looking for help with Delta Elite

WestKentucky · February 21 2016 11:13:34 PM MST

I bought a used Delta Elite, blued, 99% condition, no box or paperwork last fall. I got it for what I felt was a good enough deal at 750 out the door. I'm starting to regret ever laying eyes on it though as the unsupported chamber is making me very concerned about shooting it. I have about 125 rds through it now, but it is put away until I get some things figure out and/or fixed. The chamber is totally unsupported for the .251 inches from the face of the slide/face of casehead to the point where the ramped barrel contacts the case when in battery. It bulges badly with factory ammo, luckily I reload everything and I only bought factory loads to get useable brass from. Reloads running at 2/3 between start and max loads start showing slight swelling, factory loads bulge out to .441. I know I can load ammo that is safe to use, but to do so I am giving up a whole lot of room for power.

Pics below if I can figure out how to.

WestKentucky · February 21 2016 11:16:54 PM MST

Keep getting files I've errors so...here's the post that led me here. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=798901

Intercooler · February 22 2016 02:59:19 AM MST

If you want to run some of the real 10mm ammos (or reload them that way) you might be better served letting it go and buy another ramped barrel 1911 if that's your preference. I'm sure you can get every penny you paid for it should you offer it up for sale. Good luck with your decision!

sep · February 22 2016 08:00:38 AM MST

Probably not the answer you want to hear but can you buy a different barrel with better ramp support for it? If not, I'd just move it down the road like Intercooler suggested and buy something else.

Possible Option- https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=5&f=49&t=142826

sqlbullet · February 22 2016 08:10:25 AM MST

Westkentucky,

This is NOT normal behavior for a Delta Elite. Here is my guess.

Previous owner had feed issues with the gun, Instead of learning how a 1911 should work and correcting the right issue, the previous owner started throating the barrel. Once they had ruined the barrel they dumped the gun.

What you can do? Get over to Bar-Sto, Storm Lake or Brownells and pick up a good quality new barrel for your DE. Have it installed, or install it yourself if you know how to fit the barrel.

If my guess is right, you will probably then experience feed issues, and have to correct a weak mag spring or out of spec extractor. If the original issue was related to barrel fitting it will likely be corrected when the new barrel is installed.

A Delta Elite in proper condition will handle any published handload out there, and will handle ammo from any maker but underwood and buffalo bore. If yours won't, then the gun is out of spec and should be corrected.

Wolfie · February 22 2016 06:25:47 PM MST

Could be easier to get a new barrel or send it back to Colt. Or sell it, I don't see many blued ones out there in 99% condition. Looks like it has lots of potential. Bought 8 new 10 mm's, 6 had to go back to the factory and all came back great.

Colt will get it right if you decide to go that route.

Pablo · February 22 2016 07:26:50 PM MST

It does look like someone "worked" on that chamber.

Dude, you don't got a bulge, you got a ma deuce in yo pants.

4949shooter · February 22 2016 07:38:11 PM MST

I couldn't get the pics.

Agtman has one possible answer for you.

If you want to stick with a 1911 you might want Kimber, Dan Wesson, or Springfield when it comes out.

sqlbullet · February 23 2016 08:02:06 AM MST

I saw the pics.

Not normal behavior for a Delta Elite with weak sauce Armscor ammo. Either that batch of Armscor is WAY hotter than anything we have ever seen or something is wrong with your gun.

I will re-iterate again, the Delta Elite is a fine 10mm firearm for 99% of the factory ammo out there. The exceptions are Underwood, who so notes on their website, and Buffalo Bore, who seems to have their head in the ground a bit.

To put this in a bit of context. Armscor 180 grain ammo has been tested here and produces 1140 fps at the muzzle. Underwood/Buffalo Bore 180 grain produces 1320-1350 fps at the muzzle. That is a bunch more velocity, and correspondingly, pressure.

I read through the thread at the high road. Those guys are pretty good usually, but for a specialty cartridge you need a specialty crowd. The fact is that while a DE does not have great case head support, it should not have any issues at all with Armscor 165 grain ammo. I owned a DE 20+ years ago, and shot plenty of middle of the road factory ammo and didn't have a single round that looked at all out of the ordinary. Most of that brass is still in use today.

You have a gun that is broken. If you decide to sell it, you should make the new buyer aware that it appears to be compromised.

WestKentucky · February 23 2016 11:24:34 AM MST

Gun is gone. Traded off. Full disclosure on issue. Still broke even.

4949shooter · February 23 2016 02:01:38 PM MST

Quote from: WestKentucky on February 23 2016 11:24:34 AM MST
Gun is gone. Traded off. Full disclosure on issue. Still broke even.

Well that solves that problem.

sqlbullet · February 23 2016 02:10:22 PM MST

Glad you broke even!

Dave84 · February 23 2016 06:09:23 PM MST

Plenty of 10mm glocks, witnesses, sigs, stis, Dan wessons, kimbers in need of a good home. ${$default_tongue_smiley}$

WestKentucky · February 23 2016 11:19:34 PM MST

I almost came home with a MOS glock 20? But I'm a suckered for a wheelgun. Smith 686 was calling to me, and they had EXACTLY what I asked for and after some hard negotiating they agreed to a straight across swap. I think everybody is happy with the deal.

sliclee · March 11 2016 07:01:14 PM MST

I have a DELTA ELITE, 10 mm HIGH POLISH,SS 5" govt, DSXXXXE, bought it new somewhere in 2002 to 2008? Knew nothing about supported,unsupported
just it is a Colt Delta Elite, was ordered by LGS took 10 days to come in. Read book, took apart,cleaned preservative lubed it BF DRIP DRY,
bought Corbon ammo,135,150,165 and 180, mixed them up 2 in each mag, bought xtra mags, fired first round at 15 yds,BE, second same moved out to
30 yrd,blasted away all mags,accuracy unbelievable for new gun,trigger almost no creep,light break, perfect new gun, never happened to me before. Picked up all empty cases,was alone at end of indoor range. Not a hickup,burp,just perfect feed accuracy, 135 hit higher 1-2 inches normal.
Home,using micrometer checked for any bulge not a drop, mice accurate to 5/10K.
Bought extra light springs for target about 600fps,made knock downs other springs,etc, broke in a few matches was really broken in I thought.
My barrel supports the case all around except by the tiny feed area on the barrel. Lee