Colt Delta Elite 1911 10mm 

1:20 Totally agree with you! And Colt's QC, at least for my two examples, deteriorated noticeably from 2011 to 2022. I got my Series 80 Gov't back in 2011, I could find no flaws; got my 2nd Colt, 9mm Competition, in 2022. I found three! The sear/leaf spring's bottom goes into a slit at back of the mag well. The bent portion of the spring was too long, it goes into the mag well too far and was seriously scratching my mags. I dremeled it fixed that; the thumb safety had no detent at Safe, the plunger tip was still compressed and didn't pop out like it should. I dremeled that too. The final thing was the slide stop, the part that fit into the notch on the slide? The outline of the notch doesn't follow the outline of the slide stop, so the slide stop kind of fit in about 2/3 of the way. On my Series 80 the fit was perfect. That I cannot dremel, because the notch was cut only halfway through the slide :(

That is one sexy firearm, would be a nice addition next to my Colt TALO, Yea the one mag thing and plastic housing with Colt kills me.

Good review ... we have a lot of the same firearms. I have this same pistol and it took a little break in period (common for a 1911). You are right about 10mm ammo loads.

Man, I see a used one at my LGS but…it’s the same price as a new one 😂😂. Great pistol and review!!

5:00 My 2022 production Competition got factory idiot mark, free of charge, and it extends all the way to the trigger :)

9:26 I've trying to turn my two Colts to run the plastic (Delrin) guide rod (so I don't have to use Shok-Buff) anymore. The 9mm Competition already come with dual springs, so all I need is the rod. The 45 Series 80 needs the dual springs and the rod. Colt customer service don't sell those, they just direct me to Brownells or Interarms. Brownells do have the dual springs for the 45ACP version of the Competition series, but it's forever out of stock. The delrin rod? That's like a moon rock, both Brownells and Interarms don't even list it. The only place list this rod is Numrich, again it's been OOS for years :)

I aways liked the Delta Elite but never picked one up. Nice review also and thanks, Slim.

3:46 The Series 80 I got back in 2011, which as like their cheapest model (part #O1991), came with 2 7rd mags made by Check-Mate. But the Competition 9mm that I bought in 2022 only gave me one mag. Another slip of Colt's quality, maybe. And I thought after CZ bought Colt the quality and everything should go up. I was too optimistic I guess :)

Love this... Got mine about a month ago. still ain't had a chance to shoot mine yet. it feels great though. it actually feels better than my limited edition C45.

I know I sound like a broken record but I’m not buying a gun in that price range with a plastic msh. The one mag thing bothers me, but it’s not a deal breaker. Also, I’m not a fan of the series 80’s. Thanks for the review though. It was still informative and entertaining.

Great looking Delta in 10MM. She should run perfect after 500 rounds. I would change to a full metal Mainspring Housing. I have two or three small spots in the finish of my last New Chrome Les Baer 9MM 1911 Government. They must have known it was my 11th and last Les Baer! 😂 I think I am going to keep it if she runs perfect after 500 rounds or less, we will see. I sold one Cabot Arms 1911 in March,and I will sell another Cabot late 2024 or 2025. I think I will buy 2 Beretta M9 Basic Black pistols late 2024, and buy 2 of the New Colt Pythons in 2025 from selling the 2nd Cabot Arms 1911. Someday I want to find a New Colt 1911 that is worth buying. Wish me luck. 😂😅😎👍🇺🇸 Beretta SR.

I bought my Delta new in 2021 and I've been very happy with mine. My only issue was with the guide rod. I didn't make it to 1000 rounds before it swelled to the point that I couldn't reassemble after cleaning. It wouldn't fit anymore. I also discovered that finding replacement dual recoil springs was impossible. So I swapped it out with a Wilson Combat rod and spring set because it's more available. I really don't have a problem with it being a Series 80. I have 2 Colt 80 guns and a couple of series 70 guns (different brands) and I just can't tell the difference between triggers. I have 3 Colt 1911s, a new Python, and an AR and they all work perfectly. Sucks about the finish, though. I took scratches off mine (my fault) with a scotch brite pad. Have you tried that?

I really can’t bring myself to buying a gun that won’t work. I have smithed more than my share in the 80’s and 90’s. No wonder Glock took over with a gun that works. I really want a great 1911 so I will learn how to build my own. I understand the cheap ammo potential issue, but I don’t leave the range without trying some various brands the gun may like. A gun that won’t shoot is a doorstop. Come on colt! I run a 1911 wet and lube it throughout many thousands of rounds. I really see these as safe queens as much as I want to have one that works. They are expensive, but are tools. They should work, period.

My favorite gun. I own five Delta Elites alone and all different variants/generations. And no, the latest variant has a rail on the bottom.

Installed a Kart ramp barrel in mine,no more FTF runs anything

I love the look of these... man you have one hell of a collection brother

How should I deal with the reliability issues for the gun? I shot both range and personal defense loads and both seemed to cause problems.

I unfortunately and recently created a 1911 “idiot” mark on my latest Delta Elite. Reinserting the slide release and I scratched the frame of the gun. Man I got so pissed at myself.

were you using the hot rounds? I heard that you would need to shoot the hot rounds to get all you can out of a 10mm.

Good review…thanks

I've always wanted one of these. Plastic MSH? You're kidding? My 10mm 1911 SA Ronin has been spectacular.

Do you only have issues on the finish with the colt 1911s or colt revolvers as well ?

Needs a rail and to be offered in blued steel

I think I got a good one 😎 My Colt Delta elite doesn't have the two blemishes on it and I haven't had a jam in it as of yet it's brand new I probably fired 200 rounds through it maybe 😳😳😳😳😳😳😎😃

Nice review

My hiking carry gun for the critters

Have you tried a full mag of hollows? I'm trying to figure out how well they cycle before I order one.

I recently bought an Alchemy and after that I won’t be buying anymore colts 😂

No front strap checkering Plastic mainspring housing Plastic guide rod No magwell No front serrations No top strap serrations No night sights No light rail Original 6” barrel cut to 5” One magazine No fitment/blending the grip safety Finishing blemishes AND it has frequent failures to function. All this for only $1400!😂

I doubt they do QC them. Probably just assemble them, safety check them and ship them

They had poor quality control in the 80s. Nothing has changed.

WWB what do you expect?

What's the deal with Colt Delta Elite 1911 🤔

Too bad your trigger pull was the reason, not the sights, that caused you to pull your shot off of dead center. However, Firearm groups good and I think you got a winner for a 10MM

LOL\ Coltès QC DOES SUCK :) Sadly so. As they are the company you think of when most people think of 'gun' and arenmèt gun peope,. What do they think oféÉ 'Colt 45' :)) Even if they have no idea what 45 stand for. So what do gun guys doÉ We find a Seriess 70 in good condition then have a cutom shop 'tune it up' (Nighthawk, Wilson, ANed Chririan sen, Chuck Rogers, Jason Burton from hierloom Pricisin..etc.)....replacing parts 'adding closer tollerances between slideéframe'...etc. : spending $6-8k :)) Not sure how much a tuned Series 70 cost from Nighthawk....perhaps not that much as youère supplying the gun...maybe someone can chime in (whoès done this...)... Itès kind of sad Colt has let the quality of hteir guns DROP....and have everyone else urpras them in qualityéfit-finish.....reliablity...

# 999 x 999🎉

so get the ramp and throat polished by a good smith, whats the mystery