Author Topic: Duty Life of R9  (Read 3749 times)

Offline bubbacloud

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Duty Life of R9
« on: March 08, 2010, 01:51:19 AM »
Hi Gents - thanks for all the help with the grip, my hand is healed and the sanding worked - didn't open up the sore spot when I shot today - hooray!

New topic - what is the duty life of this pistol?  I have read some stuff that indicates it aint very high.  I understand replacing the spring every 150 shots - will do that.  However, I feel the need to practice a lot with my primary carry gun.  I have done so with my EMP, XD, and PARA, but am concerned about doing it with the R9.

I am somewhat dogmatic about the practice thing because I faced an "unpleasant" situation a few years ago when unarmed.  I had to go it on guts and instincts and things worked out, along with a big help from God.

However, since I have lived through that experience, I know understand how fast and unpredictable these situations can be.  Hence the need to practice to the point of instinct.  I intend to put a few thousand rounds through my carry gun, rebuild it if necessary along the way, and absolutely KNOW the gun and what I can do with it perfectly.  I am there with my EMP, XD, and PARA, but they are too darn big for many business situations I am in.  That is what drew me to the R9.

So anyway, how many rounds have you guys put through yours?  What breaks and when?  I love the gun, but if it can't handle what I need it to do, it may need a new home.  I hope you will convince me otherwise, because it is starting to feel "normal" to me.  Fast shots from the hip are going where they should and I am not having any misfeeds.  I am closing in on my 5th box of ammo and need to  order more springs and ?????...what else should I order?

interested in your thoughts.

Bubba Cloud

Offline Richard S

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Re: Duty Life of R9
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2010, 07:42:01 AM »
Back in 2004, the Administrator of the Forum posted a letter from a factory representative reporting 5,000 rounds had been run through a test gun (see Fact 2):

http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi?board=R9S;action=display;num=1091220026;start=1#1
(1963-1967) "GO ARMY!"

Offline kjtrains

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Re: Duty Life of R9
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2010, 07:49:57 AM »
What Richard said.  I think you're good to go on what you've already shot.  Just my thinking.  Glad the sanding worked.
Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.  Abraham Lincoln

Offline theirishguard

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Re: Duty Life of R9
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2010, 12:04:22 PM »
bubbacloud, I'm sure glad the hand is better. I have a couple of customers that told me they have fired over 5,000 rounds from their R9s. I would not worry about it and again the warranty is life time. Changing the recoil spring not only keeps the frame from getting beat up but also helps in the timing of the slide cycle and feeding. Recoil springs are cheap and can be ordered thru Rohrbaugh. When you call you will be talking with Maria, she'll take good care of you.  Tom
Tom Watson, DVC , Quis Separabit ,  Who dares wins, Utrinque Paratus

Offline bubbacloud

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Re: Duty Life of R9
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2010, 02:17:59 PM »
cool, so the recoil spring is the only "consumable?

Is it the same spring on the 380 - I doubt it, but thought I would ask.  I like to buy one of everything I use for my wife and daughters.  However, I am not sure that they can endure the 9mm in such a small package - it does kinda hurt to shoot very much.  I imagine the 380 is a lot more gentle - is this true?

Offline theirishguard

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Re: Duty Life of R9
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2010, 03:12:07 PM »
yes, it is more like a .22lr  Gene has both maybe he can give you a comparison.  Tom
« Last Edit: March 10, 2010, 11:47:44 AM by theirishguard »
Tom Watson, DVC , Quis Separabit ,  Who dares wins, Utrinque Paratus

Offline birdman

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Re: Duty Life of R9
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2010, 11:14:29 PM »
     Bubba, as Tom said I have both the .380 and the 9mm. The 9mm is a beautiful piece of machinery that I would, and do, trust my life to. I shoot it enough to remain proficient. The .380 I shoot for enjoyment! The recoil, as Tom said is  very comfortable. I have a lady friend who only weighs about 100 lbs and she loves to shoot it. As you may have guessed by now, I really like this gun! I hope this helps, and again welcome.   Gene
birdman