See the following:
http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?topic=4649.msg52298#msg52298
Although the "cracked slide" issue was limited to a very few early R9s and the problem was traced to a small batch of defective bar stock, Rohrbaugh took the precaution of adding thickness to the area involved. Still and all, I have been carrying and shooting R9 No. 132 ("Farmingdale") since May 2004. No cracks. No vices. No problems.
Here is its most recent photo taken in May of this year:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/Rohrbaugh%20R9/rohrbaughr9at8years.jpg)