First range trip, etc.

[Campy]

I thought I would follow up on my first introductory post by passing along my first range report. I picked up a R9S on Saturday as a pocket pistol replacement to a Kahr PM9. My Kahr has been great and after the initial break in has been trouble free and pretty accurate for what I would call close up self defense distances (<25 feet). The Kahr however sometimes seems a little blocky for pocket carry, and the R9 just looked like a more concealable, higher quality option.

Following advice from tracker and Richard S, I gave it a decent cleaning and headed to the range today. While I realize Gold Dots are the recommended ammo, I started with about 70 rounds of Winchester white box (those Gold Dots ain't cheap). Had two hiccups about midway through that first 70 rounds - one FTE and one stovepipe. I then ran two boxes (40 rounds) of 115g Gold Dots through without any problems. Satisfied, and with hand a little sore, I headed home to clean.

Couple of first impressions. First, I am pretty happy with the function and feel comfortable carrying it now with GD 115s.  Disassembly/reassembly was actually easier than I had expected. I was lucky enough to have my salesman show me how to do it when I bought the gun. I was able to get the spring assembly back in using the "syringe" method and just fingers, no tools. Getting that assembly properly aligned to get the slide back on was the most time consuming/frustrating. Finally, I really like this little pistol. But, I did have with me my 9mm 1911 (cool weather CCW) and shot a few rounds through that after the R9. Man, did that gun feel smooth and accurate. 

[backupr9]

Good range report and typical first report.  Remember this is not a range or target pistol, and it will be best used in self defense from 7 yards or less.  I don't find mine comfortable to shoot, and always use a leather shooting glove.  It is however the most comfortable carry piece I own (the Seecamp is a little better in the pocket, but I like the R9 better on my hip).  I'd certainly rather shoot my Kimber CDP .45 for fun (my cold weather carry), but since I carry the R9 most of the time as the best compromise for size/weight/power I feel obligated to shoot it monthly to maintain feel and competence.  Use the right ammo, follow "the rules" and you will love this pistol!

[kjtrains]

Campy.  Thanks for the range report.  Glad you're happy with the R9.  Hope you continue to enjoy!   

[Z]

Thanks for the update Campy.

Keep it clean and the right grip panel tight!

[Richard S]

Campy:

Thank you for the good range report. After 110 rounds through the R9, I imagine your hand was "a little sore." (As I recall, my record for one session is 68.) I think you are now good to go with your new pocket rocket.

Stay safe.



_{[Edited typo.]}

[yankee2500]

Campy, good range report, enjoy the pup.

[RickP]

You might want to try Speer Lawman 115gr. TMJ. It is $116.95 for 500 at ammo to go, and is intended to replicate the performance of GDHPs at an affordable price allowing you to practice with what you carry.

[backupr9]

You might want to try Speer Lawman 115gr. TMJ. It is $116.95 for 500 at ammo to go, and is intended to replicate the performance of GDHPs at an affordable price allowing you to practice with what you carry.

+1.  They work fine in my pistol.

[Robar233]

  Campy,

 Super report and you have me beat! 60 rounds in a row is the most I plan on doing in my R9. Enjoy that pup.

 Robar233

[C0untZer0]

people on this forum seem pretty forgiving of the R9.

Remember this is not a range or target pistol, and it will be best used in self defense

Maybe if it were a range pistol a 1 in 35 chance of a malfunction would not be that big of a deal.

Two FTEs in 70 rounds would have my confidence seriously shot in a carry pistol.

[Richard S]

Campy:

As you know, "limp wristing" can cause a FTE or "stovepipe" in a pistol as small as the R9. Since the pistol has so little weight of its own, it requires a firm platform (grip) to absorb the forces of recoil and permit the semi-automatic ejection and rechambering process to function. You obviously have significant hand strength, since after that first 70 rounds you went on to run an additional 40 rounds through the pistol. (Having lost the first digit of my right ring finger in some "unpleasantness" a number of years ago, my four-and-a-half-finger grip would probably be "mush" after 110 rounds.) I would suspect that a couple of times during that first 70 round string of fire your grip might have shifted a bit, hindering the recoil process. 

[backupr9]

people on this forum seem pretty forgiving of the R9.

Remember this is not a range or target pistol, and it will be best used in self defense

Maybe if it were a range pistol a 1 in 35 chance of a malfunction would not be that big of a deal.

Two FTEs in 70 rounds would have my confidence seriously shot in a carry pistol.

All of these closely toleranced micro-pistols require break-in and proper maintenance as well as proper firing technique, which is why one should put several hundred rounds through a carry piece as a learning experience before using it for carry.  In this case, what Campy learned is what we all know...use the right ammo for carry.  WWB is not recommended for carry in this pistol, but does OK for cheap practice ammo.

[theirishguard]

campy, welcome and good range report.  Tom

[C0untZer0]

An R9 purchase is a ways off for me - a little farther out than I was thinking last fall for a number of reasons.

One reason is a deal came along on some Glock barrels I wanted and I felt like I couldn't pass it up - a dropped half the price of an R9 right there.

The other thing was, Illinois got really close to passing carry legislation last year and I wanted a lightweight and concealable semi auto and I was really leaning toward the R9... but we fell short of the needed votes and now things are stalled in Illinois until after the election, so I just don't feel the urgency to get a pocket pistol like I did.

If and when I do get an R9, I'm really hoping it functions with the 147gr loads - the Winchester Ranger "T" Series - 147gr RA9T would be my preferred, but 147 Gold Dots would be OK.   The thing is though, the premium SD ammo will probably end up being my practice ammo.

Having a failure of any kind seriously erodes my confidence in a pistol.  I can probably get through a break in period or ammo selection period or whatever you want to call it, but I really wouldn't be able to carry a pistol where I fired a few mags of "premium" ammo through it and it worked fine, and I then fired a few mags of practice ammo and got stovepipes or misfeeds.  I just can't live with that, so if it means paying $50.00 a box for practice ammo then probably that's what'll have to do.

[Campy]

It is certainly possible that I limp-wristed a couple of rounds along the way. As I may have mentioned, I didn't run 70 or the full 110 rounds straight through. I had my wife at the range with me so I took a break while she shot and even shot a few magazines through other guns between segments with the R9. (As a side note, shooting the R9 will make you a great shot with a 1911).   No way my hand would have made it though 110 rounds straight. I was hurting after 3 or 4 mags in a row.

While I would generally agree that 2 hiccups out of 110 might be of concern for a carry weapon, I understand or at least expected that the R9 might be a little finicky on ammo. I had no malfunctions with the 40 rounds of the recommended ammo that I will use for carry. That gives me a reasonable level of confidence. I plan follow my salesman's (who also part time carries an R9) advice to run another 40 or 60 through then change out the spring and see how it does with 20 after that. If that all goes without a hitch, I think it is good to go.