Rock Island Armory 1911 GI Standard .45 ACP
Model: 51421
Rock Island Armory 1911 GI Standard .45 ACP
Model: 51421
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Rock Island Armory GI Standard is built by Armscor in the Philippines using 4140 steel for the frame, slide, and barrel. It is a GI-spec 1911 in the most literal sense: no beavertail grip safety, no extended thumb safety, no night sights, no match-grade barrel. What you get is a functional .45 ACP 1911 with an 8+1 capacity, a 5-inch barrel, and a Parkerized finish that resists corrosion better than bluing.
At 39.25 oz, it sits between the 35 oz Colt Government and the 42.3 oz Dan Wesson Specialist. The GI-type fixed blade sight is small and hard to pick up quickly, which is the most common complaint on owner forums. The 5 lb trigger is acceptable but lacks the crisp break of the Kimber Custom II's 4.5 lb pull or the Springfield Garrison's 4 lb pull. Accuracy is adequate for defensive and recreational use, though owners report that groups open up compared to match-grade barreled 1911s.
The real argument for this gun is that it works. The 4140 steel is tough, the Parkerized finish holds up to hard use, and Armscor has been building 1911s for decades. Many owners buy the GI Standard as a platform and then replace the sights, trigger, and grips over time. Others leave it stock and shoot it as-is. Both approaches are common on 1911-specific forums.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- 4140 steel construction throughout. The frame, slide, and barrel are all the same alloy, which is tougher and more corrosion-resistant than the mild carbon steel used in some entry-level 1911s.
- Parkerized finish is more durable than bluing for a gun that gets handled frequently. It holds oil well and does not show wear marks as readily as the Colt Government's blued finish.
- 8+1 capacity is one round more than the 7+1 found in most single-stack 1911s at this level, including the Colt Government and Springfield Garrison.
- GI-type sights are the weakest part of the gun. The small front blade and shallow rear notch are hard to pick up quickly, especially in dim conditions. The Colt Government's fixed blade with dot is better, and the Springfield Loaded's tritium sights are far better.
- No beavertail grip safety. The standard GI grip safety sits lower and can cause "hammer bite" on the web of the hand during rapid fire, particularly for shooters with larger hands.
Category Rankings
How the Rock Island Armory 1911 GI Standard .45 ACP ranks among full-size .45 ACP handguns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Rock Island GI Standard feed hollow point ammunition reliably?
Out of the box, it can be hit or miss. The GI-style feed ramp is shorter than a ramped barrel design, and some hollow point profiles catch on the ramp. Owner consensus is to run 200 rounds of ball ammo for break-in, then test your specific defensive load for 50 rounds before trusting it. If it still jams, a gunsmith can polish the feed ramp for very little effort.
Is the Rock Island Armory 1911 compatible with aftermarket 1911 parts?
Yes, it uses standard Government-model 1911 dimensions. Grips, sights, safeties, hammers, triggers, and mainspring housings from Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, and other aftermarket manufacturers will fit with little or no fitting. The rear sight uses a standard dovetail, so Novak-style or Trijicon night sights drop in. Many owners use the GI Standard as a base for a gradual parts upgrade project.