Users’ Rating (Click a star to rate this gun.)
Summary: The description, specs, photos, pricing and user ratings for the Rock Island Armory 1911 GI pistols.
Manufacturer’s Description
The 1911 GI with the parkerized finish.
The Rock Island Armory 1911 GI is a full-size 1911-style pistol built on a steel frame and chambered in .45 ACP, 9mm or .38 Super. Features include:
- GI-type sights;
- a parkerized or nickel finish;
- a spur hammer;
- a short trigger;
- a flat mainspring housing;
- wood grips;
- a GI guide rod and plug;
- rear only vertical cocking serrations;
- a traditional barrel/bushing set up; and
- a 70 series firing system (i.e., no firing pin safety).
Note: Rock Island Armory imports its version of these pistols from Philippines-based Armscor. The Armscor version carries polymer grips and the Armscor logo.
The Specs
| Caliber | Capacity | BBL | OAL | Width | Height | Weight |
| .45 ACP, .38 Super, 9mm | 8+1 (.45 ACP), 9+1 (9mm) | 5″ | 8.5″ | n/a | n/a | 39.52 oz. |
The 1911 GI with the nickel finish.
MSRP: $500–$591
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Have had the nickel plated one for a while and think it is a good value. I don’t go for the over accessorized versions of the 1911, especially the extended beaver tail. This is a good shooting and great looking 1911. Probably the only thing it needs is a checkered grip.
I bought this pistol as a base platform to upgrade and learn to work on my handguns. But I must admit, it surprised the holy heck out of me. In my profession, I have handled a large number of pistols and especially 1911s from a variety of custom manufacturers. I have to admit that the Rock Island FSGI is as good as any of them. It had a solid 4 pound trigger right out of the box. I just did a little polishing of the feed ramp and now it even eats JHP ammo as anyone who handles 1911s know, can be problemmatic in some models. This little RI FSGI model has been depenable as heck. It is by far the most true to form 1911 I have ever handled. Rock Island did a fantastic job on this weapon.
As a personal preference, I installed a beavertail grip safety, skeletonized trigger, slim grips, and some better sights. And I use it more than my other high end 1911s. It has a better trigger pull than my buddy’s kimber and springfield.
Not one FTF/FTE! Highly recommended. With a little tweaking, these little guns are numero uno!
I have one of these…with about 300 rounds fired, no stoppages whatsoever. And..it is quite accurate. I have put HST, (what I keep it stocked with} Black Talon, Silvertip, critical defense, and 230 grain ball, all fired with no problems whatsoever. I plan to upgrade the sights at some point, but I love this gun.