Did my paperwork today, and actually got to handle the R9 a bit while the bureaucratic stuff was getting done at the LGS.
First impressions: Wow. This thing really is a beauty. I was afraid that, for $1200, I might feel a bit disappointed when I actually had it in hand, but if anything I think that, for what it is, this gun is a steal. Beautiful machining, decent enough sights, and a really sublime trigger (I love DAO anyway. I was expecting this to be like my RM380--with the Galloway upgrades--but it is actually FAR smoother and a bit lighter. The only remotely negative thing I noticed is that the heel mag release is VERY difficult to activate...I expected it to be like my Seecamp, but this baby is really stiff. Hopefully it will break in and loosen a bit over time.
It was tough handing the R9 back to the staff when the paperwork had been completed. Now the 7-day countdown begins....