colt delta elite 10 mm help!

[jeaprdy]

hello. recently inherited a delta elite 10 mm from my brother. The problem is that i can't rack the slide. it is a beast to move, is this easy as replacing the recoil spring and if so what is a good compromise between easily racking the slide and being able to control the 10 mm recoil? i have never shot this gun and have no experience with it or 1911 designs. thank you for your help. jeaprdy;e

[happyguy]

Try cocking the hammer before you rack the slide.

Regards,
Happyguy

[jeaprdy]

i did. it's not just me either. my dad can't even get it to budge, my brother who plays college football can barely do it and my brother in law who is somewhat l.e. can barely do it. thank you for your help and suggestions. jeaprdy.

[aslondon]

have you made sure the thumb latch is in the down position?

[G20man32904]

Try some lube?
Kroil (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=137203)


Does it shoot?
Might be a 24lb recoil spring in it. Only thing I can think of.

[Bren]

This is an interesting problem. I've had a Delta Elite for many years, carried one on duty, etc., and there is nothing about it that should stop a man of normal strength from very easily racking the slide - certainly not a 24 lb. recoil spring or a need for lubrication.

Without seeing the gun, all we can do is make wild guesses. With the gun in hand, this should be an easy problem to sort out. Did the prior owner do any home "accurizing" work on it, like trying to tighten the slide rails or change the barrel bushing to a super tight one? Is there a problem with the barrel link (bent or somehow binding)? Is the frame bent?

Is the slide equally hard to pull back all the way to the rear, or is it very hard right at the beginning, then normal after the first half inch or so?

[jeaprdy]

HI. sorry for the late reply. I don't know if the gun had any "accurizing" or "jury rigging" done to it. knowing my brother, it is very likely he, did but he's not around any longer to ask him. I haven't any idea what you mean by tightening the slide rails, sorry. However,I field stripped it and the barrel bushing was a pain in the ass to get off and I believe was aftermarket (it said BROWN on it) and the guide rod took an allen wrench to get off so, also aftermarket. After I field stripped it and left it with the slide locked back for a couple days it seemed much easier to rack and I'm planning on taking it out and shooting a couple hundred rounds through it. I appreciate all of the advice and feedback. much thanks. jeaprdy.