S/A Ronin or Kimber Custom II 2-tone?

Jebus35745

Jebus35745

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Want a two tone 1911 and stuck between a Springfield Armory Ronin or a Kimber Custom II two tone. Both are about the same price wise. NO aluminum frame, stainless only. Looking for people with experience with either manufacturer, leaning towards the Ronin because of the sights and trigger. Either will get a mag well added cause I like the appearance of them. Larry
 
Well, I own several Springfields (but not a Ronin), and a few Kimber II's. I think they are pretty equal overall, with maybe the nod to Kimber for fit and finish. I like both, but have more Kimbers. Not sure, but the Ronin may be a series 70 (no firing pin safety), as apposed to the Kimber series II that have one. I don't mind the Kimber version, as it is operated by the grip safety, and does not effect the trigger pull like the Colt series 80 system can.

In your shoes, I would handle both, checking sights, trigger pull, fit & finish (check the barrel hood and bushing for slop), features, and fit in your hand. Go from there - There isn't a bad choice.

Larry
 
I'm with Larry on this one. I dont have any experience with the ronin, but all of my other experiences with Springfield have been good. Kimber on the other hand; my old work buddy has one and I've shot that and it was damn nice. There is no wrong answer here
 
I have a Commander size Ronin in .45acp. I changed the mainspring housing for an arched one that has a mag well attached. It is my primary edc. The Commander is an alloy frame though.

I had a similar Kimber Pro Custom, but I prefer the standard barrel bushing set up on the Ronin rather than the bull barrel and the captive spring on the Kimber.

Either should give you good service, I just prefer the Springfield Armory guns.

Tim
 
I have one of each. A Springfield Stainless Loaded Target 9mm and a Kimber Gold Match II in .45ACP. I prefer the Kimber, but not by much.

The only thing about the Springfield I didn't like is that since it does not have a firing pin block (often incorrectly identified as a "Series 70") they use a stiff firing pin spring and a super light weight firing pin in order decrease the likelihood of the infamous "drop misfire" the design is prone too.

This resulted in a "barely there" firing pin strike. It worked fine with factory ammo but reloads always gave me trouble with misfires. This however is an easy fix by replacing the firing pin spring, the firing pin, or both.I just replaced the spring.

The bluing on the Kimber is beautiful. Since the Springfield is stainless I can't compare. I probably like the Kimber better because it's a .45. I've run a couple of thousand rounds through the Springfield and it's been enjoyable for a 9mm. It has a nice ramped barrel and is throated, feeds and chambers anything that will fit in the magazine. The Kimber seems to have a very tight chamber and is a bit more finicky about its ammo.

Both are pretty much excellent 1911's.
 
I was steered toward Springfield by my lgs. The kimbers have cast frames and Springfield have forged frames. Just my preference for forged. Doubtful kimber would give you any issues.
 
dutch686 said:
I was steered toward Springfield by my lgs. The kimbers have cast frames and Springfield have forged frames. Just my preference for forged. Doubtful kimber would give you any issues.
Click to expand...

I have no experience with Kimber, but own two SA EMP4 Champions, an earlier version of the Ronin. One is 9mm and the other is .40S&W, both are very nice guns. I use my .40 as a frequent carry.

As far as the difference between cast and forged, if properly engineered, the cast frame will be as strong or even stronger than forged. Browning went from forged to cast frames in the BHP MkIII when they released a .40S&W version. The forged frames were cracking from the increased recoil of the .40, but the problem was solved by going to a cast frame.

In the EMP, the 9mm is an alloy frame, the .40 is steel, not sure of .45; can you get the EMP in .45? EMP's are downsized frames for the smaller 9mm and .40 cartridge, although I don't believe the .40S&W is offered any longer due to low demand.
 
I have a Springfield Range Officer Elite Compact 9mm (discontinued) and a Trophy Match (both bought used). Both excellent guns and no improvements needed other than replacing fiber optic for a Novak big dot on the 9mm. I have a Kimber Custom II (used also) that was also excellent out of the box but I like to improve sometimes so had Jim Garthwaite (RIP) pit on a gold bead sight, trigger job by LaRocca Gun Works, change grips etc.
 
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Shot a buddy's Springfield Operator some years ago. It definitely did what it said on the can, which was amazing as I'd never fired a 45ACP 1911 until that day.
 
I don’t always carry a 1911, but when I do more often than not it’s my Kimber Custom Compact CDP, a 4” Commander (ish) sized slide on an Officer Model sized alloy frame.

It’s been extremely reliable and comfortable to carry.

001(153).HEIC
 
I bought a used SA Ronin 5" a year ago and really like it. It's a smooth shooter. I really like the two-tone look and red fiber-optic front sight. Never owned a Kimber. This is my first SA 1911 and I'd definitely buy another if I ever SAW another used one.
 
I have a few Spingfields, including a Ronin 10mm, and I’ve had a few Kimber IIs. To my mind, they are both equally well made and accurate, but I prefer 1911s without a firing pin safety; Kimber IIs have the Schwartz Safety. Nothing wrong with it, it’s just my preference. The only Kimber I still have is a GT10, which was a special run for Tom Gresham and was spec’d without the Schwartz safety. It’s also 10mm and is #207 of about 236 made.
 

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Both are about equal in my experience. For me it would be the one I could make the best deal on.
 
I have both Kimber and Springfield pistols; both brands were purchased at least 10-15 years ago. In general I like the Kimber better--the contouring of the front grip strap is more aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing to me than the "blocky" Springfield. Both brands shoot well for me, I just prefer the feel and looks of the Kimber over the Springfield.

That being said, I still prefer Colts over all others.
 
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