Kimber Custom II Target VS Rock Island Armory

[TNP'R]

So I mentioned on my FB that i'm probably going to get a Kimber Custom II Target 1911 and someone commented that a 400 Rock Island armory is just as good and that a Kimber Custom II Target is a cheap Kimber. Is this true?

[SilverTauron]

So I mentioned on my FB that i'm probably going to get a Kimber Custom II Target 1911 and someone commented that a 400 Rock Island armory is just as good and that a Kimber Custom II Target is a cheap Kimber. Is this true?

No.

There is certainly a signifigant fit and finish difference between a Rock Island Armory versus a higher dollar 1911 such as a Kimber or other brand.

Functionally, while that aspect depends on the intended use there usually isn't a difference. I am no 1911 expert, but note that plenty of men have taken care of business on the target range and against hostiles using plain jane GI grade 1911s. Unless your skill is such that Jerry Mickulek should be concerned when you walk to the line , a match barrel will shoot just as well as a 'standard' barrel offhand at self defense distances.

Ultimately the decision is yours whether the price difference justifies owning a prettier and better-finished weapon.

[TNP'R]

No.

There is certainly a signifigant fit and finish difference between a Rock Island Armory versus a higher dollar 1911 such as a Kimber or other brand.

Functionally, while that aspect depends on the intended use there usually isn't a difference. I am no 1911 expert, but note that plenty of men have taken care of business on the target range and against hostiles using plain jane GI grade 1911s. Unless your skill is such that Jerry Mickulek should be concerned when you walk to the line , a match barrel will shoot just as well as a 'standard' barrel offhand at self defense distances.

Ultimately the decision is yours whether the price difference justifies owning a prettier and better-finished weapon.

The one i'm looking at is only like 10 dollars more than a Colt Government model. I like the looks over the Government model though.

[DArBad]

So I mentioned on my FB that i'm probably going to get a Kimber Custom II Target 1911 and someone commented that a 400 Rock Island armory is just as good and that a Kimber Custom II Target is a cheap Kimber. Is this true?

If you like the Kimber Custom II Target, I would heartily recommend it! It is a good gun and NO, it is not a cheap gun.

I have nothing bad to say about the RIAs as they too are good guns, just not in the same tier as the Kimber Custom Target.

Functionally, all 1911s are the same, just that the higher priced brands and model delivers a more satisfying experience.

[INFAMOUS762X39]

Save your pennies and get the 1911 you want from the start, you will regret it later if you don't.

I love my Kimber TLE II "my first 1911", shoots flawlessly, reliable, accurate blah blah blah. I recommend any Kimber that tickles your fancy. You really can't go wrong. Kimber's in my opinion are one of the best run for your money Production 1911's.

Rock Island 1911's do not count in my book, simply not made in the USA. Self Explanatory!

[InGrAM]

They will both shoot, and shoot about the same size holes and most distances (depending on the shooter) but the Kimber has more features. You will feel the quality difference between the two.

A RIA is just as good as the Kimber in the fields of reliability and function. But the Kimber is going have a much better fit, finish and over all quality.

[InGrAM]

Save your pennies and get the 1911 you want from the start, you will regret it later if you don't.

I love my Kimber TLE II "my first 1911", shoots flawlessly, reliable, accurate blah blah blah. I recommend any Kimber that tickles your fancy. You really can't go wrong. Kimber's in my opinion are one of the best run for your money Production 1911's.

Rock Island 1911's do not count in my book, simply not made in the USA. Self Explanatory!

So I guess Springfield Armory doesn't count in your book but SIG 1911's do.

[PerfectReset]

Look at it this way, depending how long you want to keep it, you'll get about the same % back when you sell it so that % is probably a much smaller difference than the price difference up front... If you have the money, go with the one that gets you excited (and for some that's the Rock Island because they want to beat the piss out of it and not worry about it). I have gone the cheap route; 50% of the time I regret missing out on the overall experience of the more expensive route. If money is tight, the Rock Island is a damn well built gun with solid materials where it counts, it lacks the polish of the higher end 1911's but is a nice piece of hardware mechanically.

[KandyRedCoi]

i own both kimber and rocks ... short answer is NO!

the target model should be considerably better than the rock, and you dont need to be a gun expert to be able to tell the difference ... i set all 1911 standards to my Kimber and i personally havent shot any that feels as good, accurate and solid ... but i love my rocks too

[LovingTheYear1911]

I also own both and there is a huge difference in fit and finish. With my RIA I've had FTF but with nevercan issue with my Kimber. You can't compare the two. It's like a Honda Civic and a Mustang GT.

[LovingTheYear1911]

Dang auto correct on my phone. I meant to say I've never had an issue with my kimber.

[Horton Fenty]

The one i'm looking at is only like 10 dollars more than a Colt Government model. I like the looks over the Government model though.

I like me some Colt's, and this is probably what I would go home with. They're just better cause as they are from the factory they can play music.

[WWDHD?]

They will both shoot, and shoot about the same size holes and most distances (depending on the shooter) but the Kimber has more features. You will feel the quality difference between the two.

A RIA is just as good as the Kimber in the fields of reliability and function. But the Kimber is going have a much better fit, finish and over all quality.

Agree. I have a RIA Tactical and I like it for what it is: a pretty good 1911 for a fair price.
Besides the price difference, I would say the only advantage the RIA has over the Kimber is the Armscore customer service is very good if you have a problem whereas Kimber has a rep for being, to put it nicely, rather uncooperative in that regard at times.
No doubt, the Kimber has better fit/finnish and is US made. That goes a long way. Good luck. (Buy both!)

[DArBad]

I also own both and there is a huge difference in fit and finish.......... You can't compare the two. It's like a Honda Civic and a Mustang GT.

I would have said " its like comparing a Kia (RIA), to a Ford Mustang GT (Kimber Custom Target II).

[polo.45]

So I mentioned on my FB that i'm probably going to get a Kimber Custom II Target 1911 and someone commented that a 400 Rock Island armory is just as good and that a Kimber Custom II Target is a cheap Kimber. Is this true?

I like RIA's. But Kimbers are. Better guns