Delta Elite questions

[GW]

I'm looking at a used Colt Delta Elite
I like the bragging rights of owning a Delta but I have heard that they are not strong enough for full-house 10mm loads.
Is this true? If yes, is there any way to beef it up?

Thanks

[Bill Steele]

My understanding is the earliest models had issues that were corrected on later models.

Having said that, I think if you are shooting a regular diet of 700ft/lb loads through any 1911, you are going to loosen it up pretty quickly.

I have a 1911 that was very tight when new and stayed tight for quite a few thousand rounds of normal 45 ACP loads. I used it for testing some 45 Super loads and it loosened it up a lot in under 2K. These are loads with similar ME to full house 10mm.

I have recently picked up a Kimber ST in 10mm, it is still nice and tight, but I am only 7-800 rounds into it.

PS - at least Underwood thinks you need to keep loading levels down on the DE, due to the unramped barrel case head support. They load a 180gr at 1250fps for DE application. 1250fps is nothing to sneeze at with a 180gr slug though.

[jonzer77]

A delta elite will handle 10mm loads that are within SAAMI spec without a problem. Stick with the factory dual recoil spring and the gun will last a long time.

If you want to run nuclear loads that are outside of SAAMI specs, then you would want a ramped barred installed.

[TeirHawg]

Is this true? If yes, is there any way to beef it up?

Thanks

Is it true? Not really. Full bore crazy nuclear loads won't like the DE's generous chamber. Its only an issue with a small selection of specialty 10mm ammo.

Best way to beef it up: heavier recoil and mainsprings and a tuned flat bottom Firing Pin Stop. If you are really worried, have a ramped barrel fit by a custom gunsmith.

Other than that the DE is GTG.

[TKM]

There was a section of the frame that cracked on the original Deltas. Colt just cut that part out on the more recent ones. End of cracking.

1911s will loosen up. Just be ready and willing to have some work done every now and then.

[beerman]

A delta elite will handle 10mm loads that are within SAAMI spec without a problem. Stick with the factory dual recoil spring and the gun will last a long time.

If you want to run nuclear loads that are outside of SAAMI specs, then you would want a ramped barred installed.

This...Remember too, when the DEs first came out , the main ammo maker was Norma. I still have a box of the original Norma, 170 gr HPs and its stated ( on the box) MV is 1270 FPS. I've had mine since the early 80s..no issues

[keep_ur_powder_dry]

Great gun and caliber and defense platform. Colt haters find issues with them.

Mine functions flawlessly with factory loads...even the hotties.
10-4 to c/o of factory recoil spring when needed.

Stick with a pony... feed her good grain

gb

[morrcarr67]

The other thing is that most of the new factory ammo is really nothing more than 40 S&W +P.

There are a few specialty companies; like Underwood, that make full power 10mm.