Rock Island Armory 1911 series
The Rock Island Armory 1911 series is a product line of single-action recoil operated semi-automatic pistols. They are designed and manufactured by Armscor in Marikina, Philippines,[1] and distributed in the United States by Armscor USA, located in Pahrump, Nevada. Rock Island Armory actually started out as photo print shop in Manila in 1905.
| RIA 1911 series | |
|---|---|
![]() RIA Tactical pistol (discontinued model) | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Armscor |
| Produced | 1911-present |
| Variants | FS MS CS A2 Hi-capacity Tactical Match |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 38.4 ounces (1.09 kg) |
| Length | 7¾ in (197 mm) |
| Barrel length | 5 in (127 mm) |
| Width | 1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Height | 5.45 in (138 mm) |
| Caliber | .45 ACP 10mm Auto .40 S&W .38 Super 9mm .22 TCM |
| Action | semi-automatic, single action |
| Feed system | 8 round magazine (FS model) |
| Sights | fixed G.I. (FS model) |
RIA (Rock Island Armory) 1911s are derivative of the US Military G.I. M1911-A1, the standard issue US Service pistol from 1911 to 1985.[2] Most RIA models are targeted at the low-end price point of the 1911 pistol market and are basic entry level MIL-SPEC versions of 1911. However, the RIA Tactical, Compact, and Match models offer additional higher-end features. The Compact model features a skeletonized hammer and beavertail grip safety, while the Tactical model also adds a target-grade hammer and trigger, as well as an ambidextrous safety and enhanced contrast combat sights. Armscor is an ISO 9001 certified-compliant company which manufactures Rock Island pistols using CNC (Computer Numerical Control) equipment. RIA 1911 series pistols are constructed of 4140 chromoly steel with a cast frame, and are chambered in various cartridges including: .45 ACP, 10mm Auto, .40 S&W, .38 Super, 9mm Luger, and .22 TCM.[3][4][5][6]
General specifications
The general specifications for Rock Island Armory 1911 pistols are:[7]
- Ordnance grade 4140 steel construction
- 100% parts compatibility with US G.I.
- Flat grooved steel mainspring housing
- Calibers: .45 ACP, 10mm Auto, .40 S&W, .38 Super, 9 mm Luger,.22 TCM
- Finishes: blued, Parkerized, nickel, Patriot brown cerakote.
- Grooved trigger
- Approx. 5¼ lb. (23 N) trigger pull
- Non-checkered smooth wooden, checkered black rubber or VZ type grips, depending on model
- Hard plastic clamshell storage case
- Manual
Variants
Variants of Rock Island Armory 1911 pistols include:[3][4][7]
| 1911-A1 FS | 1911-A1 MS | 1911-A1 CS | 1911-A2 FS HC | 1911-A1 Tactical | 1911-A1 Match | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Full | Commander | Compact (Colt Officer) |
Full, double-stack | Full | Full |
| Length | 8.75 in | 7.75 in | 6.75 in | 8.75 to 9.75 in | 8.75 in | 8.75 in |
| Barrel Length |
5 in | 4.25 in | 3.5 in bull | 5 in or 6 in | 5 in | 5 in |
| Weight | 2.4 lb | 2.2 lb | 2.16 lb | 2.6 lb | 2.5 lb | 2.4 lb |
| Sights | G.I. | Snag-free | Snag-free | (varies) | Snag-free Combat | LPA Adjustable |
| Magazine Capacity |
8 round | 8 round | 7 round | 14 round (.45 ACP)
16 round (10mm Auto) |
8 round | 8 round |
| Image Thumbnail |
See also
Notes
- "Products & Support – Pistols" Archived 2008-02-14 at the Wayback Machine, Arms Corporation of the Philippines. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
- Campbell, B. "The Rock Island Armory Guns Archived 2008-04-16 at the Wayback Machine" The Sight .45 ACP website
- Armscor Philippines website GI pistols page Archived 2008-02-14 at the Wayback Machine
- "Armscor USA website pistols page". Archived from the original on 2008-02-28. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
- "Practical Series". Squires Bingham International, Inc. Squires Bingham International, Inc. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
- "Pistols". Armscor USA. Armscor USA. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
- Rock Island pistol page on Sarco, Inc. website Archived 2008-02-12 at the Wayback Machine
References
- Jason "Making the Rock Island Armory .45 1911 Pistol Reliable" The Sight .45 ACP website
- McCliman, Tom "Rock Island Armory Milspec .45" The Sight .45 ACP website
- Brown, James Lindsey "When Cool Gets Cooler The Rock Island Armory M1911A1" The Sight .45 ACP website
- Clark, Steve "Rock Island Armory FS Match .45 ACP 1911" The M-1911 Pistols Organization E-zine website
- Clark, Steve "Rock Island Armory Tactical .45 ACP 1911 " The M-1911 Pistols Organization E-zine website
- "Rock Island Armory 1911-A1 'Tactical' Slow Motion Study", YouTube. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
