Delta Elite problem with cheap ammo

[populist]

I apologize if this has already been covered somewhere, but a lot of searching didn't turn it up.

I recently acquired a '89 Delta Elite. It functions flawlessly with Double Tap and Buffalo Bore ammo, but of course that gets expensive. Later I obtained some Armscor for plinking and immediately started experiencing FTFs, stove-pipes, and failure to go into battery (about 75% of the time, I'd say). I switched back to Double Tap, and no problem.

A few people recommended to me that the stock double recoil spring was too heavy for watered-down ammo and to swap it out for a spring rated for .40 cal. I installed a Wolff 19-lb spring (at Wolff's recommendation) along with a Wilson Combat standard length guide rod.

At the last trip to the range, the original problems disappeared but were replaced by a failure to extract (also about 75% of the time).

If this is truly a recoil spring problem, then I'm happy to experiment with different weights, but if something else is going on I'd rather not spend precious range time chasing my tail.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

[The_Shadow]

Hello populist,Welcome to the forum!  Evidently this gun belonged to someone prior to your ownership?

It is possible that they tuned this pistol wit more than just the recoil spring and may have tuned it by a different mainspring as well.  The two springs work in conjunction with each other in the 1911 type guns. 

If that is the case, the weaker ammo is not pushing back enough on that mainspring long enough to allow full travel of the slide to the rear to kick the spent brass out and off the extractor.

You may need to investigate that and try tuning the mainspring as well. 

I am not that up on the 1911 pistols but maybe others will chime in to lend a thought or two...

Best of luck!   

[danwe]

Welcome aboard populist, I have a DE that was bought new in 89. I'm still running the original springs that came in it and haven't had any issues with FTF's or ejections. The Shadow is probably right about the springs in your DE being modified at one time.

[sqlbullet]

I am going to call out the extractor as a possibility on this one.  Especially with the reports of the stove pipe.

The extractor should hold a shell tight against the breech face.  Often on older guns it won't, and this can result in funny issues.

[populist]

The Delta certainly had at least one prior owner. I will pursue the mainspring idea first and see how it goes. I very much doubt, however, that the piece was previously modified. In every visible way it remained stone-stock, including the guide rod that was well-chewed.

With respect to the extractor possibility, which I would take up next if the mainspring idea doesn't pan out, would it be the case that the Double Tap and Buffalo Bore ammo were merely masking the issue because of the additional force generated? And then the switch to Armscor revealed the problem?

I suppose I could just shoot the full-house ammo exclusively, but I chafe at the cost and the battering to the gun. Of course, in the interim I "solved" the problem by buying another Colt 1911 in .45 for "plinking" while I get the Delta sorted out. My wife doesn't understand how this is a solution.

Thanks much for the recommendations, and for the welcome.

Best regards to all.

[4949shooter]

The Delta certainly had at least one prior owner. I will pursue the mainspring idea first and see how it goes. I very much doubt, however, that the piece was previously modified. In every visible way it remained stone-stock, including the guide rod that was well-chewed.

With respect to the extractor possibility, which I would take up next if the mainspring idea doesn't pan out, would it be the case that the Double Tap and Buffalo Bore ammo were merely masking the issue because of the additional force generated? And then the switch to Armscor revealed the problem?

I suppose I could just shoot the full-house ammo exclusively, but I chafe at the cost and the battering to the gun. Of course, in the interim I "solved" the problem by buying another Colt 1911 in .45 for "plinking" while I get the Delta sorted out. My wife doesn't understand how this is a solution.

Thanks much for the recommendations, and for the welcome.

Best regards to all.

Lol...they never do!

I was having some FTE issues in my Combat Commanders. Switching out the recoil springs for fresh ones from Wolff Gunsprings solved the problem.

Good Luck!

[harleyhopper]

Not an expert by no means. But, stands to reason if your DE ran flawlessly with the Double Tap and Buffalo , and now having problems, I'd say it is a spring(s) related problem. I agree with now needing a different mainspring.

I know some guys say run a heavy recoil and an equally heavy mainspring. Maybe so with the stout loads. In my RIA 10, it runs flawlessly with a 20# recoil and 22# mainspring.

[10mmfan]

Not an expert by no means. But, stands to reason if your DE ran flawlessly with the Double Tap and Buffalo , and now having problems, I'd say it is a spring(s) related problem. I agree with now needing a different mainspring.

I know some guys say run a heavy recoil and an equally heavy mainspring. Maybe so with the stout loads. In my RIA 10, it runs flawlessly with a 20# recoil and 22# mainspring.

My RIA 10MM has never been able to cycle light loads reliably so it has had a underwood diet. At this point I have built the RIA to shoot those loads so no going back.

[Ascension]

Not an expert by no means. But, stands to reason if your DE ran flawlessly with the Double Tap and Buffalo , and now having problems, I'd say it is a spring(s) related problem. I agree with now needing a different mainspring.

I know some guys say run a heavy recoil and an equally heavy mainspring. Maybe so with the stout loads. In my RIA 10, it runs flawlessly with a 20# recoil and 22# mainspring.

My RIA 10MM has never been able to cycle light loads reliably so it has had a underwood diet. At this point I have built the RIA to shoot those loads so no going back.

He has a Colt Delta bro not a RI or S&W he does not need to be running full power 10mm loads like the Underwood in it it's not safe!

Does sound like a spring issue to me so I would suggest you replace the main spring and recoil spring as a set with the stock power set then stay with the commercial watered down loads rather than full power in a Delta.