Any problems with the R9?

[Sonny_Boy]

I may have found a Rohrbaugh R9 no sights in Ca for sale.  The seller says he has shot about 300 rounds through it and it is LNIB.  All papers and box with one recoil spring.  He says the spring should be replaced at 500 rounds.

Any problems I should be aware of with the R9?

Any serial number series problems?

Any questions I should ask the seller?

Is the R9 a dog compared to the new Elites or Stealth’s or simply cosmetic changes.

Any input would be helpful.  I am more knowledgeable of HKs that Rohrbaughs.

Price is not set yet, but being in California, I am going to get spanked pretty hard.

That being said thanks for taking the time to read this thread.

[Jack Foulard]

Welcome!

The current recommendation by the factory is 250 rounds.  Seller should be aware of this.  

Getting a rough idea of the serial number could be key.  A few changes that I am aware of are:
altered chamber dimensions
different slide material
new recoil springs
new mag springs
new frame finish
new grips

Early R9 pups had different than current frame finish.  A seller in the past few days posted that his R9 had a letter from the factory that stated that he had 1 of 46 or 47 R9's with that color finish.  There were some posts early on that speculated to durability issues on that finish.  I haven't read any confirmations that there were actual finish problems.

Springs were changed to address feeding issues and supposedly chamber dimensions were also altered possibly for the same reasons.

Grips are cosmetic but current ones are G10.  The Stealth and the Elites and basically cosmetic variations.  The Elite Premiums had hand fitting and such that raised the price to about $2200+.  Only 16 made.  Check Gunbroker to see one.

Read up on the old posts and you will fins out much more than can be posted in this thread.  There is truly a wealth of information in past posts that you can use to get a better understanding of the R9.  Do your research and you will be rewarded with a wonderful handgun without any surprises.

I hope you don't get bent over on the price.

Good luck.

[Sonny_Boy]

Thank you very much for the information and where to look for more R9 stuff.

I will get killed compared to being out of CA.  At a some point I just may get another HK P7M8 in lieu of the R9 if we cannot reach a reasonable price.

Thanks again.

[Aglifter]

I wasn't aware of any altered chamber dimensions -- when did they change?  

[theirishguard]

If he has one now in the state and offers it for sale and you want one what are you waiting for???   Tom

[Sonny_Boy]

He is asking $2,000.00!  I am also looking at a HK 911 for about the same money.

[Jack Foulard]

He is asking $2,000.00!  

Please don't take this the wrong way but I would pass on the R9 for $2000.  But then again, I don't know what you folks in CA have to deal with to get handguns.

If there is one in the state, does this mean it is approved and could you get another one?

Was there some kind of grandfathering of guns to a certain point and then things changed?

Thanks

[Sonny_Boy]

Jack,

The reason I have not done the deal is the price.  $1,200.00 to $1,400.00 seemed OK, $2,000.00 is a little rich for my blood.  The seller just gave me the price today.

To answer your question, the Rohrbaugh is not on the CA Roster of Approve Handguns for sale.  That means if it is not on the list the pistols cannot be shipped to us in CA, but if the pistol is already in the state or legally brought in (someone lives out of state and move here and registers same) it can be sold, but only PPT no shipping in the state.

So, if there is one in CA it commands a premium.  At $2,000.00 I will purchase the HK 911 or for less money buy another P7M8 which is an awesome gun and fall of the Approved List 9/2008 and then becomes more valuable, at least in CA.

I have a Kahr PM9 so I covered for a small 9mm.

Hence, the reason for my thread.  The posts have been very helpful in making my decision easier

[theirishguard]

Ca is just one day going to fall off into the ocean sad  Tom

[Sonny_Boy]

After the Big One!  EARTHQUAKE!!

[Alphonso]

Sonny Boy,

I, too, have a PM9.  Haven't touched it since I got the R9.  I choked a bit on the $1,100 I paid for mine (especially since I'd never even seen one), but would now drop 2K with out  a second thought if this one was lost or stolen.  

FWIW...  

[Sonny_Boy]

My PM9 is a safe queen.  Hmm.... $2,000.00, oh my gosh really buy one again at that price?

[Alphonso]

Maybe my post wasn't clear.  My PM9 now sits in the safe since I got the R9.   Before that it was my everyday carry.  

I have no need for the PM9 anymore.  R9 carries better and the PM9 is not a lot of fun to shoot anyway.  

If I lost the R9 for some reason, I would replace it.  If I had to give $2,000 for one, I'd do it...

[Sonny_Boy]

Alphonso,

You post war clear, perhaps mine wasn't.

Well the seller and I got to $1,700.00, so... this deal may go down.  I'll get back to you guys.


Appreciate the responses.

[Richard S]

SB:

Welcome!

* * *   Early R9 pups had different than current slide finish.  A seller in the past few days posted that his R9 had a letter from the factory that stated that he had 1 of 46 or 47 R9's with that color finish.  There were some posts early on that speculated to durability issues on that finish.  I haven't read any confirmations that there were actual finish problems.

* * *
Good luck.

I own the 32nd of those few R9s with the original finish, having taking delivery of it in May 2004. This is a photograph of it, with its Hedley holster and some new olive drab aluminum grips, taken in May 2008 after four years of daily carry. The finish shows no wear, and the pistol has shown no vices. It originally came with blue carbon fiber grips. Those are stored in my safe with spares in black carbon fiber, G10, and clear aluminum. (The Hedley holster, of course, has worn as well as the pistol.)

As Jack noted, good luck!