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Colt Delta Elite

Wes1983

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Hello gunsmiths. I have a stock Delta Elite that I'd like to start upgrading. Right now I'm thinking trigger, hammer, beaver tail, mainspring housing, guide rod, and sights. Does anyone out there have brand recommendations that tend to work best or that might be the most painless to fit? Are these upgrades a good place to start? Are there any that I missed? Thanks a lot.
 
Beaver tails are harder than most people realize. The frames are slightly fifferent from manufacturer to manufacturer.

EGW, ED BROWN, CYLINDER AND SLIDE, WILSON all sell good parts.

For a Colt, I would pay a 1911 specialist gunsmish to do the beaver tail.
 
Send the gun off to Jason Burton at Heirloom precision. If you've got patience and lots of cash his work is well worth it. Or Ted Yost who I believe is now at estate sporting?
 
You will get much more for your money by selling that stock delta and looking for a 1911 in 40 or 10.
I just had a 2011 rechambered from 40 to 10 for $75 including shipping. If you want a custom gun do not molest a factory delta as a start.
 
Old Full Custom heavily used, would be at least $4k plus a gun to create:

ABCD87B6-836C-40F5-99F0-337B7E109FCB.jpeg


New:

567EDA52-B63E-45FD-A027-7391512645D0.png

Above are some pictures for contemplation.

I had one done by Don Williams of The Action Works. I have always been very happy with the decision. Mine started as a Nickel plated Colt Delta Elite with an older beaver tail-cannot remember the manufacturer. Keep in mind that mine was already customized before I bought it in used condition.

I won’t go into all the things he did, but it was a full rebuild, and required welding and regrinding the frame rails and beaver tail tangs for proper fit.

The gun has never jammed or otherwise failed to run. There is a huge difference in professional gunsmith work and learn as you go DIY work. I did wear the original Colt hammer and sear out, and put a Cylinder and Slide action kit into it. I have shot it a few thousand rounds over the years. It is still very accurate and reliable.

The best investment for me was a 40 caliber barrel that another gunsmith, John Harrison, installed. I could never have enjoyed the gun as much if I had to feed it 10mm. I am a fan of the forty and reload my own. I almost never use the 10mm barrel.

So, for the OP: I recommend you decide how commited you are to long term ownership of the gun, and how you want to use it. A trigger job would be my first mod; get rid of the series 80 firing pin safety while you are at it, if you are not using it for personal protection.

Keep in mind that the the new Colt Delta has a nice beaver tail and better sights. You could buy one of the new ones, put a trigger job on it and call it done.
 
That new factory delta looks like a good deal. If you want to spend around 2000, I would definitely look for an STI nitro 10. 6” longslide barrel and 19 round 140mm mags.
 
You can change most of these upgrades yourself. I upgraded my Delta Elite with a long, lightweight, adjustable Videcki trigger Hogue grips and a stainless recoil spring guide. The stainless recoil spring guide will improve reliability and stop failure from the plastic recoil spring guide. This failure is when not if.
I've had my Delta Elite since 1991. Still shoots like new.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys. This is exactly the type of info that I was hoping to get. Two weeks ago I thought that I may be able to google my way through upgrading my Delta Elite, but now I think I know what I can do and what I should not do. Thanks for the multiple suggestions to buy a 40 barrel in addition. I think that will be my first task. You guys are awesome.
 
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