Well, I posted here several weeks ago asking for info on the Delta Elite and many of you raved it up. So, I bought one and have just finished my second outing. I haven't had a chance to run a lot of ammo through it because of availablity but I have run a box of PMC 180 grain and a half box of Double Tap 180 grain. So, here's my thoughts on it so far.

Out of the box the gun is a good looking sample. I noted on the left side of the slide the roll marks are a little light on the end of the Delta Elite logo but Colt seems to have this going on at times. No excuse for Colt but I'm not suprised. I can live with it. The rest of the gun is nicely finished and clean out of the box. Took it home, field stripped it and cleaned really good, then applied a liberal coat of CLP to all moving parts and the finish. Now, to the range.

First time out I fired 32 rounds of the PMC 180 grain hollow points. The gun had almost a 50% failure rate with 3-point jams. Each spent cartridge had a nice smiley creased into the case about 1/8" down from the case mouth where it was hanging on the bottom of the throat of the barrel. On feeling this area I noted it was a sharp breakover and definitely needed dressed.

Also, each case would have a flattened area on the case rim where the slide breachface would impact the upper part of the rim, push the case forward then drag some brass off the case head and rim and onto the breachface as it indexed into the horizontal position going into battery. Close exam of the breachface finds it could use a light touch. Slight burr on the FP hole also.

After the first outing I took it home, broke it down again and cleaned it, keeping an eye out for any unusual wear marks. None found so she appears to be built square. In addressing the sharp breakover at the throat I put a craytex cone on the Dremel and some Flitz and polished the breakover at the throat. This knocked off the knife edge and gave a nice, smooth but still fully supported throat area. Didn't remove any metal, mind you, just polished. Then, took some Flitz and the cone and lightly touched the FP hole to knock off the machine burrs. Followed that up with a cotton swab and some Flitz on the breechface and wallah, nice and smooth but nothing overly done. Again, a cleaning and liberal application of CLP and off to the range today.

Today I had the remainder of the PMC (18) rounds plus a 50-round box of Double Tap 180 grain bonded Personal Defense ammo. Expensive but I need to know if it will work. I intentionally limpwristed one round to see if it would fail, which it did, found it's limit and didn't try it again. Long story short, she ran every round fed today with nary a hiccup except the intentional limpwristed round. The gun gobbled everything I gave it and no sign of a smiley near the case mouth. The back of the rim and case head were also much improved with no real scarring of the brass.

Summary ? I'm very happy with my purchase. The 10mm is a beast and the Delta Elite is a fine gun to run it. Easily controllable even with full power loads. Accurate beyond my expectation. I repeatedly hit the 10-ring from 25 yards slow fire, benched. Nice gun, no question about it. If you're thinking of getting one I would have to say "do it", you won't be sorry.

Nice write-up, Sarge.

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"The pistol, learn it well, carry it always ..." - Jeff Cooper

Thank you sir.

Thanks for the write-up.
I was checking with local pawn shop yesterday to see if they still do FFL transfers, and they had a stainless Delta in the case for $679.

I wasn't even looking for one, but now I am being haunted.......

Great lookin pistol and great review!

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"...He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." - Jesus, Luke 22:36

Well, there ya go SSDHouston. I always tell the officers I train, "don't ignore your gut instinct."

That smiley crease in the case you seen about 1/8" down have shown up on every 10mm 1911 I have ever owned. Kimber told me it was because the 10mm case was slightly longer and if gun was feeding ok not to worry about in. I have had 2 Colt G/C, 2 Deltas and one Dan Wesson and they all did it. Every one of them would have a feed problem every now and then. I really like the 10mm in the 1911 platform. Have you checked all your cases for the crease? You are making me want another 10mm 1911. I hope your gun continues to run good. I used Double Tap quite a bit in my 10mm guns. Keep us posted and I hope your gun continues to run good.

Nice review, and nice pistol!

I'd love to try 10mm but ammo is scarce as hens teeth and costly enough to give King Midas a headache.

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Obsolescence is just a lack of imagination.

Member: CSSA, NFA, CASD, CBSC

LOL. You should get another. I've checked all the cases I've shot and since I polished the "knife edge" a little, the crease has become a non-issue. there is a slight indication but it doesn't affect function now nor case integrity.

The gun runs, and runs good. I really enjoy this Colt.

I have a Colt Delta Gold Cup and I have never had a hiccup at all. I also have a long slide AMT in 10 and have it running good now also. My Gold Cup tipped a skunk over at 60 yards the other day and a friend killed a bear with one shot with his Delta Elite. The 10mm is really a good round in a 1911 IMHO.