Hello. This is not a full-fleged range report, but as part of the stuff I'm doing for my 1911 book, I ran a friend's 10mm Colt through some limited paces today.

It's stock as a stove except for the ambi's fitted by its owner. The fixed sights were on and the trigger was not bad at all. No glitches due to the Series 80 firing pin safety and no malfunctions.


There's nothing remarkable about this pistol from any other Delta. It's in its original configuration. I was exceptionally pleased at how well regulated the sights were.

Ammunition was limited, but I obtained the following average velocities based on 10 shots fired 10' from the chronograph. The exception was some old Winchester Black Talon. Its figures are based on 6 shots:

PMC 170-gr. JHP: 1194 ft/sec

Winchester 175-gr. Silvertip: 1288 ft/sec

Winchester 180-gr. Black Talon: 950 ft/sec

PMC 180-gr. Starfire: 990 ft/sec

Federal 180-gr. Hydrashok: 977 ft/sec


I used the PMC 170-gr. JHP for this 10-shot, 25-yd group. One shot is barely visible at the far left edge of the picture. I pulled it and knew it when I did it. The group was fired sitting and from a rest.

I also did some of the defensive type shooting at a humanoid target I drew. I think it looks something like "Gort" in "The Day the Earth Stood Still."


The center-mass shots are five sets of controlled pairs fired using a "flash sight picture" from 12 yards. The five shots in the head were fired one-shot each at the same distance, also as quickly as I could get a quick sight picture. Ammunition was again PMC 170-gr. JHP.
I wanted to use the Winchester STHP as it has the greatest recoil, but just didn't have enough.

The 10mm is a good round in my view. Some factory loads essentially duplicate .40 S&W loads, but the ten does it at less pressure. The more potent loads do have sharp recoil, but the weapon can easily be controlled.

Anyway, there might be some 10mm fans here so I thought I crank out a little something that might be of interest to them.

Best.

I like Gort Overall, did you like it, and would you recommend the Delta?

Hello. I am not rabid over the 10mm as are some, but I do think it's a serious cartridge. I don't have too much experience with either the 1911 in THAT caliber and have never worked up handloads for the 10mm round.

Checking around with some folks I know do have some long-term experience with the round and the gun, I find that it is capable of very fine accuracy, assuming an accurate pistol.

Were I to get into the 10mm round, I think I'd favor loads toward the upper end of the velocity/pressure envelope; they wouldn't have to be the most "powerful", but I'd like something like 170-180-gr at 1200 to 1250 ft/sec or so. I would want better than average accuracy, but that can be obtained in the 1911 platform if it's not already there.

For personal protection, I still favor the .45 over the 10mm, but that's partly because I've fired so very many of the former and probably less than a thousand of the latter. I do see it as a superb field gun for folks enjoying the 1911 pistol. Were I a rancher or someone outdoors in isolated areas, the 10mm might do double-duty: knock coyotes or feral hogs and still be capable of providing significant defense capabilities in the event that I stumbled across clandestine marijuana patches and growers or such.

I am not a fan of the Series 80's internal firing pin safety, but gotta admit that I've seen but a few problems with them. This gun ran fine. My only question and one I do NOT know the answer to (for sure) is the longevity of the 10mm Delta Elite vs the usual .45 ACP loading for people who shoot quite a bit. I THINK it is possibly less long-lived than the forty-five version if warmer 10mm rounds are used and if the user shoots his pistol a LOT over the long-term. I sort of fall into that catagory. It MAY be that it is indeed shorter-lived than the .45 version, but that might still be many thousands of 10mm rounds.

I just don't know.

Were I buying a 10mm, it would be in a 1911 pattern pistol. Mine would definitely have a wide grip safety. The standard GI versions tend to blister my hand along the edges...even if they've been rounded.

The Delta would almost certainly be on my short list of prospective 10mm pistols.

Best.

Interesting observations which I'll keep in mind. My experience is very very limited, so your information is appreciated. Thanks for sharing!

Have you ever tested a .400 Cor Bon? If so, how does it rate versus the 10 MM in the 1911 platform?

Hello. No, sir. Sorry but I've never worked with the .400 Corbon.

Best.

Ballistically the 10 MM and it are pretty darn close. I was just wandering for one reason being that the 400 Cor Bon has a larger case head. It would seem that if it was adequately sprung that it would be easier on the slide than the 10 MM.

Were I buying a 10mm, it would be in a 1911 pattern pistol.

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Hello,

I have been thinking baout this too and I am hasitating between 10 mm in 1911 or Glock 20. Advantage of the second is much higher capacity and lighter weight. Also no safeties to think about. But I am a beginner with guns, so I would like to ask you for your advice on that matter.

Thanks,

Svetlio

Glocks are just what they are. They are utterly reliable serious handguns. The 1911 is as well, but it is readily customized to the shooters tastes. You need to ask yourself what your truly looking for. A carry gun that can be abused somewhat while being carried or a pistol that you want to put some touch into. As far as caliber, a 45 will do anything you need to do in a carry gun and it will do it cheaper than a 10.

Dear friends,

I tried few times to find out some info and specs of Colt Delta Elite 10mm on Colt site but I could't. Any help, link is very welcome.

Thanks