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essex frame

elect1mike
I have a 1911 pistol that has a essex frame and a remington rand slide and have a question. I was told that essex frames have a habit of cracking due to poor metal and they become loose after only a few hundered rounds is this true? The same guy said they were out of business but I know that is not true. and what is a fair value for my 1911 given it has all colt parts including barrel, chip mccormick full guide.

bull.txt
col elect1mike Illinois
volinters RRG
GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE I
KILL PEOPLE Mr. Larson on Happy Gilmore
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Der Gebirgsjager
    In my experience none of the above is true. It sounds like someone is attempting to lower your opinion of your pistol and then offer to take it off your hands at a discounted price. I own two Essex frame pistols I built from parts, and both have given good service. True, Essex frames are cast rather than forged, but so are the frames of some more expensive pistols. As for value, even though your parts are mostly Colt, the gun can not be considered a Colt and will not bring a Colt price. I believe it would fall in the $250-$300 price range, but that could vary depending on what part of the country you are in, the pistols overall conditon and appearance, bells and whistles, etc.
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  • Xracer
    I agree with DG. I built my competition gun (bowling pins) on an Essex frame about 30 years ago (same combo as yours...with a Remington Rand slide). Since then, I've put many, many thousands of full-power rounds thru it, and it's still as good as new.

    Essex Frame, Remington Rand slide, Mk. IV, Series 70 National Match barrel & matched bushing, polished & matched feedramp, enlarged ejection port, adjustable trigger, long tang grip safety, Pachmayr wraparound grips and flat mainspring housing, MMC adjustable sights.

    My gun is an "old friend" that's taken a bunch of trophys....an absolute tack-driver. As comfortable to shoot as an old pair of sneakers, and I wouldn't sell it for $2,000!

    But, sad to say, on the open market, as a "parts gun", it would probably only bring about $400.

    However....enjoy your gun and shoot it in confidence. It'll probably last you forever!
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  • Geri
    Hi. I built my 1911 useing essex frame and slide. I suspect it has about 10K rounds through it now. Still tight, and no malfunctions. JMO Geri
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  • Mr Gee
    i guess there has been enough said but,i built 2 essex's both
    w/ frame an slide essex the first one i did came out so nice
    i sent out for a bright blue job never sell this one
    the 2nd one is just a carry gun both guns w/ colt parts
    both are very accurate, function great as for re-sale, prices
    have gone up on everything, i would think 400.+ depending on
    condition an parts, grips ,etc. Rich G Ct.,06804 [:)]

    confused....but learning
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  • elect1mike
    Thanks guys I thought as much but my dad always told me to respect my elders so I said nothing. I think sometimes people try there best to take people to the cleaners. The guy has a Browning A5 20 ga. Which I would like to have. I took him the above gun and a sweet little savage 311 in 20 Ga. and he said he would give me 75.00 for the savage as they only bring 100 to 150 dollars and he didn't want the 1911 at all because of essex being so bad and out of business. His asking price for the A5 is 600 and it is in 70 to 80% a good price but not a giveaway

    bull.txt
    col elect1mike Illinois
    volinters RRG
    GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE I
    KILL PEOPLE Mr. Larson on Happy Gilmore
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  • Der Gebirgsjager
    Good thing you've got some horsesense, Reb; 'cause the guy with the Browning is trying to squeeze you like a grape![:(!]
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  • Xracer
    Is Essex out of business?

    Their website is still up: http://www.essexarm.com/
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  • elect1mike
    xracer No they are not out of business. Thats what I said in my first post. I think some guys would lie to there mothers to make a buck.

    bull.txt
    col elect1mike Illinois
    volinters RRG
    GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE I
    KILL PEOPLE Mr. Larson on Happy Gilmore
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  • Mr Gee
    the guy that said essex was out of Bis''''
    even if they were [there not] what difference would it make anyway
    if anything the value could go up lets say Colt or ruger went of
    business Ha.... hang on to them six shooters try an buy an ole henry or a ole singer 45, etc. good luck - http://www.cadco.com/firearms/handguns/essex.htm


    confused....but learning
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  • bobski
    about 1/2 the navy pistol team members have personal guns built on essex frames and remington slides. mine is 30 years old and was previously owned by msgt buell parker and it set quantico records in the 70's that have yet to be beat. i won my navy distinguished pistol award with it in 96 too. keep it! theres nothing wrong with that combo.

    former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.
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