Are Rock Island 1911s Made in the USA?

Remember, the .22 TCM also comes with a 9mm Barrel and recoil spring. Both calibers use the same double stack magazine.

This from Philippino born Armscor/Rock Island Armory President & CEO Martin Tuason via their Facebook Page regarding questions about whether or not their firearm and ammunition products are being Made in the USA.

Hi everyone. For those who don’t know me and my company I would like to she’d some light on the made in America issue. I have typed this response several times this week alone. My name is Martin Tuason. I am the CEO of the Armscor group of companies.

My company was founded by my grandfather 70 years ago in the Philippines. I am a Filipino born and raised in the PI (Philippine Islands) the first 17 years of my life. For the first 60 years my company did most of its business in the Philippines. We have store, ranges, gun clubs, scrap metal, metal foundry, forging plant, firearms and ammunition in the Philippines. 12 years ago I started the Rock Island project. Today I am the largest producer of 1911s in the world.

5 years ago I developed a plan with my father to open manufacturing to the US. I started Armscor Cartridge Inc in Stevensville MT. We became operational May 31st 2011 producing 150k rds per day. You can see more info on my Armscor USA ammo on my website. I plan on operating Nevada Gun Works in Pahrump NV by 2014. I have posted the first pick of the leveling of my land around the office in Pahrump. I sell in 60 countries today and none are more important that the USA. I believe in the American worker if I didn’t I wouldn’t be investing in America. In the Beginning we have gone from 3 employees to over 25 with both locations.I love America my wife and my children are American. I have made America my home.

My goal is for everyone to enjoy my products that’s why I make them affordable and reliable. I also believe in backing up what I make and to do it better all the time. I will let anyone who has one of my guns speak for me. If you have a problem I will make it right. I agree with you made [in the USA] is important and that’s why I am doing what I am doing. I only wish I can make my plans become reality sooner. -Martin CEO

After having met Martin and some of his crew at the SHOT Show Range Day this past January I can say for a fact the pride and their work and continued innovation (as seen with the .22 TCM 1911 we shot) is welcome and much needed necessity to the industry. While their guns are often viewed as budget or “bargain basement” pieces, the same frames that go into their Rock Island 1911s are also sold without branding to many more “elite,” “reputable” and “precision” 1911s. When I asked Martin which companies he was speaking of, he declined to give names as to protect the product of these other companies. His words: “I didn’t mean they’re using OUR frames as a slam on them, just as an example of the quality of product our experience on CNC mills can produce. They’re just charging a lot more for the same quality we offer at a lower cost.”  Now he could have been hiding something, but my gut tells me he’s a man of integrity and character, something this country could use a healthy dose of especially in the firearms industry.

*EDIT: STI International is an example of frames made by Armscor, here’s the FAQ page on STI’s website. Check the 2nd question down about whether or not STI pistols are USA made.