Is there a "better" concealable 9mm than the PM9?

[grimjaw]

"Better" in this case is subjective.

I think the Rohrbaugh is somewhat smaller than a Kahr MK9 (the closest equivalent to the Rohrbaugh in materials) but almost twice as expensive.

I've had a Kahr K9, PM9, and MK9 in that order. the MK9 has been the best choice for me. the steel frame helps tame the recoil enough that I do not tire after shooting a practice session (which means more practice sessions). It's not so heavy that I find it uncomfortable to carry. It's the same size as the PM9 and just as easy to conceal.

The PM9 I had was a little finicky about stripping the first round of a full magazine but otherwise had no issues. My current MK9 has not had that issue, or any issue, since I've had it. I got it used. I couldn't tell you about Rohrbaugh reliability and I haven't researched user reviews of it. The additional cost does not give me additional benefit in the case of the Rohrbaugh vs. the Kahr MK9 (or the S&W 638 that I carry more often).

jm

 

[W L Johnson]

In addition to the cost I noticed in the Youtube videos of the Rohrbaugh being shot is that in every video the shooter had to re grip the pistol between every shot and clearly the recoil is severe.

Only because they're fighting the recoil instead of working with it. I have a Rohrbaugh R9S and I have no problem going into rapid fire with it even using Speer gold dots.

 

[kokapelli]

Only because they're fighting the recoil instead of working with it. I have a Rohrbaugh R9S and I have no problem going into rapid fire with it even using Speer gold dots.

I know you've posted about working with the recoil before and I'm not saying your wrong, but all the videos I've seen show severe recoil when shooting the Rohrbaugh.

You don't happen to have a video of the Rohrbaugh in rapid fire where your "working with the recoil" prevents the little pistol from flipping up and back do you?

I've been shooting a long, long time and I sure would like to know how "working with recoil" can stop a heavy recoiling gun from moving up and back off target?

 

[deercop]

I find it very enlightening that the overwhelming majority of people (on any forum) criticising the Rohrbaugh have never fired one, let alone owned one.

To borrow a phrase I read somewhere (seems like by Rob S), "a qualified opinion is certainly worth more than an unqualified opinion, no matter what your mama may have told you".

 

[boostedxt]

I like....

"education without experience is just information."

joe

 

[W L Johnson]

I find it very enlightening that the overwhelming majority of people (on any forum) criticising the Rohrbaugh have never fired one, let alone owned one.

True, but I wonder if hand size may play a part here. I don't have big hands, although I wouldn't call them small ether. I actually found the NAA Guarduan 380 painful to shoot and sold it after it's first trip to the range. I don't find the Rohrbaugh painful at all, it is a handful in terms of recoil, but it's not painful.
For the record I also have other pocket guns, Keltec P3AT, a Taurus TCP, and a Bersa CC. The Rohrbaugh has replaced them all and they sit in the safe, while the Rohrbaugh sits in my pocket right now.

 

[JohnBT]

"prevents the little pistol from flipping up and back "

I though all handguns had muzzle flip. Maybe I'm just bad with handguns. My Rohrbaugh has muzzle flip too and the recoil from 101 rounds about wore me out during the first range trip. Nothing like a small light handgun shooting 9mm to wake you up.

John

 

[Dr_2_B]

If I were buying now, I'd probably get a PM9.

 

[bdb benzino]

Love my Kahrs! No better imho

 

[Shadow 7D]

Think of this as an excuse to fondle the inventory at you local gunshops

remember recoil is a product of bullet weight, powder charge, and gun mass

heavy, fast bullets out of alight gun = recoil
add a poor grip i.e. the mini size, guns you have to hold with 2 fingers, more felt recoil and difficulty controlling.

my point is
what is best is wholly dependent on you

 

[L1D3N]

I'm keeping my eye on this one, it's pricey though but I like that it's +p rated.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Yeah, and they were supposed to start production 2 year ago...

 

[FourteenMiles]

Found this regarding the Rorbaugh Rs9:

http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulletin/defensive-carry-guns/39426-lowdown-rohrbaugh-r9.html

 

[m2steven]

I think the pm9 is about the best pocket gun out today. it's quality is first class, best trigger in it's class, and it's a gun i rarely have to think twice before I carry it.

If you have really tight jeans, it will print, but so does my 709 or lcp. It is a pleasure to shoot at the range as well, some of my 380s are a complete pain to shoot.

Kahr makes great pistols. I also like my Taurus 709. It and the PPS are pretty easy to carry as well, and I know the Walther is a quality piece.

 

[JohnBT]

"Found this regarding the Rorbaugh Rs9"

It shouldn't take a genius, or the help of Mr. Rohrbaugh, to figure out that a 12-ounce gun shooting 9mm isn't a range gun. Jeez. Next somebody will get upset when they find out that S&W Airweights aren't range guns either and they weigh almost 16 ounces.

:banghead:

I bought my R9 used a couple of years ago and it's still working.

John

 

[kokapelli]

"Found this regarding the Rorbaugh Rs9"

It shouldn't take a genius, or the help of Mr. Rohrbaugh, to figure out that a 12-ounce gun shooting 9mm isn't a range gun. Jeez. Next somebody will get upset when they find out that S&W Airweights aren't range guns either and they weigh almost 16 ounces.

:banghead:

I bought my R9 used a couple of years ago and it's still working.

John

No but if I paid $1100 for a gun I would expect to be able to shoot it enough to be proficient with it.
A couple of magazines every 2 or 3 months isn't good enough for me.

 

[kokapelli]

Found this regarding the Rorbaugh Rs9:

http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulletin/defensive-carry-guns/39426-lowdown-rohrbaugh-r9.html

I read that awhile back also and it just shows that paying $1100 for a gun doesn't guarantee perfection.

I would be unhappy to find I had paid $1100 for a gun meant to be shot only infrequently.

I have one of the early P-3ATs that I put thousands of rounds through so that I was proficient with it and using it became reflex and didn't require thinking.

Two or three mags every two or three months isn't going to accomplish that.

 

[W L Johnson]

Found this regarding the Rorbaugh Rs9:

http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulle...rbaugh-r9.html

Isn't it great how these things start up and never die. It's the recoil spring that has a 150 to 200 shot lifetime, it takes a heck of a lot of abuse. It's easy to replace and only costs $5 (from Rohrbaugh's website). This thing is only a 13.5 oz gun firing 9x19mm, better the recoil spring than the frame taking the abuse.

Oh, and as far as not using +p, +p would be wasted with a short barrel anyway.

 

[JohnBT]

"No but if I paid $1100 for a gun I would expect to be able to shoot it enough to be proficient with it.
A couple of magazines every 2 or 3 months isn't good enough for me."

Back to my statement about the weight of the gun and 9mm. If you bought a gun without researching it, well, you deserve what you get. It's not a range gun. It can't be. Anybody who knows the basics of how firearms operate can see that at a glance.

It was designed to do exactly what it does. And it does it very well.

When I bought recoil springs, Maria told me 200 rounds per spring. $4.95 for a spring doesn't add much to the cost of 200 rounds of quality 9mm hollowpoint.

As I've mentioned, I shot 101 rounds on my first range trip. I stopped because it wasn't fun. I'd started on the 3rd box, but gave it up. It's a pocket pistol, and a good one.

Why is it the people who don't own one think they're Rohrbaugh experts?

John

 

[Guns and more]

I don't think you'll beat the PM-9 in a small 9mm. package.

I wanted smaller (although the PM-9 is a great gun) so I ventured into the .380 family.
I figured I was much more likely to have a .380 in my pocket than a 9mm.
Since I've never been in a gunfight yet, the advantage of 9mm. over .380 seems negligible.
I went with the Sig P-238 and never looked back.

 

[engineer88]

I think the R9 is a feat of engineering and I like it's clean lines. That said the reason I have not shot it and so many others I would imagine it that it is not a range toy, so nowhere is going to rent them. And I don't know about everyone else but I cannot plunk a grand down on a gun to experience it for myself. I am very happy for those of you who do. Maybe one day I will get there too.

Until then being able to almost buy two PM9's used or three PF9's new for that price makes them much more attainable for me. I have a Smith and Wesson 637 that I love, I would like a 340PD better but the 3oz. in weight savings is not worth the $300.00 to get it. Again I respect that even such a pistol can be produced. It is amazing!

All that said I think the PM9 is good looking and the PF9 is not ugly. My PF9 has a rail too so if I wanted to snap a light/laser on it I could. Mags are cheap, warranty is good, I got no complaints. I like the looks of Kahr pistols enough that a CW9 is on the "need it" list behind a few others.

P.S. The MK9 with wood grips is a very handsome gun, I must admit. I do love the squared off clean lines and I must be one of the few people out there that find glocks to be appealing.

 

[W L Johnson]

I posted this before, here's my Rohrbaugh R9S 9mm (right after I bought it) compared to my Kel-Tec P3AT .380acp

 

[kokapelli]

Back to my statement about the weight of the gun and 9mm. If you bought a gun without researching it, well, you deserve what you get.
Why is it the people who don't own one think they're Rohrbaugh experts?

John

I am an expert when it comes to knowing what works for me and I did research it and that's why I don't own one.
I'm not saying it isn't the right gun for you, but from what I can see in the videos and read about the RS9 it isn't the right gun for me.
That's all I'm trying to say.

Sorry your confused.

 

[Girodin]

I find it very enlightening that the overwhelming majority of people (on any forum) criticising the Rohrbaugh have never fired one, let alone owned one.

Save the Rohrbaugh forum. It was reading on that forum was a part of what convinced me that it was not the BUG for me. Although I'll note it seems the factory has dealt with some of the common issues over time. It is not an acceptable primary gun to me for a number of reasons. Price for me was not much of consideration. If I thought it was the weapon best up to the task I wanted it to preform I would buy it.

 

[CTShooter]

"Quote:
Originally Posted Kokapelli

No but if I paid $1100 for a gun I would expect to be able to shoot it enough to be proficient with it.
A couple of magazines every 2 or 3 months isn't good enough for me."


I totally agree! Along with you need to replace the recoil spring every 100 to 200 rounds!? That's sounds like to me a poorly made pistol for $1000 plus dollars. It may be really small but there is a point where to small meets functionality