Blue or Stainless Delta Elite?

[LSUFan]

I am looking at picking up one of two Delta Elites (not both). One is older, nicely blued and looks well cared for [doesn't seem to be fired much], but no box or papers. The other is a recent stainless with box and papers...very sound. Are there any big reasons to get one over the other? The blue is very nice, polished blue, relatively tight, nice gun. The stainless is newer, but the brushed finish is not as nice. Other than that, seem to be pretty equal...even the prices are not too far apart.

 

[Bennettjh]

My first thought is stainless but after reading your post, I would go with blued.

 

[indyjohn]

Despite lacking the box and papers, blued. Always blued.

 

[DocIndy]

Older Colts are the way to go. There seems to be more attention to detail when it comes to older Colts.

 

[88E30M50]

I own a current production stainless Delta Elite and am not impressed with the quality. It was not awful, but it was not as good as other guns in the $900 - $1000 class. I'd go with the blued gun.

 

[LSUFan]

Sounds like blue is the way to go. I was already leaning that way. It really is a nice handgun. Thanks for your replies.

 

[dyerwatcher]

One more for blue

 

[Expat]

I had read that you couldn't shoot full powered 10mm in the older ones, did they ever fix that?

 

[88E30M50]

I was under the impression that the limitations cover all of the Delta Elites.

 

[chipdog4]

Get both.

Colt is still making SS Elites, so if the blued Delta is in good shape and cheaper, get the blued.

As for cracking frames, only the very first few were affected.
They were cracking above the slide stop. The thin metal there does nothing structurally, so Colt eliminated it.
NOT AN ISSUE. Keep new heavy springs on hand if you plan on shooting the hot loads

 

[02roadster]

Get both of those beauties! I enjoy my collection of Colt 1911's, and always looking for another one.