Remington Rand/Essex Arms 1911

SW_shooter · Mar 22, 2013

A couple of years ago I bought what I thought was an old 1911 A1 Remington. The other day I was going thru the safe and decided to do some research on the pistol. After closer inspection I see the upper is marked Remington Rand while the lower is marked Essex Arms.

Long story but the guy I bought it from had tried to change out either the hammer, thumb safety or grip safety after I had initially fired it at the range, told me he was gonna make it nicer. (yeah right) Anywho he must have botched it up because now it fires one round and the slide locks back even with a full mag. You can pull back and the slide will release and load the next round.

I am not a gunsmith in even the slightest sense. So I am going to take it to a true gunsmith. (maybe) I did some research on the gun and it appears it was a cheap piece of......uhm shooter I suppose we can say. I never knew Essex Arms was considered a bottom feeder until I looked online. Any other opinions or information about the Remington Rand/Essex Arms 1911 that you folks have would be interesting to hear/read.

woreout · Mar 22, 2013

Essex frames were among the first investment cast 1911 frames. They weren't all bad, but did sometimes have wandering pin hole locations that could make fitting a challenge.

I definitely think you should have a real gunsmith take a look

310Pilot · Mar 23, 2013

You have a Remington Rand slide (WWII vintage) on an Essex frame (an aftermarket 1911 frame made during the 1980s-2000s,, IIRC). The Essex frames were generally alright, but were investment cast, as opposed to forged, and their qc was inconsistent. You could get a good frame, or a complete piece of junk. They were sold by SARCO, Numrich and a lot of other firms to those who wanted to "build their own" 1911, supposedly on the cheap. Hope you got one of the good ones. Your problem sounds like an improperly fitted slide stop and/or bad magazine(s). Try some "known good" magazines (as in reliably functioning in another 1911) to see if the problem disappears. It may be a good idea to take it to a knowledgable gunsmith well-versed in the mysteries of the 1911 to have it checked out, anyway, as you now own a "homebuilt" 1911 which has undergone some apparent "Bubba" style improvements, based on your description. Personally, I would be hesitant to shoot it until it was given a clean bill of health by a true professional.

ChuckS1 · Mar 23, 2013

Just depends on the gunsmith (or not) who built it. My hardball gun is a Colt military slide on an Essex frame, and a fitted Ed Brown barrel/bushing. Shoots 2" groups at 50 yards with ball ammo.

bluetopper · Mar 23, 2013

4barrel said:
Three things to do yourself--change the slide stop--magazine-- and a stronger spring --one at a time.

All very simple procedures I might add.

Remington Rand/Essex Arms 1911

SW_shooter

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woreout

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310Pilot

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ChuckS1

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bluetopper

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