Over the course of about two years, three different R9s have been in my hands. The first two I received new and put about 100rds each thru them before having to sell them(personel economic downturn). My current R9s, bought from a fellow board member had, by his count, 105rds thru it before coming into my possession. My only FTF or FTE was within the first 25rds of my first gun as I was having to learn how to "grip this gun." My hands are somewhat large, as I enjoy the grip of a P7M13 with Nill grips attached. I've put another 225rds thru my current pistol before changing out the recoil spring. The "old" spring was "two" full coils shorter than a factory fresh spring. All of my shooting has been with 115gr Speer GDHP. Reguardless of what anyone say's, putting a factory fresh spring in is a PITA. It's just one of the things we learn to live with. I had planned to "stipple" the front and rear of the frame, however, the wife's being laid off work has put that off, luckily my cash reserves are such I do not have to sell my R9s. I asked Chris if he could spare some of his marine deck tape so I could give it a try, being the gentleman he is, he refused any type of payment, and sent me a strip right before the postage when up. With the tape in place, I found three young (-35yrs) shooters that were guilty of "talk .45, shoot 9mm, carry .380". After explaining how the R9 needed to be gripped and allowing them to dryfire, all three finished off one mag two handed and one mag, strong hand only without any problems. All three are saving up now. No handgun is the " be all end all", for any given situation, however, when wearing jeans, I take comfort in that I have a 9mm in my pocket instead of some lesser caliber.
