I happened to catch a recent episode of Down Range TV which visited the Armscor manufacturing facility in the Philippines. Armscor makes the Rock Island Armory 1911 and also 1911s under other names. The episode is available online. http://www.downrange.tv/blog/category/tvshows/shooting-gallery-tvshows/
It was very interesting as Michael Bane talked with the second and third generation of the family owning Armscor. And, to put the matter fully to bed, they showed Armscor forging slides and barrels. They also showed some of the casting process in making the frames. It seems Armscor also is experimenting with a forged frame so we may see that as an option in the future.
Bane said that the name Rock Island Armory came from Corregidor Island in Manilla Bay, which is locally known as the Rock. I'm sure everyone knows its place in history. I'm still not convinced Armscor didn't at least recognize the semblance to the famed Rock Island Arsenal, but oh well.
One minor complaint -- Bane talked about the inadequacies of the Army's pre-1911 sidearm coming to light in the Philippines (which it did) but erroneously referred to the caliber being used as .38 Special. It wasn't. It was actually the .38 Long Colt which was a much weaker caliber than the .38 Special. All in all, a good episode to watch.
Edited to correct name.
It was very interesting as Michael Bane talked with the second and third generation of the family owning Armscor. And, to put the matter fully to bed, they showed Armscor forging slides and barrels. They also showed some of the casting process in making the frames. It seems Armscor also is experimenting with a forged frame so we may see that as an option in the future.
Bane said that the name Rock Island Armory came from Corregidor Island in Manilla Bay, which is locally known as the Rock. I'm sure everyone knows its place in history. I'm still not convinced Armscor didn't at least recognize the semblance to the famed Rock Island Arsenal, but oh well.
One minor complaint -- Bane talked about the inadequacies of the Army's pre-1911 sidearm coming to light in the Philippines (which it did) but erroneously referred to the caliber being used as .38 Special. It wasn't. It was actually the .38 Long Colt which was a much weaker caliber than the .38 Special. All in all, a good episode to watch.
Edited to correct name.
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