Just picked up a Rohrbaugh R9
- Thread starter C0untZer0
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I picked up a used R9S a couple of months ago.
I brought it home, showed it to my wife. She said: "wow honey, thanks!"
I started to say: "uhmm, well, er, that wasn't really supposed to be for y.." and then I caught myself in time.
We took it to the range and although it is a bit of a handful she was able to put half a box of American Eagle 124FMJ through it before she wanted to go back to her much loved Browning Hi Power. She does have an issue with it torquing in her hand a bit as she works her way through a magazine. We'll look at alternative grips and maybe a sleeve or grip tape.
I like it enough that I picked up another used one for myself. I picked up a "sticky holster" http://www.stickyholsters.com/ and it is working fairly well for front pocket carry.
They both seem to like Speer GD 124 JHP which is a good thing.
I brought it home, showed it to my wife. She said: "wow honey, thanks!"
I started to say: "uhmm, well, er, that wasn't really supposed to be for y.." and then I caught myself in time.
We took it to the range and although it is a bit of a handful she was able to put half a box of American Eagle 124FMJ through it before she wanted to go back to her much loved Browning Hi Power. She does have an issue with it torquing in her hand a bit as she works her way through a magazine. We'll look at alternative grips and maybe a sleeve or grip tape.
I like it enough that I picked up another used one for myself. I picked up a "sticky holster" http://www.stickyholsters.com/ and it is working fairly well for front pocket carry.
They both seem to like Speer GD 124 JHP which is a good thing.
I got out to the range today and put 50 rounds of 124gr Gold Dots through it without a hitch.
I was able to repeatedly keep five rounds in 2" at 15 yards, offhand firing. I'm sure there are people out there who can do better with their Rohrbaugh, but this is my first time firing the little pistol.
I'm happy with that accuracy for my first time out.
I'm going to have to do a lot more training with it before I can rapidly get follow-up shots on target, but I'm sure that will change.
I was able to repeatedly keep five rounds in 2" at 15 yards, offhand firing. I'm sure there are people out there who can do better with their Rohrbaugh, but this is my first time firing the little pistol.
I'm happy with that accuracy for my first time out.
I'm going to have to do a lot more training with it before I can rapidly get follow-up shots on target, but I'm sure that will change.
JohnBT
Member
"I'm sure there are people out there who can do better with their Rohrbaugh"
A lot of folks have shot mine during the past 5+ years. The best shooter so far could shoot it extremely well offhand at 20 yards. We were on a 25-yard range, but he didn't try that distance.
He was a young guy, either military or former military, the kind of guy who gets invited along when the Seal team goes bar hopping in Virginia Beach. Nice guy too. He told me about his buddies and the competition they participate in and how they get together to load hundreds of thousands of rounds, etc. No wonder he was that good. When he shot the R9 the front sight only lifted a fraction of an inch.
My friend that brought him to the range that day - a dads and kids trip to a private range - vouched for him.
A lot of folks have shot mine during the past 5+ years. The best shooter so far could shoot it extremely well offhand at 20 yards. We were on a 25-yard range, but he didn't try that distance.
He was a young guy, either military or former military, the kind of guy who gets invited along when the Seal team goes bar hopping in Virginia Beach. Nice guy too. He told me about his buddies and the competition they participate in and how they get together to load hundreds of thousands of rounds, etc. No wonder he was that good. When he shot the R9 the front sight only lifted a fraction of an inch.
My friend that brought him to the range that day - a dads and kids trip to a private range - vouched for him.
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Highland Ranger
Member
I've wanted one for years but hard to find in NJ. Use it in good health.
I put another 100 rounds through the Rohrbaugh
Mostly 124 gr Gold Dot and 124 gr Lawman, but I also put a few magazine of 147gr Gold Dots, 147gr PDX and 147gr Winchester Ranger T.
124gr Lawman are spot on. I've heard people talk about the R9 having bad sights, but I think they're fine and I can keep 7 of those Lawman in an inch at 21 feet.
The 147gr is a different story though. Like I said I used Gold Dot, PDX and Ranger T, and the shot groups really opened up. Probably 3.5 inches at 21 feet. I haven't figured that out yet, I'll keep shooting and see what I turn up.
I'm at 150 rounds and no problems.
Mostly 124 gr Gold Dot and 124 gr Lawman, but I also put a few magazine of 147gr Gold Dots, 147gr PDX and 147gr Winchester Ranger T.
124gr Lawman are spot on. I've heard people talk about the R9 having bad sights, but I think they're fine and I can keep 7 of those Lawman in an inch at 21 feet.
The 147gr is a different story though. Like I said I used Gold Dot, PDX and Ranger T, and the shot groups really opened up. Probably 3.5 inches at 21 feet. I haven't figured that out yet, I'll keep shooting and see what I turn up.
I'm at 150 rounds and no problems.
PGT
Member
Did you have your mind set on the Rohrbaugh? Did you happen to look at the Boberg XR9? I'd like a pocket 9mm and both are intriguing.
docnyt
Member
Can't wait to get one. Looks like the ordering queue is messed up according to my LGS due to weather damage at the main (only) office.
The hurricane has put them behind, I know that. I heard that Karl Rohrbaugh's house was destroyed. And I'm sure that has diverted attention away from the business as he tries to get his personal affairs put back together. They announced on the Rohrbaugh forum that production was back to normal.
I ordered my pistol in October and there was a 4 week back order then.
I did look at the Boberg, I read posts from people who had both the XR9-S and the R9 and most of them thought that the XR9-S was a little heavy for pocket carry. They all said it was a great IWB gun that was super comfortable, almost unoticeable in a holster, but a little too heavy for pocket carry.
I have an HK P7M8 so if I am going to put on a holster I will wear the HK. I really did want a true pocket pistol so I went with the R9.
The total package, R9 + 7 rounds is just under 18 ounces, and it drops in jeans front pocket or the front pocket of my cotton Dockers easilyand I hardly notice it is there. I have no trouble retrieving the pistol out of the pocket except occasionally now the holster still come out with the pistol. Part of it is training myself to sweep the holster off against the pocket on the draw, but I am using a Nemesis holster right now and I'm sure there are pocket holsters out there that stay in the pocket better.
I ordered my pistol in October and there was a 4 week back order then.
I did look at the Boberg, I read posts from people who had both the XR9-S and the R9 and most of them thought that the XR9-S was a little heavy for pocket carry. They all said it was a great IWB gun that was super comfortable, almost unoticeable in a holster, but a little too heavy for pocket carry.
I have an HK P7M8 so if I am going to put on a holster I will wear the HK. I really did want a true pocket pistol so I went with the R9.
The total package, R9 + 7 rounds is just under 18 ounces, and it drops in jeans front pocket or the front pocket of my cotton Dockers easilyand I hardly notice it is there. I have no trouble retrieving the pistol out of the pocket except occasionally now the holster still come out with the pistol. Part of it is training myself to sweep the holster off against the pocket on the draw, but I am using a Nemesis holster right now and I'm sure there are pocket holsters out there that stay in the pocket better.
Since my PM9 comes in at 20 ounces loaded I would say the 3 ounces makes little difference.
Size is what will make or break a 9mm that is or is not a pocket pistol.
In relaxed fit jeans my holstered PM9 is as big as I want to go.
In work slacks or other lighter weight paints or shorts then it's LCP time.
You get a small and light 9mm in a 380 package with the R9.
But it does not come cheap and I am sure the recoil is quite stout.
Size is what will make or break a 9mm that is or is not a pocket pistol.
In relaxed fit jeans my holstered PM9 is as big as I want to go.
In work slacks or other lighter weight paints or shorts then it's LCP time.
You get a small and light 9mm in a 380 package with the R9.
But it does not come cheap and I am sure the recoil is quite stout.
Mike OTDP
Member
I've got an R9. I'm of two minds on this gun. The recoil is stout - not painful, but a follow-up shot is delayed while you pull the gun back down on target. Knowing what I know now, I'd buy an R380 over the R9. On the other hand, it's pretty compact. Not quite Seecamp small, but you could easily stuff it in a pocket holster with nobody raising an eyebrow. And the build quality is outstanding.
9mmDietCokeLover
Member
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- Sep 27, 2012
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I had one for about a week or two. Then sold it for a huge loss. It looked cool though. And I guess since it costs so much and looks cool you could say it's "Classy". It's a novelty item and would be good for a curiosity collection if you have the money to collect things that aren't used a lot.
I chambered a snap cap (AZoom) and ejected it slowly it got caught in the slide and frame. And guess what - the aluminum frame was so soft the snap cap put a huge ding with sticking up sharp edge that affected the frame and slide. I broke the piece off so it worked but had a huge gouge and ding still remaining.
I had no confidence in it. I wish I still had the pictures I took. I was going to send them to the owner, but from the videos I've seen, he seems like a real jerk with a bad attitude. I don't know what kind of Aluminum they use but after taking a Metallurgy class recently I know they could do much better with material choices. Either a different material or a stronger Aluminum as there are some great choices out there. Maybe titanium? $$$$$ even more.
I choose to not get angry at the time and just forget about. I felt like the biggest sucker. But I have cooled off a little on it. Enough to let people know how I feel about it and that they should steer clear (unless they are a collector). Get a Seecamp or J-Frame, maybe LCP? Better choices and you save money.
Then the replacement of the recoil spring every 200 rounds? I shot 100 rds on the first outing. Not impressed. I get it - the owner of the company says it's like a drag racing car - you have to rebuild it after the race. Wonderful! Practicing with it uses not only ammo but recoil springs.
What did impress me was the trigger, caliber, size and weight. I'm not totally blind with my disappointment. But those positive attributes only go so far and doesn't instill trust or reliability.
What's better and similar? A STEEL Seecamp in your choice of .32 or .380. It would be heavier, but more durable by far.
I thought it was a rip-off. I thought it should be made of steel too IMO even at the expense of more weight.
That's my $.02 about the Rohrbaugh.
I chambered a snap cap (AZoom) and ejected it slowly it got caught in the slide and frame. And guess what - the aluminum frame was so soft the snap cap put a huge ding with sticking up sharp edge that affected the frame and slide. I broke the piece off so it worked but had a huge gouge and ding still remaining.
I had no confidence in it. I wish I still had the pictures I took. I was going to send them to the owner, but from the videos I've seen, he seems like a real jerk with a bad attitude. I don't know what kind of Aluminum they use but after taking a Metallurgy class recently I know they could do much better with material choices. Either a different material or a stronger Aluminum as there are some great choices out there. Maybe titanium? $$$$$ even more.
I choose to not get angry at the time and just forget about. I felt like the biggest sucker. But I have cooled off a little on it. Enough to let people know how I feel about it and that they should steer clear (unless they are a collector). Get a Seecamp or J-Frame, maybe LCP? Better choices and you save money.
Then the replacement of the recoil spring every 200 rounds? I shot 100 rds on the first outing. Not impressed. I get it - the owner of the company says it's like a drag racing car - you have to rebuild it after the race. Wonderful! Practicing with it uses not only ammo but recoil springs.
What did impress me was the trigger, caliber, size and weight. I'm not totally blind with my disappointment. But those positive attributes only go so far and doesn't instill trust or reliability.
What's better and similar? A STEEL Seecamp in your choice of .32 or .380. It would be heavier, but more durable by far.
I thought it was a rip-off. I thought it should be made of steel too IMO even at the expense of more weight.
That's my $.02 about the Rohrbaugh.
JohnBT
Member
"had one for about a week or two."
"if you have the money to collect things that aren't used a lot."
If you sell them after a week or two you can't use them a lot. I've carried my R9 everyday since I bought it used in spring of 2007 and I haven't gone broke yet buying $4.95 recoil springs. It's not a range or plinking gun after all.
The weight of a loaded R9 is about the max I want to front pocket carry in dress slacks without reinforcing the pocket so the fabric doesn't sag on that side. With jeans or canvas hiking pants it doesn't make any difference.
"he seems like a real jerk with a bad attitude"
He's not.
John
"if you have the money to collect things that aren't used a lot."
If you sell them after a week or two you can't use them a lot. I've carried my R9 everyday since I bought it used in spring of 2007 and I haven't gone broke yet buying $4.95 recoil springs. It's not a range or plinking gun after all.
The weight of a loaded R9 is about the max I want to front pocket carry in dress slacks without reinforcing the pocket so the fabric doesn't sag on that side. With jeans or canvas hiking pants it doesn't make any difference.
"he seems like a real jerk with a bad attitude"
He's not.
John
Karl Rohrbaugh stands behind his product. Any manufacturer of any product has some unhappy customers, as much as the feedback is mostly positive on the Rohrbaugh forum, occasionally someone has a problem and posts.
The advice is alway that they send it back to Rohrbaugh, and in almost all of the cases that I've read about Karl fixes whatever the problem is.
I haven't had a problem.
I practice everyday with A-Zooms, doing magazine changes over and over so I can get good at it.
The gun has a heel magazine latch to eliminate the possibility that the mag release gets bumbed while its in the pocket. Some people don't like that. I know it makes for difficult mag changes, so that's why I practice swapping out magazines. I've cycled hundreds of A-Zooms and Tipton Snap-Caps through the pistol just practicing mag changes.
As you travel up the scale you can always say one or two or a few onces doesn't make a difference. The MK9 is slightly smaller than the PM9/CM9 but it's a tad over 22 ounces empty... I think it's a great little gun, just not a pocket gun for all pockets. The PM9/CM9 is close to the R9 in weight, but slightly larger - longer and higher, the R9 is 5.2" long, 3.7" high. The R9 weighs 13.5 ounces empty, my R9 weighs 18.3 ounces loaded with 7 rounds of 147gr Gold Dots.
The advice is alway that they send it back to Rohrbaugh, and in almost all of the cases that I've read about Karl fixes whatever the problem is.
I haven't had a problem.
I practice everyday with A-Zooms, doing magazine changes over and over so I can get good at it.
The gun has a heel magazine latch to eliminate the possibility that the mag release gets bumbed while its in the pocket. Some people don't like that. I know it makes for difficult mag changes, so that's why I practice swapping out magazines. I've cycled hundreds of A-Zooms and Tipton Snap-Caps through the pistol just practicing mag changes.
As you travel up the scale you can always say one or two or a few onces doesn't make a difference. The MK9 is slightly smaller than the PM9/CM9 but it's a tad over 22 ounces empty... I think it's a great little gun, just not a pocket gun for all pockets. The PM9/CM9 is close to the R9 in weight, but slightly larger - longer and higher, the R9 is 5.2" long, 3.7" high. The R9 weighs 13.5 ounces empty, my R9 weighs 18.3 ounces loaded with 7 rounds of 147gr Gold Dots.
When I use my Glock 17L - that means I'm firing it at the range. It's a range gun and that's what its for.
When I use my R9, it's in my pocket.
Well actually, I don't carry yet because I'm in Illinois waiting for this Moore v Madigan decision to play out - but you get the idea
When I use my R9, it's in my pocket.
Well actually, I don't carry yet because I'm in Illinois waiting for this Moore v Madigan decision to play out - but you get the idea
FWIW...the specs on DB9 Vs Rohrbaugh R9:
DB9
• Capacity: 6+1 Rounds
• Weight: 11 Ounces
• Length: 5.60"
• Height: 4.00" with mag
• Width: 0.80"
• Barrel Length: 3.00"
• Price: Around $300
Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber:9mm
Barrel:2.9in
Length:5.2in
Height:3.7in NOTE: This does not include the sights or mag release
Width: 0.90"
Weight:13.5oz
Magazine Capacity:6 Rounds
Price:Something over $1000
JohnBT
Member
One reviewer got a barely functioning DB9. Stuff happens.
www.gunsamerica.com/blog/diamondback-firearms-db380-db9-range-report/
www.gunsamerica.com/blog/diamondback-firearms-db380-db9-range-report/
Wilbert
Member
Pardon my ignorance, but I just have to know what 'Mitt Romney style' is
JohnBT
Member
It could be a reference to...
Mitt Romney Style (Gangnam Style Parody) - YouTube
Mitt Romney Style (Gangnam Style Parody) - YouTube
I don't know by looking at a DB9 if it is equiped with the 3rd trigger pin or not, but adding a thrid has supposwdly increased reliability and durability for the DB9.
I took a digital caliper to my R9 and from the top of the slide to the bottom of the magazine well measured 3.69" (no magazine) with a magazine it is 3.80", but from the top of the rear sights to the bottom of the heel mag release measures exactly 4.00"
I took a digital caliper to my R9 and from the top of the slide to the bottom of the magazine well measured 3.69" (no magazine) with a magazine it is 3.80", but from the top of the rear sights to the bottom of the heel mag release measures exactly 4.00"
Thank you Countzero...the third pic is clearly visible adjacent to the other two. The orange one above does *not* have it.
The new tally:
DB9
• Capacity:6 +1 9mm
• Weight: 11 Oz
• Length: 5.6"
• Barrel Length: 3"
• Height: 4"
• Width: .8"
• Price: Around $350
Rohrbaugh R9
• Capacity:6 +1 9mm
• Weight:13.5 Oz
• Length:5.2"
• Barrel:2.9"
• Height:4"
• Width: .9"
• Price:Something over $1000
For *my* price point, it's the DB9 for the win.
ps: FWIW, The grip spur and hollow arch of the DB9 could be worked down easily to match the overall length of the R9 yet retain the 1/10th inch barrel advantage.
The new tally:
DB9
• Capacity:6 +1 9mm
• Weight: 11 Oz
• Length: 5.6"
• Barrel Length: 3"
• Height: 4"
• Width: .8"
• Price: Around $350
Rohrbaugh R9
• Capacity:6 +1 9mm
• Weight:13.5 Oz
• Length:5.2"
• Barrel:2.9"
• Height:4"
• Width: .9"
• Price:Something over $1000
For *my* price point, it's the DB9 for the win.
ps: FWIW, The grip spur and hollow arch of the DB9 could be worked down easily to match the overall length of the R9 yet retain the 1/10th inch barrel advantage.
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