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I'm looking for a small, mid cal pistol that I can defend myself with if necessary. I'm looking at the Rohrbaugh r9, the Ruger lc9, and the smith and wesson bodyguard 38. I'd love to settle in on the r9 but here's the thought:
Worries:
-Lack of a safety. Is the double action enough?
-Recoil. Can I hold onto the pup with adrenaline and nerves?
-Maintenance. I've handled paintball guns, but I've heard the r9 is very simple. That'd be great, my only dismantling of my 98 custom resulted in the spring firing the back cap across the room.
I've also been told that you'll probably never see your cc gun again if the officials make a reason to relieve you of it. The r9 isn't cheap, but I've heard its high quality. I worry I could lose my investment if i use it for the reason I purchased it.
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All three of the handguns (two pistols and one revolver) you mention would suffice, but the R9 is in my opinion simply the finest pocket handgun yet designed.
As for your "worries":
1. Lack of a Safety. The R9's DAO design with a trigger pull of about 8 pounds
is the safety. Just be sure to carry the pistol in a good holster that covers the trigger.
2. Recoil. Being a 13-ounce pistol chambered for 9mm Parabellum, the R9 requires a firm grip to stabilize it during the recoil process. The R9's recoil is sharp but entirely controllable. In the event (Lord forbid) that you should ever need to use the R9 in an emergency situation, your adrenalin level will probably be so high that you will be gripping the pistol like a vise.
3. Maintenance. The R9 is an elegant and uncluttered design. Due to its tight tolerances, the pistol needs to be kept clean and lubricated. Field stripping the piece is easily done when you know how. Just read the manual and the FAQ section of this Forum for guidance and take it "slow and easy" until you have mastered the process. It goes without saying that you should wear safety glasses when working on a pistol. Spring loaded parts sometimes like to fly. (Anyone who hasn't had that experience at one time or another hasn't cleaned many guns.)
4. After-incident Disposition of Firearm. If you know your local laws and abide by them, you should be able to have your firearm returned by law enforcement if it is taken in as evidence pending investigation of a self-defense shooting. Should you be found to have acted in accordance with law and incur difficulty in having your firearm returned, take the issue to court. However, if you were found to have carried and used a gun without a carry permit or in violation of law, you should expect to have the gun permanently confiscated. In such a situation, however, losing the firearm would be the least of your concerns.
The decision to carry a firearm is a serious one that carries a commensurate degree of responsibility. Know the applicable laws, practice with your carry piece whenever possible, and stay safe.
Finally, welcome to the Forum.
