I paid a hair under 800 for mine, new, this past week.
I'll take a set of dovetailed Novaks over staked in GI sights with dots any day.
Why? You can't even rack the slide one-handed using rear sight, useless.
the OP never said a thing about a 10mm. Nor do I see any benefit to having a converted 1911 to another cartridge. All the was stated was his wife liked the colt delta elite and he couldnt..or didnt feel comfortable affording it.
All the caliber conversation/conjuncture was a series of different opinions from people simply based on their own fancy.
They are.I thought all of the Colt Delta Elites were 10mm?
I would say a Ruger 1911 in 10mm is very close to a Colt Delta Elite (MSRP is only $80 less, though). I've shot the Ruger 1911 in 45 and thought it was just as nice, if not better, as my Sig 1911. And it is also stainless, if that is a consideration.
Next step down would be a 10mm 1911 from Armscor, AKA Rock Island Armory. Not quite as tightly fitted, but still an accurate, reliable gun.