Epkptp-
You could always look for a nice used standard R9 for $800 or so and send it to Robar for the finish, and still be in it for under $1200 or so, for a shooter/EDC. You may not get the benefits of the extra fitting, etc., but then, as you know, a standard R9 is pretty nice as is. I have handled 5 R9's spanning the production range and they are all consistently sweet.
+1 on the VZ carbon fibers.
-Chris