I have the opportunity to pick up a Delta Elite for a good price, but i have no idea if it is a good gun or what to look for. Can anyone give me some pointers?

Gmountain: If the owner of the pistol will permit you to do so, take the slide off and see what kind or recoil spring arrangement the pistol has. It may have the old dual-Delrin (composite) spring and composite guide rod. If it is one of the "early" runs check to see if it has the "bridge" of metal over the slide stop hole. If it is of the later type, the metal over the slide stop hole will be nonexistent.

Check the area where the slide stops against the frame. Look for signs of extensive "peening" the battery of the slide against the frame. If it shows excessive wear, pass on the pistol. In the early models, if the "bridge" of metal is still in place, a qualified gunsmith can remove it, without diminishing the frame's integrity.

All of the "upgrade" advice after you buy the pistol still stands. (e.g. FLGR, flat-bottomed, stanless steel EGW firing pin stop, 22-24 lb. recoil spring, 24-26 lb. mainspring, and extra-hard slide stop from Wilson Combat, are still advisable.)

I hope that this helps.

scott

Thanks!

Is it worth getting? Are they reliable or problematic?

I had one of the 'later' models, purchased NIB in 1992. It never gave me any problems. I sold it after about a year, and regret at times not having a 1911 in my arsenal.

You haven't mentioned price. Current market is considerable for a used Delta. I would rather have a Dan Wesson or Kimber at the prices that good used Delta's command. The Delta will not likely have several of the desireable features the others would have like a high beavertail grip safety, good sites, etc.

Keep in mind that the Delta was nothing more than a standard 1991A1 in 10mm. No thrills at all.

Roger. He wanted $600.

At 600 nab it up. If you decide to get rid of it later, you can make 2-300 dollars profit provided its in good shape.

Yeah. At 600 I would snag it.

Bought mine in 1988 NIB. Put thousands of rounds throught it, never had a malfunction of any kind. Try to pick one up that hasn't been "bubbuhed" or modified. Watch out for pistols that have been ported... avoid them.

Since we are getting educated, what is the the difference between the series? Is the 80 more/less valuble/reliable?

The Series 80 is no less reliable than the Series 70 pistols. (All Delta Elites are Series 80 pistols.) The complex "safety system" (firing pin block) of the Series 80 pistols can lend to a gritty, rough trigger pull. This is the reason most shooters tend to gravitate to the Dan Wesson, Kimber and Fusion pistols. The 1911 "purist" generally prefers the crisp, clean trigger of the Series 70 (and earlier) models.

Scott

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


My Delta Elite

http://blacksnowman.com/img/Guns/MyGuns/DeltaElite.html

I need to update that as I've added a FLGR to add a little nose weight and I just put on an Wilson Combat drop in beaver tail safety and stainless arched MSH just for looks.

My Delta has a clean, crisp trigger... that's after I put Ed Brown parts in with a custom trigger job by yours truly.

I bet it has some nice grips also!

LOL, actually, it's gripless right now! I'm waiting to get a new set in to put on it.