ltwguns.com

I'm acquiring an unmodified blued Delta Elite in a couple weeks and am saving it for another full house custom build. Can any one provide pics of their DEs and let me know who the artisan was that did the work?

Much appreciated. Tim

Tim, I would suggest you do make one requirement of whomever builds the gun. All the Deltas I've seen lately have damage to the disconnector rail around the disco cut from the hammer pounding that area. This is due largely to the very thin wall around the cut on the one side compounded by the complete lack of wall on the other side due to the firing pin plunger. It would be prescient to have this area repaired and the plunger hole filled to allow for 2 uninterrupted walls around the disconnector cut for longevitys sake. ALso a re-profiling of the hammer at it's top to give it more area where it contacts the disconnector rail will spread the load and add to longer life. Good Luck with your quest.

_________________
Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

Thanks for the information Don. I didn't know the firing pin safety design created such a flaw to the system. I know the 10mm is a stout caliber and the 1911 will get battered harder than a 45 equivalent. I have a Mk IV series 80 which never had a problem but have since replaced it with a Caspian slide without the plunger and have removed the safety mechanism.

I'm not familiar with the history of the Delta Elite, but did they all come with the firing pin safety? The one I'm getting has under 500 rounds through it and I estimate it to been manufactured around 08'. It has an adjustable rear sight but a combat hammer.

All the Delta Elites are of the '80 Series variety. Most of the Gov't models in 45 didn't have this problem mainly because the disco rail wall opposite the plunger is much thicker. This gives the hammer much more area to ride on, while the sub calibers (9, 38, & 10mm) have a thinner wall on the left side to accomodate the ejector. I know of several of the Deltas that have perhaps 2000 rounds through them and are already failing. It's a bit of a chore to fix, but once done the gun should last a long time.

_________________
Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

JB did a really cool Delta a few years ago. I'll try to find the link


This is NOT the one I was thinking of as JB did the work and it was blue, but here's one I recall as well..

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8002

_________________
"Bones heal, chicks dig scars, pain goes away"

Thanks Bob. That's a pretty SS he's got there. Makes me wonder if I should have mine hard chromed. My sweat's like acid to a nice blued finish.

This is becoming quite a discouraging endeavor. Should I just start cold calling gunsmiths to see if they do this type of welding modification to the slide? This doesn't look to be a normal process and listed item on anyone's list.

Don. Are you able to take on the challenge or can point me in the right direction?

I think this might be the one ya' mean Bob...

_________________
Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

That is extremely close to what I'm envisioning what I want done to my DE. Did you leave the disconnector rail alone?

The last one I did which I called TOX, I tell ya the rails were everywhere. Out of parallel, one side ramoing up, one down getting wider to the front, and wavy! Frame and slide both. This one would have simply been impossible to smooth up by the old methods. I recut the slide and welded up the frame.

These variances were in the range of .005 and more. I mean the gun could have been functional as-was but nobody wants to put that much work into something and have it be rattly and rough.

The simple solution would be AccuRails. Opinions on these will vary, mine is that they do a wonderful job of getting a no-rattle-but-zero-bind, smooth as a baby's butt slide action, but they are in the end a couple extra parts that theoretically at least could cause problems (loss, breakage). Believe me I came very close to going that route on TOX but as I like to envision my guns being used 200 years from now when certain replacement parts may be scarce, I didn't want to make the gun dependent upon them. But for a here-and-now quick solution that works well, they are worth considering.
r

Hi Ned,

I'm quite familiar with the Accurails and think they are awesome. I have a custom Mr. Tim Brian built for me from a Caspian slide and frame several years ago. Unnecessary for my components? Yes, but I wanted every bell and whistle Tim offered. How often can you make it to his bench anyway, so I splurged on it. Rock solid fit and glides like glass. Other than mine, I've only seen it another time from a competitor on his Limited 2011 during a match I attended.

Although I like the thought of doing this to the Delta, I don't want to because I want to save this for a more classic build. Old school slide and frame tightening. Cosmetically, I want the rails to look like nothing was done to them. A wolf in sheep's clothing as you may.

Would welding increase the hardness and durability to the rails?

Nothing was needed on the disconnector slot on that gun... could be a rare occurrence though...

_________________
Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

Here's a Delta Carry-Comp built by Pete Carber of the now-defunct Custom Arms Co.

Wow! That's nice. The comp's blended so cleanly, can barely see a seam. That is sad that he threw in the towel.

Really unique piece. Thanks for sharing.

Ned,

Whatever you did to fix TOX it sure worked. The slide feels like it's running on ball bearings, smooth as glass.

Matt

Mr. Williams built this one for me. Seven years later, still happy.

Very nice gun! Is that finish stainless or hard chrome?

Hard Chrome.

Twong - if you are still gathering ideas, take a look at my web site at the crawler of pics on the top of the home page. It's a Delta that I built for the late gun writer Greg Rodriguez.

_________________
shop.HarrisonCustom.com
www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

Well, I've finally picked up the DR and it's in my possession. Now the journey begins.

This is the pistol that Ned did for me (Tox), pics are form his website. I can't put into words just how fantastic this pistol turned out in both function and looks. Every single time I look at it I thank my lucky stars that I am it's owner. Working with Ned on this project was an amazing experience from start to finish. I think that going the full custom route nets much more than just a finished pistol, the relationship you build with the smith is worth more than the time and money it takes to complete a project. Ned and I went back and forth on the design as I had a lot of ideas. In the end I am so glad that I provided a few guidlines and just let Ned do his thing. I wouldnt change a single thing about Tox.

Oooo. Is that the infamous TOX, I keep hearing about?

I completely agree with you on working with a master smith. I've had the pleasure of working with Tim Brian on my first build. I was beyond pleased with what I received and even more so after taking it out to punch some holes. It by far is the most accurate piece I own. Next in line would be my match STI 2011 built by Paul Liebenberg. This Delta is going to be my third custom to the herd.

The sad thing is, once you get one if these masterpieces, mass production items just look poorly built afterwards.

Thanks for sharing. It looks great!