[veloce851]

I just thought I would share some pics of my babies.
Since a recent trip to visit the rents gave me an opportunity to use their digital cam.
(RAP=Republic Arms Pistol)
My 440 and 401
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=401013

[veloce851]

2of4
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=401015

[veloce851]

3of4
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=401022

[veloce851]

4of4
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=401026

[sturmruger]

These are some pics of my Steyr Collection. I have a Steyr M9, M40 and S40. I use all three for CCW.

http://images.snapfish.com/337%3C64%3A%3B23232fp69%3Dot%3E2326%3D%3B88%3D%3A%3A%3A%3Dxroqdf%3E232336%3B77%3A493ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/337%3C64%3A%3B23232%7Ffp69%3Dot%3E2326%3D%3B88%3D%3A%3A%3A%3Dxroqdf%3E232336%3B7794%3C%3Bot1lsi


I really like how this one turned out. You can see the HP at then end of the barrel.

http://images.snapfish.com/337%3C64%3A%3B23232%7Ffp6%3A%3Dot%3E2326%3D%3B88%3D%3A%3A%3A%3Dxroqdf%3E232336%3B779976ot1lsi

[WonderNine]

I really like how this one turned out. You can see the HP at then end of the barrel.

Hmm....I wouldn't have taken that picture. :rolleyes:

[sturmruger]

Wondernine

I was home alone for the picture looking down the barrel. I also had the camera mounted on a tripod so I would not have to be on the business end of my S40. Also the slide was in the locked back position. I couldn't think of any other precautions to take other then drilling out the back of the Cartridge, or somehow removing the primer.

[sanchezero]

Hey, are those RAPs single stack?

If so, where do ya get'em?

Thanks.

:)

[10-Ring]

I two would have chosen not to take that pic ;) The others were really nice tho.

[BevrFevr]

How well do your RAP's handle hollow points? What sort of accuracy do you get out of them?

-bevr

[Zundfolge]

BevrFevr, When Veloce was in town last (he's my litle bro) he brought both the RAPs and we did a bunch of shooting with them with no failures of any kind. We where shooting HydraShoks, FMJs and even some lead.

As for accuracy, I shot the 401 a little better then the 440, but both where pretty accurate for such small guns. We where plinking so I can't give you any group sizes, but I was making a little bucket jump all over the place at about 25 yards.

[veloce851]

Well there were a couple FRTB with the 440.. but that was attributed to the cheap lead ammo I had :( never again. FMJ only from this point out.
We determined it was the ammo because we used it in Zunfolge's Kahr and it was jamming it nearly every other round. And you could see gouges on the lead.

So far all I've used in the 401 were a few Hydroshox: no problems what soever.
And bulk professional reloads from Cabellas not one problem.
The 440 I bought used, previous owner was an LEO using it as his BU and said he put about 600-800rnds through it.
The 401 was NIB. So far I've put nearly 300rnds through it. Not one problem.

I bought both of them for about $220 shipped. right now I'm seeing them occasionally in the $250-300 range. Worth every penny in my opinion.
In fact I have a feeling the slight rise in price is due to the recent talk of them on THR :D

oh and sanchezero I'm still somewhat of a firearm newbie, so forgive me if I don't know for sure what you mean by single stack... but I'm going to assume you mean the way the rounds are stored in the mag. If that is correct then it IS a single stack. 7rnds .40S&W 8rnds 9x19
GB ad for 401 (http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=10725028)

[veloce851]

Sturmruger I love the comparison pic.. I've always liked my brother's Steyr... although its recoil was more than I expected.

I'm thinking an S40 is going to have to be placed in the collection.

[veloce851]

BevrFevr as stated I have not had any problems with HP at all.
As far as accuracy I'm still developing my personal skills.
So I'd prefer to have someone who can place a respectable group evaluate the RAP in the accuracy dept.
I've only put about 150 rounds through the 401 in a serious attempt to hone skills (the other 150rnds were just plinking).
Of those 150 ronds
97% of 50 were kept on a 6" dia target
99% of 50 were kept on a 8x10 target
100% of 50 were kept on a 11x17" target
TIFWIW

[firestar]

I got one of these a while back. They are single stack with a DA/SA trigger and a safety that also works as a de-cocker. It can be carried cocked and locked if that is your pleasure.

I bought mine as a replacement to my Star Firestar M-43 9mm but that hasn't happened yet. The Firestar and the Rap are about the same size and weight but I guess I am used to the Firestar now and I prefer to carry that.

I have tested the RAP 401 for accuracy and it did O.K. but nothing special. I get about 3" groups at 15 yards. My Firestar can do 2" groups at 25 yards so I am not really impressed with the accuracy of the RAP. The Firestar also seems to shoot with less recoil and has a slightly more confortable grips for me. The DA on the RAP is a little heavy and not super smooth but it is smoothing up with use and I think it will get better the more I shoot it. The SA trigger is fine, no major complaints other than an average amount of creep. The quality is impressive, it comes with a polished feed ramp mine has not even came close to a jam in about 150 rounds. I think they are more reliable than they are accurate and that is how it should be in a gun like this. The sights shoot to POA and with more practice, I am sure I can shrink those groups a little.

I wish I liked it more but that is one of the things about buying a gun before you can hold it. I don't dislike the gun but it just doesn't have enough advantages over my tried and true Firestar to warrent a switch over just yet. Also it is blued steel and my Firestar is Starvel nickel so I don't have to worry about rust as much. The Star and the RAP weigh within an ounce or two of each other but the RAP feels much heavier for some reason. The Star points better and sits lower in my hand also. I think the RAP is perfect for those that like the feel of the SIG 239, I don't like the feel of the 239 so that is why I am not in love with the RAP.

That is about the best description I can give of the RAP. If you want one, handle a SIG 239 first if you can't pick up a RAP in person. The SIG 239 should give you the most similar feel but it is a bit lighter than the RAP. For about $250 new, the RAP is one heck of a deal. Once they start importing them in numbers the price will take off I think. It is a solid, reliable, heavy, built like a tank pistol.

[WhoKnowsWho]

The RAP kinda reminds me of my Arcus 94... similar price, probably similar weight too...

[Erich]

(Sorry, law school joke.)

Nice photos, y'all. Sturmruger's last one is a caution! Eeep!

[themic]

those are some nice pictures!

personally, my RAP 401 fits my hand about perfectly. that's the thing with buying before hadnling, it's a little bit luck. for me, it turned out well.

it does however feed anything and everything i've put in it, to include S&B, Wolf, Winchester, and some others... both JHP and FMJ. the trigger pull is long and hard but smooth.

basically, it's stone cold reliable, reasonably accurate, easy to conceal (if you don't mind the weight and the limited holster options), and a little over $200. and i think it's a pretty gun, also. frankly i want my guns to look good.

for those of you who can't afford a SIG, (like me), this is the way to go if you can find one. they tend to come in to the country in spurts.

[Preacherman]

they tend to come in to the country in spurts.
Surely boxes would be more useful???

:neener: :p :D

[themic]

ack! got me on that one, preacherman.

actually it came in a plastic box that took my FFL and me at least a few minutes and a butter knife to finally open. baffling, it was. and me, and engineer by trade. :p

[firestar]

I haven't shot hollow points in mine yet but I would be surprised if it choked on them. The feed ramp comes already polished and the chamber seems very smooth also. It seems to have been made to be reliable first and formost. I will have to fire some hollow points just to see what could be the problem.

[Tropical Z]

Those RAP boxes are something else! I thought id never get em open.:scrutiny:

[veloce851]

the 440 box opened fine for me. guess I just got lucky on the first try :)
ironically its been several times afterwards that I had trouble opening it :p
the 401 box was broken on one side so it opened up real easy.

for any owners the 440 I got came with a Bianchi Black Widow #5 S&W 9mm holster. I love it
it sits on my belt at the 5o'clock position with a slight tilt forward.
I can CCW with a fleece pullover on and you can't tell its there.

I am however shopping for a better IWB SOB holster. Right now I'm using a cheap $6 one I bought at a show. It does the job but is a real b*!@h to take off the belt.

[Zundfolge]

In addition to what Veloce said, when he came out to the springs with his RAPs I stuffed one in my Alessi Talon Plus for my Kahr MK40 (which I sold Monday), and other then the length of the barrel, the RAP fit perfectly (nice and tight), so I assume that any Kahr K40 holster would fit a RAP well.

[BevrFevr]

We found that the boxes are designed to be display cases. Flip the lid all the way open and slide the bottom white part back inside the black part. Perfect for laying in a display case.

To close slide the white part forward and flip the lid back on top. It's a great design!

This design is why they are hard to open. You have to have the black lid positioned all the way back before it will flip up. It's easy as hell when you get the hang of it and moderately child proof if you don't know the trick.

-bevr

[veloce851]

moderately child proof if you don't know the trick

edit.. as with anything that should be adult proof.
kids figure that stuff out super quick :)

[makdaddy03]

Just buy a Real Astra.