S&W R8 vs Colt Delta Elite

[WilsonCQB1911]

I can only speak to my one experience but I had a stainless DE. One of the newer reissued ones from the mid 2000s. I had it for a number of years and shot about 1500 rounds through. Most of that was hot 10mm like Doubletap. I take good care of my guns, replacing springs often and even ran a shock buff in this gun. Wilson actually did a nice overhaul on the gun.

Well, my experience was that at around the 1k mark the gun started beating itself to death. I don't actually know what the issue was. It was still totally reliable but groups started opening up significantly. By the end I couldn't even guarantee it would hit a fullsize silhouette at 10 yards. I'm not exaggerating. I looked that gun all over for something that was wrong with it but could never find it. I finally sold it.

Based on my experience, I don't think the 1911 platform can really handle the cartridge. If you shoot softer ammo like .40 spec you should be fine but then why buy a 10.

I'd go with the revolver.

 

[Palladan44]

But if pressure was the whole issue, why don’t we hear about breaking all of those 9mm 1911s? That cartridge has a SAAMI limit of 35,000 PSI for standard pressure, and 38,500 for 9mm+P.

The same reason a bike tire can withstand 150 psi, a car tire 70, and a big combine tractor only 10 (im approximating here)..... I forget the name of the scientific rule.

 

[mcb]

The same reason a bike tire can withstand 150 psi, a car tire 70, and a big combine tractor only 10 (im approximating here)..... I forget the name of the scientific rule.

Hoop stress.

Using the thin wall pressure vessel simplifications the hoop stress in a pressure vessels walls goes up linearly with diameter. ie if you have X pressure in two pressurized tubes with the same wall thickness but one is twice the dimeter of the other the stress in the walls will be twice as high in the larger tube despite the same pressure and same wall thickness.

Gun barrels and cylinder chambers do not qualify as thin wall pressure vessels but the principal applies although the relation ship is not as simple and linear as in the thin wall simplification.

 

[Palladan44]

Hoop stress.

Using the thin wall pressure vessel simplifications the hoop stress in a pressure vessels walls goes up linearly with diameter.

Gun barrels and cylinder chambers do not qualify as thin wall pressure vessels but the principal applies although the relation ship is not as simple and linear as in the thin wall simplification.

Hundreds of psi can blow out rubber, and tens of thousands- a steel tube. Under these pressures the steel stretches and pulsates just like rubber. So the proportional relativity can be argued more similar than not.

 

[loadedround]

I have both a Delta Elite and a S&W Model 610 and enjoy shooting the pair. But, I also like both chocolate and vanilla ice cream equally the same! So my thought is, it's your money, so do you prefer a revolver or a semi auto more?

 

[jamesinalaska]

Once upon a time I owned a Colt Delta Elite. It was a horrible disappointment. I would not recommend one to any person.

Given the limits of your question I would recommend the Smith. (I have carried both calibers as "woods guns" in the bush and never felt under gunned. I happily carried a GP100 for a long time. I now carry a 40 cal w/ my own loadings and am extremely comfortable with it.)

 

[Hesa Hard1]

Just get a Gen4 Block 20 if you want a 10mm that makes sense. Proven to withstand pounding from real 10mm ammo for over 25+ years, and it packs out at 15+1. Loaded, the G20 weighs about the same as the DE loaded.

Not to mention, the gun is the Mil-issue sidearm of Denmark's Sirius arctic patrol soldiers for quick defense against Polar bear attacks when they can't get to their P1917 30-06 rifles.

Wheelguns make for fun range toys, but that's about it, ... unless maybe it's a small J-frame for 'pocket carry' at a Starbucks in the seedy part of town.

 

[jdh]

Just get a Gen4 Block 20 if you want a 10mm that makes sense. Proven to withstand pounding from real 10mm ammo for over 25+ years, and it packs out at 15+1. Loaded, the G20 weighs about the same as the DE loaded.

If they truly are perfection why would you need anything newer than a gen 1? BUT, if you must get one of those blasphemies go for the 40 with the longer barrel.

Wheelguns make for fun range toys, but that's about it, ... unless maybe it's a small J-frame for 'pocket carry' at a Starbucks in the seedy part of town.

Obviously you have never experienced the real perfection of the S&W M&P R8. It may surprise to find out how fast an eight shot revolver can be reloaded with moon clips.

 

[JTQ]

Colt’s solution was to just cut out this area all together. I’ll post some photos when I have a chance.

As does Wilson Combat.

 

[SDGlock23]

My take would be to choose a 1911 over a revolver but probably not a Delta Elite, for the price range look into a Dan Wesson. For one, call me crazy but I don't care anything for a single Colt product and two, the DE is not very robust and it's well known that you have to run lighter 10mm through them. If you want to spend less, look into the Springfield Ronin, I just bought one and it's pretty nice for the price. While I love revolvers, there are several reasons why I don't choose to carry one or use one around the house, as a main gun anyways. Oddly several of those points are slightly addressed by the R8, namely that traditional revolvers lack night sights and the ability to run a weapon light, but still it's not the same even with the R8.

The big issue to me is the reloads, while it would be nice to not have to reload, if you do have to I'd sure rather reload a 1911 under stress than a revolver. Moonclips are better than speedloaders but still not in the same class as simply inserting a magazine. Capacity is still better with the 1911 because there are 10rd 10mm mags out there, so with one in the tube that's 11rds.

Ballistics wise, I can't fault the 357 Mag other than to say that some 357 is very loud, and sure all handguns are loud indoors, I shudder to think of firing a 357 with full house 125gr indoors. The 10mm for me gets the nod because there's been a growing amount of good self defense options out there in the past few years. All that being said, I'm not sure the 1911 is in it's best form chambered in 10mm, I'm willing to give my Ronin a chance but years ago I made the mistake of buying a kimber 10mm that was total garbage.

 

[westernrover]

They're both poor examples of what they are.

The Colt is a poor example of a 1911-style pistol. There's many far better, even from Colt, in .45 ACP.
The Colt is a poor 10mm. There's much better modern 10mm's.
The Colt is a poor 'historical' 10mm. The Bren is far more desireable (as a collector piece).

The R8 is a poor N frame. Any steel N-frame is better whether it's a Registered Magnum, a Model 29, a Performance Center 627, you name it. The R8 is a bastard contraption.
The R8 is a poor .357. The L-frame is better suited to the .357, having both a longer cylinder and being of better proportions than the N frame that originated for 44 cal.
The R8 has no collector appeal and isn't even "cool." It's almost as ugly as a Chiappa Rhino.

In a fight, I would personally rather have the R8 because it's very close to what I train with. I would rather that it be steel and mount the red dot without the extra height of the rail. It's ugly, but it will get the job done with no additional gunsmithing needed.

I used to covet the Delta Elite when I was a kid some 40 years ago. Those and Pythons. Either Colt is far better looking than the R8. I would rather have the Delta than an R8 because I already have something close to the R8 and nothing like the Delta. I don't even have a 1911. Even so, the Delta would not be my first choice for a 1911-type. If I had a good 1911, I can't see wanting a Delta much. If I had a Delta, I would not expect it to work to my satisfaction without some work done to it. I could be mistaken, but I would be very surprised if it functioned flawless out of the box. I have total confidence the R8 would either be flawless in function or that S&W would put it into that condition under warranty. I very seriously doubt Colt would do the same.

 

[Skylerbone]

I’ve owned and fired a number of 1911s in my life. I’ve never had a Colt that did not work as delivered from the factory though the plunger tubes seem to be universally loose (I always have them replaced).

The sad truth is that Colt 1911s just aren’t up to modern standards in regard to fit, finish, and accoutrements found on similarly priced pistols from other makers. I still own a pair of Colts but with no plans for more.

 

[Hesa Hard1]

If they truly are perfection why would you need anything newer than a gen 1? BUT, if you must get one of those blasphemies go for the 40 with the longer barrel.

LOL! Ah yeah, no.

'Perfection' with Glock is a continuing series of upgrades and when enough of them have accumulated you get another 'Generation.' LOL! ...

... So the Gen4 10mm's have an 'improved' RSA, interchangeable back straps, and a seemingly better trigger.

I have a Gen4 G40 and it's truly a smooth shooter with the hottest 10mm ammo and handloads. But that's mainly a consequence of the 6.2" slide/barrel. For handgun hunting or 'woods carry,' it's fine. The more practical EDC choice is a Gen4 G20, and no doubt that's why it's the issued sidearm for the Sirius patrol soldiers as opposed to the G40.

 

[Rockrivr1]

Interesting. Until I read this thread I've thoroughly enjoyed by Delta Elite. Have several thousand rounds through it without a hitch. Glad to know I own a piece of crap though. Maybe I should sell it and get something else.......

(Yes, in case anyone missed it, sarcasm!)

 

[jdh]

Interesting. Until I read this thread I've thoroughly enjoyed by Delta Elite. Have several thousand rounds through it without a hitch. Glad to know I own a piece of crap though. Maybe I should sell it and get something else.......

(Yes, in case anyone missed it, sarcasm!)

Yeah, as soon as I can find one in stock I'm going to trade mine in on a glock. I'll probably have to take a loss on it since they are such sorry POSs.

 

[tommy.duncan]

Interesting. Until I read this thread I've thoroughly enjoyed by Delta Elite. Have several thousand rounds through it without a hitch. Glad to know I own a piece of crap though. Maybe I should sell it and get something else.......

I agree!! I have an old blued DE from the late 80's and a newer stainless that has lots of wilson parts custom fitted.
They have always been great shooters. But I never shoot nuclear 10mm out of my Colt DE's. I save that for my Sig p220's and my 10mm Revolvers.
I like my Ruger SR1911 better (these can shoot very spicy 10mm). I also like my Dan Wesson and Nighthawk better (I haven't shot very spicy 10mm in these yet).
Would I ever sell me DE's? Never!!
I also own Gen 3 g20 and G29. It is like comparing apples and oranges.
Both are great firearms but completely different.
I love the 10mm platform!! But, you can't go wrong with 357 mag either.

 

[Jackalope 1]

Which would you choose and why....?
Smith and Wesson R8
Or Colt Delta Elite

-Ones a revolver, ones a semi auto.
-Both made by respectable companies.
-Both hold almost identical mag. capacity (8)
-Almost exact same price point. ($1600-1800)
-Rounds with terminal performance that are very similar (in my opinion, 10mm and 357 magnum have far more in common power wise than they have differences)
-Ammunition costs about the same
-Similar barrel lengths and similar sight radius

Both of these guns have crossed my mind, but I've never purchased either....yet.
I have investment elsewhere equally in both calibers, so that doesn't matter to me. I also own a number of Colt and S&W firearms. I have love for both companies....I don't sway one side or the other..

I would buy both, why?? #1 so I don't have to search and find my spent brass, S&W makes beautiful and highly accurate N frame SS revolvers ( SO does COLT ). #2 I would buy the Colt Delta Elite because I've never owned or fired one, plus nine powerful accurate carefully aimmed rds isn't a disappointed idea either. My RM Long slide 10mm Hunter would be a perfect match with the Delta Elite.