10mm Delta Elite slide

[TexasDelta]

When I shake my Delta Elite you can here my slide rattle. Is there supposed to be some slack or slop in the slide or not. This pistol has not been shot alot so it can't be worn out. Another Question : Should I upgrade the action spring in this gun because it really is hard to pull back. Even the instructor that taught the concealed handgun course I took said it's a bit stiff. What spring should I get and where can I get it. Sorry for all the questions but since I inherited this pistol and got my CHL I'm hooked now. Thanks.

[stumbler]

It should have some looseness. Too close tolerances may not be a good thing. The 10mm normally has a higher poundage spring than the .45ACP. The 10mm produces more Foot-Pound-Energy than the .45, and the recoil spring asorbs most of the force. People who are used to the .45ACP setup 1911a1 will find the recoil spring a little stiff.

How does it shoot? Is it managable on the range?

Oh, (where are my manners?) welcome to the forum.:)

[stans]

Colt Delta Elite, I have one too! The slide to frame fit on mine is also on the loose side, but that has not affected its reliability (insanely reliable, down to the point it will feed magazines filled with empties!) or accuracy. Here is an excellent website dedicated to 1911's chambered in the 10. At a minumum, I recommend ditching the stock plastic recoil spring guide rod and 23 pound dual spring set up and installing a steel guide rod, shock buffer and a single spring of no more than 22 pounds for the hot ammo like Winchester Silvertips or an 18 pound spring for FBI style reduced loads (180 grains at 950 fps).

http://www.geocities.com/mr_motorhead/10tech.html

[TexasDelta]

Where do you buy these parts for the Delta Elite ?

[stans]

You can get the flat bottomed firing pin stop directly from EGW or through Brownell's. I tend to order through Brownell's because of their wide variety of parts. One stop shopping means an overall smaller shipping charge. As for steel guide rods, I don't have a brand preference, but for a full length rod I do prefer a one piece rod as opposed to the two piece rod that can and will unscrew itself under recoil. I will say that I am a big fan of Ed Brown's parts for the 1911, but Nowlin is also good and I do like Wilson's triggers, hammers and sears. As for a shock buff, I don't think there is any better than CP Bullets'. All of these parts can be found at Brownell's.

http://www.brownells.com/

[jcmios]

All of the Delta Elite pistols were as loose as the 45ACP guns produced by Colt at that time. I have 2 Delta Elite’s and have tightened the frame to slide fit, very tight along with doing away with the double counter wound recoil springs. Replaced the plastic for metal one has a BarSto barrel the other I welded up and recut fit a match bushing. An action job tuned the extractors, and they are great, no FTF, FTE or jambs. The Delta Elite can be a great gun if it is smithed properly.
Just like all of Colts guns there is a lot of potential with modifications and adjustments. My only regret is not buying a third one and keeping it as factory new. Oh well.

Jim