How good/bad are Essex frames? - The Firearms Forum

Lanrezac · 06-28-2012, 07:02 PM

I'm looking at a 1911 in 38 Special wadcutter that has an Essex frame and a Colt National Match slide. All internal parts, including 2 magazines, are said to be Colt. The seller does not say anything specific about the barrel except that it is in great shape.

Essex was more or less before my time, but I remember hearing bad things about them. Anybody know much about their frames, or have definite opinions about them? I would be buying the gun as a shooter, not a collector's item.

Thanks in advance!

todd51 · 06-28-2012, 07:31 PM

I bought one 35 or more years ago. It had a Colt slide and barrel in .45acp and was my introduction to the 1911's. It later wore .38 Super parts and then wore a Colt .22 conversion unit and finally it was back to .45 acp with another Colt slide and barrel. Maybe 15 years or more back I had that Essex frame electo/nickle plated and had some adjustable sights installed. It has been down the road and back but is still going strong today and has never given me any problems. It is now on long time loan to a best friend and fellow Old Guy.

TheGunClinger · 06-29-2012, 06:31 AM

http://thefirearmsforum.com/search.php?searchid=3961429

Heres a bunch of threads regarding the Essex frames. I had a custom .45 with the Essex and had no troubles at all.

Lanrezac · 06-29-2012, 04:34 PM

Dang, I should have thought of that! Thanks for your help, GunClinger & todd51.

ka64 · 06-29-2012, 04:47 PM

Actually as far as the old Cast frames goes Essex is one of the better ones. I am having about 500 in custome work on one for my Marvel Slide..........

Jim K · 07-02-2012, 09:18 PM

I have used several of them to build .45's and one as host to a 22/45 conversion unit. Never had any trouble though they require some fitting.

Jim

Lanrezac · 07-03-2012, 12:10 AM

Thanks JimK and ka64. I guess I heard wrong or mis-remembered. It seems like a long time since I heard anything at all about them. I realize that the performance of a gun like this depends on the skills of the gunsmith who set it up, but at least he was starting from a good foundation.

The pistol I was thinking of is on Simpon's of Galesburg, IL, website for $695. I've pretty much decided not to get it because I have too many "shooters" to shoot already.

I'll keep thinking about it, but I just don't go shooting as much as I used to; my bifocals make iron sights a a lot tougher to see.

aa1911 · 07-03-2012, 02:35 PM

I bought one a few years ago (slide and frame, commander size) from Essex and wasn't too happy; the machine work was slightly off center on the slide and the frame was out of spec in a couple places that required some painful fitting. I won't be getting one again I don't think, gonna spend a little more and stick with STI and Wilson, Ed Brown, etc...

I used good quality parts from Brownells and put a very nice Ed Brown match barrel in it. It works and is fine but wasn't real pleased with the poor workmanship; I'm sure there are plenty that are true and as a plus to them, the hardness is correct where some other brands vary too much from original spec.

I build my 1911's as close to original spec as possible, it's a proven reliable design.

Double D · 07-03-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aa1911

I bought one a few years ago (slide and frame, commander size) from Essex and wasn't too happy; the machine work was slightly off center on the slide and the frame was out of spec in a couple places that required some painful fitting. I won't be getting one again I don't think, gonna spend a little more and stick with STI and Wilson, Ed Brown, etc...

I used good quality parts from Brownells and put a very nice Ed Brown match barrel in it. It works and is fine but wasn't real pleased with the poor workmanship; I'm sure there are plenty that are true and as a plus to them, the hardness is correct where some other brands vary too much from original spec.

I build my 1911's as close to original spec as possible, it's a proven reliable design.

Uh, doesnt STI use armscor frames? I think so.

aa1911 · 07-03-2012, 08:20 PM

yes they are the same manufacturer... but the ones sold as Essex arms are about half the price with about half the quality. And that was just one frame/slide so who knows, there's bad ones/mistakes in just about any brand I would guess. I just don't plan on using Essex arms as my first choice anymore.

JLA · 07-03-2012, 10:59 PM

I like them. Slides too.

old semperfi · 07-04-2012, 07:55 AM

i have built five complete guns using essex frames,i have never had a problem with them.the one i kept 17 years and still have will outshoot my colt match target gold cup. old semperfi

HossFly · 07-15-2012, 11:50 AM

I've built a few with Essex parts- No problems but never kept one long-
My last was one I didn't start the build but its essex frame & slide, barrel unmarked and of course many various internals i had on hand- Not the best 1911 i've had but a good shooter -

06-28-2012, 07:02 PM	#1
Lanrezac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 688	How good/bad are Essex frames? I'm looking at a 1911 in 38 Special wadcutter that has an Essex frame and a Colt National Match slide. All internal parts, including 2 magazines, are said to be Colt. The seller does not say anything specific about the barrel except that it is in great shape. Essex was more or less before my time, but I remember hearing bad things about them. Anybody know much about their frames, or have definite opinions about them? I would be buying the gun as a shooter, not a collector's item. Thanks in advance! -->

06-28-2012, 07:31 PM	#2
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,575	Re: How good/bad are Essex frames? I bought one 35 or more years ago. It had a Colt slide and barrel in .45acp and was my introduction to the 1911's. It later wore .38 Super parts and then wore a Colt .22 conversion unit and finally it was back to .45 acp with another Colt slide and barrel. Maybe 15 years or more back I had that Essex frame electo/nickle plated and had some adjustable sights installed. It has been down the road and back but is still going strong today and has never given me any problems. It is now on long time loan to a best friend and fellow Old Guy. __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member

06-29-2012, 06:31 AM	#3
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,386	Re: How good/bad are Essex frames? http://thefirearmsforum.com/search.php?searchid=3961429 Heres a bunch of threads regarding the Essex frames. I had a custom .45 with the Essex and had no troubles at all. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

06-29-2012, 04:34 PM	#4
Lanrezac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 688	Re: How good/bad are Essex frames? Dang, I should have thought of that! Thanks for your help, GunClinger & todd51.

06-29-2012, 04:47 PM	#5
ka64 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Contributor Posts: 1,412	Re: How good/bad are Essex frames? Actually as far as the old Cast frames goes Essex is one of the better ones. I am having about 500 in custome work on one for my Marvel Slide..........

07-02-2012, 09:18 PM	#6
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: How good/bad are Essex frames? I have used several of them to build .45's and one as host to a 22/45 conversion unit. Never had any trouble though they require some fitting. Jim

07-03-2012, 12:10 AM	#7
Lanrezac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 688	Re: How good/bad are Essex frames? Thanks JimK and ka64. I guess I heard wrong or mis-remembered. It seems like a long time since I heard anything at all about them. I realize that the performance of a gun like this depends on the skills of the gunsmith who set it up, but at least he was starting from a good foundation. The pistol I was thinking of is on Simpon's of Galesburg, IL, website for $695. I've pretty much decided not to get it because I have too many "shooters" to shoot already. I'll keep thinking about it, but I just don't go shooting as much as I used to; my bifocals make iron sights a a lot tougher to see. Last edited by Lanrezac; 07-03-2012 at 12:15 AM..

07-03-2012, 02:35 PM	#8
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,115	Re: How good/bad are Essex frames? I bought one a few years ago (slide and frame, commander size) from Essex and wasn't too happy; the machine work was slightly off center on the slide and the frame was out of spec in a couple places that required some painful fitting. I won't be getting one again I don't think, gonna spend a little more and stick with STI and Wilson, Ed Brown, etc... I used good quality parts from Brownells and put a very nice Ed Brown match barrel in it. It works and is fine but wasn't real pleased with the poor workmanship; I'm sure there are plenty that are true and as a plus to them, the hardness is correct where some other brands vary too much from original spec. I build my 1911's as close to original spec as possible, it's a proven reliable design. __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."

07-03-2012, 08:20 PM	#10
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,115	Re: How good/bad are Essex frames? yes they are the same manufacturer... but the ones sold as Essex arms are about half the price with about half the quality. And that was just one frame/slide so who knows, there's bad ones/mistakes in just about any brand I would guess. I just don't plan on using Essex arms as my first choice anymore. __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."

07-03-2012, 10:59 PM	#11
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,328	Re: How good/bad are Essex frames? I like them. Slides too. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

07-04-2012, 07:55 AM	#12
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: How good/bad are Essex frames? i have built five complete guns using essex frames,i have never had a problem with them.the one i kept 17 years and still have will outshoot my colt match target gold cup. old semperfi

07-15-2012, 11:50 AM	#13
HossFly V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 99	Re: How good/bad are Essex frames? I've built a few with Essex parts- No problems but never kept one long- My last was one I didn't start the build but its essex frame & slide, barrel unmarked and of course many various internals i had on hand- Not the best 1911 i've had but a good shooter - __________________ TEXAN BY BIRTH & CHOICE USMC '67-'70 VIET NAM VET NRA MEMBER