1911 Delta Elite questions

[Hansohn Brothers]

1911 n00b here, be gentle. I have what I think is a first generation Delta Elite. It does have some issues and I’d like to send it to a good smith to go over end to end. It also needs dovetails for night sights to be installed. This will be a shooter, not a safe queen.

- Who is the go to smith?
- What magazines/parts are preferred?
- Anything else I need to consider?

Thanks in advance.

[LittleLebowski]

I asked around about this and got the answer of “how much do you want to spend”

[farscott]

In your neck of the woods, David Sams is THE smith. As for parts, I tend to let the smith pick with the exception of grip safeties, grips, and sights, which are very personal choices.

[theJanitor]

First gen guns should be blued steel. Stainless came shortly after iirc. I had a custom steel one.

I think the only critical decision is the barrel and if you’re cutting it for a ramped barrel with better case support. Unless you’re trying to hit a specific power level (for hunting or defeating barriers) go with a milder load. They gun will hold up better

Farscott’s comment about smiths and parts are true, IMO. He won’t steer you wrong

[theJanitor]

To add some motivation for the OP:

Mine before it was stolen
Attachment 45338