Newbie needs advice

[sigme]

Newbie on deck,sorry guys may be a few repeat ?'s. I've been lurking for a little bit and am close to pulling the trigger( pun intended) on a gently used R9S. Should I immediately change mag and recoil springs to head off prob's or wait and see if they develop? Where do you get these? It has been fired 30-40 times with no malfunctions. Thoughts??? I've read that WWB is THE practice ammo and Silvertips or GD's are the best for S/D. Help..........

[kwesi]

I just purchased a lightly used ( 2 boxes ) but it came with 3 brand new recoil springs. They are the original springs with one end open and the other closed.

I called Robarugh and they said they are perfectly fine just remember to change after 100 rounds.

My advice is to try it for another 70 rounds if you have the original style spring ( 200 rounds for the new design with both ends closed).

Why change the mags?  Some work great others needed to be changed.  Fire it and see how she handles.

I hope to get my first range visit tomorrow evening.

Michael

[sigme]

Well I did the dirty deed...now I just have to hold my horses for about a week or so for delivery. May be a long anxious wait! I've been looking at these for about a year trying to decide whether to drop that kind of cash on a mousegun. Well, I guess it's a mouse-SIZE gun since it is a 9mm....it IS going to be a long wait.  

[45ACP2GO]

Hi sigme and welcome to the forum.

It will not hurt at all to try it out as is. The worst that could happen, it may malfunction and likely with the number of rounds through it probably nothing.

One thing I do rather than counting rounds when I decide to change the recoil spring, when I clean it I compare the length of the old recoil spring to a new one. When it is about 1/2" shorter I will normally go ahead and change it. This is usually some where over 200 rounds. This seems to work out good for me.

[sigme]

That seems like a logical approach. I don't know where to get new springs?

[CaptBW]

rohrbaughfirearms.com

[theirishguard]

You can call Rohrbaugh and talk to Maria. She will take good care of you. 800 803-2233  Tom

[sigme]

Thanks all! I'll be back after arrival with a range report....

[Duncan223]

You can call Rohrbaugh and talk to Maria. She will take good care of you. 800 803-2233  Tom

+1 Million on Maria. She it tops and will help you with the gun, whether it is arranging shipping or warranty or inspection.

Congrats on the gun, and never sell it. No matter how broke you may get, keep the R9!!

[Richard S]

Sigme:

Welcome to the campfire, and the best of luck with your soon-to-be acquired masterpiece.

I was in my FFL's shop yesterday to replenish my stores of 9mm ammunition. The owner asked if I were carrying my R9, since he hadn't seen it since I took delivery of it in May 2004. I said I had it in my pocket, pulled it out in its Hedley holster, and laid it on the counter. He picked it up, slipped it out of its holster, examined it carefully, shook his head, and said:

"This just has to be the ideal pocket gun!  And that sure is one beautiful holster!"

Needless to say, I agreed.  

[sigme]

Duncan 223 - Really enjoyed the borg photo!!! I'm a bit partial to Obe Wan Kenobi myself....Richard S., I was in the market for a holster(pocket of course) and use a Nemesis for my other two pocket rockets and had heard that Hedley has stopped taking orders. What is your preference after the Hedley? I have seen that Gold Dots are sine quo none for ammo but does anyone have a preference for 124  or 147 grain rounds? I'm not sure you wouldn't be better off with a faster lighter round from this miniscule barrel. Does Corbon make a non +P round?  Silvertips anyone? Any suggestions? So much to consider and so much to be done.......  

[Richard S]

Sigme:

RH's web site indicates he is not taking new orders pending further notice: http://www.hedleyholsters.com/

Kevin Manley at K&D Holsters does excellent work and is a sponsor of this Forum. Here is a link to his web site:  http://www.kdholsters.com/

Ron Graham also does excellent work and is a supporter of the R9:  

http://www.grahamholsters.com/pocketholsters.htm

Subject to correction, I believe the only regular-pressure 9mm ammo which Corbon offers is its 147-grain Performance Match cartridge:

http://www.dakotaammo.net/products/corbon/perfmatch.htm

I've used 115, 124, and 147 grain ammo in my own R9, and have lately begun leaning toward the heavier bullets. (Reasonable minds will differ.)

Good luck!

[sigme]

Richard - I use 147's in my big Sig because they have enough barrel to build speed but would appreciate your thoughts on your choice of the 147 in this small barrel. It would be helpful. Do you use only Gold Dots? Are Silvertips taboo? They're generally pretty fast.  I'm trying to look at all options but would prefer not to spend a fortune on finding out which ammo "doesn't" work!  

[Richard S]

Sigme:

First of all, Winchester Silvertips are definately not taboo. It is my understanding that Karl Rohrbaugh uses them in his own R9.

In 147-grain, I've used both Speer Gold Dots and Remington Golden Sabers.

Data published by the Firearms Tactical Institute show the Speer 9mm 147 grain Gold Dot JHP producing 14.7" penetration and 0.55 expansion in denim covered gelatin from a 3.4" barrel:

http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/9mm.htm

The barrel of the R9 is 2.9", but I would expect it to produce results not significantly less than those from the 3.4" barrel used in the FTI tests. While I haven't done any gelatin tests of my own with the R9, I have been impressed with its range performance using 147-grain rounds.

With a pistol carried exclusively for defensive purposes, my personal preference is to go with the heavier bullet weights. That's just my preference. Many experienced shooters prefer the lighter and faster rounds.

[sigme]

Thanks for the input.  I believe any of the aforementioned rounds will do the trick IF placed properly. VERY few humans are more than 14" thick. After that I think you are looking at a possible shoot-through and I ONLY want exit wounds on game I'm hunting! Too much liability with that kind of stuff.....h.