Used 10mm 1911, should I consider it?

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chaim

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OK, some of you may have noticed that I have a lot of very different guns on my brain at the moment. Anyway, I have been thinking for a while about a 10mm as something that I might pick up "someday". Now I have some questions.

There aren't that many options in 10mm. I will not buy a new Glock (many reasons- the VP's recent statements, and someone I trust told me that Gaston has some kind of ties, I don't remember the details, w/ Nazi types, plus even if all that is false or unimportant I simply think they are overpriced), and you don't see that many used 10mm Glocks out there.

The other option is the Colt 1911 in 10mm, however, if I recall correctly I think the early models (I don't know if it was only the early models) had some frame longevity problems with the high pressure 10mm round. New Delta Elites are simply out of my range.

So here is my issue:
At a local dealer there are currently two 10mm Colt 1911s, one blue and one stainless both selling for $699. Is that a good price or would I be better off waiting for a better price (esp. considering I may be living in a state with lower gun prices in the fall)? If the price is decent what issues do I need to be on the look out for with 10mm 1911s? What parts do I need to pay particular attention to?

Especially considering I am on a relatively limited budget at the moment is this a "jump on it" price or should I stay with greater needs (though at this point I have enough guns that most gun "needs" right now really are "wants")? One reason I am considering it is that I was recently in a car wreck (a teen rear ended my car) and it messed up my back. I wasn't even thinking about going for more than getting the damage to my car and my doctor's bills paid but the insurance company wants to pay me a settlement to be sure I won't sue down the road. Heck, if they offer me some money not to sue (which I wasn't planning on anyway) I'd be an idiot to turn it down. I don't know what it will be but it should be enough for one or three of my gun "wants" and still pay off a loan or two from the sounds of it. Anyway, the point there is that I may, within a month or two, have the money for one or two of the "wants" that I had previously considered a couple years off. Should a $699 used Delta Elite be one of those accellerated "wants"?
 
Depending on condition, that should be about right, especially for the stainless. If its in mint condition, jump on it. If they are riddled with scratches, bright spots, and blemishes, then pass. BTW, there are no new Colt Delta Elites. Colt stopped making them several years ago. And if you ever get over the gun shop BS about Glocks, they make an excellent 10mm platform (I owned one as a carry weapon). The full size G20 is especially versatile. They come up for sale quite often on glocktalk.com.
 
And if you ever get over the gun shop BS about Glocks, they make an excellent 10mm platform (I owned one as a carry weapon)...
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Well, my problems w/ Glock aren't performance oriented. I'd have no problem w/ a used one. In fact, the thing I least liked, the trigger pull, I've determined I could live with pretty easily. Just dry firing at different times in gun shops I've finally pinpointed exactly where the pull goes bad in my opinion. It actually isn't too bad until just after the striker is released and then the "springy" feeling is noticed. I really don't think that would be noticed in actual firing since that would be right at the moment when most of the recoil would be felt. I'm pretty sure the recoil would mostly mask it and in retrospect I don't think I ever did notice it the handful of times I've shot a Glock, I'll have to rent one soon to be sure.


The full size G20 is especially versatile. They come up for sale quite often on glocktalk.com
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OK, if the G20 may be a little more common used that I thought (I haven't really been on the lookout, I just based that on how often I've noticed them) then that leads to one more question.

Which option, the G20 or the Delta Elite, is the better way to go? Yes, I know this a dangerous question, but try to keep it civil and as unbiased as you can. Which platform is stronger/should last longer/holds up better? I do like the metal and wood of the 1911 platform better, but the Glock is probably a bit cheaper and if it is stronger I may well go against the emotion and for value.
 
I own the Glock 20 and like it. Polishing does wonders for the trigger, but so does the 3.5# connector, which probably isn't right for carry/defense.

That said, I don't really feel that it is worth buying in its current emasculated form, limited to 10 rounds, considering the grip diameter. I only bought and am happy with mine b/c I have a fair number of full caps, which mitigate the fact that I have medium sized hands.

I never owned a DE, but I've known folks w/ numerous rounds through theirs and have read reports from long-term owners on the net that lead me to believe that this was A) an early problem and B) one that can be mitigated with heavier springs. I'm hearing 24# single wound springs are the way to go. Looking at energy levels, several +P .45 rounds are nipping at the heels of warm 10mm for energy levels. .45 Super is equal or better than most 10mm and capable of being shot in 1911 platforms with appropriate recoil springs installed.

I'd go for the rarity/novelty aspect of the DE, combined with the proven technology of the 1911 and its superior ergonomics. I'd reckon you could get your money back on the gun if you don't like it.
 
How much are other new 10mm 1911's going for? Dan Wesson, etc.

Also, anybodies .40 1911 can become a 10mm with a chamber ream and new springs.

$699 just seems like alot for a used Colt.
 
I have had two DE. If you plan on shooting say 5-10k rounds get the Glock or Witness 10mm. They hold up much better.
 
I see you live in Columbia. Are the Delta Elites you are speaking about located at Shooters Discount? If they are, I have handled both at the shop and would go for the blued version as the condition is far superior to the stainless in my opinion.
 
Jeez, look at all the myths about Delta Elites! :)

First of all, the guns aren’t fragile, and don’t need to be “babied.†All but the earliest Delta Elites had the frames modified to prevent stress cracks. This mod is easy to spot; they cut out the frame rail above the square slide stop hole. You would be hard pressed to find a Delta Elite that DOESN’T have this design change included, and in fact it was added to a lot of other 1911-style guns after that.

Second of all, the last thing you want to do is put HEAVIER recoil springs in your Delta Elite. The problem with those guns, as delivered from Colt, was that they were OVER, not under, sprung. The excessive spring weight contributed to their strange, uncomfortable feel under recoil, and beat the crap out of the gun as the slide slammed forward with excessive force. Use a 18-20 lb recoil spring and a buffer on a steel guide rod (the plastic ones were break-prone), and the gun will take a lot less of a beating forward AND back… and be a lot nicer to shoot to boot. As an aside, this is the exact arrangement on the new Dan Wesson Razorbacks.

So should you get the gun? That depends. If the guns are Delta Elites (and not some oddball Colt 10mm variant), then $700-800 is about the going rate for a like-new gun. So in that sense the price sounds good. Put in an appropriate recoil setup, and maybe an EGW firing pin stop to delay unlocking a bit (both cheap upgrades), and you will probably have a nice shooter in a hot caliber. A DW Razorback will be more like $800 if you can find one, and a converted Kimber would probably wind up in the same ballpark cost-wise unless you get a really good deal on an old .40 S&W Kimber. Either of those will have more “features,†but won’t necessarily be better guns.
 
A Delta Elite will hold up just fine, but it has to be set up for the intended loads. Shooting FBI ammo, set it up like any 1911 shooting 45 ACP standard pressure ammo. For full power loads, a shock buffer (CP Tuff Buff is my favorite) and 22 pound spring. Or you could use an 18 or 20 pound spring if you use an EGW flat bottom firing pin stop and a 23 pound mainspring. There is no doubt that full power 10mm is the practical limit for the 1911 and I don't think a Delta Elite will last 100,000 rounds worth of full power ammo. But it will stand up to what most people would ever shoot.
 
Be sure you are willing to reload or find and pay for ammunition for a less common "cult" caliber like 10mm. There are many posts by people who jumped in on a low volume caliber and are now crying about the price of ammo; looking for cheap deals or replacement barrels in a standard caliber.
 
I see you live in Columbia. Are the Delta Elites you are speaking about located at Shooters Discount?
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Why yes they are. I didn't pick them up and examine them closely I just noticed them the last couple times I went in there. I did notice that the exteriors seemed pretty nice but I didn't check out the mechanics of them. I paid more attention to the revolvers in the case but those two guns are starting to really stick with me and I'm thinking I might have to take a closer look.

There are so many relatively expensive options I'm thinking about that I'm not sure I'll take the plunge, but they are promising (or maybe finally breaking down and getting another 10mm). I do need some talking into it (if it is the right choice) though. So I put it here for opinions.
 
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