Thinking of trading up

[jarcher]

Eric had occasion to phone me shortly after the SHOT show (about an order I placed).  We talked a bit, about several things including the new black finish.  He said they had a lot of trouble with the anodizing so they were switching to this new black finish applied by Smith & Wesson.  

Today I read about the grip material being switched to G10.  I sure hope that they make the grips, well, grippy.  I think the CF grips are pretty cool and they sure look great, but they are also pretty slick, which is not a good quality in a pistol grip.

Anyhow, I'm thinking that when the new black pistols with the G10 grips are released I'll sell my R9s and buy one of the newer ones.  Eric joked that my R9s will soon be a collectable, so maybe I'll find someone who wants to collect it  I like to collect pistols, but this one I need to carry.

Does anyone know when black, G10-gripped R9s will ship?

[theirishguard]

not in the near future.
Tom

[eblackhawk]

Why do you say that, Tom?  I'm looking forward to it as well!
                                                   Eric

[theirishguard]

thats the word I get from Rohrbaugh.
Tom

[jarcher]

What is the near future?  The next 3 months?  Six?  I was assuming they would take until fall of 2006.

[R9SCarry]

Jim - spoke with Eric this evening and he is in process of using the last of the CF grips - maybe 35 or so - and is waiting on the final G-10 grips to come in relatively soon.  

I hope to get a pic of an R9 with those on if Eric can oblige.

[Calvin Cooledge]

I agree with you completely. I want to have a grippier grip, and have
really come to like the slip on rubber grip that Karl uses. It does add
a negligible thickness to the grips, which is an enhancement that really
can't be quantified, because what price comfort? I'd be nervous enough in an extreme situation, and the last thing I'd need was a sloppy purchase.
This rubber grip does it for me. BUT, a checkered grip built in to the handle would be ideal. G-10 is a fantastic material, and from a total
reliability standpoint, it's peerless. Carbon fibre (the fancy way to spell it-they can charge more for it with a fancy spelling, doncha know?) is pretty, but in this application, hardly a "must".  But what I REALLY want is Cocobolo. It's strong, checkers well, is warm, and is incredibly beautiful (and I should know!). It would really enhance the functionality and make it even MORE appealing!

I have spoke...

Hayword N. Edgewise
PS-We could just buy new grips for our R9's, but that wouldn't be as much fun as having two R9's;^)
Also, tell me more about this new finish. Is it baked on? UV cured?
Vapor deposition? Brined;^)

Eric had occasion to phone me shortly after the SHOT show (about an order I placed).  We talked a bit, about several things including the new black finish.  He said they had a lot of trouble with the anodizing so they were switching to this new black finish applied by Smith & Wesson.  

Today I read about the grip material being switched to G10.  I sure hope that they make the grips, well, grippy.  I think the CF grips are pretty cool and they sure look great, but they are also pretty slick, which is not a good quality in a pistol grip.

Anyhow, I'm thinking that when the new black pistols with the G10 grips are released I'll sell my R9s and buy one of the newer ones.  Eric joked that my R9s will soon be a collectable, so maybe I'll find someone who wants to collect it  I like to collect pistols, but this one I need to carry.

Does anyone know when black, G10-gripped R9s will ship?

[MountainMan]

Nice to hear from you again Calvin (Steve) - I see our buddy just retired this past week.

Take care
Davce

[harrydog]

I like the look of cocobolo too, but in terms of practicality, I don't think G10 can be beat.
Since they're down to the last 35 CF grips I wonder how many guns in total will have been made with CF grips? And of those, I wonder how many were blue and how many black?

[Calvin Cooledge]

I like the look of cocobolo too, but in terms of practicality, I don't think G10 can be beat.
Since they're down to the last 35 CF grips I wonder how many guns in total will have been made with CF grips? And of those, I wonder how many were blue and how many black?

Yes, practically speaking, only G-10 and Micartaź are what I would call indestructible. Apparently there are two kinds of carbon fibre, decorative and structural. I was at the local Porsche dealer, and they had, get this, a Carrera GT, and the entire body (yes, you read right) entire body is made of carbon fibre (the structural kind). At $450K (plus options!), I guess they can use what they want. No doubt that all the materials  we've mentioned are perfect for the job, but unlike cocobolo (and to a lesser extent, carbon fibre), they have no soul. Of course, that is not the reason to have a gun, but hey, if you can dress it up, you can take it out;^)
My ideal world would be to put my s/n 2XX in the safe, let it ride out till my retirement, finance my retirement;^), and carry a dressed down EDC R9S. Or maybe put cocobolo on them all, and let God sort it out...

Steve

[harrydog]

I know someone (not a friend, I just know him) who purchased a Carrera GT recently. Ah, to be filthy rich...
Some of the best and most expensive cars in the world are built with carbon fiber "tubs" as the main structure of the vehicle. Its main advantages are that it's extremely stiff (important for handling), strong and very light weight. And VERY expensive, as it's entirely laid up by hand in a very labor intensive fashion. The McLaren M1, Ferrari Enzo, Bugatti and others use this method of construction. All of them cost many hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Some high end bicycle frames are also made of carbon fiber, for the same reasons.

[jarcher]

Thanks for the info guys...

On CF, I think it looks great and feels nice but if the G10 is going to be more grippy, I'll take it.  Also, the tilt rotor Ospry is made largely from carbon fiber, because it is light and strong.  When you're the US military, you need the best!