Considering pre-owned R9S

[markwillecho]

I'm considering buying a barely-used (2 mags, according to the seller) R9S, serial number R129X.  Poking around this forum I found some references to slide cracks and a change to different steel, apparently in the "1100 to 1200 range" according to one post.  Anybody have any more specific info on that?  And are there any concerns that I should have with a R9S of this vintage?  Any special skills/tools required for normal maintenance?  I have several nice carry guns--Seecamp, Kel-Tec, Colt Mustang--but I'm hoping that this could be "The One".  Thanks!    MARK

[Richard S]

Mark:

Go for it. That cracked slide issue was traced to a very small lot of defective bar stock and involved only a few pistols. In the extraordinarily unlikely event that the pistol you are considering might have a slide from that particular lot of bar stock, the company will fit a new slide to your R9.

I, too, have a Seecamp and a Colt Mustang in my collection, but my R9 (No. 132) is what you call "The One."  

[Newt]

I just traded into a used R9, my 3rd  , just over the 1200 range and with Rohrbaughs customer service I know they will correct any problems with it, so don't be scared of a used R9 unless it's been abused.

[ccoorreeyy]

If it's a fair price I say Go for IT!!!  Rohrbaugh will be there for ya if ever needed.
Corey

[markwillecho]

Gentlemen, thanks for your reassuring input.  I have "pulled the trigger", and am now the proud owner of a nice R9S with black carbon fiber (?) grips.  Says "Deer Park" on the slide.  I did the field strip/clean/lube this afternoon . . . I guess I will improve with practice!  I hope to get to the range soon.   Thanks again----MARK

[Richard S]

MarK:

Congratulations! I predict you will never regret taking the plunge. And that field-strip procedure gets easier each time you perform it. Before long, you may find yourself field stripping and cleaning the R9 whether it needs it or not, just for the pleasure of the task.

[tracker]

Richard,

That sounds like OCD to me; obsessive cleaning disorder.

[Richard S]

Tracker:

I'm thinking that you carrier pilots might have had a touch of OCD yourselves in getting ready to catapault off the deck in the dark of night over stormy seas.  

[tracker]

No doubt about it, Richard; that night catapult shot was the cross
road of abject fear, trepidation, and exhilaration. There was only a
split second between those intense emotions. However, once you
taxied across the shuttle and the hold back fitting was engaged by
the deck crew there wasn't much choice but to go to full power and
salute the "shooter" before it all went black and the gauges were
your new best friend.

[Richard S]

No doubt about it, Richard; that night catapult shot was the cross
road of abject fear, trepidation, and exhilaration. There was only a
split second between those intense emotions. However, once you
taxied across the shuttle and the hold back fitting was engaged by
the deck crew there wasn't much choice but to go to full power and
salute the "shooter" before it all went black and the gauges were
your new best friend.

And here I thought my first solo in a Cessna 150 was a rush.