Colt Delta Elite 10MM

[Lennyjoe]

Seen one at the local gun show today for $900 and passed. Now it’s killing me for passing since it’s on my “gotta have in my collection” list.

Ugh, this habit is hard to shake. I need an intervention. Someone talk me down.....lol

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

It won't be me talking you down.

I'd be the Mel Gibson, Lethal Weapon character grabbing your hand and jumping!

There are, without a doubt, *better* 10s out there but why not have the original.... Relax gun-wonks, the original mass produced.

I love the dickens outa mine - unsupported chamber be damned!

Todd.

 

[WestKentucky]

Unsupported case on a high pressure cartridge in a gun developed for low pressure cartridges. What can possibly go wrong... been there, done that, I recommend running away before you sink money into Colts shortcut gun. They ran it to market too fast trying to beat others in the 10mm race. What’s even worse is that they refuse to fix the glaring issues. Others have fully developed the 1911 platform with a 10mm chamber, so go that route, but don’t go Colt.

 

[bangswitch]

I've shot the hell out of my G20, using max loads, for 28 years and never had a single issue with its unsupported chamber. I've been shopping for quite a while for a 1911 in 10mm, and the Delta Elite was on my short list. I wanted an earlier model, but the 1st gen guns had a history of frames cracking, although it was an issue that a good gunsmith could prevent. My biggest dislike with the Delta Elite, however, is it's a series 80 action. I don't like the trigger pull and don't care for the magazine disconnect. I wanted a 10mm that functioned like my .45 1911 (Springfield A1, Series 70). I finally narrowed my choices to a Springfield Elite Operator and a Ruger SR1911, and bought the Ruger because it was immediately available, and I got it several hundred less than what the Springfield was going to cost. I was somewhat hesitant because of the full length op rod and no barrel bushing, but after shooting it and taking it down for cleaning, it has quickly become a non-issue. Oh, BTW, it has an unsupported chamber, too, but less than my Glock. Not sure how it compares to the D.E.'s chamber.

 

[Reinz]

I bought one of the original blued DE in 86/87. I liked it but it didn’t compare to my Bren Tens. As soon as I heard of the frame issues I sold it.

When the stainless DE arrived and was proven to be good I got one. Then bought another 10-15 years later. Don’t ask me why, I had already bought a limited edition Colt Ultra Ten as well, I’m just a helpless gun addict.

For $900 the OP can always get that money back.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

An unsupported chamber is a no go for me. I load my own and 10mm brass isn’t the cheapest stuff.

 

[Texas10mm]

I've owned two Delta Elites. Sold both of them. Dan Wesson Pointman 10mm is a MUCH better firearm.

 

[Dustbowl]

I’ve got a rock island 10mm that’s sweet. It’s super tight and it’ll shoot when I do my part. And at 600 it’s a little cheaper. Mags can be a little finicky but getting good mags fixes that. I’ve worked on a couple Colt deltas and I don’t like the plastic mainspring housing. Seems like a cop out on a 900 dollar gun. I also am not too hot about the series 80 design.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Had a Rock Island 10MM and didn’t like it. Traded it for an XDM 10MM

 

[Rock185]

I've been a 10MM fan since it's introduction. Had a Bren Ten, Colt Delta, Glock, Kimber, Ruger Blackhawk, various S&W semi-autos, S&W 610s,etc.
Were I in the market for a 10MM 1911, it would not be a Delta. It is certainly the original, but I wouldn't buy another 10MM 1911 that did not have a well supported, ramped, barrel. The unramped Colt barrel, with lots of unsupported brass hanging out over the barrel throat, did not fill me with confidence. Fortunately, the 10MM case head is a strong one, and I never had a case head blow. I still had my Delta rebarreled by BarSto with one of their early ramped 10MM barrels. One shooter told me his Delta cracked through the locking lug area of the slide. I wasn't present, so can't testify to it. He said Colt warranted it by replacing the gun, which he said he sold without ever firing a round through it.

I'm not picking on the Delta 10MM, I feel the same way about other high pressure cartridges,e.g., 9MM, 38 Super, 9X23 Win., etc. I realize most people have never experienced anything ugly using unramped barrels with these high pressure cartridges, just as most people who proudly leave their home's widows and doors unlocked have never suffered a burglary or home invasion. I guess I'm just in a cautious minority on these issues

 

[Reinz]

I've owned two Delta Elites. Sold both of them. Dan Wesson Pointman 10mm is a MUCH better firearm.

Hmm, sounds like a good idea.