Rohrbaugh R9 vs Other Small Pistols for CCW

[Duncan223]

Rohrbaugh R9 vs Other Small Pistols for CCW

I picked up a Rohrbaugh R9 the other day and decided to post a concealed carry comparison for anybody interested in how small the pistol really is and how it compares to other pistols.

For comparison, I chose these fine pistols:
Kimber Ultra Carry II
Kahr CW9
Rohrbaugh R9
Kel-Tec P3AT









While the Kimber is the widest, the Kahr is the longest. The Kel-Tec is slightly smaller than the Rohrbaugh, which are both significantly smaller than the Kimber or Kahr.

The Kahr's magazine holds 7 rounds of 9mm, while the Rohrbaugh's mag holds 6 rounds of 9mm, and the Kel-Tec's mag holds 6 rounds of .380 and the Kimber holds 6 rounds of .45.

All four pistols are easy to point -n- shoot, and with a little focus are easy enough to keep the rounds in the important zone at in the 7-10 yard range.

I think the Kel-Tec is the least pleasant of the four when it comes to shooting a lot of rounds during the same session. The Rohrbaugh is not as bad as the Kel-Tec, and as expected, the Kahr and Kimber are about the same.

I think the reason the Kel-Tec is so "snappy" is because of the polymer frame and minimal weight, even though it's only a .380.

Overall, the perfect CCW boils down to a personal preference. For a situation which requires a truly small weapon that will go unnoticed in certain situations, the Kel-Tec and the Rohrbaugh are awesome choices. For those times that you can carry a larger weapon, the Kimber and Kahr will serve the purpose.

Between the Rohrbaugh and Kel-Tec, regardless of price issues, I would go with the 9mm Rohrbaugh. As far as price being the primary issue, the Kel-Tec will fit the bill.

 

[MCgunner]

The Rohrbaugh is nice, small, and....chachiiiinnnnggggg$$$$$$$$$$$$

That's why I carry a Kel Tec P11 with double stack hi caps loaded with +P (for which it's rated). Yeah, it's a little bigger, still in my pocket as I type this, 14 unloaded ounces and proven over about 11,000 rounds now and going. I've owned this gun 10 years and it always feeds, functions, and is very accurate. It ain't as small, but I dress around it. I have a slightly smaller .380, but I really prefer carrying a better caliber if at all possible.

I ain't knockin' the Rohrbaugh, much smaller than the P11 and a lot more powerful than the P3AT, but I just got a very nice carry gun for a lot less money in the P11. For the record, I like the trigger, too. It's long (safe in a pocket) DA is smooth as silk after 11,000 rounds.

I ain't rich enough to be in the Rohrbaugh, Ed Brown, even Sig Sauer clubs. :banghead: Rugers are my "expensive" guns. And, if I could afford a Rohrbaugh, I could save 300 more and afford a Freedom Arms in .454 Casull Magnum.... Okay, it ain't a pocket 9, but it's something I'd love to own in THAT price range.

 

[dogloose]

Nice comparison... I really admire the Rohrbaugh... the one thing that has held me back has been the price... and of course the availability. For ultra deep carry back-up gun I have a Seecamp LWS32. It would be the smallest and lightest in your group... but of course with a smaller caliber. Seecamp also makes a .380 which amazingly is the exact size and weight of their original .25 caliber AND the .32 caliber. Of course my main carry is a little larger - Glock 19 IWB.

Here is a fun picture of the three Seecamp models to complement your comparison. Cheers.

 

[MCgunner]

 

[wally]

Seeing some actual muzzle velocity measurements of some typical SD ammo from the super short barrel of the Rohrbaugh could get me over the hump of deciding if its "worth it" compared to the ~180 ft-lbs of the P3AT.

--wally.

 

[gezzer]

COST!! and reliability. A Kel-Tec P11 is reliable and way lest money. If you can afford it go with the high end but do not berate someone using the more economical alternative. A 9mm in the chest has no care about the cost of the weapon used.

(Think gun snob)

 

[Soybomb]

Kel-Tec is so "snappy" is because of the polymer frame and minimal weight,

Well aluminum frame and polymer grip, but it sure is light.

Thanks for the review. I've been tempted to pick one up on several occassions, have you tried any hollow points in it and did you have any problems with them?

 

[zahc]

Where does the PF-9 fit in all this? Are they still working out the bugs?

 

[joesolo]

I bought a Rohrbaugh R9s recently. It is an awesome gun. Much smaller than my Mk9. It took some getting used to for me but I shoot it fairly well now. They are also kind of particular about the ammo they like but nothing that can't be figured out during the break-in period. Yes, they are pricey but to me, worth it. I have carried more often and with more confidence than my other CCW guns.

 

[SilverState]

I can only speak for what works for me. I had a Glock 27, then a Glock 26. O the smaller guns, they were the best. However, trying to carry a Glock sub compact in your front pocket only works in theory. I know someone is going to say that they get away with it, and maybe with ideal clothing, you can pull it off, but in real life everyday situations, it is not practical.

I later got a Kahr PM9. It simply is not as reliable as a Glock but does carry better. And the ergonomics on it are not as good as a Glock (i.e. mags ejecting while shooting, etc.).

I ended up with a KelTec .32. It is not very fancy. It is not high quality. But it is surprisingly reliable. And it is super easy to carry, in ANY clothing. You can carry it in your front pocket, your back pocket, on your ankle, or any place else. It is thin, light, and small. I would not want to enter a competition with it, and it is not "fun" to shoot, but it is better than harsh language when your wardrobe does not permit you to carry a real pistol.

When I can, I carry a commander-sized Ed Brown.

BTW, the KelTec is around $200.

 

[Stretchman]

If and when you ever get a chance to pull and use a mouse gun, you will not feel it in the slightest. You will probably shoot it as many times as you can, and hit a lot less than you think. But if you can comfortably conceal a Kel-tec, and you have it, and the opportunity to use it before someone uses theirs on you, then it'll be worth every penny.

Stretch
Quit cigs 1M 5D 23h 6m ago. So far saved $221.77, 1,478 cigs not smoked and counting ...

 

[Alan Fud]

To continue with the size comparison process ...

 

[st_albert]

Seeing some actual muzzle velocity measurements of some typical SD ammo from the super short barrel of the Rohrbaugh could get me over the hump of deciding if its "worth it" compared to the ~180 ft-lbs of the P3AT.

--wally.

Ballistics info can be found here:
http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/data/R9-ammo-data.htm

muzzle energies typically seem to be in the 280-290 ft-lb range for the preferred rounds such as Speer Gold Dot, 115 or 124 gr.

Let us know what you make of the data.

Albert

 

[wally]

Thanks for the link.

Velocities seem higher than I'd have expected. The "cheap" Win white box 147 gr JHP would seem to be the best choice on paper. Makes me think about getting one as it looks to be about 50% more powerfull than the .380ACP is out of the P3AT in nearly the same sized package.

I worry about adaquate penetration. I carry Golden Saber 102 gr JHP in miy P3AT and basically hope they don't expand much! The 147 gr 9mm has a bit more sectional density that the .45 230gr round so at 850 fps it should give the same good penetration of .45 ball if it doesn't expand much. The Win white box 147gr JHP seems to have enough extra velocity to support some expansion without reducing penetration too much.

Sure its expensive, but if I ever need it, it'll have been a bargain! I do pretty well carrying my Kahr PM40 but the P3AT does get carried more than I might prefer so I'll start thinking seriously about the Rohrbaugh, 50% more power at 5X the cost doesn't seem such a deal, until I recall the only time I ever had to put my hand on my piece I would have been shooting thru my car door or window from the inside had the situation escalated so the importance of penetration really jumps up at me.

--wally.