http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_141/products_id/36306/Colt+O2020+Delta+Elite+8%2B1+10mm+5%22
Just saw this on a gun deals aggregator. Thought I would share it.
Do they have ramped barrels now?
Nope.
Makes no sense and not a good buy in that range.
I guess it depends on what you mean by that.
Philosophically, I agree that for $1K USD there are better options for a 10mm handgun.
On the other hand, if someone just wants a Delta Elite, this is a good price for a Delta Elite, NIB.
It's basically in the 10mm we need the support though.
I dont understand the negativity with the DE. Mine has been more reliable than my RZ10.
The only negative is they never changed the design like the others... this many years later and surely with more than one concerned call from an end user (possibly with real issues like bulged brass). I think early Glocks were in the same boat, but at least they seemed to have learned and fixed the barrel issues. They also had many complaints.
I have not heard of reports of bulged brass with any handload data from a reputable source. I also am unaware of any issues with ammo from major manufacturers. The boutique loaders like Buffalo Bore, Underwood and to a lesser extent Double tap, perhaps.
I will agree that the Delta Elite is not as well supported as other designs. And that I think there are better options for a 1911 in 10mm.
But that is not to say I would turn down a Delta Elite if given one. In fact, I still miss the one I sold many years ago.
I'm glad I bought mine a few years ago. I will likely never get rid of it.
A few years ago I would have jumped all over this deal.
There are now some better offerings in 10mm, but the DE has a uniqueness to it, and is also worthy as a piece of 10mm history.
I have one and love it. I wouldn't put the same loads I put through a fully supported handgun, but it is fun to shoot.
On the other hand my RIA, G20 and G29 can go the distance.
And I'm waiting for the Grand Power, and may starting looking for a SIG 220, and perhaps even a Witness Stock I.
Delta Elite was my first semi auto, bought new back in 87 or 88.
Only a few hundred rounds through it but it has never had a failure that I can recall.
Haven't shot it in years but I'll likely never get rid of it.
A tight (and ramped) barrel/bushing setup would turn the pistol into a "Gold Cup" version without having the name rollmarked on the barrel. It is a relatively simple operation to have one custom-fitted to the slide. Tighter tolerances, enhanced ballistic efficiency and accuracy might just be worth such an alteration.
No?
Installing a ramped barrel would require machining operations to the frame. As I recall frame cuts run about $125 last I checked. But it moves it out of the realm of simple.
But, again, except for a couple of boutique makers of ammo that is really questionable as to whether it falls inside SAAMI spec, the Delta Elite will handle 10mm just fine.
if you want the "rampant pony" I guess it would be worth the price of admission. :-\ I still think the $300.00 to "round out" the Colt would be a small price to pay to "perfect" what those at Colt failed to accomplish.