Bought a Rohrbaugh R9S Stealth pocket 9mm yesterday

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PakWaan

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I'm trying to do my small part to help out the ailing economy. I was at a gun show yesterday and finally bought the Rohrbaugh R9S Stealth 9mm pocket pistol that I've been wanting for about a year.

I love my S&W 1911PD, but there are times in the Florida heat when strapping on my 1911 in shorts and a t-shirt just doesn't cut it, and I want something that fits in my pocket. I have a Kel-tec P3AT, but have had to send it back to Kel-tec twice for FTF and stovepipe issues, and although it's been fine since the second trip back, I don't trust it anymore.

I have to say that this Rohrbaugh is a work of art. The fit and finish is first rate, and when you lay it on top of the Kel-tec they are almost EXACTLY the same size. It even fits perfectly in my P3AT pocket holster.

I'm thrilled - 9mm makes me feel better than a .380 when I can't carry my .45. I'll let you know how it performs when I get it to the range in the next couple days.

rohrbaugh.jpg
 
+1 on all that.

I bought my Stealth a few months ago right around Christmas ('08) and it's become one of my favorite CCW pistols.

While I bought it for the express purpose of carrying in hot summer months when I dress really light but still need a very concealable pistol, it's ended up becoming my main carry piece just because it's so easy to carry no matter what the occasion.

I understand that some people are unable or unwilling to spend more than a $1000 on a carry weapon, but for those who are able and willing, you won't regret it.
It's worth every penny.
 
Thanks for the photo. That's very helpful. Everyone's going to want to know what you paid. If you're interested in sharing that info.

Also, I'll look forward to your range report.
 
PakWaan,

You have a great looking pistol.

I know what you mean about the 1911. They become a pain real quick in the Georgia Summers. This is one of the reasons, I went to the G26.

Your thread/picture has me thinking about a Rohrbaugh.
 
It cost me $1200 new at a gun show. It's not cheap, but when I consider the alternatives for a gun that you can always have with you under almost any circumstances, I consider it money well invested.
 
Well I'll be one of the first to admit that I'm jealous. Have you fired it yet, I curious about the recoil and accuracy?
 
I've had the non-stealth version (although the fact that it lives in a holster in my pocket makes the color kind of non-critical) for many years. I did go through two to get one that is reliable, and yes they are ammo-picky, and yes they require a little maintenance but I feel it's by far the best pocket pistol option out there. I use 124 gr Speer Gold dots and once I knew they worked I bought a case of them all from the same lot. Every range trip I empty two mags and refill. Every 15 trips I change the $5 spring. It always works, it's downright tiny and it fires a fairly effective round.

I got mine for under $800 with several holsters and spares in a rare deal back then but if I had to pay a grand, I would. I also thought it would be a sometimes gun but it's my primary CC gun.
 
Logical - yes, I've heard they can be finicky about ammo, and like you, most of the owners on the Rohrbaugh forum rave about the Speer Gold Dot 124. I love that round anyway and used to carry them in my Glock as my duty round when I was a police officer. Considering that it will be a dedicated CCW and not my primary range gun, I don't mind sticking with the Speers. A small gun isn't particularly "fun" to shoot anyway - my Kel-tec really became a hand-pounder after a couple dozen rounds.
 
I did not know it was that small. I expected it to be closer to a Kahr PM9 in size. For all the PM's attributes, it does not fit into tight spaces (e.g., jeans pockets) all that well, and really needs a cargo pant or slack pocket. The rounded/tapered rear of the slide should be an aid to drawing the gun from a pocket, as well.
 
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I couldn't stand it, so I had to go out to my backyard range and shoot this thing a few minutes ago. Ran a couple magazines of cheap American Eagle ball ammo through it at 10 yards, pretty standard distance for a typical self-defense scenario.

Here are the targets:

shoot1.jpg
shoot2.jpg

I could destroy the 10 ring with my 1911 at 25 yards, but it's not a mouse gun. Considering it's intended purpose, I think this is more than accurate enough and it's the first time I've ever shot it.

The recoil is snappy, but overall only slightly more than my P3AT. The gun is much more substantial, being mostly metal instead of plastic, so that probably helps with the perceived recoil. It wouldn't be fun to put 100 rounds through it, but for a CCW that will mostly only be shot for keeping up proficiency or in a real-life situation when you will be high on adrenaline, it's nothing.

I'm very happy..... bye bye Kel-tec.
 
nice gun

really is a nice gun, You only get what you pay for and the R9 is just a well made pocket rocket..
 
I have an R9S. IMO, if you use the Gold Dot get ready to get rocked. Mine is punchy as he##. I can hardly shoot a full mag worth without stopping and resting. Silvertips are my choice FWIW. Bad to the bone gun either way ya cut it.
 
+1 on the R9s. From a guy who used to carry a 1911 or k frame, the R9s was an amazing revelation. Being able to pocket carry everyday with no issues and no lack of firepower was a huge deal.

Some nice custom leather available for these things too, check out Hidden Holsters or Meco. Great leather, nice guys.

Welcome to the club!

'alp
 
joesolo- I put some Gold Dots through it this afternoon, and I know what you mean. Kicks pretty good - but I've got several boxes of them left over from a previous 9mm, so I think I'll keep it loaded with them. I think in a defensive situation I'd rather have more punch.... will run a few boxes of ball through it for familiarization, and a box of Gold Dots for carry confidence, and then just keep it in my pocket with the Gold Dots. Will probably pick up a couple boxes of Silvertip also, if I can find them - hard to find much of anything right now!
 
You guys know I'm talking about the standard pressure Gold Dots right? These guns aren't rated for the +P 9mm rounds.
 
Yes, I know it won't eat +P's - I can't imagine anyone wanting to put a high pressure round through something this small ;)
 
Sure, I own one, member of the R-forum, too. I got a pretty good deal on a used one with black carbon fiber grips a couple of years ago and it's worked fine. SN is R63x and it looked like new. The tag said 200 rounds fired and it looked like new.

I'm using an R.L. Graham pocket holster with a full flap fwiw. Never leave home without it. :)

John
 
That's a sweet pocket rocket, I would love to get one but soooo spendy. I won't order one but I'm afraid if I find one at a gun show or favorite gun store, I could cave in and buy it. I have a few pocket guns, the most potient being the Tel-Tec P3-AT .380acp but a 9mm would be better yet. LM
 
I know, it's expensive. I had been thinking about one for a while, but until I saw it at the gun show, I didn't realize that it was exactly the same size as my P3AT. Had to have it.

I managed to justify it by realizing that it will be with me 24 hours a day since it's the only truly pocketable 9mm. If you keep it for 10 years, that works out to only 32 cents per day for peace of mind.... which is 1/10th of what I spend on coffee every day.
 
PakWaan - FWIW, I use 115gr GDHPs in my R9, and have for years (low 200s SN). I figure the extra velocity is only a help. We also chrono'd it as part of our tests - decent performance even out of that short little barrel.

Congrats - it is the ideal pocket pistol for many situations. I don't carry/shoot mine that much (I shoot a 642 better, due to my overly large hands), but it certainly has it's place.

Cheers!


Jim D.
 
Ya know as I sit here and consider one of those beauts, I kinda feel like it'd render my entire handgun collection obsolete. I mean seriously, why pack a CZ P-01 (or any of a number of others) on my hip when I can carry this little guy in a front pocket and begin to tuck in my shirts again? I'd better lose the little gut I've picked up.
 
Ya know as I sit here and consider one of those beauts, I kinda feel like it'd render my entire handgun collection obsolete. I mean seriously, why pack a CZ P-01 (or any of a number of others) on my hip when I can carry this little guy in a front pocket and begin to tuck in my shirts again? I'd better lose the little gut I've picked up.
Click to expand...

You may be right about that.
Before I bought my R9s Stealth, I was carrying different CCW pistols depending upon how I dressed for the occasion.
I was rotating between a Commander, 642, PPK, and a few others in that size and weight range, but after getting the Rohrbaugh, I'm finding that it's really the only one I grab anymore as I head out the door.
The only thing I vary is the holster I use with it that can be either a pocket holster, IWB, or back pocket holster.
In Houston's hot weather, I'm finding that I can carry the R9s no matter how light I dress.
 
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