Rock River Arms

Rock River Arms, Incorporated is a manufacturing company based in Colona, Illinois.

Rock River Arms makes parts and accessories for M1911 pistols and AR-15/M16 type rifles, as well as complete firearms. Rock River Arms was awarded a contract with the Drug Enforcement Administration to manufacture a new-issue AR-15 carbine after they beat several high profile manufacturers in strenuous qualification testing. The DEA subsequently purchased a substantial number of Rock River Arms carbines in 2003.

Rock River Arms is owned and operated by brothers Mark and Chuck Larson. Between 1981 and 1991 the Larsons worked at Springfield Armory, Inc., where Mark was the head armorer. From Springfield Armory, the Larsons went into partnership with Les Baer to form Les Baer Custom and build custom 1911 pistols. Parting ways with Les Baer in 1993, the Larsons began to build AR-15 type rifles for Eagle Arms in Coal Valley, Illinois. At around the same time, they began their own venture, Tolerance Plus (the name was later changed to Rock River Arms), producing custom 1911 pistols. The Larson brothers severed their connection with Eagle Arms in 1997 when that firm moved to Geneseo, Illinois. At the same time, Rock River Arms began to build AR-15 style rifles.