Not another budget pump-action shotgun, you moan. But here’s the deal—pump-action shotguns are reliable, function nearly flawlessly, are good for home defense—especially for the first time gun buyer—and besides, dove season is here. With one look, experienced shotgunners will probably want to ask, “Just tell me. Is it a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500 clone?” On the contrary, Rock Island Armory’s M5 pump-action shotgun is neither.
The M5 is actually based on the underrated, now obsolete High Standard Manufacturing Flite-King pump-action shotguns. High Standard used to market its shotguns as the “world’s fastest firing pump-action shotguns.” They eject by gravity alone. Sounds crazy, but flip the M5 upside down, click the slide release and it does just that.
Dare I say it? The Rock Island M5 has a smoother action than any Mossberg or Remington I’ve encountered. Some shotguns’ pump-action, especially right out of the box feel gritty or like it wants to catch, but not the M5. This baby’s forearm slides quick like a hot knife through butter. What helps? Rock Island’s dual action bars improvement to the High Standard’s single.
Some of you might argue that for a little bit more money you could purchase a Maverick 88. However, the M5 is still an improvement over the Maverick—for $100 less! The M5 does not have a plastic, or even an aluminum trigger assembly, but steel. Where some manufacturers of budget shotguns skimp, Rock Island doesn’t take shortcuts. The black polymer speed-feed style stock and forearm are the only plastic parts on the gun. The receiver and safety are steel.
Constructed of precision-reamed ordnance steel, the 20-inch barrel holds 2.75-inch and 3-inch shells. It has a cylinder bore to pattern shot widely and quickly. It holds five rounds.
When you first look at the M5, two features pop up—the extended heat shield and jeweled bolt, which Rock Island calls “damascened” bolt. The heat shield essentially aids in keeping your hands from burning on a hot barrel after a lot of shooting, but it also adds a cool-looking factor that other budget shotguns don’t have.
Typical on shotguns is the M5’s cross bolt safety. What isn’t typical is its placement. The cross-bolt safety is located in front of the trigger guard for quicker, easier access. Nothing fancy on the sights, though. It includes a bead sight, typical of any shotgun—be it high-end or budget.
The durable, corrosion-resistant parkerized finish makes the M5 one tough cookie and shooting it doesn’t disappoint either. It is smooth, accurate, reliable, and functions flawlessly. It isn’t picky on shells, so load it up with a #8 dove load during the day, and feed it slugs at night. It’s a bit heavy at seven pounds, but that should help to absorb some of the recoil.
Is the M5 as finely polished as a Benelli? No, it isn’t. However, at $200 there really is no reason to complain. You might find a few machine marks on the inside and some rough edges, but nothing that would effect the functionality of the shotgun.
Rock Island builds a very dependable 1911; the M5 shotguns are the same. The price is unquestionably great. You could call it “cheap,” but that doesn’t reflect the top quality Rock Island puts into this shotty.
Specifications and Features:
- Gauge: 12 gauge
- Action: Pump-action
- Chamber: 2.75” and 3” shells
- Capacity: 5 rounds
- Barrel: 20”
- Safety: Cross bolt
- Stock: Black polymer
- Finish: Parkerized
- Overall length: 40”
- Weight: 7.5 pounds unloaded
Do you own a Rock Island M5 pump-action shotgun? Tell us what you love about it in the comment section.
I own a Rock Island Armory 12ga M-5. It says 3″ chamber but the write up says it is chambered for 2.75 and 3″. The problem I am having with it is that it won’t fire. Any suggestions?
Looks like a very interesting shotgun but I didn’t have a chance to shoot it. Steel trigger assembly is a very nice feature in the age of synthetic parts.
Years ago I bought an Ithica pump 12 g with a stainless barrel, brush chromed receiver.mechanism and teak stock. I sold it with my sail boat in FL and now I want to replace it. I payed only $325 for it in 77 and found out that they are close to a grand now. I looked at the M5 and was impressed that I am thinking of buying it! It doesn’t have the 7 shot tube but it does recycle a round smoothly (with fired/crimped shut schells).
Just bought my very first gun today, and it is the Rock Island M5. I got it from a pawn shop for $185 and then $20 for a 100 count box of federal shells at Walmart. I’m going bug-out training with my friends tomorrow. Hope she doesn’t let me down at target practice!
I wonder why they fit a full 20- in.Barrel with only a 5+1 capacity, Most shotguns maverick/mossberg etc.Usually have a 7+1 capacity with that barrel length.
Just picked up my M5 and couldn’t be happier. I was looking for a second home defense shotgun to go with my Mossberg 590A1 and I stumbled across a Nickel Rock Island M5 at a local shop. I picked up mine for $200 and am glad I did.
Most of the online reviews are spot on. While this is inexpensive it is not cheap. Great action and reliable shooting. While I personally think the 590 is the best home defense gun around, I am perfectly happy adding this as a backup.
This has been a great gun. I’ve had it for a few years now and couldn’t be happier. I’ve run thousands of rounds and its one tough shotgun. The slide drops like butter, no other shotgun I’ve ever had has been this smooth. Best $169 I ever spent. 😉
There’s nothing cheap about RI ‘s M5 and they will out live all of us. Just got my nickel parkerized in today. Hold one in your hand vertically and hit the slide release. You’ll never regret it.
Have fired over 500 rounds of slugs and double aut buck through my M5 with no flaws or problems. Love it and plan to order another one. Thanks RIA…
The best short 12 ga. pump.for the money BAR NONE!!!
Bought one of these bad boys from the local turners. I was skeptical but I figured for 2 bills, it’s worth a shot. It’s a bad ass shotgun. If you like a good bruised shoulder, this guns for you. I dumped 200 rounds through it no problem at all. I recommend staying away from cheap turkey shots. They jammed it but not the guns fault. All in all, great buy, great home defense weapon and the action of load to shoot is flawless.
M5 is modeled after High Standard 30 shotgun
Picked up a r.i. m5. $160 nib. Seems like a durable 12 gauge. Gonna shoot it this saturday so ill let yall know how it goes. Anyone have any info on what compatiblepistol grip can be put on this? Would make it a heck of a lot neater
I have an original J.C. Higgins model 20 pump that was made by Hi Standard for Sears, it is a Hi-Standard Flite King, with a Sears name on it.
I also have a Remington 870, and the Higgins/Hi-Standard is much smoother than the Remington, or any Mossberg or Savage that I have ever used.
These should be great guns.
DeMarco, you and I are on the same wavelength. I would rather pay a bit more for a firearm I know is reliable, than pay a bit less for one that may well have questionable operation in an emergency situation. You must ask the question: “What’s your life worth?”
Besides, I like to buy quality products, knowing that I will more than likely have them for a lifetime and that I won’t have to sell a product someday for something “better.” Mossberg and Remington make quality products.
Why buy a shotgun made in the Philippines when Remington Arms, in Ilion, NY, the oldest gun maker in America, (over 200 years in the same location) was just awarded a 50 Million dollar contract to provide rifles for the Philippine military? I would skip the bargain shotgun and buy a Remington Model 870, the best pump action shotgun in the world. And it doesn’t cost much more than this gun. Just ask any cop in America.
Tried an ati stock and tag star forend grip (cabelas). Neither fit.
I can’t find any accessories that fit this shotgun (collapsable stock or pistol grip). Anyone have any ideas?
Armscors website has a pistol grip for $19 plus shipping
Took the M5 to shot today for the first time. It’s a little heavy but the action is very solid and it fired about 100 rounds flawlessly with no jams or misfires. My buddy has a Stevens (fells cheap and flimsy)and this is much better quality if you are shopping in the budget category.
As I mentioned, I thought Rock Island was a piece of junk, Philippines or no Philippines.
Hey Bobby,
The Rock Island M5 shotgun is not made in China or any other “commie” country. It is made in the Philippines. They are friends and allies of the U.S. I’m all in favor of Buying American but why not give the few countries who are genuinely friendly toward us some business? The M5 is imported by Armscor, an American company.
stop pushing china made weapons. just stop it. there a commie country.plenty of good american arms available.
Fist off, they are made in the Philippines. Not China and definitely not a communist country. Read up on your history, thousands of Filipinos have died fighting side by side with the U.S. Marines. Even today the USMC is sent to work hand in hand with the Philippine Marine Corps in support of the Global War on Terrorism and last I checked were a bit reluctant to the idea of a communist ally. And a side note, Coors even has a brewery outside Manilla.
And yes I agree 99.9% of the stuff that comes out of China is crap, or infringed knock-off which is suported by a wicked government who is, now, quickly escalating to world economic dominance. Either of which should not be promoted or endorsed by anyone in our country, but a mass of people choose to turn a blind eye for the love a good discount on there goods.
I took delivery of the Rock Island M5 three days ago. Got home and….the safety button was stuck tighter than a drum, making it impossible to pull the trigger. I should have tested it in the store, but completely forgot. The gun was returned for a full refund yesterday.
After closer inspection at home, I found that the “jeweled” bolt surface was full of porosity, leading me to be suspicious of the quality of the casting. Also, the butt pad is hard as a rock and is attached to the stock with tapered bullet screws that look like common wood screws. The plastic slide handle is sharp around the edges and not comfortable to the hand when working the slide. Seems that Armscor could have been able to afford a better butt pad, butt screws and finished off their bolt surface without spending a ton of money.
$200 is admittedly a cheap price, but you get what you pay for. The guns I am now looking at Remington 870 Tactical Express or one of the Mossberg models) will involve spending more money, but I know I won’t be buying junk. Buying the M5 was one of those “live and learn” experiences. If I were to buy an inexpensive alternative to the M5, I would look at the Stevens…made by Savage.
Thanks for the great review on the Rock Island M5 shotgun, Suzanne. I’m ready to buy one — I just wish it came with the pistol grip (cruiser) like the Mossbergs. I have a Rock Island 1911; the quality is great and the price is a bargain.
You mentioned that an aftermarket tube extension was available. I checked the Cheaper Than Dirt website but the only ones they had were for Remington 870’s and Winchesters. Can you tell me where I can buy an extension for the M5?
Bob, the Armscor website offers a pistol grip for $19+shipping
Philippines…but maybe elsewhere also.
Sounds interesting. Just one question – where is it made?
Merle
Hmmmm….a bit of serendipity. I purchased one from Big 5 last week and will take delivery on September 10. It cost a bit much ($250 plus $25 transfer fee, plus sales tax that goes to the State of California). As for the bead sight: who cares about sights. Does anyone think they will be worrying about a sight when being attacked by a knife-wielding punk or nutcase in the middle of the night? This is a point-and-shoot situation, and in most homes will serve the shooter just fine.
As for a few machining marks: again, why pay more for a higher-quality scatter gun that may in all likelihood never be used…at least in a home-defense situation. My new Rock Island will be used mostly in defense of our motor home when we boondock in remote areas where there are no police around.
I liked the addition of the shell-holder on the side of the stock that gives quick access to two more shells…a nice touch.