Colt Delta Elite
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| Delta Elite | |
|---|---|
  Colt 10mm "Customized Delta Elite with aftermarket sights, compensator, and hammer" |
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| Type | Pistol |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | None |
| Production history | |
| Designer | John Browning, Colt's Manufacturing Company |
| Designed | 1987 |
| Number built | Unknown |
| Variants | None |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.437 lb (1,105 g) empty, w/ magazine |
| Length | 8.25 in (210 mm) |
| Barrel length | 5.03 in (127 mm) |
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| Cartridge | 10mm Auto |
| Action | Single action, Recoil operated |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Muzzle velocity | Approximately 405 m/s (1330 ft/s) |
| Effective range | Approximately 50 meters |
| Feed system | 8 round box magazine |
| Sights | Fixed front and rear |
The Colt Delta Elite is a modified Colt M1911A1 chambered for the 10 mm Auto. It is similar to the M1911 in design and operation. Colt manufactured both stainless steel and blued versions with 8 round magazines. A Delta Gold Cup model was also offered for target competition. All Delta models have been discontinued.
It is also credited as being the first weapon since the ill-fated Bren Ten that sparked a genuine interest in the 10 mm round. The 10mm round has had some minor resurgence with people in the outdoors and back woods. There are some documented cases where bears have been killed with the 10mm round and more Alaskan guides are now carrying them in the backwoods. Glock has had some success with keeping the 10mm alive and many 1911 enthusiasts are trying to buy the Colt Delta Government models when ever possible.
Contents |
[edit] Design
The Delta Elite is a standard 1911A1 design, with a few differences from the latest Series 80 derivative of that pistol. It carries the skeletonized "Commander" type hammer of that pistol and the same overall features of the 1911A1 that have made it so popular with its users. However, the Delta Elite carries a stiffer double recoil spring to handle the increased pressure of the 10mm Auto round. Many reputable 1911 gunsmiths, such as EGW, strongly recommend that users replace their double recoil springs with even stiffer single springs, along with a full 5 inch recoil spring guide and a shock buff cushioning pad. this pad is a semi hard urethane piece that allows the slide to have a delayed/lighter end to the recoil cycle. which thus negates the metal on metal hard strike that occurs, and can cause frame cracking and breaking with the harsher nature of the 10mm's stronger recoil versus the power level of the original cartridge that the 1911 family was chambered in. This is namely the 45ACP cartridge,the 45ACP is normally at a sub 1050-1100FPS level,the 10MM easily exceeds that,and can exceed the power level of the .357 Magnum,thus stressing the design limitations,unless care is given. Otherwise, the Delta Elite has a tendency to suffer shock- and fatigue-related frame and slide rail cracks that render them unsafe to fire,and degrade the frame to the point of needing replacement. With correct bullet choice, the 10MM is an excellent hunting, target—and with lighter power loadings—an excellent personal defense cartridge.
[edit] Reintroduction
Colt has announced the re-introduction of the Delta Elite at the 2008 SHOT Show. This new generation is generally similar to the previous version, although the gun now uses a bushingless bull barrel and full-length recoil spring guide rod. These changes have been theorized as a means of reducing the stresses that resulted in parts breakage of the original Delta Elites.
[edit] See also
- Bren Ten, the first pistol chambered for 10mm Auto
- Glock 20, another relatively successful pistol chambered for 10mm Auto
- M1911A1, the design from which the Delta Elite was created
