View Full Version : Colt Delta Elite
When I heard at the 2008 SHOT show that Colt was going to re-release on a limited basis the Colt Delta Elite, I thought my prayers were answered. I've always wanted one but since they were discontinued, the prices on them were fetching far more than a Gold Cup. The other 10MM pistol I've always wanted was a Bren Ten and it seems that there is a real possibility that it might make a comeback both new and improved. Well time went on and Colt announced at the 2009 SHOT show the same exact thing. I wasn't going to hold my breath this time.
Anyhoo, Rich at Guntech knew I had a running request for one and to my surprise, one came in last week. Well, I didn't realize that they were only coming out with a stainless steel model as I had my heart set on a blued one, but I wasn't going to pass this chance up.
No pics yet, but the gun is set up with typical 1911 government hardware except for a commander style hammer and grip safety and a long reach black aluminum trigger. I'm going to install a beavertail, skeletonized trigger, skeletonized hammer, and extended ambi safety and do a trigger job. Finding 10mm ammo has been hard, as it seems I'm going to have to order a case thru www.Georgia-Arms.com (http://www.Georgia-Arms.com), but at least I have a box of Corbons for defense. Those not familiar with the 10mm cartridge, it was developed by Col. Cooper and ammo maker Norma as an auto round that had the heft of a .45ACP, but the speed of a 9mm. The result is a round that delivers more energy than a .357 mag and more energy at 100 yrds than a .45 ACP at the muzzle.
The DE seems exactly like a 1911 on the surface, but if you mic the slide, you will find it to be "beefier" than a standard 1911 slide. The frame is also slightly modified and will not accept a standard .45 slide. As soon as I get some range ammo, I'll give a report.
I've got it with me. You can take some iphone pics tonight.
I've got it with me. You can take some iphone pics tonight.
If only I had my iPhone. I may run home to get it since I forgot my charging cord to the laptop also today. I feel so disconnected today.
Yeah, I've actually turned around to go back home to get my cell phone only a mile from the office when I've forgotten.
I may have since I was early, but I didn't notice until I was here at the office for a good while.
we are gonna have to change the :lino: to :ss1
we are gonna have to change the :lino: to :ss1
Trust me, this was an unexpected ding in my budget. With the GSG project, I really shouldn't have bought this, but I've been waiting for one for years. In fact Asian Joe beat me to a used one within a freaking minute. I almost settled for a used Kimber 10mm in Naples but when I found out it had adjustable sights, I took a pass.
Nope, between the AK and the boat trips, I think you still get to keep the :lino:
Satan_3pc
09-29-2009, 08:52 PM
Waiting for pics I am... Sounds sexy it does.
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite4.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite2.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite3.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite1.jpg
I think you need to work on your lighting technique. Still looks good though.
Secpro
09-30-2009, 07:12 AM
Looks great! I never knew they made a 10m in that platform.
JaxChris
09-30-2009, 07:51 AM
Didn't know it wouldn't have an ambi-mag release. Not very "Delta" if you can't operate it with your support hand. I've seen many SF operators that carry their sidearm on their support side so they can access it while maintaining trigger on their primary.
Other than that, very nice piece. And good luck finding lots of 10mm outside of Europe.
I started to work on it last night, replacing the commander hammer with a skeletonized one, replacing the long reach trigger with an adjustable short reach, and polishing the lockwork. There's a lot more work to go into it. Professor and I actually shot it last night and it was much more tame than I had anticipated. As far as ammo, there's a good source I had posted earlier. 1911's are great in that they can be tuned to become remarkably accurate and versatile. There are mag releases that are "ambi" that you can install in seconds, but you can still drop the mag with your middle finger on the left side with a practice and especially easy with an oversized release button. The manual safety is really the only critical control that needs to be made ambi to make it a useful bilatteral weapon.
I started to work on it last night, replacing the commander hammer with a skeletonized one, replacing the long reach trigger with an adjustable short reach, and polishing the lockwork. There's a lot more work to go into it. Professor and I actually shot it last night and it was much more tame than I had anticipated. As far as ammo, there's a good source I had posted earlier. 1911's are great in that they can be tuned to become remarkably accurate and versatile. There are mag releases that are "ambi" that you can install in seconds, but you can still drop the mag with your middle finger on the left side with a practice and especially easy with an oversized release button. The manual safety is really the only critical control that needs to be made ambi to make it a useful bilatteral weapon.
and the wife said "is that another NEW gun"
and you said "you mean this old thing, I have had this for years, but some new parts just came in" LOL
Slowbra01
09-30-2009, 11:20 AM
Congrats!!! You got one!!! Hmmm, been pondering about ordering from GA for 10mm. Would have to do a gunshow pick up. Would you be willing to pick it up for me if i gave you the $$?
doug5336
09-30-2009, 11:22 AM
When I heard at the 2008 SHOT show that Colt was going to re-release on a limited basis the Colt Delta Elite, I thought my prayers were answered. I've always wanted one but since they were discontinued, the prices on them were fetching far more than a Gold Cup. The other 10MM pistol I've always wanted was a Bren Ten and it seems that there is a real possibility that it might make a comeback both new and improved. Well time went on and Colt announced at the 2009 SHOT show the same exact thing. I wasn't going to hold my breath this time.
Anyhoo, Rich at Guntech knew I had a running request for one and to my surprise, one came in last week. Well, I didn't realize that they were only coming out with a stainless steel model as I had my heart set on a blued one, but I wasn't going to pass this chance up.
No pics yet, but the gun is set up with typical 1911 government hardware except for a commander style hammer and grip safety and a long reach black aluminum trigger. I'm going to install a beavertail, skeletonized trigger, skeletonized hammer, and extended ambi safety and do a trigger job. Finding 10mm ammo has been hard, as it seems I'm going to have to order a case thru www.Georgia-Arms.com (http://www.Georgia-Arms.com), but at least I have a box of Corbons for defense. Those not familiar with the 10mm cartridge, it was developed by Col. Cooper and ammo maker Norma as an auto round that had the heft of a .45ACP, but the speed of a 9mm. The result is a round that delivers more energy than a .357 mag and more energy at 100 yrds than a .45 ACP at the muzzle.
The DE seems exactly like a 1911 on the surface, but if you mic the slide, you will find it to be "beefier" than a standard 1911 slide. The frame is also slightly modified and will not accept a standard .45 slide. As soon as I get some range ammo, I'll give a report.
Ok, be honest with everyone! The real reason you wanted a Bren Ten was because Don Johnson had used one in the first season of Miami Vice?? LOL!
Miami Vice, he is all in.
Ok, be honest with everyone! The real reason you wanted a Bren Ten was because Don Johnson had used one in the first season of Miami Vice?? LOL!
What? Me want a Sonny Crocket gun? LOL! Honestly, it was a feature article in a Guns & Ammo issue back in the 80's. Got nothing against Miami Vice, but just to prove it, I would never own a S&W 4506 even if someone gave it to me, which was Crocket's gun after the Bren Ten.
Satan_3pc
09-30-2009, 01:59 PM
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite4.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite2.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite3.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite1.jpgHell yeah! Looks like the trigger pull might be a little shorter too?
Congrats!!! You got one!!! Hmmm, been pondering about ordering from GA for 10mm. Would have to do a gunshow pick up. Would you be willing to pick it up for me if i gave you the $$?
I can't get their website here at the office. Do they do the gunshow circuit? Not sure what you mean. I was just going to order a 500 rnd case sometime this week.
Hell yeah! Looks like the trigger pull might be a little shorter too?
Yes and no. When you tune a trigger, you can adjust the travel of trigger to release the hammer/sear and no more and return it to reset the disconnector and no more. So the "engagement window" of travel of the pull is shorter.
Satan_3pc
09-30-2009, 06:52 PM
Yeah it just looks like the trigger itself isn't as long as a regular 1911.
Chris
09-30-2009, 07:42 PM
ok phil, its a colt. How much was it?
Slowbra01
09-30-2009, 08:41 PM
yeah they do the gunshow circuit. You can order through their website or better yet order through the phone and pick it up from them when they come for the gunshow. That way, no shipping charges! They go to both the dade and broward gun shows.
I was wondering if i could give you the money and you can pick up a case for me at the next gunshow since its highly unlikely that i can make it due to my work schedule on weekends.
Satan_3pc
09-30-2009, 09:24 PM
ok phil, its a colt. How much was it?I'm not experienced, but I'll just take a crack at it and say $1,800.
Chris
09-30-2009, 09:33 PM
I would say thats a little high, I would guess about 16. But I could be way off Im not a Colt person
JaxChris
10-01-2009, 12:43 AM
Congrats!!! You got one!!! Hmmm, been pondering about ordering from GA for 10mm. Would have to do a gunshow pick up. Would you be willing to pick it up for me if i gave you the $$?
You better call GA ahead of time, they don't stock 10mm at the shows. And their 380 ammo doesn't last the first 2 hours of the show. They usually run 9/40/45/44/223/308/30-06/30-30/30 Carbine at the shows mostly.
Those little cans are heavy too. lol
Now that my manufacturer here called me and said components should be here within the month I should be good to go again. Going to love me some cases of 45ACP again soon.
It was under $900.00 OTD....... employee pricing tho.
And I also replaced the grip with the pebble grain wrap-around grip you see in the pic. As karma would have it, I had bought that grip nearly 20 years ago for my commander at a gun show but chose to stick with the pacmayers. The pistol had a checkered wrap around that was a bit to "plasticy" for my taste.
yeah they do the gunshow circuit. You can order through their website or better yet order through the phone and pick it up from them when they come for the gunshow. That way, no shipping charges! They go to both the dade and broward gun shows.
I was wondering if i could give you the money and you can pick up a case for me at the next gunshow since its highly unlikely that i can make it due to my work schedule on weekends.
I'll call them to see if they can bring a couple of cases with them or what logistical wait there is. I'll let you know if it works out.
ETA: FMJ range ammo is what I'm planning to buy http://georgia-arms.com/new10mm180grfullmetaljacket1000pk.aspx
ETA2: Looking at their schedule, the only S FL show they are doing for the remainder of the year is the Miami show on Oct 31.
Vertical
10-01-2009, 06:14 AM
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite4.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite2.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite3.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ss1G8RFAN/firearms/DeltaElite1.jpg
I want!
I'll call them to see if they can bring a couple of cases with them or what logistical wait there is. I'll let you know if it works out.
ETA: FMJ range ammo is what I'm planning to buy http://georgia-arms.com/new10mm180grfullmetaljacket1000pk.aspx (http://georgia-arms.com/new10mm180grfullmetaljacket1000pk.aspx)
ETA2: Looking at their schedule, the only S FL show they are doing for the remainder of the year is the Miami show on Oct 31.
Joe,
Ok, I am not going to go the gun show pick-up route. They will only reserve show pick-up orders within the week ending Thursday before the show when they load the truck. If the ammo is not in stock, you don't get it on the truck. You can't order it now in stock and have it stored for the truck either. I ordered two 500 bulk packs "canned heat" of 165 gr FMJ, as the 180 gr was not in stock. If you don't want it, I'll be happy to take both. It's being shipped to Guntech and it will be around $200 plus shipping with an ammo can thrown in.