My new to me 1076. Thoughts vs Colt Delta?

Triathloncoach · Jan 20, 2016

I planned on buying a wheel gun from someone and he casually mentioned his 1076. Box, docs, 4 mags. Looks to be in great shape. I've always wanted a Colt Delta 10mm. Ive never owned a 10mm.

Anyone willling to share their thoughts on the S&W vs the Colts? I do think the Colt is more purty.

My same lousy quality photos. Sorry. This is a heavy gun, it sure ain't my Glock 19. Next: buy some ammo, shoot, miss.

Ps. It's fun to fondle

ImprovedModel56Fan · Jan 20, 2016

Yeah, I kind of like the Colt frame for fit to my hand but the 1026 (same as 1076, but a 5" barrel) is acceptable. AFAIK, the S&W is a significantly stronger gun. The 1026 doesn't have much of a recoil problem, and I 'spect the 1076 would be almost as good, probably notably better than the Colt.

If the trigger on the 1076 is OK for you, I'd recommend getting it, because I think it's a stronger gun and will kick less. But if you actually get a chance to shoot a Colt and the recoil is OK, you might find it easier to carry. The whole safety system and trigger on the Colt is entirely different, and different folks have their druthers. I prefer the Colt setup, but I can live with the S&W. You might choose differently.

Triathloncoach · Jan 20, 2016

Model520Fan said:
Yeah, I kind of like the Colt frame for fit to my hand but the 1026 (same as 1076, but a 5" barrel) is acceptable. AFAIK, the S&W is a significantly stronger gun. The 1026 doesn't have much of a recoil problem, and I 'spect the 1076 would be almost as good, probably notably better than the Colt.

If the trigger on the 1076 is OK for you, I'd recommend getting it, because I think it's a stronger gun and will kick less. But if you actually get a chance to shoot a Colt and the recoil is OK, you might find it easier to carry. The whole safety system and trigger on the Colt is entirely different, and different folks have their druthers. I prefer the Colt setup, but I can live with the S&W. You might choose differently.

Thank you for the information. I did buy it. It's currently upstairs hidden from my wife.

Sevens · Jan 20, 2016

Actually an interesting comparison here. One way to do this is to list the things each one has over the other:

In favor of the Delta:
Even a very average 1911 trigger is simply going to be better in almost any way you'd compare. And magazines are more available, cheaper and from more sources. Certainly more aftermarket parts, accessories and even gunsmiths willing to work on them or customize them. Delta Elite, out of the box, may likely have the edge in accuracy and for folks with average sized hands -- probably a more natural fit in most hands.

The 1076 is a more robust handgun, especially where it matters most in 10mm: case head support. That is easily the Delta's biggest weakness. The 1076 is also more "exclusive" if that appeals to you, it is simply more rare and made in smaller quantities. S&W 10xx pistols have slowly made their way to near cult status, it seems like they are much more highly regarded now than in days past. And in running similar ammo, the big S&W is likely to have an edge in comfort.

There is certainly space in the world to own and enjoy both and both are/were historically EXTREMELY important in the history of the 10mm round.

BruceM · Jan 20, 2016

In view of the fact that I don't like the 10mm in any 1911 platform, I'd like any Smith 10xx series gun over the Colt.

Bruce

Big Shrek · Jan 20, 2016

Owned a CDE years ago...it was a bit painfull to shoot.
Even worse that the first series tended towards frame cracking...
switched the grips to a set of Pachmyer's with the finger grooves,
but it was still a handfull of ouch...
At the time I had more money than sense, so I traded it w/ cash
for a Desert Eagle .50AE, which, even back then was a buck & a quarter
every time you fired it

The DEagle did shoot rather nicely...tames even the heaviest ammo

I'd rather have a 10xx series S&W, ANYDAY over a CDE.
On my hot list are that, and the Star Megastar in 10mm

03Fatboy · Jan 20, 2016

I own a couple Smith 10mm's and couldn't imagine any compelling reason why I would want to add a CDE.

Ascension · Jan 20, 2016

Big Shrek said:
Owned a CDE years ago...it was a bit painfull to shoot.
Even worse that the first series tended towards frame cracking...
switched the grips to a set of Pachmyer's with the finger grooves,
but it was still a handfull of ouch...
I'd rather have a 10xx series S&W, ANYDAY over a CDE.
On my hot list are that, and the Star Megastar in 10mm

It wasn't just frame cracking those CDE's had issues with. On every box of Defensive ammo in my ammo closet from Underwood there is a large white sticker that says DO NO FIRE THIS AMMO IN COLT DELTA ELITE OR ANY 10MM WITHOUT PROPER CASE SUPPORT!!.
A Colt Delta should not be in production IMO due to the case support issues and danger of a blow out into the mag well while running real 10mm. The S&W 10's on the other hand are the single most rugged 10mm's ever produced.
Carry my 1066 often it will eat anything I throw in it and runs the hot Underwood stuff like a champ!!

Harkrader · Jan 21, 2016

Ditto everything Model520Fan said.
I have three Colt DE's and can only say "What's not to like?"
Firing 180-gr ammo at 1200fps or so I find the recoil OK for me, just as I do .45ACP+P in Series 70 Colts. Go to full-power rated 10mm ammo, 180-gr at 1400fps+ (eg Norma) and OUCH!
I don't own a S&W but had a great chance to compare a couple years ago when I was bragging to a friend about how wunnerful the Colts were.
He dragged out his 1076 and we took a close look at it next to my Colts.
Everyone says the S&W is a stronger gun and my uneducated opinion is that it sure looks that way.

The cracking described on Colts is, I believe, way overstated. Looking hard for info it seems that a few of the early DE's cracked. The horseshoe-shaped hole for the slide stop left a thin bridge of steel above it that sometimes flexed and then cracked with the Delta Elites. Colt got tired of people sending Delta Elites back for repair, so they just solved this by machining away that little portion of frame rail. Since that bit of steel wasn't absolutely necessary anyway, Colt started machining all their frames that way.It was cured by making a small modification to the slide.

The cracks that developed in that little bridge weren't detrimental to the function of the pistol, and an older Delta Elite with the crack is still serviceable.
[This info comes from an article I found some 10 years ago. It isn't just my opinion.]
I've never seen a DE that was not so-modified, but would have no concerns about them.

I agree about the Colt being easier to conceal - for me. I have always been able to comfortably conceal a Colt GM or similar gun. The angular shape of the larger S&W's, as I see them, make them a little harder to conceal in anything other than the smaller frames, like the 6906 or 4516.

Colts are current production while the S&W is accelerating into collector status. You might look into parts availability for the S&W. No doubt others on the forum can guide you to them.

Big E3 · Jan 21, 2016

I have both a Delta and a S&W 1006. I don't mind the recoil on either. I would never pass on an opportunity to buy either. The newer Delta's (mine is 2012) have better chamber support than models produced in the 90's. I don't think I will be launching full power stuff out of my DE, but it would likely handle it fine. I just don't need to, having a 1006 that will handle anything factory made. Both guns are very accurate, more so than my Glocks, with the exception of the 6" G40. If I had to choose one over the others it would be the Smith. Only because it is likely able to handle everything I will ever feed it. But it is a decision I don't want to make so they are all staying right where they are.

The four 10mm Glock's I have are a 29.3, a 20.3, a 20.4 and the new Glock 40.4 MOS. I mostly carry Glocks because who cares if they get a scratch or a ding. For whatever reason the lighter plastic Glocks do not kick noticeably more that the all steel guns.

spistols · Jan 21, 2016

I looked at both the Smith 10's and the Delta Elite. Both felt good in the hand, but the Smith 10mm won based on everything that I read regarding the ability to take any abuse. Over-engineered and built to last forever.

Hoov · Jan 21, 2016

The Delta Elite, to me, is a prettier gun. If I were to collect one, it might be a Smith. As mentioned previously, the Colt's are still in production, though we can rant on Colt later. S&W is trying to go after some of the Glock market, which only helps my meager collection.

oldman10mm · Jan 21, 2016

10XX mags are scarce and you got 4 with it.

SAFireman · Jan 21, 2016

I have owned both. I did prefer the Colt's trigger and ergonomics. I shot full house Norma loads and had zero problems with either gun.

The Colt gets style points, and the S&W gets a star for the extra recoil-absorbing steel.

Both will do the job, but I sold the S&W's because the third gen trigger just stunk up the room even after a trigger job. When a truly knowledgeable gunsmith says 'that's as good as it gets in a 3rd gen Smith' I believed him. The 1076 was gone shortly thereafter.

To be fair, I did divest myself of all things 10mm in favor of the 41 magnum

Now, for a real treat, you should check out the new Sig p220 in 10mm....all of my Sig's were excellent guns with very nice DA and SA trigger pulls. If I was still into 10mm, I would already have a Sig 10mm.

moralem · Jan 21, 2016

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1453396158.811068.jpg

I am partial to the Delta, just much better looking. For a shooter I favor my G20. I have wanted one of these 10mm but the price folks are asking are a bit high 1100 dollars in my neck of the woods.

gcw16 · Jan 21, 2016

Big Shrek said:
I'd rather have a 10xx series S&W, ANYDAY over a CDE.
On my hot list are that, and the Star Megastar in 10mm

I agree that I would rather have the S&W's. I have the 1006, 1026, 1066 and 1076.

Shrek, I picked up a Megastar a few months ago. That thing is heavy but the weight really helps tame the recoil!

old tanker · Jan 21, 2016

I have both. When I retired from the Army in 1988, I bought the Colt new. The hell for stout Norma ammo was all that was available. The 1076 came used, about fifteen years later when "FBI lite" loads were the norm.

Having carried a 1911 for decades, the Colt has always felt more natural and shoots a little nicer. The Smith is more ruggedly built, and more suited to carry with the tritium sights and stainless construction.

Getting a suitable holster for the 1076 and sufficient spare magazines is the biggest obstacle to every day carry, but not insurmountable. It is the only S&W autoloader that I have that I would unreservedly carry for serious business.

Big Shrek · Jan 21, 2016

gcw16 said:
I agree that I would rather have the S&W's. I have the 1006, 1026, 1066 and 1076.

Shrek, I picked up a Megastar a few months ago.
That thing is heavy, but the weight really helps tame the recoil!

The old joke used to be that if you ran out of ammo,
all you had to do was drop it on the foot of the bad guy
to incapacitate 'em

Its the one pistol that if you threw it at Superman,
it WOULD knock him over

Its the Pistol for Musclemen!
(true enough, ain't no wimp gonna hold it for long

)

All joking aside, The 10mm Megastar is one of the few pistols
of the 80's & 90's that could handle a steady diet of full power ammo.

BLUEDOT37 · Jan 22, 2016

I understand everybody has their own opinion of beauty but I've never seen beauty in Colt's Delta Elite 10mm. I initially was interested in them but quickly decided they are one of the most boring & plain looking 1911s out there. None of the nice features & options added to so many other companys' 1911s. The SA only trigger might be nice(r) but I can comfortably live with the 3rd Gens TDA trigger & the DA option.

To me, the Delta Elite 10mm, being in a unique & uncommon caliber, should be packaged in something more attractive with special features. Heck even the Combat Elite 45 looks (minimally) better. I think Colt should be ashamed at not doing their only 10mm better justice. But then again, as I look through their catalog, nothing else they currently make looks particularly exciting either.

I'm happy with my 1076.

.

.

Big Cholla · Jan 22, 2016

I have both. IMHO, the Cold Delta Elite is the better looking.....But, the S&W '10**' series are the better built for the 10 mm cartridge. I would rather have the CDE in 40 S&W over the 10 mm, but with 45 acp available, why bother? ............. And, I would take and carry a M 10** in 10 mm before I would a S&W 3rd generation in 45 acp.

My new to me 1076. Thoughts vs Colt Delta?

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