arrive from overseas. I will be surprised if I see the firearm returned before July. When I do have it in hand I will evaluate the "repairs" and provide a video update.

Update 4/8/21: Chiappa has responded to my emails/online query submissions and is going to service the shotgun. Updates are posted in the “Community” tab on the American Arms Channel channel page.