When you hear Rock Island Armory, affordability and reliability often come to mind. But there’s another side of the brand that’s raising the bar. RIA USA is where premium craftsmanship meets innovation — right here in America. If you're a gun enthusiast, RIA USA lines should be on your radar.
American CraftSmanship | Tighter Fit
If you're familiar with Rock Island Armory, you may know that our firearm models are mostly made in the Philippines, with precision at scale. Our RIA USA location in Cedar City, Utah, however specializes in refinement and tighter fitments.
"RIA USA is our performance line. You’re paying more, but you’re getting more: better fitment, smoother function, and attention to detail that changes how the gun feels," said John McClain from Team Armscor.
That means smoother cycling, a more solid feel, and subtle refinements seasoned shooters notice.
“The tolerances and lockups for the RIA USA pistols are just more hand fit versus our products made in the Philippines,” explained John. “Like a lot of guns you can pick up and kind of shake, and you can hear the slide to the frame to the barrel rattle a little bit. With RIA USA, everything just starts a little bit tighter."
Built in Cedar City, Utah
RIA USA is more than a production facility — it’s also about creating American jobs. As John shared, CEO Martin Tuason is deeply proud of opening the factory stateside.
“It’s a way of showing appreciation to the U.S. by creating jobs here," said John.
The Cedar City location also partners with local schools, providing internships and career paths for young engineers.
“It’s kind of cool to be somebody’s first job,” John said. “They’ll always remember where they started.”
A High-End Experience | Still at a Competitive Price
RIA USA isn’t just about building premium firearms—it’s about staying competitive in a crowded marketplace. High-capacity 1911-style pistols can often start around $2,000 and go up from there, but RIA USA delivers innovation and performance at a more approachable level.
Adaptability matters when facing competition from established American brands and newer overseas manufacturers.
Other major manufacturers have long offered premium divisions — Springfield Armory has its Custom Shop, Smith & Wesson has the Performance Center. These are the lines that take already trusted firearms and refine them with extra detail, tighter tolerances, and elevated features.
RIA USA is our answer to that same demand.
“If you are getting something from RIA USA, yes, you are paying a little bit more than you would typically pay for a Rock Island product, but you should be expecting more,” John said.
That “more” comes in the form of U.S. craftsmanship, smoother cycling, and premium options like optics-ready platforms — all while staying competitive in price.
For shooters who have always trusted Rock Island Armory for reliability, RIA USA offers the next step: a performance tier built to impress seasoned enthusiasts without losing touch with Armscor’s tradition of value.
At its core, RIA USA is about elevating the shooting experience. With premium craftsmanship, American-made pride, and forward-thinking design, it’s a brand that gives more to those who expect more.
