The Rohrbaugh Forum

Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R9 (all variations) => Topic started by: ocurran on May 08, 2008, 09:38:50 AM

Title: New R9s owner
Post by: ocurran on May 08, 2008, 09:38:50 AM: What a great little gun!!! I picked it up yesterday and had a chance to put about 25 rounds through. It was love at first sight and fire. I was impressed by the accuracy of something in 9MM that will fit in my back pocket. ;D
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: dawkind on May 08, 2008, 09:47:21 AM: Congrats and welcome to the Forum.....a happy bunch we are!!! ;)
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: Richard S on May 08, 2008, 10:07:49 AM: ocurran:

As "Tracker," "K-Man," and some of the other fine Navy types we have around here might say, "Welcome aboard"!

And congratulations on acquiring one of what I consider to be the finest pocket pistols on this "third rock from the sun." 8)
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: ocurran on May 08, 2008, 10:12:59 AM: As "Tracker," "K-Man," and some of the other fine Navy types we have around here might say, "Welcome aboard"!

As an old Navy man myself, I appreciate the "Welcome aboard"
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: theirishguard on May 08, 2008, 12:19:05 PM: ocurran, great report and post, welcome aboard also. Now grab that mop ;) ;D enjoy the forum and your new pup. Tom
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 09, 2008, 05:26:03 PM: Hello to all,
I recently purchased an R9 elite from Budsgunshop.com and am awaiting the weapon. It is was a total impulse buy as I have many many handguns, but no pocket gun. I did research after purchasing it and am growing a little nervous. Although everyone mostly seems happy, there is a fair amount of negative press on this firearm. Granted, I have yet to see, let alone hold this firearm, what keeps you guys so in love with this gun? I bought it because it is a low volume beautiful gun like none I currently own. The closest is my Sig P232, but not the same animal at all. Please tell me I did not make a mistake in this impulse purchase. I paid $1399 for this gun, more than (by a little) than any other handgun I have purchased in the past. I realize in making a weapon this small, there will be compromises, but do you feel that its worth it? Changing the spring every 100 rounds? Is this true, I realize it is "carried a lot shot a little" but I guess thats new to me. I own probably 30 handguns and with the exception of a Walther PPK/S they have all been trouble free with little maintenace. Dont get me wrong, I love to tinker and am willing to pay the price of admission for a unique firearm but am curious. I suppose things will change once I lay eyes on this trully beautiful firearm, as I am sure its even better in person. By the way GREAT forum, I am sure these questions are answered in this lengthy forum, sorry. I appreciate any feedback, mdpetrasek.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: Jack Foulard on May 09, 2008, 06:59:22 PM: Many of the folks on this forum bought and others will continue to buy without seeing the handgun in person. Since the R9 is a bit obscure, tracking one down locally becomes quite difficult if not impossible.

Your Elite will be a very nice handgun with only cosmetic differences, as you know, over the standard R9. It is quite a nice combination of finishes.

When reading through the many early posts in this subforum, I too thought that there were quite a few problems with the R9. Some were ammo related and others were sorted out with new springs. Purportedly, the chamber has also be enlarged since the early production guns (to insure smoother feeding?)

Will the price to play be worth it? Only you can say but should you have a problem, the Rohrbaugh family will sort you out.

With regards to the recoil springs, I think the current recommendation is replacement after 250 rounds. Seems like the R9 needs a $3.99 spring more often than other handguns but it is what it is. If not shot regularly, this becomes a non-issue.

This forum is indeed a great place and everyone is very helpful so do not hesitate to post and ask questions-no reason to reinvent the wheel.

Now you'll have to track down a nice leather pocket holster so that the Elite is well protected in your pocket and also so that you are well protected from the R9 in your pocket.

Welcome and hope tosee you become a regular.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 09, 2008, 07:18:13 PM: Thanks, I should clarify, I bought an R9S Elite. I too am curious of changes they have made in the four years of production. I am getting the sense of community with this firearm and that makes me feel a little easier in parting with nearly $1400 dollars. I thought the Elites had polished feed ramps, is this true? Also, what is the story with the diamond finish? Is it more durable? Thanks for the reply!
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: theirishguard on May 09, 2008, 07:46:05 PM: the R9 has been a great pocket pistol from the start. Very few problems compared to guns sold. Tom
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 09, 2008, 08:10:02 PM: I am sure that as always, people post their frustrations more readily than their positive experiences. This pistol seems to have what I can only describe as a cult like following based on what I have read on this forum. It does appear however, more problems may be present with this firearm than others. Of course, others have the luxury of size and not being a new ground breaking design. I am a firm believer in technology, but there is a point of diminishing return. I am hoping I can trust mine and my families life on this firearm. It is my intention to carry this weapon as my primary ccw gun. I currently carry my Sig P232 and it has performed like a champ gobbling up every single round with no complaints and is a trusted friend. I do have concerns about the caliber and was looking for something both smaller and deadlier. I found the Rohrbaugh by accident and snapped one up. I am not at all trying to say that the Rohrbaugh is nothing less than excellent, I am just trying to gauge it against more established and conventional designs. I am trully excited at being an owner, just curious if I will trust it as much as my other firearms. I also carry a Glock 36 and would trust it any day of the week. Both of these firearms are tried and tested, with numerous police agencies permitting use of off duty police officers. Of interest is that these firearms, even the Sig, is available at less than 1/2 the price. So I am just curious as to comparisons between other subcompact, ableit, not true pocket pistols. Again, I would have not bought one if the basic package was not intriguing. I realize the R9 is smaller, and that is why I bought it. I want to carry something that is trully small and deadly, and reliable. I can spend what I want, so price is no real consideration, just a side note. I guess what I am wondering, is just how reliable is this firearm. Range report after range report indicates FTE, FTF much more often than I would find acceptable with any of my current collection. I do realize that the R9 is smaller, I just hope it is not so finiky as to regulate it to safe duty and me going back to my tried and true G36/P232 for carry duty. I thank you all for your input to a newby future R9S Elite owner, mp.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: BytorJr on May 10, 2008, 01:37:24 AM: Well, I guess the luck is the draw, but a friend of mine has gone about 100 rounds before cleaning and no malfunctions (except with a few Remington Green box) during that time. I bet it could have gone another 100 rounds. I was shocked. That's when I decided to get one, and that all the "bad" was way over hyped.

As for the ammo sensitivity, I'll just say that if I recall correctly most 1911's can be finicky with hollow points. Not owning a 1911 I can't testify to that myself, but that's what I've read (on the internet of course....ymmv).
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: RickP on May 10, 2008, 10:40:37 AM: Welcome to the Forum!

When I set out to buy a pocket pistol the first gun I was shown was the R9s Stealth. I looked at all the small pistols in that shop, went across town and looked at all another shop had, and went back to the first shop and bought the R9. Nothing else looked and felt as good, and I'm very happy with my decision.

There are some who cannot be happy with just one and have a stable of Pups. So far I have been able to resist that temptation.

Ammo choice is important with the R9. Speer 115 GDHPs, Winchester 115 STHPs and 115 WWB for the range work well. Other annos work also but these have been perfect for me!

Rick
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 11:44:09 AM: I am eagerly anticipating this firearm. As I said before, I never even heard of this weapon, let alone held it, before orderering it. It just seemed to fill a niche I have been looking for a long time and I snapped it up. Never before have I done this with a firearm and certainly not to the tune of the amount that I spent on the R9S Elite. I see that they have made quite a few changes to the basic design, to include changing the materials used, specfically the steel. Anybody know why?
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: ccoorreeyy on May 10, 2008, 11:58:42 AM: Quote
I see that they have made quite a few changes to the basic design, to include changing the materials used, specfically the steel. Anybody know why?

What changes do you "see"? I'm just wondering. I knew about the metal type change but thats all I was aware of. I have a very early ser. # R9, a middle ser. # R9 and a recent production R9. I can mix and match all parts between them if I wanted to. I don't see any "basic design" changes.

I guess you might be refering to cosmetic changes. There have been three different grip materials, several different frame colors, stealth model, elite model, and some fancy elite model.

Corey

Edit: I just thought about what you may be talking about. They have updated recoil and mag springs. Is that it?
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 12:02:12 PM: I was referring to different steel, different chamber, loosened tolerances, different spring twist. All appear to be minor "tweeks" but they are small changes. I am mostly interested in why they changed to material used to manufacture the guns with, this seems the biggest change.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: harrydog on May 10, 2008, 03:06:56 PM: Quote
I was referring to different steel, different chamber, loosened tolerances, different spring twist. All appear to be minor "tweeks" but they are small changes. I am mostly interested in why they changed to material used to manufacture the guns with, this seems the biggest change.
I can only speculate but I would think the change from 17-4 to 416 stainless was done because 416 is easier to machine than 17-4 and I would assume this saves them time and money.
I guess that 416 is adequate for the job but I liked the idea of a 17-4 slide since it is a stronger material and made the R9 that much more special. Unfortunately the price of the R9 is going up as the cost of materials (416 and G10) is going down.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 05:20:41 PM: That was my suspicion as well. If they are not careful they will find themselves in the uneviable position of losing customers. I really like the carbon fiber grips I see posted as well. But they are no more I see. I think if they make too many more changes to "cheapen" the gun while extracting larger profits, it will cut into demand I would think. I was wondering if someone is a true expert could chime in and let us know their thoughts. Thanks.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: theirishguard on May 10, 2008, 06:24:47 PM: mdpetrasek, I must disagree with you. You are new to the forum and Rohrbaugh, I don't think you have enough knowledge to pass judgement on Rohbaugh as a company or the quality of the R9s. I suggest you hang around awhile, read and shoot one before you continue to make incorrect statements. Tom
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 06:42:29 PM: Tell me what statements I am making that are incorrect. Yes I am new to the forum and trying to obtain more information. If you have some information to impart I suggest you do. Otherwise, I dont appreciate you coming up just shy of calling me a liar. All the information I posted is freely available on the forums, I am just wondering why they are making the changes they are. If they are good changes, great. I just am curious as a new future owner. Its called curiosity and a geniune interest in this product. There is not a lot of info out there and even fewer reviews. I have read all I believe available, and its mostly positive. I am more curious as to the changes being made to the product though. As you are a seemingly well versed individual on this product, how about actually giving a new guy some productive information?
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: ccoorreeyy on May 10, 2008, 07:02:25 PM: mdpetrasek I suggest you call Karl Rohrbaugh (1-800-803-2233)and ask him your questions. Information straight from the horses mouth will all ways trump speculation. Good luck on your quest.
Corey
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 07:09:06 PM: Yes, he sounds like a nice fellow with a great reputation. I would hate to bother the guy though when hopefully someone here has the insights. A lot of folks here seemingly know everything about the company and products, was just hoping for their comments. I appreciate everyones kind words, with the exception of one, and will post a unbiased range report when my new "toy" arrives. One question, why does everyone call it a pup, little dog with big bite, or something else? Thanks, mp.
Title: beingRe: New R9s owner
Post by: tracker on May 10, 2008, 07:50:07 PM: As far as I am concerned, the newer generation slides are
superb and just as good as the older models, if not better.
They were and still are excellent but Rohrbaugh is also an
evolutionary company: they are always trying to improve the
product. I am certainly not a metallurgist but from a functional
and structural integrity point of view, the new slides are
outstanding. Their customer service, as has been repeated
many times before here, is without peer. The internals of the
gun, such as extractors, ejectors, etc., are also on the posi-
tive slope of functionality. There is, in my opinion, no effort
to put them "on the cheap" at Rohrbaugh, quite the opposite.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 08:08:02 PM: here is some info I found on stainless steel - first the newer steel used in the firearm

Grade 416 has the highest machinability of any stainless steel, at about 85% of that of a free-machining carbon steel. As for most other free-machining stainless steels the improvement in machinability is achieved by addition of sulphur which forms manganese sulphide inclusions; this sulphur addition also lowers the corrosion resistance, weldability and formability to below that of its non-free machining equivalent Grade 410.

Grade 416 is sometimes used in the unhardened or hardened and highly tempered condition because of its low cost and ready machinability.

Martensitic stainless steels are optimised for high hardness, and other properties are to some degree compromised. Fabrication must be by methods that allow for poor weldability and usually also allow for a final harden and temper heat treatment. Corrosion resistance is lower than the common austenitic grades, and their useful operating temperature range is limited by their loss of ductility at sub-zero temperatures and loss of strength by over-tempering at elevated temperatures.

Now the steel they used to use -

Stainless steel grade 17-4, a chromium-nickel-copper stainless steel, maintains high strength up to a temperature of approximately 600° F and provides a level of corrosion resistance that surpasses the 400 series of stainless steels. 17-4 Stainless Steel has a martensitic structure in the annealed condition and requires a low temperature treatment to sustain a higher level of strength.

I am sorry to disagree, but it seems the new steel is inferior to the old. If you research it, 416 is a less desirable, less expensive, but easier to work with steel.

Any comments from anyone? Just trying to get a discussion going, not to bash this product.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: theirishguard on May 10, 2008, 08:23:08 PM: You stated that Rohrbaugh is making changes that cheapen the pistol. I don't think you know enough about the pistol to make that statement. The C/F grips were hard to get because of aerospace demands & etc and it was holding up delivery of pistols to dealers and customers. Again I believe you would be satified more in calling Karl Rohrbaugh and discussing your concerns whether than posting statements that might not be true as tho they were. You don't even have the pistol yet and are making comments that the company is cheapening the product to make more money. That statement is way out of line. Get the R9 and shoot it then see where you are. I am not calling you a liar just not fully informed. Tom
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 08:39:13 PM: Wow, back to the liar liar pants on fire retort. Thanks Irish guy for your comment. Anyways, I am just researching the product and posting FACTS. I said they were using products that would "cheapen" the gun. As you may not be aware of when words are italicized they can have different meanings or emphasis is place on the word. In this instance I meant it is cheaper for the company to use these products. I said they switched materials around and am just curious as to why. And for the record, just because its cheaper does not mean it does not work, I see this in my practice daily. So Irish guy, relax, its just a forum. I hope you're not this serious in real life. Good to know about the carbon fiber grips, still prefer them to current grips, they looked much...more unique and well....expensive. Instead of chastising people, you should be trying to educate and discuss things without getting tweaked. I have been nothing but respectful in this forum, yet I get the feeling Irish guy is getting close to banning me. Just a hunch. And as far as me posting things that may not be true, please tell me otherwise, I am here to learn and have asked for your input prior, just request you be a little less nasty. I have only reported what I have read ON THIS FORUM....
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: tracker on May 10, 2008, 08:48:35 PM: One more comment on the steel business. It may be that one
has better metalurgical qualities than the other but they are
both excellent. I don't particularly care as long it has structu-
ral integrity. I have heard of no slide cracks in a long time
and I think those very few incidents had to do with a bad
batch of barstock.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 09:10:07 PM: good to know, thanks. i read about a couple of cracked slides, nice to hear its isolated. there may very well be a good reason to switch steel. the "better" steel may be less desirable in the gun business, seems common in the aerospace industry, though that does not mean all steel is appropriate in all industries. does anyone know anything about the "diamond" coating on the elite models? is this anything like tennifer or is it something entirely different? i heard smith and wesson applies it, is this true?
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: ccoorreeyy on May 10, 2008, 09:25:54 PM: Quote
I have been nothing but respectful in this forum, yet I get the feeling Irish guy is getting close to banning me.

"Irish guy" is Tom Watson. There is NO ONE that has had more Rohrbaugh pistols gone through their hands than Tom (other than the people at the Rohrbaugh factory). That makes Tom is kinda like an elder to the Rohrbaugh name and this forum. Giving/calling him nick names is not respectful in my book. I understand having questions, but I don't understand having an attitude. I may be reading into it to deep and if thats the case i'm sorry. Your still welcome here anytime and I still hope you get answers to all your questions.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: theirishguard on May 10, 2008, 10:04:48 PM: all I'm saying is get your pistol, hold it and look at it. I think you'll find it well made. Then take it to the range and shoot it, it should be the pocket pistol of your dreams. Making statements on limited info doesn't really have much value. Putting down the pistol and company based on little information and experience seems silly and makes one wonder why you are making those statements. Maybe you are doubting your decision to buy one.? It seems strange to me that you come on the forum, tell us about buying a Stealth for $1400 and then wonder if you made a good buying decision. I know in your mind you felt you asked a question about changes and quality, but then you answer those questions with data that may be wrong. Again call Karl Rohrbaugh and ask him or PM me with your phone number and I'll ask Karl to call you. Tom
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: EMT on May 10, 2008, 10:13:49 PM: Hey Guys. Since you're discussing CF grips.... what is the current grip material? When did they change? Advantages other than cosmetic? Same hold true for the aluminum grips.. cosmetic only? I bought an R9 Stealth sight unseen and am VERY pleased with it.

mdpetrasek, I hope you enjoy you new R9 when you receive it. If not, you will have no trouble selling it for what you paid. Rohrbaughs command, and rightfully so, a high resale value. If the Rohrbaugh is not to you liking, Seecamp makes a total SS true pocket pistol in .32 and .380. NAA does the same though they are not the equal of the Seecamps. Regardless, welcome to the forum. :) :)

EMT
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 10:16:58 PM: Irish guard, sorry for the mistake, I misread. Maybe I read too much into what you wrote. I came here looking for information on this product and feel if I say something negative or perceived to be negative I get flak. I feel this unjustified. I feel like I am being attacked for posting info that I read and am only trying to get more. I am only making statements on limited info because that is seemingly all that is out there. Put in perspective, the company has been making firearms for what, five years. So it is very new and has limited info available. Most firearms are not in this category and have legions of reviews, improvements or changes made throughout the years, etc. I fully realize that one or two bad incidents get blown way out of proportion to reality (Beretta M9 slide failures ring a bell?) I am not having buyers remorse, I just want to make sure that it is indeed all that I sure it will be. As far as attitude, I guess I am defensive because I feel IrishGuard mistakenly thinks I am trashing his obviously favorite pistol. That I can assure you is not the case. I would love to have the complete history of this innovative firearm. Thank you.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 10:29:35 PM: good to know about the naa being inferior (sorry naa fans) than seecamp, i was looking at a naa .380 some time back but decided against it and ended up with my beloved P232. i had a chance years ago to pick up a new seecamp .32 for less than four hundred dollars, one of my most regretful moments not buying it, that and selling my Colt King Cobra. oh well....i cant wait for the R9S to arrive though and see how it stacks up with the rest of my collection, need to buy a holster, will be looking later tonight. i dont think i will sell my rohrbaugh emt, but good to know about resale value, always the truest indicator of quality in my estimation. i am curious to what others have paid for their pistols, i normally am a carefull consumer but must admit i grabbed the R9 with nary any knowledge about it, hence my crash course in trying to educate myself. just wonder if $1400 was too much for my elite. thanks.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: EMT on May 10, 2008, 10:40:40 PM: mdpetrasek,

You can't go wrong with a Sig Sauer. I had several P226's and a P239. I've sold them all as I'm just interested in pocket sized pistols at the moment. Even thinking about selling my Kahr PM9. It's the largest pistol I own. ;) :)
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 10:44:22 PM: yes, sigs are great weapons, though the last one i bought recently, a P220 SAO was not up to their normally high standards, mainly some tooling marks and sights that were grossly off. but i have four sigs and they are great. man, i hope i dont catch the bug like you, what else do you have and what is your favorite?
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: tracker on May 10, 2008, 11:32:55 PM: Sigs are not the same quality, in my opinion, as they were in
the past. This comes not only from me but from a master
gunsmith who has worked on all of them and has strong
opinions based on vast experience, I would not buy a new Sig
but I would buy a new Rohrbaugh.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 10, 2008, 11:38:59 PM: yes, three of my sigs are completly made in germany and the quality difference is huge. my latest acquisition, the P220 SAO match, is no better than any other handgun out there, except for that sweet SAO sig trigger. frame made in germany, slide in the u.s. i hate to think that is the case, but it is seemingly true in this instance. i will no longer buy any sig unless made in germany. my P220 that is german made is a thing of beauty, as is my P232. not sure if they still bring in P220s from germany, or if all the slides are made here. i hope i fall in love with the r9 as much, i would love to see an american product stack up equally.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: EMT on May 10, 2008, 11:55:44 PM: You gentlemen may be correct about the Sig Sauers. I am only familiar with the P226's and the P239 that I owned and they were good pistols. My former neighbor owns a P232 in SS and he is very pleased with it. He's also the fellow responsible for my interest in firearms.

Now I have only pocket size (mouse) guns. I don't have much chance to go to a range so only keep what I can use/carry. I've tried IWB carry and do not care for it. Hope to take the R9 to a range in the next few weeks so I can feel comfortable and carry it on occasion. :) :)
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: tracker on May 11, 2008, 12:05:17 AM: EMT,
Welcome, again, to the forum. I hope the R9 will serve you
well as it has a lot of us. I did buy a Sig Mosquito in a weak
moment a year ago and returned it in three days; the quality
compared to other great Sigs was abominable.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: theirishguard on May 11, 2008, 12:18:29 PM: mp, thanks for your kind words. I'm passionate about Rohrbaugh pistols and company. The reasons for this passion is that the owners and people working there are top notch, great customer service and they care about their customers being happy with their firearms and go to great lengths towards that end. The R9s design is a great match of power and small size to carry in a pocket to always have with you to enable you to live or leave the area. To this end the quality of the pistol is super and the fitting of the gun is unsurpassed. Wait till you get your new purchase in your hands, you will understand. Most of the forum members here have bought their R9s without seeing one before hand. And I'm sure some have asked themselves, did I do the right thing here. Even the few folks that had some problems at first , worked their way thru it with Rohrbaughs help and are very happy with the gun. I suggest that you ease your way into the pistol and shooting it. Take it a little slow and easy, watch what is happening and use either Speer Gold Dot, Winchester Silver Tip 115 or 124 gr HP ammo. Perfect your grip as the pup is different than other pistols to start. Don't shoot over 50 rounds in a session and allow it to cool off alittle. Enjoy it and enjoy the forum Tom
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 11, 2008, 01:47:49 PM: well to generate that kind of passion there must be a good reason. its nice to see a company take such pride in their work, especially an American company. i must admit, spending this kind of money sight unseen does make me wonder if i have done the right thing, but the more i research the more i am fairly certain to have made the right choice. i have so many handguns that i buy and grow tired of quickly, i am looking for something unique and that will be functional as well. sorry if we got off on the wrong foot, you are someone whose brain i would like to pick and i am sure i will be asking you questions in the near future, as my gun is supposed to be here by this Wednesday. thanks again, and thanks for the advice, it is trully appreciated.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: BytorJr on May 11, 2008, 01:53:11 PM: mdpetrasek, I'd be more worried about you if you were not questioning a handgun over 1000 dollars. :). That's perfectly normal in my opinion. Hopefully, you'll love it when you get it and that sticker shock will disappear, just like the R9 in your pocket.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: tracker on May 11, 2008, 01:57:11 PM: and there is an element of inflation protection here; by my
rough calculations they go up in price about 10 per cent
annually.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: Richard S on May 11, 2008, 07:32:45 PM: mdpatrasek:

Welcome to the Forum!

You posted the following comments and questions to which I shall attempt to respond:

Quote
good to know about the naa being inferior (sorry naa fans) than seecamp * * * but good to know about resale value, always the truest indicator of quality in my estimation. i am curious to what others have paid for their pistols, i normally am a carefull consumer but must admit i grabbed the R9 with nary any knowledge about it, hence my crash course in trying to educate myself. just wonder if $1400 was too much for my elite. thanks.

Seecamps are splendid pocket pistols. Otherwise, I wouldn't let my wife carry this one, the grips of which cost as much as the pistol (Holster by Hedley):

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/theoddcouple.jpg)

But are NAA's inferior? No.

And how much did I pay for one -- or two -- customized? All right, I don't generally talk about the prices of my possessions, but here you have two Guardians, one a .32 ACP and one a .380 ACP, both customized, both with sterling silver grips -- in each of which I have invested more than $1,000 (Holsters by Hedley):

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/g32customizedwith9-year-oldhedleyho.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/G380HedleyHolster.jpg)

Four years ago I took delivery of R9 No 132 which I had ordered sight unseen after the prototype was unveiled at SHOT 2002 and for which I waited two years. It cost just under $1,000 -- this one -- and was worth every penny (Again, holster by Hedley):

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/r9at3yearswithgolddotshedleyleather.jpg)

Is $1,400 too much for the elite version of the finest pocket pistol yet produced? Not at all. You chose wisely.

Good luck!
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 11, 2008, 08:01:56 PM: Richard, those are some beautiful guns you have there! I think I may be just starting this pocket pistol obsession. I had a Beretta Tomcat, I bought one when they first came out, but promptly had a slide failure which was replaced by Beretta in a professional manner, but it never gave me much confidence. I was a little concerned about the caliber as well, I personally (every one has their own opinions) think .380 is the minimum, those I have seen a lot of fatal shootings in the whole spectrum of calibers. So anyways, I have been waiting for a true pocket 9mm and found it via Rohrbaugh. I had a ppk/s somewhere along the way I picked up while in the military, it was gorgeous pistol, but a turd. I sent it back twice but the thing never worked no matter what I did. I wanted a seecamp, but could never find one, or find one that was not going for "market price", that is to say, grossly inflated. I sold both the ppk/s and tomcat because of my lack of trust and always wanted to replace them with a true pocket pistol at least .380, 9mm even better. It seems the NAA's too are difficult to find, at least through my normal dealers, mostly budsgunshop.com, where I have bought most of my guns over the past few years. They have Rohrbaughs now, though I bought their only elite model I guess. Anyways, thanks for giving me your experience, I would love to find a pocket .380, though the wife may be a little leary. I have purchased a LOT of guns this past year, I have an AR fetish as well. I see a sphinx on gunbroker that I have bid on several times but never met the reserve, whats your opinion on those?
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: Richard S on May 12, 2008, 10:44:17 AM: mdpatresek:

At the risk of drifting this thread into the "Other Guns" topic, I have no personal experience with the Swiss-made Sphinx line of pistols. Like most things Swiss, however, they seem to have a good reputation. It is my understanding that the AT380 Series is no longer imported into the United States, so it might be a good acquisition for investment purposes if that would be a factor in your deliberation.
Title: Re: beingRe: New R9s owner
Post by: harrydog on May 12, 2008, 01:26:37 PM: Quote
As far as I am concerned, the newer generation slides are
superb and just as good as the older models, if not better.
They were and still are excellent but Rohrbaugh is also an
evolutionary company: they are always trying to improve the
product. I am certainly not a metallurgist but from a functional
and structural integrity point of view, the new slides are
outstanding. Their customer service, as has been repeated
many times before here, is without peer. The internals of the
gun, such as extractors, ejectors, etc., are also on the posi-
tive slope of functionality. There is, in my opinion, no effort
to put them "on the cheap" at Rohrbaugh, quite the opposite.
Not to beat a dead horse but I do think 416 stainless is not quite up to the same standards as 17-4. While 416 is most likely perfectly acceptable for this application, I thought it was very cool that Rohrbaugh chose an even higher quality steel for their slides. It was part of what makes the R9 special. Lets face it, those tiny slides take a beating, so using the strongest material that is practical makes good sense.
The change from carbon fiber grips to G10 doesn't bother me so much. The carbon fiber grips look cool but G10 is actuually a better material for the purpose in my opinion, plus the change was something that had to be done due to carbon fiber availability.
The change to 416 stainless doesn't make sense to me other than for cost savings. Of course had Rohrbaugh used 416 from the beginning, I'd have no complaint, but the mid-stream change makes me scratch my head.
Having said that, I would definitely not hesitate to buy a new R9 with the 416 slide.
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: mdpetrasek on May 13, 2008, 09:37:58 PM: Well I picked up my R9S Elite today. First let me say another perfect transaction from budsgunshop.com, I can't highly recommend these guys enough, try them! Anyways first impressions are of high quality. Virtually no play in slide, nice polishing and toolwork. Have not disassembled yet, though from what I read the internals should be similar. I am not sure the Elite was worth the extra money, though have not seen a standard model, maybe someone could give their opinions. Only complaint, small chink on frame near muzzle. Nice magazines, nice trigger pull, still a little shocked by price, I will have to find a holster, please give suggestions, thanks!
Title: Re: New R9s owner
Post by: DTM_39 on May 21, 2008, 05:53:05 PM: mdpetrasek, Welcome to the Forum and congratulations on your new Elite. Look forward to a range report when you get the chance to shoot it. As far as a 380 goes they should be coming out very soon. They are sweet to shoot. Just like the R-9 without the kick. Dan