Overall, the Colt Delta Elite was a joy to review. If you are in the market for a 10mm, this is an excellent choice. I spent most of last summer in Okinawa working with the Marines, who happened to be issued Colt 1911s in.45 ACP. Enter the serial number, without spaces or dashes, to search the database. If multiple models appear for your serial number simply match the date with the appropriate model, as certain vintage firearms can share serial numbers between different models.
SOLD FOR: $2,404.97
LSB#: 181015PR13
LSB#: 181015PR13
Make: Colt
Model: Delta Gold Cup
Serial Number: DG03737
Year of Manufacture: 1990 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: 10mm Auto
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic, Removable Magazine Fed Pistol
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “DELTA GOLD CUP / -COLT AUTO-” with “10mm” in triangle, the right is marked “DELTA GOLD CUP”. The left of the trigger guard bow is marked “0” and “VP” in triangle, the right is marked “8”, the right of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” with the serial number, the barrel is marked “CAL 10MM AUTO”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “Y” and with “VP” in triangle, the right is marked “5”. The magazine floorplate is marked “COLT” and “10MM / AUTO” with a triangle in circle Delta Elite marking.
Barrel Length: 5”, 6″ to end of compensator bushing.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is square notch in a base adjustable for windage and elevation pinned to the top of the slide. The top of the slide has a serrated rib and is matte-finished.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one-piece wraparound textured black rubber with gold-outlined red triangle inside black circle Delta Elite medallions. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. X force keygen autocad 2013 32 bit. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Stainless
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. There are some scattered light scratches and scuffs, including a scratch under the slide stop. The trigger, grip safety and barrel show operational wear. The screw heads are sharp, the pin heads are numarred. The markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The slide has very little play to the frame. The recoil spring assembly has been replaced with a full-length guide-rod and flatwire recoil spring. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a maroon cardboard Colt box with serial matching label, two-piece styrofoam inserts, an assortment of factory paperwork including manual and the original recoil spring assembly. The box has scattered light scuffing, a few short tears at edges and wear and some light fraying at corners and edges, in about Very Good condition. A single 8-round magazine is included which shows light operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Our Assessment: The Delta Elite was introduced in 1987 as a 10mm version of the 1911. The 1911 already had a following, of course, while the cartridge was popular as a result of Jeff Cooper’s involvement in its development and use in the Bren-10. It has remained popular with fans of the 1911 and the 10mm cartridge ever since. This example was made in 1990 and is the Delta Gold Cup, with all the features of the Gold Cup National Match in a 10mm chambering. It retains the vast majority of its finish with an after-market recoil spring assembly and copmensated bushing. It would make a fine addition to a Colt, 1911, or 10mm collection missing a Delta Elite or as a duty, carry, hunting sidearm or home defense handgun. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This handgun CANNOT be transferred as a dealer sale in California, but CAN be sold as a PPT at our store in Simi Valley. This does not apply to out of state residents.
by Dick Williams - Thursday, February 7, 2019
This article, 'Colt Delta Elite' appeared originally as a Gun Locker review in the April 2017 issue of Shooting Illustrated. To subscribe to Shooting Illustrated,visit the NRA membership page hereand select Shooting Illustrated as your member magazine.
When I’m interested in powering up a handgun, downsizing the caliber is not my first thought. Yet, that’s the premise behind the 10mm cartridge as envisioned by the FBI during its pursuit of the perfect pistol cartridge/caliber during the final decade of the last century. The bureau’s on-again/off-again romance with different solutions (along with Dornaus & Dixon’s failure of its Bren 10 pistol to reach production) essentially doomed the 10mm until Colt stepped in and provided a home for the cartridge in the company’s iconic Model 1911.
When I’m interested in powering up a handgun, downsizing the caliber is not my first thought. Yet, that’s the premise behind the 10mm cartridge as envisioned by the FBI during its pursuit of the perfect pistol cartridge/caliber during the final decade of the last century. The bureau’s on-again/off-again romance with different solutions (along with Dornaus & Dixon’s failure of its Bren 10 pistol to reach production) essentially doomed the 10mm until Colt stepped in and provided a home for the cartridge in the company’s iconic Model 1911.
The Colt Delta Elite is a Series 80 (rather than the older Series 70) design. This means—in addition to other manual-safety devices like the grip safety and slide stop, automatic safety devices like the disconnector, the hammer safety stop and the inertia firing pin—the Delta Elite also has a firing-pin lock. This prevents the firing pin from moving forward until the trigger is pressed. Some gunwriters, usually older guys, tend to go emotionally berserk over this feature. Don’t; the firing-pin lock requires a couple of extra steps and pieces in manufacturing, but it works fine.
(l.) A memory bump on the lower portion of the beavertail aids in rapid deactivation. (r.) Though narrow, the thumb safety offers ample purchase.
While the Colt Delta Elite is available in either stainless or blue steel, the test gun furnished was stainless and ran flawlessly on the range with all ammo tested. I can’t address the gun’s performance under adverse conditions simply because the gun didn’t really get dirty during our outings together. Good news is that it worked fine right out of the box, with no break-in period needed.
Things I liked: The controls are well designed. The prominent “speed bump” on the grip safety ensured proper disengagement with my normal shooting grip, while the large beavertail grip safety provided ample protection from slide cuts. A slender, strong-side thumb safety allowed easy manipulation, yet facilitated a proper firing grip (shooting hand thumb on top of rather than under the safety lever). Rubber grip panels with “checkering” resisted damage from scrapes and bumps but provided adequate grip control. Subdued serrations on the mainspring housing permitted a firm firing grip without snagging clothing during the draw stroke or while carrying concealed. Sharp-edged cuts on each side of the slide assisted manual operation of the pistol. An old-style barrel bushing and traditional recoil-spring guide simplified takedown, without requiring any additional tools. Both front and rear sights are dovetail-mounted in the slide, enhancing survivability in a rough environment. The three-white-dot sight system seems to be the norm for defensive pistols these days and does offer an improved sight picture in dim light or against threats wearing dark clothing.
Colt 1911 Serial Number Lookup Date
Things that might be changed: There are no bumper pads on factory magazines, and while a flat bottom is fine on the magazine carried in the gun, speed reloads are greatly aided by an extended bumper pad. In fairness, the Colt Delta Elite’s magazines did have rounded bottoms that protruded slightly below the magazine well, and that helped ensure proper seating with one definitive slap.
(l.) Holes in the trigger provide aesthetic appeal and beneficial weight reduction. (ctr.) The drift-adjustable rear sight is wedge-shaped to prevent snagging on cover garments. (r.) A single white dot adorns the Delta Elite’s dovetailed front blade and promotes a quick and intuitive sight picture.
Every edge on the Colt Delta Elite’s slide was quite sharp and, with the exception of the aforementioned slide cuts, they could stand some rounding. While the dehorning process would add some manufacturing costs to the gun (and perhaps detract from the appearance of the precisely machined slides) I’m in favor of a slightly friendlier exterior.
Things I’d consider changing: Flying in the face of today’s tactical wisdom, I’d think about putting adjustable sights on the pistol. Yes, it was conceived as a fighting pistol, but it handles a wide range of bullet weights with velocities normally reserved for magnum-caliber handguns. With its noticeably flatter trajectories, one can make precision shots at ranges well beyond what’s considered acceptable for conventional carry pistols, but only if you have properly sighted the gun in for your selected load. No, I haven’t made any hostage-rescue shots, but I have been hog hunting with 1911s chambered in 10mm, and it was nice knowing exactly where the bullet would impact at ranges beyond 50 yards.
It’s no secret that I’m a long-term fan of the 1911, and now I’ve become a fan of the 10mm 1911. If you start with a pistol that fits you and you can run smoothly, then how can you not like the added performance enhancements offered by the 10mm? If you can handle the recoil/power of the .45 ACP or .40 S&W you shouldn’t have any problem managing the 10mm Colt Delta Elite.