Author Topic: How many consecutive rounds can the R9 generally fire before needing a cleaning?  (Read 3599 times)

Offline C0untZer0

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I've seen posts where people have asked "how many rounds between cleanings?"  And I'm not asking that.  Every firearm I've every had I break down, inspect, clean and lube before taking it to the range.  And I clean every gun I fire before putting it away.

And I want to say, that if the R9 could only fire 15 rounds before needed a cleaning - I'm alright with that.  I don't expect to need the R9 for more than 5 or 6 shots, 7 rounds and a mag change at the most.

But I have read where people take it to the range, fire 40 or so rounds through it and then start running into problems.

I don't want to experience jams or failure to eject or any failures in my R9 (who does), maybe more than other people, it shakes my confidence.

I really have no problem firing only 20 or 30 rounds through the R9 on a range trip and then cleaning it thouroughly before the next range trip.

On the other hand, I have to pay $20 for every range trip, and I would like to get 200 or so rounds through the R9, and I don't want that process to take forever, or cost me $250 worth of range fees to accomplish it.

So I'm just looking for peoples opinions.  If my priority were to ensure that I have trouble-free shooting, how many rounds should I limit myself to before cleaning?  I'm going to be firing clean ammo - Gold Dot and Speer Lawman.  If I do experience a failure - I don't want the cause of it to be that the pistol is dirty /  needs cleaning.

I might even take a cleaning kit with me to the range and if I have to clean it at the range I might do that.

Offline Richard S

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I believe the most rounds I have run through my R9 at a single session is 67.  I stopped only because my right hand was getting tired.  The R9 was running like a Rolex.  Assuming that the pistol is clean and well lubricated at the start of the session and that quality ammunition with clean-burning powder is used, the only concern should be to allow the piece to cool down a bit between strings of fire (i.e., after each couple of magazines or so).  If you can run 200 rounds through the R9 at one session while maintaining the firm grip required for absorbing the recoil forces of this 13-oz. handgun you will be demonstrating not only the reliability of your pistol but also some admirable hand strength.

Good luck on  your first range session!
(1963-1967) "GO ARMY!"

Offline Z

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I have run 93 rounds through one of my PUPs in one range session. I started with a clean gun, ran three mags at a time, let the gun cool and continued to run three mags at a time.
I use Wilson Combat oil and Speed 115GDs.
This was a gun i sold, the new owner could not get it to run reliable, i bought it back and performed this range test. I will say 93 rounds was more than enough for me! :)

I normally run two mags through my carry PUP, clean it and put it back in my pocket. This has worked very well for me.

Offline C0untZer0

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I've built up my grip strength over the last year by working out with weights, GripMaster finger exercisers and Captains of Crush grippers.

I workout with COC #1 - those are 140 lb springs, and someone who can do a set of those with each hands -  has pretty good hand strength.

Offline Ghost Chili

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Between a shooting buddy and myself, my R9 put 120 rounds down range all within an hour or less.  The gun started out clean and lubed and ammo was the Russian surplus stuff and a box of Gold Dots.  No failures of any kind were encountered. 

Offline Nathan

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most i've fired is approx 75 pmc bronze
4 different shooters, 3 of which were not used to the R9
no malfunctions what so ever

keep on shootn