The Rohrbaugh Forum

Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R9 (all variations) => Topic started by: Lancesnarr on January 20, 2011, 02:53:23 PM

Title: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Lancesnarr on January 20, 2011, 02:53:23 PM: Hello everyone. I purchased an R9 about 8 months ago. Love it. Added John's mag extensions and love it even more. Very impressed with accuracy. Quality is second to none.

So, I bought my wife the .380 version for Christmas. I don't like that round, but I was concerned the recoil in the 9mm would be a bit much for her as she tends to flinch.

I have compared these two guns carefully and, it appears anyway, that the only difference is the internals of the magazines. I am wondering if this is true? And if so, can I use my 9mm mag from my R9 and shoot 9mm through the .380?

Anybody ever researched this or shot 9mm through the .380?

Thanks, Lancesnarr
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: tracker on January 20, 2011, 02:55:31 PM: No.
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Richard S on January 20, 2011, 03:09:35 PM: What Tracker said.
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: kjtrains on January 20, 2011, 03:47:04 PM: No! :)
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: dano on January 20, 2011, 03:52:41 PM: What they all said..... [glb]Don't Do It![/glb]
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: RickP on January 20, 2011, 04:36:36 PM: Lancesnarr,

Welcome to the forum!!!

I don't think the factory even approves 380+P, but after the SHOT show I would call the factory to be sure.

Rick
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: yankee2500 on January 20, 2011, 04:43:49 PM: Lance, a welcome from me as well.

Although it is referred to as a 9mm short it also has a smaller diameter and a 9mm will not chamber in a 380 pistol enough to allow it to go into battery and fire.
So no need to worry about mixing up mags or ever trying to shoot a 9mm in a 380 it won't go.

John
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: kjtrains on January 20, 2011, 06:18:54 PM: Lance. Welcome to the Forum and congrats on the R9 and your wife's .380. John explained it very well on what won't go where. Again, welcome. :)
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Lancesnarr on January 20, 2011, 07:07:51 PM: Thanks for the feedback. I won't do it!!!! I also appreciate learning that the .380 is a different diameter than the 9mm, as I have always assumed it to be the same due to the .380 often being referred to as 9mm short.

Well, I'll be the first to admit that there's a lot I don't know! But I do place an emphasis on safety and would not have tried to shoot 9mm through the .380 without solid verification. Thanks again for the feedback and education.

Lancesnarr
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Richard S on January 20, 2011, 07:29:52 PM: Lancesnarr:

I neglected to welcome you to the Forum in my earlier post. I so do now. And that was an elegant touch to give you wife the Rohrbaugh .380.
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Alphonso on January 20, 2011, 11:03:26 PM: How about a barrel swap? Would the R380 fit/handle 9mm with a factory 9mm barrel in it?
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: tracker on January 20, 2011, 11:10:17 PM: No.
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Lancesnarr on January 21, 2011, 01:05:00 PM: Again, thanks for all the feedback. I looked through a bunch of old posts under the R380 category and discovered that this topic had come up before. From what I've read, although the R9 and R380 look very similar, there are a number of differences that not only make it impossible to shoot 9mm through the R380, but also make a conversion of the R380 to an R9 impracticle.

I am not a gunsmith and do not know anymore than what I have read on this forum. But, since I posed the question, I thought I should pass on what I have learned.

Out of sheer curiosity, I would like to know what the various differences are. But only out of curiosity. My wife loves the R380 and it was a good choice for her. After shooting her R380, she shot my R9 and the recoil was definately more than she was comfortable with. As she put it, "your gun hurts@!".

Regards to all,

Lancesnarr
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Richard S on January 21, 2011, 02:29:19 PM: Quote
* * * Out of sheer curiosity, I would like to know what the various differences are. * * *

This article written by Dick Metcalf and published in the June 2000 edition of Shooting Times may be of interest:

http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aast9mmv380a.htm

And here is a link to another discussion, some of which speaks to specific dimensional differences in the two rounds:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080127072915AALxQBt

Edit: Don't get me started on this stuff. ;)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/Cartridgespecs9parabellum.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/Cartridgespecs380ACP.jpg)
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: MRC on January 22, 2011, 01:06:14 PM: I agree with everything that has been said so far, but why couldn't a Rohrbaugh factory conversion be produced consisting of a barrel and recoil spring assembly?

I really doubt that Rohrbaugh is doing anything different to the frames of the two calibers, but that is possible.
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Brenden on January 22, 2011, 01:26:01 PM: Quote
I agree with everything that has been said so far, but why couldn't a Rohrbaugh factory conversion be produced consisting of a barrel and recoil spring assembly?

I really doubt that Rohrbaugh is doing anything different to the frames of the two calibers, but that is possible.

When the mere thought of the .380 was brought up years ago,a "conversion kit" was mentioned by the forum members..

It was agreed that we would most likely buy one,but not give up our 9mm Pups!!

And here we are today.. ;)
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: yankee2500 on January 22, 2011, 02:48:21 PM: Here is the result of firing a smaller caliber in a larger caliber gun.
The first on the right is a 32 fired from a 380. Next is a 9mm fired from a 40S&W and the two on the left are 40S&Ws fired from a 45acp.

(http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_0477.jpg) (http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/yankee2500/IMG_0478.jpg)

John
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: MRC on January 22, 2011, 03:09:56 PM: For my Glock 40's and Sig 229, I have I have 357 barrels and for my 10mm I have a 40 barrel and spring and a 9x25 Dillon barrel and have enjoyed them alot.

You just need to watch what you are doing. No more difficult than reloading.
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: yankee2500 on January 22, 2011, 03:59:07 PM: I guess everyone's not good at watching what they are doing. ;D
These came from a public range and I have at least another dozen. :o

John
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: kjtrains on January 22, 2011, 04:42:55 PM: That's some ugly looking stuff! :(
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: DDGator on January 24, 2011, 12:59:26 PM: I think a conversion kit would be more like a slide, barrel, spring assembly and magazine...

That wouldn't be cost effective and won't happen. These guys build hand fit high-quality pistols, not lego sets. This is a fine pistol, not an AR.
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Stonebender on January 28, 2011, 05:41:50 AM: Quote
I think a conversion kit would be more like a slide, barrel, spring assembly and magazine...

That wouldn't be cost effective and won't happen. These guys build hand fit high-quality pistols, not lego sets. This is a fine pistol, not an AR.

Ding Ding Ding! Nice answer.

I always tell my new-to-shooting buddies, heck, even not new-to-shooting buddies, "Look at the barrel, gun or wherever it's marked... What does it say? 9mm? .45acp? .45LC? That's what you load in it. That's what it's made to shoot. You load nothing else. Nothing."
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Alphonso on January 28, 2011, 10:31:14 AM: Quote

...That's what you load in it. That's what it's made to shoot. You load nothing else. Nothing."

I put .38 in my .357 revolvers...
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Stonebender on January 28, 2011, 09:13:51 PM: Well.. naturally. I'm talking a basic rule of thumb. There ARE exceptions.
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: yankee2500 on January 28, 2011, 09:36:47 PM: Always a wise guy. ;D ;D I have shot 45 LC in a 454 Casull ;D
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: kjtrains on January 28, 2011, 09:57:59 PM: Well, me too! ;D And 45 LC in the Taurus Judge! ;D
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Alphonso on January 29, 2011, 01:24:28 AM: Quote
Well.. naturally. I'm talking a basic rule of thumb. There ARE exceptions.

OK then, can I shoot .380 in my 9mm Rohrbaugh.. ;D
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Stonebender on January 29, 2011, 07:42:25 AM: Alright... I'm going to crawl back into my Whiskey bottle now...
;D ;D

I think you guys get my point! ;)
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Richard S on January 29, 2011, 08:12:33 AM: Stone:

Would you mind passing that bottle to me for a moment? All these numbers flying around are giving me a headache and the coffee seems a little weak this morning. I'm suddenly getting the urge to load some .32 Long Colt ammo into a S&W .32 Long revolver just to see how hard it's going to be to hammer the expended casings out of the cylinder. ;)
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: tracker on January 29, 2011, 11:39:59 AM: Good whiskey would be cheaper than the .32 Long Colt, if you could find any more.
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Richard S on January 29, 2011, 03:09:23 PM: Quote
Good whiskey would be cheaper than the .32 Long Colt, if you could find any more.

I still have a box with a few rounds of the stuff, pure lead bullets and all, in my safe. The trouble is I no longer have the old Colt revolver for which they were manufactured. For the benefit of any of my heirs who might be rummaging through my "stuff" when I'm gone, I've written on the box, "Do NOT load these in a .32 Smith & Wesson." 8)
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: Reinz on January 29, 2011, 03:33:25 PM: Quote

I still have a box with a few rounds of the stuff, pure lead bullets and all, in my safe. The trouble is I no longer have the old Colt revolver for which they were manufactured. For the benefit of any of my heirs who might be rummaging through my "stuff" when I'm gone, I've written on the box, "Do NOT load these in a .32 Smith & Wesson." 8)

Very good thinking!

I'm sure your heirs will appreciate and odds are they are not as knowledgeable as you are/were about guns and ammo.
Title: Re: Can you shoot 9mm in the Rohrbaugh 380?
Post by: DTM_39 on January 31, 2011, 06:06:27 PM: For the record, The extractor and the ejecter are also different. ;D ;D