I have a blue Colt Delta Elite 10mm that I would like to send in for a factory refinish. has anybody used them for this before? How was their turn around time? Pricing?

I want to use the Colt services in order to preserve the value. It actually isnt that bad but it has a little holster wear, a small scratch under the slide stop, and some light freckling I assume from sweating in a holster. It was in this shape when I traded for it a few months ago. It doesnt bother me at all but I have had 2 people pass on trades because of the condition.

If you send it straight to Colt, you'll be OK, I think. But be careful of any other source of "factory authorized" repair!

Some years ago, I bought a new stainless Series 80 Government Model 1911, and the rear sight was loose in the slide dovetail. So I looked up the nearest "authorized" Colt service center in Portland, OR, and took the pistol there for repair.

Instead of taking an oversized rear sight and carefully filing and fitting it into the existing dovetail, the imbecil at the "authorized" repair center PEENED the slide down over the original rear sight (!), and to top that bit of butchery off, there were pronounced marks on the slide from the vice he used while he performed the work.

It was all I could do to keep from burning that place down to the ground, believe me.......

I suggest that you go to a truly competent pistolsmith, outside of Colt for best results. The best 1911 man I personally know is Ted Yost, and I'd trust him with anything:

http://www.yost-bonitz.com

I suggest that you go to a truly competent pistolsmith, outside of Colt for best results. The best 1911 man I personally know is Ted Yost, and I'd trust him with anything:

Yep he just finished up a Delta Elite of mine about 6 months ago. Awesome, perfect, exactly like I wanted, no excuses, reasonably priced. The only issue with Ted is he is "the" man on 1911's and he is backed up on work so you will need to wait a bit to get him to work on your pistol. If you send it to him, have him fit a new bushing to your old colt barrel at the same time, the accuracy increase will be a eye opener.

I had mine completly gone through by him, new trigger, reliabilty package, dehorned, new bushing, Hienie slant pro's, hammer bobed, and the front strap worked on. One of the finest 1911's I own now. I would not send this to Colt, they will do exactly like they built them at best, and a Delta can be a lot more with a little effort by a competent gunsmith.

I am back away from home at the minute, but I will be home around Xmas I will try to post some pics then if your interested.

The only three other places I would consider would be Ned Christiansen, or Dane Burns. I would also trust Clark guns. The really true masters of the 1911 platform are dwindling with the years. Richard Hienie has a least a 5 year backorder, and not accepting new work and its doubtful he will get all the orders he has done in his lifetime. Armand Swenson has moved on to the gunshop in the sky, Victor Tibbits isn't taking anything new, the list of top notch smiths narrows.

For just doing blueing work Doug Turnbull does excellent finish work also.

Colt customer service that is the best joke I have heard lately.
I got a new Colt AR15 Hbar as a gift earlyer this year ( not my choice of brands).
The mags were junk , the springs were to weak to raise the top round enough for it to be fead into the chamber .
I called for return / replacement .
I was told Mags are not warranted and no replacement was posible even on mags from a new gun.

I got replacement springs at a gun show .

Send your gun to a reputable gunsmith that dose blueing , IMO you will get better service.

Johnch

I am one of the people currently in negotiations with William. It's a very nice Delta Elite. Honestly the scratches don't bother me, it's the holster wear by the muzzleand the rust spots that are the biggest no go.

I plan on customizing it anyway, but it just doesn't feel right trading for one with those blemishes. Just in case I don't get a chance to customize it, it would be nice to have in good condition.

I know Yost does great work as does Baer and Wilson.

I think William is a stand up-up guy and wants to make a nice handgun for trade...

FWIW,

Jim

Bill,

To save you some grief on this pistol I will trade 50 used CD's slightly scratched. One Used treadmill needs some work. I will also throw in 50 bucks.
I don't think you are going to do any better than this.

John

Whats up with being so stingy? Last time you included 2 sticks of gum in the offer. And to trade it to you would be a diservice. You would just have flashbacks about your Glock 10mm. And we all know how well that one worked out for you.

How were the races yesterday?

Yeah don't remind me on that peice of shit I once owned, anyhow the races were fun my wife had a blast. Even if our driver did wreck on lap 121, Our driver Dale Jr. he drives the #8 Budwieser car.

John