I used to have one.
I bought it used.
Frame is cast, not forged. I shot some near-max pressure stuff out of it (not +p, but top-end .45acp loads) and even with a new Wolff recoil spring in it, I think I battered the frame a little bit. The slide rails always seemed a bit "off" to reassemble after cleaning, like there were burrs or peening on the leading edge of the frame slide rails.
I ended up carrying that thing for several summers out in the desert. I carried it so much and shot it so much that I wore all the bluing off the grip in the pattern of my hand. You could see finger-stripes on the front strap.
I eventually sold it to fund the purchase of a (lemon) Sig GSR 1911, which was warrantied 3 times until I finally told Sig to send me a new gun which I traded for a Colt 1991 Government, which has been awesome.
Do you know "Captain Charlie" over at TFL? He used to carry a Charles Daly as a police officer. He's got an interesting door-kicking story he could tell you about his Daly. If I remember it correctly, he had the safety on and he's standing just outside the door waiting to enter with his partner, and he does a function check on the safety... and it won't click off. The safety broke.
I'd say to save your pennies for a Colt, STI Spartan or a Springer GI/MilSpec/RO/Loaded. Keep the XD .45 until you can afford the higher quality production 1911's around the $600-$800 mark. The XD .45 is a reliable and formidable defensive weapon. The Daly... not so much.
