Cracked Essex Frame

[Zcarp2]

Got a "good at the time" deal on an Essex.  Gave it the once over twice at the shop and it is an obvious home built by an amatuer.  After scraping the fouling out, discovered a crack just forward of the recoil lug in the dust cover that does not go all the way through the rail.  The edge of the crack has chipped into a shallow V.  Crack does not appear to be very deep.  So the gun was shot after the crack formed (?) and was full of powder fouling.

Wrote Essex and the frame was manufactured in 1992 and is not covered under any warranty.  I should have known when I read the serial number "666xx".  Price was decent enough that I could keep it for parts (Essex unmarked slide, arched main spring housing, unmarked barrel and fitted bushing, butchered spur hammer and standard grip safety).  Gun shop not sure they can take it back since it is longer than the inspection period.  Silly me, worried more about the slide.

What is the worse that could happen if I shoot this?  Dust cover flies off and spring escapes?  Lots of information warning about cracked frames, but no info on what to do with them.

Grip safety is marked with a C in a box.  Is this Colt or Caspian?

Thanks for the information - Zcarp2 - with a hook still in the lip.

[shotgunner]

My son was looking to buy a Colt/Essex gun, and I wondered if it was worth the money. I will check in on this post and see how it goes. I think I will tell him to buy a Kimber. Shotgunner

[Zcarp2]

From my 2 weeks worth of research, the gamers mostly use Caspian or another brand name for the race guns.  Essex has had a poor rep in the past, but it is supposed to be improving.  It appears to be up to "good".  Nothing more for a cheap(er) frame.

Each casting is different and needs to be checked with care.  A lot depends on the price, too.  For a parts gun, I paid a little more than I should have.  For a working 45, it is a bargain.  I still need to shoot it, then I will know how bad I was taken.

Zcarp2