The Real Problem with the Delta Elite

[sqlbullet]

So, reading Patrick Sweeney's book "1911, The First 100 Years" and he is describing his walkthrough of the Colt factory 1911 lines.  He has a couple of paragraphs on how barrels are made. 

This was in one of them:

"Then Henry, the operator, fires a proof round in each barrel.  So, even if you buy a replacement Colt barrel, it has been proofed"  Pg 127

[Hamopr]

I ignored the naysayers when I sought and purchased a Delta Elite. Pictures are posted in my thread "new to me Delta Elite" if you like gun porn.

I'll begin with PPU ammo and step up to Sig, hopefully tomorrow morning when it's half price shooting at my local indoor range. I'll also be comparing the DE to a Rock Ultra that I shot last Friday.

I will be reloading soon, only need to pick up powder and I've decided on AA9. I have 100 each of 200 and 230 grain WFNGC boolits and will pick up some 180 grain XTP when I get powder.

I probably won't bother with Underwood or Doubletap ammo, just to be on the safe side.

[PCFlorida]

I bought a DE about 5 years ago. I just always wanted one. Shoots great and it a lot of fun. But it isn't my carry.

[cphills]

My DE is a great gun and quite accurate with some of the loads I've worked up. I don't shoot max loads regularly especially after reading the various posts about DE lacking in terms of chamber support compared to later models. I bought it used and have no idea of it's history. What are the signs of over pressure and excessive wear that I should look for??

Thank you in advance.

[sqlbullet]

Overpressure = smiled brass



Excessive wear = myth IMHO.

Here is why I say that second part.  Colt frames and slides are hella strong.

Early on Colt had some issues with Delta Elite frames cracking in the thin part of the rail above the slide stop tab port, or the hole in the frame that the slide stop lever goes through to reach the magazine.  Go ahead, take you gun apart and look for it.  I will wait.

You are probably confused now, having taken your gun apart and found just a square notch cut through the frame rail and into the frame.  See, Colt solved the "problem" by just removing ALL the metal from the rail in the area where it might crack.  You can't crack what's not there.  And forged Colt frames are so over-built the little section of metal is completely not needed.

Same goes for the slide.  Lots of guys insist that unless you put in a  24 lb recoil spring, shok-buff and a flat bottom firing pin stop then say good-bye to your slide.  Except, I can't find any common, repeatable examples of this actually happening to 1911 slides.  If someone here can document this happening across several high round count guns, I would be glad to see it.

If your 1911 frame or slide are getting damaged by firing, then the frame or slide are defective.

Further anecdote...Ever wonder why the 1911 was/is so popular in IPSC?  The 1911 had no greater aftermarket support at the start than most other auto-loading handguns. 

It had two advantages. 

First, but not as significant, there were lots of cheap surplus ones to use as the basis of a build.  And a build was needed due to the rules of IPSC, since malfunctions were your problem.  No alibis like in Bullseye.

Second, and this was the big one, the 1911 is extremely durable.  If you are going to spend 3-4-5,000 dollars to make a gun dead nuts accurate and reliable, you want your investment to LAST.  And a 1911 will stand up 25K rounds a year for a long time.  Most other platforms of the time would not.  To be honest, lots of platforms today won't.

The Delta Elite is a great little gun.  I would have no worries about using it, and even abusing it if you need to.  Oh, and if a case does let go in your DE, here is what you can expect:

1.  You may be blind unless you are wearing good shooting glasses.  Then you will be fine, except a few spots on your cheeks that will heal fast.  All the gear, all the time.

2.  Magazine will be toast.  Just write it off and get another.  They are relatively cheap.

3.  Grips might need replaced.  Usually not, but check them out to be sure.

4.  Magazine catch also might need some help.  Again, probably not, but check it thoroughly.

Go over the rest of the gun carefully, but it is really, really rare of a K-B to harm a 1911 beyond the magazine, grips and mag catch.  See my comments about IPSC above.  Those guys blew lots of case heads making major in 38 super.  In fact, the peppering you face gets from ejecta coming out the back of the slide/frame/ejector gaps is actually called "super face".

[Forrest]

I had my DE redone to accommodate a ramped barrel. It's a great idea. I have a really strong recoil spring and a gently radiused FP stop. I have thrown some screw up loads through the gun by accident and it giggled after the roar and wished me luck finding the brass. It's tough. I like it. It hits hard. I just got the FCD to finish the ammo. Life is excellent.

[Smokey613]

I have had my Colt DE SS since 1987. It has had a minimum of 8K-10K rounds through it. Carried it on duty for 11 years. I have replaced the recoil springs several times and just last year I replaced all the springs in the gun as well as all my magazines. I have not shot any Underwood in it but it has had a steady diet of original 170gr Norma HP and 165gr DT through it over the last 30 years. I did have to go with a FL guide rod due to not being able to get any more of the "disposable" factory polymer guide rods and double spring setup. I thought about replacing my long since inoperative night sights but since I no longer carry it I will just leave them alone.