Rock River Arms Polymer 1911

Authors Brian Jensen Pistols SHOT Show 2012
The new 1911 Poly from Rock River is a quality 1911 with a polymer frame and a businesslike parkerized finish.

The new 1911 Poly from Rock River is a quality 1911 with a polymer frame and a businesslike parkerized finish.

The new 1911 Poly from Rock River is a quality 1911 with a polymer frame and a businesslike parkerized finish.

The new 1911 Poly from Rock River is a quality 1911 with a polymer frame and a businesslike parkerized finish.

The new 1911 Poly from Rock River is a quality 1911 with a polymer frame and a businesslike parkerized finish.

The new 1911 Poly from Rock River is a quality 1911 with a polymer frame and a businesslike parkerized finish.

This 1911 comes with quality features such as a commander hammer, upswept beavertail safety, and dovetail sights

This 1911 comes with quality features such as a commander hammer, upswept beavertail safety, and dovetail sights

By Brian Jensen

https://www.rockriverarms.com/

Rock River Arms is well known for its outstanding AR-style rifles. What is not so well known, is their line of 1911 pistols they used to produce. Very well made and high dollar, they were excellent weapons from what I heard. They later concentrated on the AR platform rifle, which they do to a high degree of perfection many have come to envy. They do still make quality 1911 parts, but up until now, no pistols.

So why should they enter the 1911 market? It’s flooded with excellent weapons as it is, all commanding a high dollar price for anything considered a quality weapon. The answer for that comes in their new design, the 1911 Poly. It’s called the 1911 Poly because of it’s polymer frame (with a 4140 Billet steel insert). I know other companies have made a polymer 1911, but the one from Rock River is a little different. It is made with a 5 inch, stainless barrel and a parkerized 4140 billet steel slide. The gun has a beavertail safety, commander hammer, and dovetailed sights. These all appear to be standard sized parts, and are fitted into the polymer frame.

What sets this gun apart is the polymer frame. Together with the mainspring housing, trigger shoe, which are also made of polymer. The polymer can come in different colors as can the mainspring housing. The polymer lowers the weight, and possibly even the production cost of the gun.

I had a chance to look at the pistol, and fit and finish were very good for a production, parkerized weapon. The gripping serrations on the back of the slide were broad and easy to grip. There weren’t any serrations on the front of the slide. The weapon had an outstanding crisp trigger pull at 4.5 lbs. The beavertail sat the gun low in the hand, and the rubberized grips felt very comfortable.

The gun didn’t have the usual full length guide rod of more fancy 1911’s, and instead has the old fashioned guide plug and spring cap from more traditional designs. To be honest, I have never found them as necessary, or even useful. The plain black sights were easy to pick up, but Rock River staff said that those were apt to be changed out for something else, possible with three dots, but they weren’t sure. We hope to get one in later this year for a full review and testing.

The value of polymer has been pretty well established by such guns as Glock, the XD, and HK. Polymer lasts longer, and helps absorb recoil. This gun feels like it will be no different. However, the gun feels a little different than other 1911’s, not bad different, just a little different. Hopefully when we get to shoot it down the road I’ll be able to put it more directly, and I’m sure taking measurements and weights will explain some of for now is just an instinctive first take on the gun.

The new Rock River polymer 1911 comes in at a projected price point of around $800, which will put it in competition with guns from well established makers in the less than custom bracket, on guns that don’t have some of the refinements found on this gun. This 1911 will raise the bar for those others, if they want to compete at this price. If Rock River keeps to their reputation, this gun will fly off the shelves and be one of those, “Yeah, I ordered mine because they’re not in stock,” kind of guns.

This gun is still in development, so final release figures are not available at this time. However, for those who are looking for a quality, all American-made 1911 that they can afford, you have something to look forward to.

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  • R.D. June 6, 2019, 6:02 pm

    Be nice to have a 80% lower polymer 1911. And if that works with 1911 slide and Guts and Grip panels. I woulf buy the 80 lower ..

  • Robert November 5, 2015, 7:03 pm

    A poly framed 1011? OK but what is the reason? As in what is the selling point?

    Lighter? OK, that means it will kick harder, not that big a deal and it should also mean cheaper as, plastic is cheaper.

    So if I could buy it cheaper, maybe, but if I don’t mind the light weight and harder kick, I would buy a compact 1911 and have something that I could carry much more easy.

    I always did like the SA Ultra Compact, there are newer and better compact 1911 guns available now? right?

    I will not be buying any plastic 1911 guns in the future EVER. The idea just does not appeal to me. I am not opposed to plastic framed guns I own plenty of them but I desire a 1911 because I want something that feels like steel in my hand and shoots like steel.

    I just bought a SA TRP Operator with full rail and it is waiting for me at the gun store due to the waiting period. I like it because of the weight, it does not feel anything like my Kel-tec PF-9 or PF11 and it will shoot 1000% nicer then something like an XDS, a gun I was considering until I shot one a while back. At the same range session I shot a SA MC Operator and that sealed the 1911 deal for me, loved it, thus the TRP Operator purchase.

    Plastic framed 1911 full size? Not for me!

  • scott October 17, 2012, 9:58 pm

    I wouldn’t buy a polymer 1911 unless it was cheaper than what I can already get. Kimber Custom II $699, Springfield, Rock Island… The extra couple hundred dollars could be spent on something else cool.

  • Thorn July 8, 2012, 4:38 am

    I do not have a 1911 but I am looking for one. I do not have the cash for an original. I am looking for a good clone though. A poly is NOT a 1911, a 22 in the shape of a 1911 is still not a 1911. As far as the comments about the harleys. I have been riding them for 20 years, (started with AMF) and there are more American made parts on a Kawasaki than a factory Harley. That is a Statistical Fact. Go to the biker forums or buy a magizine before you comment. I am here to do research & learn more about guns. I have the harleys what I want is a 1911. Please help if you have some knowledge of this subject. Thank You.

  • Adrian Flores February 27, 2012, 8:13 pm

    I agree with others that have previously stated that it should be single stack as well as the same angle as the original. I would be interested if the cost was under $500, street price. The concept is a great one if you keep in mind the affordable price point. Given that the slide assembly should be less than $300, there is still profit to be made at $500. Beyond that, there is little point, given the competition. I’m sure Rock River will produce it well and it will impress. I look forward to paying about $500. If it’s more, I’ll pass and pick up another sig or Springfield. Good luck, Rock River. Don’t spend all your cash on R&D and not forecast profitability.

  • uncle bones February 25, 2012, 3:42 pm

    800 clams? not for me thats a used colt or kimber, new springfield. can you say 500? that would get my attention. might be a good idea , you never can tell till you try one.

  • Jeff February 19, 2012, 1:12 pm

    Not incredibly interested.

    The advantages of polymer are it’s lighter weight AND the ability to thin down the side of the mag well area by molding the grips as part of the gun. As a simple replacement for steel in the frame of a 1911, still usin a single stack mag and replaceable grips it has little advantage over aluminum.

    The reasons wide body polymer 1911s didn’t sell well in the past is two fold.
    1) Proprietary mags being hard to find and expensive. Para Ordnance wide body mags are the most common among the wide body 1911s and they aren’t all that common and don’t fit any ploymer pistols. Why a company doesn’t make a polymer pistol that takes them I don’t know.
    2) Cost of the pistols. The STI 2011 runs over $1500 in most configurations. Thats 3x the price of many polymer pistols on the market. Kinda limits thier sales. The Kimber poly 1911 got a reputation for problems for a little while (don’t know if it was deserved) and also had a modified grip angle from a standard 1911. I looked at one and it didn’t feel like a 1911 and didn’t point right. The Charles Daly 1911s were the right price, but with a capacity of 10 rounds didn’t really excite people. On top of it they went under just as the pistols started to become available.

    If a company wanted a poly 1911 to sell like hotcakes it needs to be brought to market with the same grip angle as the original 1911, no thicker than a 1911, with a grip circumference no greater than the Para P-14 (preferably smaller), a capacity of 10 – 14 rounds in the mag and a price point of $650 or lower on dealers shelves. To really generate interest they need to make the MSRP no higher than $700 (even if that means you can’t find them much under MSRP). Deviate too much higher than that price and you will have people saying “I can buy a Glock or an XD cheaper that will do the same thing” or buying them only as competition peices. Lower in capacity and people wonder where the advantage is over an aluminum 1911 for carry. Deviate the grip (angle / thickness) and people no longer want it.

  • dick February 6, 2012, 10:27 am

    Are the sights adjustable and what cal.?

    • Brian Jensen February 10, 2012, 7:28 pm

      The sights are a fixed Novak-like design. This was a prototype, so that will likely change. Only coming in 45 ACP as of SHOT…if the gun is successful I would expect that to change too…

  • *Sauerkraut February 5, 2012, 7:23 pm

    Well, it has been said before and I will venture to say it again….
    You show your 1911 to your friends….

    And you show your Glock to your enemies : )

    • Ryan February 7, 2012, 8:39 pm

      I’v heard : show your friends your glock …………
      and show your enemies your 1911!!

      and heard “we don’t call 911 we call 1911 !!”

      oh and my gun is american made ! by an american Co. !! so take your glock for a ride on your Honda ! there american made too , rught ????

  • Doug Gibson February 5, 2012, 7:19 pm

    Springfield Armory 1911 A-1 , 100 years old , BUILT OF STEEL ……Enough said !

  • Bill Patterson February 5, 2012, 5:46 pm

    The Rock River poly 1911 is pretty, with the O.D. But, who wants a pretty gun…I won’t be kissing it. Yeah, I know…I’m an old Vietnam weido who likes to put his Zippo to thatch hutches and feel his gat kick him back. Been shooting .45s since ’63, some at Charlies but mostly at black circles on tag. Wouldn’t have a .45 ACP other than Colt (before the plastic guts) and now a SPRINGFIELD.

  • John Russell February 4, 2012, 5:13 pm

    I’d be interested in durability.

  • BRETT February 4, 2012, 12:50 am

    KAHR CW45: this is the gun that i bought just 2 days ago. it is around 20-22 oz. barrel length is 3.64″. i have not fired it yet, but have had kahr pistols in the past. they all functioned 100%. any gun will fail to fire at some point, but i have total trust in the kahr. i think someone here wrote that this 1911 is over $800? the kahr cw45 cost me $450 plus tax!!!!!!

    • G.I. Loveguns February 11, 2012, 12:35 am

      Heh, heh…I just got one of those myself at a gun show 3 weeks ago. Mine was priced at $399, but I traded a Colt M4 .22 Rimfire for it & 2 extra 6rd magazines. I ordered a 5rd mag from Tombstone Tactical (the cheapest Kahr mag seller I found on the ‘net) & chopped the grip to make it more of a pocket pistol. GREAT little gun now & will see duty as my backup gun. I wish my Glock 36 grip was as slim as this Kahr…

  • Michael T February 3, 2012, 8:45 pm

    Interesting I think over priced about $300 . I also don’t think be alot of people standing in line for one. Those that have tried before have failed. To me a 1911 is steel not polymer

  • ghostmaker22 February 3, 2012, 11:54 am

    why is it that some of you are so dumb . you just what it because its a 1911 polymer? it doesn’t even have any positive reviews yet .and the first thing i dont like is it does not even have a full length spring guide. one of the first features of a auto thats gonna help it to be accurate. and now way would i ever pay somebody like RRA $800.00 for a new untested(in the field) 1911 polymer…no way.if you what a good reliable polymer.get glock,walther p99/ppq,hk(high end price tag) these are already proven platforms and easly upgradeable on some ,some don’t need any upgrades, exellent carry pistols. and if you really want a 1911. there are plenty to choose from that don’t wiegh you down, do more research, so you might want to rethink before you jump on the next(wish i were the best).

    • Brian Jensen February 3, 2012, 5:04 pm

      I actually remove all full length guide rods in my 1911’s. Of all my professional acquaintances who carry 1911’s for work, they have all removed theirs, or puck guns without them. I just don’t think they do anything but complicate the gun.

      • G.I. Loveguns February 11, 2012, 12:24 am

        Ditto, Brian. There is absolutely NO proof whatsoever that a full-length guide rod does ANYTHING to improve accuracy. On the contrary, it does NOT. All it does is add weight & complicate the disassembly process. You need a tool (a paperclip will do) just to get the useless thing out so you can get to the barrel! Aftermarket manufacturers of these creations of the Devil USED to advertise that they enhanced accuracy & reliability, but you don’t see that claim any more. The FIRST thing I did when I got my Kimber Pro CDP was to cut off & round the end of the totally useless full-length guide rod. (Besides being a concealment holster maker, I do a bit of pistolsmithing too.) It shoots exactly the same now as it did with the long rod in it.

        As for ambi safeties & such, you can keep those, too. I also removed that feature from the same gun & promptly replaced it with an Ed Brown right handed safety, but not before it made an unnecessary scratch on my anodized frame! I can still operate it with my left hand just fine & NOT with my thumb. I carried a 1911 of some make or other for 15 years in the private security business & in a variety of carry positions & holsters, including a shoulder rig, & never wished for a full-length guide rod or extra safety lever. Plus, I shot a perfect 100% score every time I had to qualify, earning me the title of “Distinguished Pistol Expert”. Once, I did it 5 times on the same day.

        As for aluminum alloy frames not being able to “stand up to continued shooting”, Kimber shot one of theirs 2500 rounds (or more) quite a few years ago & the wear on the rails was almost unmeasureable, with no battering or cracking. If you’re worried about that, put a Shok-Buff on your standard length spring guide & don’t worry about it! ;>))
        John Browning got it just about right over 100 years ago.

  • TheRoo1 February 3, 2012, 10:28 am

    I will agree that this Gun is a natural step in the 1911 evolution but I am curious as to why it is considered competative when it is priced at $800 especialy when at 2/3rds of it is now plastic. Why do 1911 cost so much to begin with when the design has been around for so long and it is not more complex then far less expensive alternatives out there? Is it like buying a Harley instead of a Yamaha and paying almost twice as much just because its a “Harley”?

    • Administrator February 3, 2012, 11:08 am

      It has machined internals, similar to the polymer taurus judge. We have to do a full review of the gun when it is ready.

    • Ryan February 4, 2012, 12:34 am

      I’m not even going to touch the Harley comment , but FYI in WIS that could lead to some bad places ! 🙂
      as for the 1911 my S&W SW1911 was $1,150.00 in “09” there are a lot of parts in them, and some more that others, like seires 70 or a seires 80 with a fire pin block , there are American made by an American Co. Not American made by a forign Co. (ie. glock USA or Beretta USA) there is a also a lot of hand fitting on a good one , plus all them parts that cost $$$$. also more parts take more time to put together , and time is money ! and on my Smith they use after market parts “high hand beaver tail grip safty,” “wolf springs” “Texas armorment triger” “McCormick hammer & sear” ” hough grips” “novak sights” , just about race ready, and that’s the way to go , because if you go out and get a cheap bare bones gun or a used GI gun for half that ,and then go out and buy all the bells and whisels you would have spent more and it would not be as good as the SW1911 Springfield also has one they call it “fully loaded” for about the same price, or you could take a GI gun to a good gunsmith and have him load it up and tune it up and dump around $2,000.00 but if you get a good one, and run a 1000 rounds through it without a single misshap then you see why us 1911 guys will pay 2 or 3 times what a Glock goes for , as for this poly thing ?.. well RR droped the ball on this one , should have done it last year and stamped 100TH on the side and I’m sure sales would have been great for the year , and that way they would have got them out on the market , and who knows they might have gone over well enugh to keep selling ? but on the 101th year , sorry I dont see it:( and not at $800.00 go check out the “Regent 1911” good starter gun ,, way less, and you can get it with a rail (rail not for me)

  • Darren February 3, 2012, 1:38 am

    If the $800 figure being quoted is the MSRP, it’ll be a lot cheaper once these get on the internet. In any event, it’s ridiculous to expect a quality 1911 to sell at Glock prices simply due to the parts. A glock has around 35 parts and a traditional 1911 has over 60. So even with the cost savings of polymer, there’s going to be a greater manufacturing cost.

    It’s true that polymer 1911s haven’t sold well in the past, but to my knowledge every one has been a hi cap design with odd magazines and a blocky grip. I may be wrong, but this the first single stack polymer 1911 I’ve ever seen.

  • C Walley February 2, 2012, 11:36 pm

    I want to know where I can get a Glock 36 NIB for $379…

    • Ryan February 3, 2012, 11:36 pm

      just over $400.00 in WIS. not bad for a gun you can trough in the dish-washer to clean 🙂

  • rightnotleft February 2, 2012, 11:15 pm

    Suppose RR came out with a brand new design polymer pistol to compete with the Glocks, XD’s, etc. It might be unlike any other pistol on the market. I don’t think there would be too many people that would have anything negative to say about it, considering it came from a reputable company like RR. However, they have copied a design that is almost sacriligious to mess with. There are dozens of polymer pistols on the market and there are dozens of steel-framed 1911’s. I don’t think it is a bad idea, but personally it is not for me. The reason why I bought a 1911 was because I did not like the balance of the polymers. John Browning’s original design is what suits me and to me is the perfect combat handgun. I’ll agree that RR needs to come out of the gate strong with several variations (i.e. compacts, rails, various calibers). Regardless, I always think there is room in the industry for more innovation. The steel-framed 1911 has been around for 100 years, it is not going away. So what if someone comes up with an idea to change it a bit.

  • J Menaces February 2, 2012, 6:02 pm

    I have always prefered all steel with my 1911s, but after carrying a colt 1991A1 commander versus glock 23 & 27 the weight is significantly noticed after a long day of carrying. I never like aluminum framed 1911s just because they won’t stand up to continued shooting. I like to practice with my preferred carry gun. Polymer is an excellent alternative and has been proven to be reliable in a 1911 format by STI/SV, Bull and other similar products. I like the idea of a replaceable grip – color, texture, design, single stack to hi-cap capability, etc. I wish they can incorporate a modular type insert/grip design.

  • Tim February 2, 2012, 4:34 pm

    I think it is a great idea! The weight of aluminum with the durability of steel!

    My main complaint about the 1911 is the weight. I shoot mostly STI 2011’s. I really like the lighter weight, and the way the polymer grips absorbs recoil.

    I will buy one in a heartbeat if they make one in a 9mm commander with a ramped barrel. For a CCW gun, I would prefer the single stack magazines, they make it easier to conceal extra mags on your belt.

    I don’t think $800 is out of line for quality 1911.

  • Mike February 2, 2012, 3:53 pm

    I’m mystified by this one. Poly framed 1911s have never sold well in the past. If you are going to get into the poly framed business then you should be closer to the price point of the Glock/XD than where they are. With the Ruger/S&W/Sig/Tarsus/Springfield, etc. running in the same price range what does RRA really have to offer? Granted Glock/XDs are ugly as a mud fence but a parkerized 1911 ain’t going to be the prom queen either. I’ve been carrying a Glock 36 for several years now ($379 NIB). I’ve fed it just about every brand of cheap 45 ACP on the market and have never had a FTF or FTE with it. It goes BANG every time I pull the trigger, what more can you ask? It’s thinner and weights less than any of my 1911s (12 at last count), fits in a front pants pocket as good as a 38/357 stubbie and packs more punch.

  • Adam February 2, 2012, 2:32 pm

    $800 is steep for this gun. If this it was in the $500 ballpark, it’d be a home run.

  • sam February 2, 2012, 2:28 pm

    The two major factors regarding polymer usage in handguns these days are weight and price.
    I think it’s too expensive at $800 – there are lots of quality 1911s out there at that price point eg Springfield Armory.
    Also at 2+ pounds (if true), it’s not significantly lighter than a steel 1911. Therefore the polymer 1911 has some way to go yet before it sway’s most people away from an all steel one.

  • Stan February 2, 2012, 1:04 pm

    RRA is on to something. The problem with past designs, in my opinion was the price and availability of magazines. Proprietary magazines mean better margins on the magazines, but often doom the firearm. The fact the new poly 1911 uses standard, widely available, and economical magazines is a plus. The RRA poly 1911 looks like a 1911, another big plus. Unless you are a competitor, an eight round magazine is perfectly suitable. Expect the “Big Guys” to copy this almost immediately and likely beat RRA to market.

  • Steve February 2, 2012, 12:56 pm

    Don’t think it makes sense, the whole reason you buy a 1911 over a stock P220 (well at least for me) is the steel frame because it’s easier to shoot due to the weight. I suppose if you want a lighter weight full-size 1911 for carry it might make sense, but aluminum-framed 1911s are not a new idea.

    It might be more interesting in .40 actually, lighter bullet, lighter frame – lower price gun, lower price ammo. They go together.

    • JohnH February 2, 2012, 1:52 pm

      If it is steel you are looking for check out the Sig Sauer P-220 Carry Elite Stainless. All stainless steel and all business. Out shoots all of the 1911’s I own except for the Tactical Operations 1911 which is curiously made by the same company.

  • Tricky Dick February 2, 2012, 12:40 pm

    I’m a little dubious about the use of polymer in pistols, Steel is what I like in a 45 Automatic, and Springfield 1911-A1
    and the Companion stainless has and will continue to accompany me wherever I go!!

  • Bob Steiner February 2, 2012, 12:06 pm

    This is a real nice peice. I carry my Smith & Wesson Model 379PD with me at all times.

  • Lopaka Kanaka February 2, 2012, 12:01 pm

    Rock River Arms has a new 1911 A-1 that is now Polymer, adding to many gun Mfg who has made it into the 1911
    club. I have several 1911 A-1 45acp and this maybe something to look into when the gun dealers have them to purchase. I would like to see a video and see how it shoots against the same dollar range guns of 1911 A-1 45acps?
    I like my stainless steel guns and they shoot very well for there price range. I hope they come out with other cailbers, 40, 9mm, 10mm, 357? Good shooting to all you NRA Life Members, Hunters, and Target buffs.

  • lcjones February 2, 2012, 11:44 am

    Richard, this time next year, you’ll be very glad you bought the Sig 1911. You want 1911, you don’t get 1911 with RR, you get plastic. Not all plastic is bad but 1911, it ain’t.

    • jimmy Dillas February 6, 2012, 7:26 am

      Does anybody know if the Sig 1911 models. Has that weird first round trigger pull length which kind of throws u off like their p models? (220,250 etc)

  • Brian Knoblauch February 2, 2012, 11:42 am

    Please let it be available in 10mm!

  • betterlate111 February 2, 2012, 11:17 am

    Kind of strange…like putting a Honda engine in a Harley

  • Jungle Jim February 2, 2012, 10:47 am

    Looks very interesting–however I agree with Bob in that why not a compact/concealed carry too. Makes sense as ccw is very much on the rise(sign of the times of course) Will still leep an eye on this one just to see how it shakes out!

    • Mark McKinnney February 2, 2012, 12:00 pm

      They probably want to see how this new item will go over and then the others will follow. I hope for a rail gun myself. :o)

  • mikes February 2, 2012, 10:36 am

    Been waiting for a closing parentheses since the second paragraph. Guess I’ll have to add my own.)

    • R Krieger February 2, 2012, 11:16 am

      LOL. I like this blog but they clearly do not care about punctuation, spelling, or grammar. It’s ok, though – the gun owning masses aren’t the brightest bunch so I’m sure there aren’t many readers who even notice 🙂

      • TheRoo1 February 3, 2012, 11:26 am

        I am curious as to why you are bashing yourself? are you not part of the “gun owning masses”? I must assume so seeing as you are reading these blogs.

    • Dave Hamilton February 2, 2012, 11:19 am

      Don’t see one missing there…

      • TheRoo1 February 3, 2012, 10:32 am

        Maybe not, but they are more polite than the unarmed intelectual crowd (also known as “Sheeple”).

        • TheRoo1 February 3, 2012, 11:28 am

          Sorry this response was supposed to be one more remark up.

  • Richard February 2, 2012, 10:27 am

    About freakin time!! Kudos to RRA for making it happen. Need weights and a compact version. Ready to throw down on a Sig or Glock until I saw this……awesome.

  • JGus February 2, 2012, 10:03 am

    Wilson Combat came out with a polymer higher capacity 1911 (I think the mags held 10rds?) called the KZ45. Was only in production for a few years as demand for the polymer was low. But it also used mags unique to the gun. Couldn’t use just any 1911 mag, which didn’t help with sales.

  • Rancid Bob February 2, 2012, 9:28 am

    Since age 17 I have had at least one M1911 of some kind around and I’m 75 now, still reload and shoot the design regularly. I look forward to this new Poly version as competition for my carry M1911 – a LW S&W Colt Commander clone. I don’t need the ambi jewelry but do like the evolutions of beavertail, enlarged port, better sights, good trigger, and applaud Rock River’s use of short op rod etc, for quick take down. If this Rock River weighs in at less than my Smith clone, I will probably carry the new one for the full size benefits I have learned to appreciate in the intervening 58 years. I aint old, I’m just an experienced shooter!!

  • dtvonly February 2, 2012, 9:06 am

    The whole reason for having a 1911 is to have it built to spec and one of the 1911 spec is all steel. This helps with (45acp) recoil. This 1911 is now like all other “modern composite” gun. If you wish to become a 1911 owner but don’t want to spend the high price, look into a Rock Island Armory 1911 GI A1 model. This gun is built to 1911 specs. I bought one about a year ago and had put about 500 rounds through it without a single problem. Flawless, accurate, and beautiful 1911 GI model. For all this, I got it for $396 (minus shipping and transfer fee). RIA is a true 1911.

  • Nate F February 2, 2012, 8:54 am

    Love my AR, but the 6 months wait for ordering parts drove me nuts. Almost to the point of not wanting to deal with RR again. I hope that it would not take as long with this new pistol.

  • Bill February 2, 2012, 8:35 am

    Nothing new – or even very interesting – here. And just an FYI for manufacturers everywhere, I won’t even consider a firearm that is not ambidextrous right out of the box.

    • R Krieger February 2, 2012, 11:14 am

      well it’s a good thing manufacturers don’t give a damn about your opinion. Who are you anyway, Bill? Bill Ruger?

      some people on these gun boards just crack me up. Everyone knows what’s best for the market and everyone has input on how these companies can make their guns better. If you are so good at designing guns, why don’t you go to work for Rock River and show ’em your brilliant ideas. I’m sure they would listen?

      • TheRoo1 February 3, 2012, 10:58 am

        The whole point behind these boards is for people to express there opinions, even if they are rude and demeaning. Lighten up please.

    • Ben February 2, 2012, 12:11 pm

      I personally have no desire to own a firearm with ambidextrous controls. I shoot righty and don’t need the extra width added from additional controls. I have no problem with weapons that can be switched from right to left handed.

      • *Sauerkraut February 5, 2012, 7:11 pm

        Well, you’re right; I don’t like having the extra width on my handguns….. I believe that the manufactures need to sell left and right hand versions…WITH OUT costing extra or having to convert at your expense after purchase. Note>>>> left handed shooters are almost as many now as right.

        • Cody April 1, 2012, 4:47 pm

          Considering only 10% of the population of the world is left handed, I find it very hard to believe that the shooting world is 50/50. That’s simply ridiculous! I do agree that manufacturers should not penalized left handed shooters but I can’t imagine that setting up an entire other section of an assembly line makes any financial sense.

  • Lee February 2, 2012, 8:15 am

    To compete with the other poly guns out there I would have expected a price below $800. Also why no accessory rail?

  • barry harrison February 2, 2012, 7:57 am

    I meant to say Glocks not blocks

    • DJ Redd February 2, 2012, 11:24 am

      lol @ comparing a GLOCK to a 1911 platform pistol. That’s like saying “why would I buy Cadillac for $40,000 when I can buy any Ford or Chevy for $25,000?”

      Apples and Oranges…Ah nevermind. Some people will never get it

  • Don Filkins February 2, 2012, 7:57 am

    This gun interests me. I would also like to know the weight of the pistol. I have been very happy with Rock River Arms rifles and can’t wait to see this pistol in production.

  • barry harrison February 2, 2012, 7:54 am

    Other than it is one of a kind as you describe, I can buy any number of calibers and sizes of blocks for 550. What is the advantage of this gun again?

    • Duray February 2, 2012, 10:48 pm

      Some of us think it has FAR better ergonomics than the Glock. Also, it has a single-action trigger. Having a non-pivoting trigger is a theoretical advantage as well. To each his own. Now, if Glock would lose the “capacity” infatuation and make more than 1 model of single stack, they would appeal to more of the market. But, it’s easier to make the same product for 3 decades in, as you say, different calibers and sizes, rather than actually continue innovating. But, if you innovate, and don’t do it to everyone’s satisfaction, you get ripped apart *cough, keltec, cough*

      • uncle bones February 25, 2012, 3:35 pm

        well said my man! cough!

      • Mark April 7, 2012, 12:10 am

        I used to have a Kel-Tec .40 S&W pistol (before they dropped the model). The only thing that I can say about that pistol is that it was a tough little gun! I don’t know what the lifespan of a polymer framed pistol like that would be given the heavy recoil but I would imagine over time you might start to develop stress fractures in the frame similar to those that I saw on an old Tec-9 (back in the days when I worked in a gun shop). A potentially dangerous situation to be sure!

  • Frank February 2, 2012, 7:40 am

    Many polymer framed 1911 platforms have been produced. STI makes several variations.
    In the past Kimber and several other companies have produced polymer 19ll platforms. Those in the past have just never become popular enough to merit continued production.

  • Bob February 2, 2012, 7:38 am

    Now, if they made a poly, compact, like the new XD that looked like a mini 1911 they’d have my attention. Maybe with some rounded edges instead of looking like a ‘glocky’ box car. Similar to the Kimber CPD but with a ‘good’ price on it.

  • Mike February 2, 2012, 7:32 am

    Yes this would be a single stack magazine. The double stack platform is a 2011 such as an STI or Para 2011.

  • Mark Johnson February 2, 2012, 6:21 am

    Finally! Someone has caught on to what I thought made sense from the start. I have always thought the 1911 looks like a real pistol should, but due to weight and other considerations that have been overcome by the poly-gun industry it has been left behind. I see this as a natural evolution of John Moses Browning’s best. Cudos to Rock River Arms!

  • Lance Hauer February 2, 2012, 5:32 am

    I like the whole idea of a polymer 1911. I wish there was a weight listed in the description. I will keep a look out for future reviews once they are produced.

  • Gary Cessna February 2, 2012, 4:50 am

    I think you said you were interested in a 1911 here is a new one from Rock River Arms

  • Nick February 2, 2012, 4:11 am

    Single column magazine?

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