Charles Daly Honcho
Charles Daly · Shotgun · In Production · 2018
Also known as: Daly Honcho, Honcho 12GA, Charles Daly 930.317
Overview
The Charles Daly Honcho is a compact pump-action shotgun built around a 14-inch barrel and a bird's-head pistol grip in place of a conventional shoulder stock. Because it ships from the factory without a buttstock and has an overall length over 26 inches, it is classified by the ATF as a non-NFA 'firearm' rather than a short-barreled shotgun, putting it in the same category as the Mossberg Shockwave and Remington Tac-14. Imported from Turkey and introduced at SHOT Show 2018, the 12-gauge model feeds five 3-inch shells from a tubular magazine, weighs about 4.7 pounds, and uses a fixed cylinder bore for close-range defensive and utility use.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2132 g (75.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 686 mm (27.01") |
| Barrel Length | 356 mm (14.02") |
| Action Type | Pump Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tubular |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12ga, 12 Bore
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety
- Features: Birds Head Pistol Grip, No Shoulder Stock, 14 Inch Barrel, 3 Inch Chamber, Fixed Cylinder Bore, Ambidextrous Sling Swivels, Fixed Blade Front Sight, Non Nfa Firearm Classification, Polymer Furniture
Variants
- Charles Daly Honcho 20 Gauge — Alternate Caliber
- Charles Daly Honcho .410 — Alternate Caliber
- Charles Daly Honcho Tactical — Extended Barrel
- Charles Daly Honcho Tactical Triple — Triple Barrel
Production
Production years: 2018-present
Turkish-made, imported by Charles Daly / Chiappa-affiliated distribution in the US
Origin
Country of origin: Turkey
Notes
Maneuverable firearm format, not legally a shotgun under US federal law due to the absence of a shoulder stock; adding a vertical foregrip would make it an Any Other Weapon (AOW). Offered in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410 bore; the .410 variant uses an unusual spring-assisted pump action.
Background
The Honcho rode the wave of 'firearm'-class non-NFA shotguns that followed Mossberg's Shockwave, exploiting an ATF classification quirk in which a sub-18-inch-barrel gun avoids short-barreled-shotgun registration simply by never having worn a shoulder stock and staying over 26 inches overall. Charles Daly pushed the concept furthest with the later Honcho Tactical Triple, a three-barreled bird's-head 12-gauge.