The Charles Daly 1911 Empire Grade is a full-sized Government-pattern 1911 chambered in .45 ACP, with a steel frame, 5-inch barrel, and an 8-round capacity. The black finish, adjustable target sights, and VZ synthetic grip panels give it a practical, no-frills look. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Manufacturer: Charles Daly 
• Model: 1911 Empire 
• Type: Full-Sized Government 1911 
• Caliber: .45 ACP 
• Barrel Length: 5 inches 
• Capacity: 8 rounds 
• Weight: 2.57 lbs (approx. 41.1 oz) 
• Overall Length: 8.63 inches 
• Safety Features: 
  • Beavertail Grip Safety 
  • Manual Thumb Safety 
  • Internal Safety Mechanism 
• Sights: Adjustable Target Sights (Windage & Elevation) 
• Finish Color: Black 
   

Features 

The adjustable target sights are a practical addition -- most 1911s in this price range come with fixed sights, so windage and elevation adjustment is useful for dialing in a load. The beavertail grip safety is the standard high-ride design that protects the web of the hand and helps maintain a consistent grip. VZ grip panels provide good texture without being aggressive. The steel frame gives the pistol solid heft, which helps absorb .45 ACP recoil. 
 

Usage 

Suited for sport shooting, range practice, and home defense. The 5-inch Government-length barrel gives a full sight radius for accuracy work, and the adjustable sights are an advantage for competition shooters. The .45 ACP caliber is manageable in a steel-framed pistol of this weight. Concealed carry is possible but not the primary use case given the 8.63-inch overall length.

Feedback on the 1911 Empire Grade is genuinely mixed. Shooters who appreciate the 1911 platform find the Empire a solid entry-level option -- the traditional design, adjustable sights, and .45 ACP caliber all land well with that audience. Some owners report good accuracy and cite it as a capable range gun that holds its own against more expensive 1911s in the same price bracket.

The critical side gets specific: feeding issues and ejection failures show up across multiple reviews, which is frustrating for anyone who bought it for defensive use. The trigger pull gets called out as needing improvement before it feels right. Quality control inconsistency is a recurring theme -- some guns run fine from the start, others need work.

The general consensus positions the Empire as a budget-friendly entry point to 1911-pattern pistols, acceptable for range use and new-shooter training, but with the caveat that reliability under heavy or defensive use can be hit-or-miss. Most reviewers suggest evaluating your specific needs before committing, particularly if reliability is a hard requirement.