I also have an early version of a Delta Elite. It has been a very good gun for me. I've heard many horror stories about the shock buff disintigrating after a few hundred rounds, etc., etc - yaddah yaddah yaddah. Mine lasted in excess of 5000 rounds, 80-90% of of those rounds were full power loads, not the "minus Ps". I put a full length guide rod in mine, not because it needed it, but because I felt like it. It's accuracy has been adequate, about 2.5" at 25 meters is the best I ever got. Not a tack driver, but I didn't buy it for that, I bought it to drop two-legged malcontents stupid enough to break into my home or hurt my family.
I also had to replace the trigger, sear and hammer. Again, to many full power loads. My hammer started following around round 7000-7500. Since then, I put a 24lb recoil spring in it, and new shock buff. With the other new stuff, it has been awesome ever since. The only reason I carry the Glock 20 & 29 for carry is because of magazine capacity. Though I still like packing the DE on occasion. I really love the gun, and would consider making the above adjustments to it. Mine is a DE1xxxx serial number, and I've had it since 1986. It has survived many of my collection sell-offs, and will continue to if I have any more - God forbid. It's just been too good a gun to get rid of. I sold my P7 over this one - believe it or not.
Tom
Tom