Rock Island Armory

[Modifiedbrowning]

I have been seeing ads in Shotgun News for Rock Island Armory 1911's for $315.00 and a wide body for $399.00. As I would like to get a 1911 style .45 it seems like a great deal. Anybody know about Rock Island? Ever seen one, fired one?

 

[4thHorseman]

I've been down this road before. If I remember correctly, Rock Island Armory guns are made in the Phillippines. The quality, from what I have read and heard, seems to be lacking. Rock River Arms are made in the States. Very high quality (subjective view) and their is a waiting list for them. I think they start about $1200.00 or so.

 

[blades67]

The RIA guns are like Charles Daly guns, there seems to be some hit and miss in the QC. I got a great CD, but others have had different luck.

 

[jimsbowies]

Inexpensive versus cheap?

In the March 2002 issue of 'Combat Handguns', they have an article about the Rock Island 1911. Indeed, what they did was acquire two of them and have Bill Laughridge of Cylinder and Slide Custom "build" one with some basic mods. The author of the article says that while the Rock Island out of the box ain't a Springfield, Colt, Kimber, ad nauseum, that it is a fairly decent handgun given it's $285.00 price. Also said that all regular 1911 parts and aftermarket parts fit the gun..