Help Me Decide S&W 1006 or Colt Delta Elite

[Model 52]

I own the following S&W's; 5904, 4516-2 and 4040PD. I well know the quality of S&W 3rd Gens.
I also own 3 Colt 1911's in 45 and also know the quality.

I am going to make the move to 10mm. I have never shot or held a S&W 1006 or Delta Elite,

Does anyone here own both of these firearms ? Or at least shot both. I need a honest comparison, good and bad of each. How do they handle heavy loads. Please dont just bash the Delta Elite because this is a S&W forum. I need real answers.

Big Bucks are at stake, thanks for your thoughts

Model 52

 

[James&theGiant1911]

I picked a 1076 over the Delta due to the fact that the Delta has had some issues with the frames cracking as you probably know. The 10xx series Smiths are built like tanks and can handle hot 10mm loads. The Smith 10 series are a lot better built for the 10mm cartridge, so I would say get the Smith. That is what I did.

 

[S&W1006]

The Delta Elite is a nice pistol. I own a 1006 and for full power loads hands down the 1006 is much stronger. I want a Delta Elite also but they are not as strong as the 1006. If you don't plan to shoot a lot of full power loads the Colt will work just fine. A friend has one and he had a ramped barrel installed so he could shoot the hotter 10mm loads. The original Colt barrels don't have the fully supported chamber. Either one I would recommend a Wolff 22lb recoil spring if you plan to shoot hot loads. Both are very accurate and with work the Colt would probably have a better trigger. Just buy both.

 

[M294Ever]

Delta Elite here.

And for the man who mentioned frames cracking on Deltas, that was only on the very first early ones. I have shot both, and own three Delta's.
I like 1911's.
I have shot hot stuff in mine. Not an issue. I'm not shooting dynamite, but do shoot hot hand loaded stuff.

I have high beavertail on two, changed out mainspring housings, magwells and triggers to my liking etc.

Out of the box they were great. I just can't leave anything alone.

What fun would THAT be.

 

[t-bird]

Life is short buy the S&W..

 

[DanHend]

I did have a Colt Delta Elite. I will admit that I never had any frame issue. But I did break everything connected to the frame. Even trien a 21# recoil spring, but all it did was slow down the destruction.

If you don't want to wait for the Sig P220 in 10mm, do the Smith...

 

[RGPM1A]

I have both. The Delta will shoot tighter groups but the 1006 has less recoil. As far as ergos they are different but not in a significant way to me. As far as durability no issues with either. The Delta has about 10,000 rounds through it - all 200 grain 1200 fps hand loads for bowling pins. The 1006 don't have a clue because it was purchased used.

One thing I don't like about the 1006 is the spent brass from it has a bulge after resizing that makes reloads from this brass unusable in my 610 revolver unless they are full length resized.

 

[epj]

I once had a Delta and now have a 1006. I prefer the latter.

 

[SMSgt]

One thing I don't like about the 1006 is the spent brass from it has a bulge after resizing that makes reloads from this brass unusable in my 610 revolver unless they are full length resized.

I'm trying to think of why you wouldn't full-length resize any and all pistol cases.

 

[10mmauto]

I have both (and a number of other 10's.). I like both. As mentioned by an earlier poster, frame cracking is not an issue. It happened only in a few very early models and was corrected. Either model will handle any sensible load.

IMO the only issue is do you want single action or double action? I actually prefer shooting the Delta, but I prefer to carry DA. if it is possible, you might want to try to shoot them both before you decide.

 

[NYresQ]

I own 3 deltas, all stainless, and a Glock 29. I also carried a 1006 and the 1066 as a duty weapon for the better part of 4 years. I still have the 1066.

With that said, if you change the recoil spring to a heavier one and change it every 2,000 rounds, a delta will handle hot stuff all day long.

If you plan to carry it? Get a 1006 or (my favorite) a 1066. For a range toy, get the delta and have fun. Better trigger, better ergonomics for fast follow up, and better looking.

But for a pure workhorse, nothing beats the 1006.

 

[RGPM1A]

I'm trying to think of why you wouldn't full-length resize any and all pistol cases.

Normal resizing dies don't resize the last 1/8-3/16 of an inch or so of pistol cases (at least on a Dillon press). You have to use a push through die to fully resize.

 

[Big Cholla]

I have both and have shot both extensively. I am a old Colt Govt. guy from the git-go, but IMHO, the Smith is the better handgun for this hot cartridge. As said before; much more maintenance needed on the Colt.....recoil spring needed on Colt makes for unpleasant force needed to work slide on initial loading.......grip on Smith much better for spreading firing recoil across shooter's hand.......my Smith is just as accurate as the Colt load for load. And, I had to change sights on Colt to be satisfied and I also went to a fully supported ramped Clark barrel to get decent accuracy and less damaged brass. The Smith was ready to go out of the box after a cleaning and lube job. The SS Colt Delta Elite is the 'more attractive handgun'. ........... Big Cholla

 

[Model 52]

Thanks for all your information. Its most helpful.
My LGS has a Delta Elite, looks and feels good in my hands. Wish I could handle a 1006 to see how it feels in my hands.

I like S&W1006's post.....buy both ha ha ha. Might eventually happen ??

Model 52

 

[Big Shrek]

I had a DE, switched to a Gen2 Glock 20,
then switched to a Gen3 Glock 20-SF...
lowest felt recoil is the 20-SF so far.

If I were to spot a 1006, or ANY of the 10XX line,
they'd be headed to my house fast.

 

[colt_saa]

I own both a Colt Delta Gold Cup and a S&W 1006.

I have owned and shot both for well in excess of a decade. As mentioned the frame cracking is a non-issue. The design issue of the 45ACP frame that allowed this to occur was corrected as soon as it was discovered.

As has also been mentioned, the Deltas are more accurate than the 1006, however the 1006 is a softer shooting pistol.

I truly enjoy the 10MM Auto cartridge and have many firearms chambered for it. If you are going to take the 1911 route, you might want to look at a custom build. The 10MM Auto really shines in a longer barrel. A 6" long slide 1911 is a great choice.

If you can go non-traditional, the EAA Witness family of CZ style 10MM Auto pistols are quite nice. The Witness Hunter is a 6" longslide that is quite impressive. It has a SAO trigger that has a noc break.

The Witness limited out shoots both the Colt and the S&W with out going to the long slide.

 

[BruceM]

You have to use a push through die to fully resize.

Any brass which has the "Glock" smile is not suitable for full power reloads. The brass has significant thinning in the area of the smile that is not repaired by using a push thru sizing die. There was an extensively illustrated thread over on Glock Talk's "The Ten Ring" Forum which included photos of sectioned cases with smiles showing the case walls before and after sizing along with cases fired in fully supported chambers as a control. There was very significant thinning.

The Smith 10xx series along with the Glocks are the best and by far the strongest platforms for full power 10mm ammo. The Smith's are the stronger of the two. The Delta Elites (and any 1911 for that matter) are not a real good choice for shooting a heavy diet of real 10mm ammo IMO.

To be honest, I have not heard much chirping about cases from ammo fired in a Smith 10XX series gun being damaged by smiles. I would "plunk test" some loaded rounds in that barrel to check case head support. If you find the case head is substantially supported as you should, it means you have another problem such as the action being out of time or firing while slightly out of battery. These two problems seem unusual & rare in the Smith & Wesson pistols however.

Bruce

 

[Model 52]

Bruce, I do a lot of reloading, but am not familar with the term Glock Smile. What is the Glock Smile, can you post a picture ?

I have learned a lot about the Delta Elite here and also on the 1911 forum, Colt section. On that forum a guy posted a picture of a case rupture when he used Underwoods (did not read the Underwood caution not to use in a DE). It was nasty.

I have always leaned towards the S&W 1006/1066 but wanted to do my research on the Delta Elite. The Delta has been scrubbed, not even to be considered.

My hunt now is to find a nice clean 1006 or 1066, they are elusive, but out there looking for a nice warm home

Model 52

Any brass which has the "Glock" smile is not suitable for full power reloads. The brass has significant thinning in the area of the smile that is not repaired by using a push thru sizing die. There was an extensively illustrated thread over on Glock Talk's "The Ten Ring" Forum which included photos of sectioned cases with smiles showing the case walls before and after sizing along with cases fired in fully supported chambers as a control. There was very significant thinning.

The Smith 10xx series along with the Glocks are the best and by far the strongest platforms for full power 10mm ammo. The Smith's are the stronger of the two. The Delta Elites (and any 1911 for that matter) are not a real good choice for shooting a heavy diet of real 10mm ammo IMO.

To be honest, I have not heard much chirping about cases from ammo fired in a Smith 10XX series gun being damaged by smiles. I would "plunk test" some loaded rounds in that barrel to check case head support. If you find the case head is substantially supported as you should, it means you have another problem such as the action being out of time or firing while slightly out of battery. These two problems seem unusual & rare in the Smith & Wesson pistols however.

Bruce

 

[ken158]

I'm trying to think of why you wouldn't full-length resize any and all pistol cases.

+1 on smsgt's comment but wondering if OP was referring to FL sizing as through the Redding push through die made for the .40 cases - which is how I resize 10mm's to bring them back to new dimensions.

 

[swinokur]

I had 2 major case head failures shooting full power loads from Swampfox Ammo (RIP Mike) in my DE. I have 4 Smith 10xx series pistols, Never an issue with any ammo.

I sold the DE and bought a DW Razorback in 10mm. No ammo issues there either.

The DE chamber support is not as good as some other pistols. Underwood ammo cautions against using his full powwer stuff in a DE. He has a specific load just for the DE.

If you're gonna shoot full power 10mm loads, I'd get the 1006. otherwise the DE is a fine pistol

My .02