Brass shower, VDW: I bought a Delta Elite when they first came out. I put MMC sights on it, and a beavertail grip safety. Did a little trigger-smoothing, and polished the ramp. It shoots like a dream! I've only put maybe 500 rounds through it, but never a problem. Well, early Midway brass was a minor problem; too thin near the case-head.
I've read of alleged problems. If one likes the feel of the Colt, and prefers the SA trigger, it seems to me that it would be simple to treat it like the alloy Commander: Use light loads for pleasure and plinking, and reserve the heavy stuff for social use.
I've always been uncomfortable with the idea of putting thousands of rounds through one's social gun, anyway. With respect to the Delta Elite, then, an answer is to pick up an old clunker Govt model, enjoy rebuilding it and setting it up identical to the D.E. Then, do the "beating up" with the ex-clunker...
FWIW, Art