[popeye]

I've got a D.E. First Edition. Do you see any problem with ditching the plastic orig. short guide rod, and dual spring setup, and replacing with a Wolf 22lb. single spring and steel (standard, not full length) guide rod. Also when I bought it years ago it didn't have orig. grips. I think they should be panels not wrap arounds as on most D.E.'s. Anybody have one of these? It's one of first 1000 stainless Delta's made hence "First Edition" roll mark.

[Al Thompson]

What's the caliber? IIRC, it's a 10mm?

[BigG]

20 lb is better. Too much spring has a bad effect just like too little.

[popeye]

Yes 10 mm.

[AndABeer]

an awesome website put together by fellow Highroader Sean Smith

http://www.geocities.com/mr_motorhead/10tech.html

everything you wanna know about 1911 10mms

helped me loads, no pun intended

[pogo2]

I also have a Colt Delta Elite, the Gold Cup version, in stainless. It has the original dual spring setup you describe, and it has worked just fine.

Why would you want to replace it with the aftermarket setup? Are you having a problem with the original?

[popeye]

AndABeer: Great info thanks.

pogo2: I've got 6 Colts and a Commander. At one point I went thru a FLGR phase, and every gun had one. I've since switched them all back except the Commander and the Delta. Ummm, I've got a room of parts and I can't find the orig. guide rod n springs. Dumb huh, my whole life is like that. Tommorrow I will dive in the room and look for it again.

[Sean Smith]

Thanks for the site plug, guys! :D

There are two problems with the stock setup:

1. 23 lbs is too much spring for the gun.
2. The plastic plug is more prone to breaking than most people would like, partly because it is plastic (duh), but partly because it is skinnier than a standard plug, too (so it can take 2 springs instead of 1).

You can go long or short, but please go steel.

A word of warning: First Edition Delta Elites go for alot of money. You may not want to shoot the gun at all. Is this the gun you are talking about?

http://members.fortunecity.com/10mm/10h/Colt/DE1st_blued09.jpg

[popeye]

No, my gun is stainless. Rollmark on left side... DELTA ELITE with FIRST EDITION STAINLESS in smaller letters under that and delta symbol in center of lettering. Supposed to be 1 of 1000 of 1st 1000 made. ser # 10SS08XX. Gun in your pic looks like the one for sale here. There's also one of my type guns listed but no pic. Mine came in black plastic hard case with plate on front "FIRST EDITION" looks like you gotta do search on delta to get to it.


http://www.auctionarms.com/search/SearchResults.cfm

[stans]

You might want to look around for a Delta Elite that is not marked "First Edition" to use as a shooter.

[popeye]

If I can find all correct parts to put it back to orig., I may sell it. I'm 57, my son and only heir, cares nothing for guns. So I'm gonna "pare down" my collection next yr..

[prplhrtx3]

popeye.

I also have a Delta Elite First Edition Stainless, I bought it NIB and it is still that way, the grips on yours should be smooth ebony panels with a black medallion with COLT in silver print, it should also have an arched checkered SS mainspring housing and an aluminum trigger.

[popeye]

prplhrtx3

Thanks much, I kinda thought the originals were wood panels with delta icon. They'res probabley alot of those around. Ha.

[duncan]

I'm a huge 10mm fan with cases of 10mm and 40SW on tap.

G20 and SW 610 too. Cases of my own Norma 200 grain 1250-1300 fps rounds.

If any of you run by a CDE SS, please email or PM me.

I'm looking for a "fairly" pricing one under $700.

I've found a couple but they were cops' guns and abused.

Can't see a person mucking up a gun as bad as some of these CDEs in my area.:scrutiny: :fire: