Rock Island Armory can trace its roots to the early 1900s and a sporting goods store in the Philippines. A family business since 1941, it has survived war-time occupation, evolved into a major firearm and ammunition manufacturer, grown to supply an international market and expanded its operation with several facilities in the United States.
The Rock Island Armory brand is just one arm of the larger Arms Corporation of the Philippines, or Armscor, but it is representative of the firm’s commitment to growth in the American market. Yet, despite likely producing more M1911s-America’s most-beloved pistol-than any other firm in the world, few Americans are familiar with the company or its story. It’s time all that changed.