The later Essex frames were pretty good.
The earlier investment cast parts were poor.
The early frames were made with investment casting simply because it was cheaper then standard cast or forged.
The problem was the casting process was not well done and it was common to see porous castings with voids, pin holes, and "slumped" areas where the mold didn't fill out properly.
This was usually most noticeable around the inside of the trigger guard area.
Other problems with frames and slides was uneven rails with one rail higher or lower then the other and in a great many cases frame pin holes that were misaligned or miss-placed, often holes off set from the hole on the other side of the frame.
Decent shooters could be built, but it took some work and a knowledgeable builder who could figure it out.
The earlier investment cast parts were poor.
The early frames were made with investment casting simply because it was cheaper then standard cast or forged.
The problem was the casting process was not well done and it was common to see porous castings with voids, pin holes, and "slumped" areas where the mold didn't fill out properly.
This was usually most noticeable around the inside of the trigger guard area.
Other problems with frames and slides was uneven rails with one rail higher or lower then the other and in a great many cases frame pin holes that were misaligned or miss-placed, often holes off set from the hole on the other side of the frame.
Decent shooters could be built, but it took some work and a knowledgeable builder who could figure it out.
