Finally shot my used R-9s

[JohnBT]

I bought it a few weeks ago, but have been tied up for months getting my parents settled in assisted living and getting their home cleaned out and on the market. And then my father had thyroid surgery Friday. Everything is fine though and they're happy.

The tag on the gun said "200 rounds fired" and it looked new, even though it's R6xx. Before I ran out the door this afternoon I put a drop of Butch's Gun Oil on the end of the barrel and a little on the slide. I know, I know, I should have taken it apart and cleaned and inspected and lubed, etc. I've been shooting more than 50 years so I did take the time to check the barrel for obstructions.  

Bottom line, shooting WWB and S&B, the first 2 shots were good, the next 1 didn't fully chamber - I think this was my fault, I was grinning and didn't hold on to the gun - and the next 97 were good. Only one empty hit me and that was on the forehead early on. The trigger guard got me a couple of times, but didn't draw blood.

101 rounds was enough for one day. I had the 3rd box out, so I shot my BHP. Think I'll order some new springs and a couple more mags and grip screws. I suppose I should get new mag springs even though the ones that came with the gun work just fine.

Nice gun. It's accurate and doesn't kick nearly as much as I thought it would. Now if my holster and mag carriers would just hurry up and arrive I could ditch this old #2 Uncle Mike's.

John

Edited to add: I paid $799 for it.

[Newt]

 "the next 97rds were good"   I think I need another drink! :-/

[sslater]

JohnBT,
Welcome to the club!  It sounds like you had a good session with your R9S.
Serial numbers don't mean much on these guns as they seem to be assigned early in the frame machining process. Then a batch of frames may be held for quite a while.  My R9S has a serial number in the mid-300s and was delivered at the same time Rohrbaugh was delivering guns with 9xx serial numbers.

If you haven't already, you should go thru the excellent FAQ section.  

Rohrbaugh strongly recommends cleaning and lube every 50 to 80 rounds, and not to let the gun get too hot.  I have 1,000 rounds on mine and generally shoot a couple of mags, let the gun cool off and fire a couple more mags at the end of a range session.

The new, longer, stronger mag springs have made a huge difference in reliability.  Rohrbaugh also has recently released a new recoil spring with a finished coil at either end.  I believe they still recommend replacing at frequent intervals   - less than 200 rounds.  I've taken to replacing the spring whenever it gets about 2 coils shorter than a new one.    

Hope this info is helpful.

Regards,
Steve

[JohnBT]

Thanks for the info. I've read most of the FAQs and will likely follow most of the advice in them. OTOH, yesterday I just wanted to see if it worked before I spent any more money on springs, mags and such. This is a great gun and I really like the trigger pull, guess I'll keep it.

I know it's not a target pistol, but I was shooting at 25 yards and didn't have any problems [other than limpwristing round 3] even when I milked the trigger.

I sort of figured my hand would be a little stiff today, but it isn't.

John

[Richard S]

JohnBT:

Welcome to the Forum, and thanks for that excellent range report!

101 rounds at a session with the R9!  Just thinking about that makes my aging and slightly arthritic right hand begin to ache.    Sure `n begorrah, I'll be raisin' a pint in your honor tonight!  

[theirishguard]

Richard, I'll be joinin ya.  Tom

[JohnBT]

Me too.  

That's probably why my hand doesn't hurt. Although I'm 56 I'm still 6' and 195# and used to shooting 200 or so .45s during a typical range session before breaking out the rifles and shotguns.

I've been accused of being insensitive, so maybe it's true. Heck, I had back surgery 3.5 years ago, but the surgeon did a real good job peeling the sciatic nerve off of the vertebra it was stuck to and didn't have to cut the disc. He said I was good to go and he didn't expect to ever see me again.  

I really like this little pistol and I'm getting used to the added weight and bulk after many years of pocket carrying a P-32.

John

[PsychoSword]

I'm about the same size as you and half the years. Shooting 100rds through the R9 in a session is quite challenging. Either that or I'm just a wimp By the end of shooting a few mags, my aim is already severely compromised by a shaking hand and recoil anticipation.


 

[JohnBT]

You just have to work up to it. Shoot a lot, squeeze a tennis ball, lift some light weights while watching tv, etc.

I suppose you could try the old handball player's trick of running hot water over your hands a few minutes before shooting - as hot as you can stand it - to minimize the swelling and bruising. And do it again after you finish.

I might even try it if I decide to shoot 100 rounds again.  

John

[Richard S]

I've been using one of these gadgets for the past few months. It seems to be helping.

http://www.gripmaster.net/gripmaster/marksmanship.html

[tracker]

All of this stuff about hand strength exercisers, etc., is
good but what is the point of firing 100 rounds, for example,
from the R9 in a single session? Is someone doing this for
proficiency or endurance? There is a limit where no proficiency
is achieved beyond a certain amount, no matter what the
hand strength.



  

[theirishguard]

Richard, ease into the gripmaster and don't over do it. It could cause real problems.  Tom

[Richard S]

Richard, ease into the gripmaster and don't over do it. It could cause real problems.  Tom

Tom:

I understand. Thanks for the warning.

[JohnBT]

"what is the point of firing 100 rounds, for example,
from the R9 in a single session?"

I guess I could have shot 2 or 3 rounds and gone home.  

The point was this: It was a new to me used gun and I wanted to see if it would work and work when it was dirty. It was and it did. And I like to shoot. That's why I shot the BHP, the P-32, the 442 and Winchester SX-1 shotgun after I finished with the R9. It's a shame I was on a tight schedule that day.

"There is a limit where no proficiency is achieved beyond a certain amount, no matter what the hand strength."

There is? Got any proof? And there's more to it than hand strength, there are major muscle groups to be conditioned and trained in the shoulders, torso, hips and legs. Feet too I suppose, and dry firing just won't do it all. And practicing mental focus is of the utmost importance.

I've been shooting for every bit of 50 years and haven't seen any proof of your assertion. As long as I can maintain my form and hit the target I'm having fun and practicing. If I can't maintain my form I'd just be blasting and wasting ammo to make some noise - I call it recoil therapy for those who like to do it.

Sorry if me shooting my gun upset or confused you somehow.

John

[tracker]

John,
Knock yourself out.