The Rock Island Armory Standard GI Series 1911: Good Quality and Performance at an Attractive Price

Photo from the
Rock Island Armory
website.

I have read favorable reviews of the Rock Island Armory GI Series pistol, which is made by Armscor in the Philippines, but I did not have the opportunity to shoot one until recently.  A military spec 1911 with a parkerized finish, it lacks the bells, whistles, and price of many Government Models that are currently on the market. The plain old 1911, as it was designed by John Browning, is a fine pistol with an enviable service record that spans over seventy years and the Rock Island 1911 upholds this distinguished heritage and reputation.

Although it is one of the least expensive 1911s available (a local retailer sells them for less than $400), it is a handsome pistol of good quality that appeals to those who appreciate the classic, clean lines of the traditional 1911.  The example that I shot, the Standard GI Model, was a .45 ACP (it is also available in 9mm Luger and .38 Super) with a 5" barrel, short trigger, and flat mainspring housing.  Lacking the inessential, trigger spoiling firing pin safety (e.g. the Series 80 trigger) now incorporated into some 1911s, it only departs from John Browning's original design with legitimate improvements such as a flared and lowered ejection port that ensures better feeding, a beveled magazine well that speeds reloading, and an 8 round magazine that increases capacity.

I did not torture test the Rock Island Armory GI Standard Series 1911 nor did I shoot it off of a bench rest.  However, I shot it enough to corroborate the positive opinions that I have heard and read.  My shooting was offhand at seven yards, representative of the statistically average combat distance in which a gunfight is likely to occur.  It shot to point of aim, reliably fed a mixed bag of ball and hollow point ammo, including steel cased Russian cartridges from Tula, and consistently delivered one hole, five shot groups that easily met my coin test standards.  Frankly, I have shot more expensive 1911s that did not perform as well and I would recommend the Rock Island without hesitation; I intend to buy one as soon as the budget permits.