February 1 : 2010

CHARLES DALY/K.B.I CLOSES DOORS

Source: The Shooting Wire

During SHOT Show, one of the most frequently asked questions was "what about KBI/Charles Daly?"

On Friday, that question was answered on the Charles Daly website (www.charlesdaly.com) in a brief statement from K.B.I, Inc. President Michael Kassnar:

"To all our friends, fans, supporters and consumers of Charles Daly and by extension, KBI products, I regret to inform you that the rumors of our demise are true.

KBI is going out of business and closing its doors, effective today, January 29, 2010."

Although no detail was provided, Kassnar said there were a "multitude of events over the past five years" that had contributed to the company's "current situation."

As far as service, Kassnar's message says "we are currently negotiating with several companies that will be performing after-sale service of Charles Daly, CD Defense and Jericho firearms." Details, according to Kassnar's message, would be posted at such time as they were completed on www.charlesdalyforum.com.

Daly/K.B.I. was primarily known for its imported products, from 1911 pistols from Armscor in the Philippines to over and under, side by side and semi-automatic shotguns from Turkey. The company also imported Jericho 941 pistols from Israel Weapons Industries. Charles Daly Defense, however, was a unit of the company founded in 2008 that manufactured and sold AR-15 style rifles and carbines for law enforcement, target and home defense. Those rifles were entirely manufactured in the United States.

Jim Shepherd