Rock River Arms is a Coal Valley, Illinois based firearms manufacturer that produces Pistols, Rifles, Uppers, Lowers and everything in-between. This year at Shot Show I was able to get a look at two new pistols still currently under development that should be debuting sometime this year. They’ve just introduced the Glock- Style Aluminum MRK20 (pronounced Mark Twenty), and the competition ready 3G-11.

[SHOT 2020] Rock River Arms MRK20 and 3G-11 Pistols

The Rock River Arms MRK20 Pistol

Rock River Arms has taken a unique approach to a very popular handgun style. Instead of using polymer lower, however, Rock River Arms have decided to completely machine the lower portion of the gun giving it increased durability and also the option for Cerakote finishes and more precise grip patterning. The grip patterns are machined out of the one-piece lower using CNC machines.

At first glance I couldn’t even tell that the lower part of the gun was made from aluminum at all, however, upon taking the gun into my hands it’s clear that there is just a bit more weight in there than you’d expect from a polymer gun. When it sits in the hand, it is extremely balanced comfortable to hold. Rock River has said that they will continue to develop the grip patterns to find out what customers want most.

The MRK20 Slide will come with or without the top speed cuts and all models will come optics ready with a cover plate if only iron-sights are desired. There are also options out there for a threaded barreled version of the gun at no extra cost.

The MRK20 will be $850 out the door regardless of configuration or barrel selection, however, a solid release date for the pistol has not been given by Rock River Arms.

The Rock River Arms 3G-11 Competition Pistol

The Rock River Arms representative who was showing me the new pistols, Trent, was nice enough to also show me the new 3G-11 pistol. This is Rock River Arms answer to the 2011 style pistols out there and they’ve brought all their finest work to bear in the competition style pistol. The 3G-11 which Trent says has not been given an official name (He’d like to name it “Taz”) has a light slide to rack, a beautifully beveled and flared magwell as well as a nice solid Stainless Steel finish.

Rock River Arms will also be releasing the 3G-11 pistol sometime after SHOT Show but final decisions on naming, price, finishes, and features are still yet to be decided.

Thanks again to Trent from Rock River Arms for all the info and photo opportunities on their two new pistols. Be sure to check them out at their website for some of their other guns and accessories.