Hey guys, this is my first post.  It seems that this site has established itself as an authority on 10mm handguns according to a few of the other forums that I frequent.

I recently purchased a Colt Delta Elite.  It's my first 10mm handgun, and I bought it knowing fairly little about it other than its a Colt, and it has been improved over the original iteration.  After some reading, I have discovered that it does not have a fully supported chamber, so you can't really shoot the big loads out of it without the possibility of the dreaded KB.   

I like the gun and have no desire to sell it to buy a Dan Wesson or STI.  It is reliable and has not had any issues shooting the SIG elite performance 10mm ammo, which seems to be a mid-range 10mm load based on what I've seen.  (180 grain projectiles @ 1250 FPS) In terms of the ammo I plan to shoot out of it, I probably won't go much hotter than that.  However, I would like to use this gun for hunting and would like the ability to shoot some of the top range stuff on occasion, again, without the fear of my gun turning itself into a grenade. 

I've been looking at Bar-Sto barrels, and it looks like they can supply and install a ramped barrel for somewhere in the neighborhood of $600.00.  In your experience, is this conversion sufficient to reliably shoot the heavier 10mm loads?  What do you guys think?  Thanks for the help. 

Welcome aboard billy. I don't have a Colt Delta myself, but many here do and will certainly chim in I'm sure. Nice gun you got there!
JB

I have a DE, from around 2012 or so. I have fed it a lot of 180 @ 1250, but haven't gone too much over that. It has handled that just fine. IMO if you want to push it beyond that, be careful, examine your brass, measure it before and after. You can likely get away with it, just don't make it a steady diet.

Billy346, Welcome to the forum!  With respect to the Delta Elite, keep it like it is and just accept the fact of the ammo and brass can stretch and expand.  Work up your loads to function properly and not over expand.  Things to consider are when reloading use only slower burn rate powers, Blue Dot, Long Shot, AA#9 and work with a recoil spring and Firing Pin Stop to help...

Speer actually did their load development using the Original Colt DE as their test gun...
This is the supplement Speer sent me early 1990 where the posted the data using a Colt DE with Hornady cases they are stiffer than the softer more malleable StarLine brass. 

Quote from: Billy346 on March 30 2017 03:55:25 PM MDTI've been looking at Bar-Sto barrels, and it looks like they can supply and install a ramped barrel for somewhere in the neighborhood of $600.00.  What do you guys think?

I'd send $165 to the good old boys at:  https://clarkcustomguns.com/parts-category/1911/

That'll get you a match barrel.  I see that cutting the frame for a ramped barrel is part of their $400 accuracy package.  That may also include the barrel 'cause they don't mention needing to purchase a barrel that works with a cut frame after they mention cutting the frame.

Thanks for all of the replies!  Especially for the load data worked up especially for the Delta Elite!  (I definitely copied that and saved it.) You guys are of great help.

Well I have a Delta Elite, bought it in Dec 2015 the older style. As a matter of fact I was out shooting it yesterday with my Favorite load of Blue Dot  over a 180gr hard cast bullet,that load will hit over 1280 fps I have a chrono so I know. Anyway I have no signs of over pressure loads. I have also run hefty loads of 800x good for over 1300 fps,again no signs of smilly brass or blown out primers etc.
The only time I have seen were a load was to hot for my Delta was with Underwood 155 gr fmj they hit over 1500 fps !!! the 180 Underwood no problem  and that is booking @ 1350 fps.
Now maybe my Colt has more chamber support then other Delta's I don't know but I have no problem shooting the hot stuff in my Colt.
Now as for the Underwood 155 gr, I run that in my Kimber.
If it were me I would invest in a Chrono and start working up your loads a little @ a time, that's what I did I would go that route before I put a new ramp barrel in that fine Firearm,Colts for the most part are best leaving stock.

Couple of thoughts.

1.  For less than $600 you can have a RIA 10mm 1911 with a ramped barrel, and probably some other extras your DE doesn't have.  I know it isn't the same marque or mystique, but they are solid guns.

2.  Kart makes some barrels for the DE that have great chamber support even without a ramp.  Again, worth a call to a good 1911 shop with familiarity to discuss.  My take a few dials to find someone who has the experience, but worth it if it saves you $300.

3.  Except for the very, very, very right on the line loads, your DE will be just fine.  I would go so far as to say that if you stay with data in published reloading journals, you are not likely to find a load that will give you issues.

Yes, there are a few loads from Underwood that will give you a bulge or two.  Those loads do the same thing in my ramped Para P16-40 converted to 10mm.  And in some Glocks.  Hot loads gonna heat.

Your gun, do it your way!

I just wanted to offer some counterpoint to the idea that a ramped barrel is the only solution.

Keep the delta the way it is. If that really has to cost 600 dollars for a barrel I would buy the RIA for your collection. Same price and its an entire gun. Gandog will tell you all about his, he loves it.

The delta elite is fine w/o the supported chamber, just watch what you feed it. I agree with what other have said, spend the 600 on another 10mm with the supported chamber. These are my two 10mm, the delta is a first gen that I bought new back in the day, and the kimber is my 10mm with the suported chamber. They both have quite a few mods done to ensure reliability and to enhance accuratcy, they shoot as good as they look.

The bar-sto barrel I bought right after I got the delta, just never installed it (it's still rocking the stock barrel.

Quote from: Dave84 on April 02 2017 01:32:47 PM MDT
Keep the delta the way it is. If that really has to cost 600 dollars for a barrel I would buy the RIA for your collection. Same price and its an entire gun. Gandog will tell you all about his, he loves it.

The $600.00 is not only the barrel, but the cost of cutting the frame, and then fitting it all together.

The cutting of the frame is the part that gives me pause.  That is a permanent alteration to a DE that can't be undone.

Quote from: vtr107 on April 03 2017 06:14:43 AM MDT
The delta elite is fine w/o the supported chamber, just watch what you feed it. I agree with what other have said, spend the 600 on another 10mm with the supported chamber. These are my two 10mm, the delta is a first gen that I bought new back in the day, and the kimber is my 10mm with the suported chamber. They both have quite a few mods done to ensure reliability and to enhance accuratcy, they shoot as good as they look.

The bar-sto barrel I bought right after I got the delta, just never installed it (it's still rocking the stock barrel.

Those are some very nice looking pistols!  I love the blued slide over the stainless frame.  Reverse two-tone always looks great.  I see this is your first post.  I'm new here too, and have found this forum to be full of very knowledgeable members willing to help. 

In terms of whether or not I will actually put a different barrel into the gun, I am still unsure.  I like the 180 grain / 1250 fps SIG performance ammo that I have been running.  It gives mid-range .357 Magnum power with very manageable recoil.  I can easily fire off a double tap or string of shots without getting significantly off-target.  I bought it for use as a woods gun, and the biggest animals in my area are black bear with the occasional (but rare) coyote or mountain lion.  I'm not sure the ability to fire full-power loads will greatly benefit me given the size of the animals in my area and the difference in recoil.  Besides, if I need a big hoss, I've got a .44 Magnum, which I am fairly handy with.  We will see how things evolve.  I'm really happy with the gun so far.  It is my third Colt.  All three seem to be very well made and reliable.  To me, Colt offers an excellent balance of price, quality, and heritage.  I don't really feel the need to drop major coin on a Dan Wesson, and have never really been interested in Rock Island Armory. 

Welcome to the forums. The 2 tone on the delta is "Bear Coat" finished, satin black on slide and matt\satin sliver on frame and small parts (Les Baer use to do this on many of his builds). This is a very early 1st gen that is all steel, the stainless versions came many years later).

Hello and welcome to the madness. I have a souped up Delta that I had cut by a gunsmith to run an Ed Brown reamed out .40 barrel. I fit the firing pin stop and extractor myself and then went with a GI guide rod and and 28#  recoil spring. I use an egw higher mag release and Tripp mags. It's very much a big kid's toy and it takes the heat well.

600 just seems extreme for a barrel job. I would keep the gun as is for that money. You can buy a Tangfoglio elite match for around that. Or a Glock after tax.