Colt Delta Elite

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Delta Elite
Colt 10mm "Customized Delta Elite with aftermarket sights, compensator, and hammer"
Type	Handgun
Place of origin	United States of America
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)

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
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.

[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 some sort of shock buff. Otherwise, the Delta Elite has a tendency to "lunch" on itself and become inoperable.