New Colt Delta Elite first trip to the range

[Old454]

Took my new DE to the range for 1st time.

I got mixed feelings on it.
While it's a really nice platform a few things I liked an disliked.

Feels nice and fits well in hand
Decent trigger that I think will get better with use

Things I didnt care for
Grips... medallions fell out of grips on first magazine.
I dunno what's up with the Novak sites but gun shoot low.
Rear sites not adjustable possible bushing issue ?
With the slide back and locked, magazine very sloppy in the grip
Some feed issues with hollow points ( S&B ), Winchester Silver Tips ran fine
Ball ammo ran well no problems

So I will replace the grips.. found some nice  Altamont Super target Rosewood grips 1911 Gov.
Any suggestions on a Bushing for possible accuracy improvements??

Thanks for Reading

[4949shooter]

Don't know about the bushing. But as far as feeding the DE is the old "two ramp" design which doesn't always lend itself to feeding hollow points. Glad it feeds the Silvertips though so you have a solid round there. It also may feed the Hornady XTP bullet which is a slimmer bullet nose profile.

Hope you resolve your issues!

[Mike D]

The ONLY reason I haven't bought a Delta Elite is because of similar issues you are experiencing PLUS they are too much like a GI model; i.e. no extended grip safety, no commander hammer, etc...and they are a premium priced gun.

I would make Colt replace the defective grip and hopefully it smooths out and functions better for you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[DenStinett]

I dunno what's up with the Novak sites but gun shoot low

What Sight Picture are you using ?
If you're using the 6 o'clock (image 1)
Try 2 or maybe 3


I'd bet that the Sights are set-up for an image 2 hold

[Old454]

Yes the first one for sure

[sqlbullet]

Every factory handgun I own shoots a bit low if I just a "ball on top" sight picture.  If I co-witness the target with the sight, like #3 I get center hits.

[phydaux]

I read recently where the Delta doesn't have a fully supported chamber and there can be blow out issues when shooting full power loads.  Anyone else heard this?

[sqlbullet]

I read recently where the Delta doesn't have a fully supported chamber and there can be blow out issues when shooting full power loads.  Anyone else heard this?

Heard it?  Yes.  Believe it?  No.

Colt proofs every barrel.  That's a 200 grain bullet loaded to between 50,500 PSI and 54,000 PSI.  If they were having blow-outs they would be choosing a ramped barrel.

John Travis, AKA 1911Tuner, explains it very succinctly:

https://rangehot.com/case-head-support-colt-delta-elite/

[phydaux]

I read recently where the Delta doesn't have a fully supported chamber and there can be blow out issues when shooting full power loads.  Anyone else heard this?

Heard it?  Yes.  Believe it?  No.

Colt proofs every barrel.  That's a 200 grain bullet loaded to between 50,500 PSI and 54,000 PSI.  If they were having blow-outs they would be choosing a ramped barrel.

John Travis, AKA 1911Tuner, explains it very succinctly:

https://rangehot.com/case-head-support-colt-delta-elite/

From what I has read it, like the infamous .40 Glock Kaboom it was really only an issue when shooting reloaded brass.

[4949shooter]

The Gen 2 Glock chambers were a little less "supported" than the Gen 3, 4, and 5 variants.

That having been said, millions of rounds have been fired through them without a KB. To my knowledge, it has always been reloads as you suggest, or some other altering of the pistol causing the KB.

[Muskrat]

I remember hearing that cartridges cycled through the action too many times were setting back and upping the pressures. A typical person who has reason to unload and then reload their weapon regularly will only cycle the top two cartridges, and each reloading one of the two is being slammed against the feed ramp. Do that enough times and set-back can occur. Or so I was taught.

It was supposedly a big issue with the .40 S&W, but then again for many years, every time one 10mm round went off, 10,000 .40's went off, so it's natural there would be more .40 k-booms.