Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! In 1987, Colt seized an opportunity with the Delta Elite – a 1911 model chambered for the hyped 10mm Auto cartridge meant to power the infamous Bren Ten pistol. When the Bren Ten failed, Colt’s Delta Elite became one of the first viable 10mm options on the market. Mechanically, it was a standard 1911 upgraded with a dual nested recoil spring, polymer guide rod, and cut slide rails to handle the potent 10mm load. In factory configuration with standard ammunition, the Delta Elite proved reasonably reliable and durable. However, the cult 10mm following led some owners to push the limits with maximum power handloads, stressing the pistol’s margins. This caused durability issues like cracked frames that tarnished the Delta Elite’s reputation, despite being a suitable factory gun. Though never a sales success, this pistol persisted until 1996 before being discontinued. Colt finally reintroduced an updated version in 2009 which remains available today, benefiting from over 20 years of experience with John Browning’s design in the higher-pressure 10mm chambering.
“Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Government
Type: Pistol
Gauge: 10 mm
Barrel: 5 inch round
Finish: blue
Grip: rubberManufactured in 1988. With matching factory box and manual.”
Lot 390: Colt Delta Elite Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box. (n.d.-f). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved May 3, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2076/390/colt-delta-elite-government-model-semiautomatic-pistol-with-box.
