Kahr pm9 or Rohrbaugh R9S

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76shuvlinoff

76shuvlinoff

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Still looking for a pocket pet, heck with the current market I may always be "just looking." I decided that with the ammo pricing and availability maybe the .380 isn't the way to go (for me). I'm a .40 - .45 guy and if I can get a 9mm in my pocket on days when I can't dress for the others then I feel that's the way to go. I'm not starting a caliber war, it's just how I feel about it. Anyhow, I know the Rohrbaugh R9S is more money than the Kahr. What about reliabilty, pocketability and customer service comparisons? Is the Rohrbaugh DAO?

As always,
thanks
 
I have a PM9 but no direct experience with the Rohrbaugh.

The Rohrbaugh is a hammer-fired DAO. It will fit into smaller pockets than the Kahr, which really needs pockets the size of those of cargo pants to draw easily. The more rounded slide (at the rear) and smaller sights should also help draw the gun more easily from a pocket. The smaller sights - and overall size - would work against you when you actually shoot it.
 
Yes, the Rohrbaugh is DAO.

I have a close friend who got one of the first ones on the market a few years ago (serial number less than 1K), and he loves it. Carries it everywhere he can. He got the 9mm, they did not offer a .380 at the time.

It is not a gun you shoot often, or you have to replace the springs. The mfg. is up front about this, and his box induced an extra spring.

His is an extremely well machined, tight tolerance, precision engineered gun (think a German engineer's wet dream :) ) That means that it is not for everyone, and it's pricey.

If you don't treat it like a trunk gun, and are diligent about regular care and lubrication it would be a good choice. It is a handful to shoot, just don't use +P, or stronger loads, they are verboten.

http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com/
 
The Rohrbaugh is a fine weapon - smallest 9mm around. Not a great range gun, but it's perfect for what it was designed and built for - CCW.
 
I too have one of the early Rohrbaughs (200's serial #) that I got barely used from a friend. It is an incredible piece of machinery, and very well made. Swapping out the main recoil spring (I do it every 100 rounds or so) is a simple matter, and last time I bought some they were about $5. And the thing is small - easy to conceal in just about any clothing you might want to wear.

All that said, I don't carry it much. Why? Because I have large hands and it is hard to shoot well. My 642 gets a lot of the 'pocket duty' that the R9 would work for, even though it is a little bigger and holds two fewer rounds. Because that I *can* shoot well, out to 25 yards.

So, it's a fine gun (the R9), and if it works for you it is well worth the money. Try to find someone in your area who has one, give it a try.

Good luck -


Jim D.
 
If the purpose of the gun is self defense, as you say, get the Kahr and save the money. The Kahr is reliable after 200 rounds. (all my FTF were in the first 50)
You can take it to the range and not regret it.
If you want a collectible piece that you will be proud to own, get the Rohrbaugh.
 
The Kahr is good enough that I see no reason to spend a bunch of extra money on the Rohrbaugh. PM9's are a pleasure to shoot.
 
It's not a purchase that's right on the brink of happening. As I said in the op I'm exploring options on a pocket pistol in 9mm and I've heard the Kahr is actually a bit big for that. I've be able to fondle the Kahr pm40 and the 9mm is supposed to be the same. I have never handled the Rohrbaugh. I've read a ton of good press for both weapons.
There are times I find my XD40sc bulky. I can't knock the xd on any other grounds. There are just times I have to leave it behind and I'd rather have 9mm than nothing. I know the Rohrbaugh is kinda high end and I assume it's worth it. I may even trade the xd40sc and reduce my carry calibers to .45 (full size 1911) and then a pocket 9mm.

Thanks for your comments
 
I have a friend with a Rohrbaugh and I have a Kahr P9 Covert (basically a PM9 with a 3.5" barrel).

The Rohrbaugh is a beautiful piece of machining and has the feel of a fine Swiss watch. The trigger is excellent and the gun just reeks of quality. The problem is that it is just flat-out painful to shoot and the tiny grip combined with the nasty recoil make rapid follow-up shots difficult. I put five rounds through it and my hand hurt. I should also note that you cannot shoot +P rounds with the Rohrbaugh.

The Kahr is a little bit bigger, but worlds better to shoot. The recoil is very manageable and the ergonomics of the gun are better all around. I took mine to a pin shoot and easily took five bowling pins down with six shots at 45 yards in pretty good time. The thing is a tack hammer. I have also found it much less finicky about ammo than the Rohrbaugh and less prone to malfunction. My buddy with the Rohrbaugh had to experiment quite a bit to find ammo that worked reliably in it. I've had no such issues.
 
Wish I had experience with the Rohrbaugh.

I do own a PM9 and it is the easiest gun that I have ever carried, including a NAA 380.
 
I have the Stealth model and carry it in my jeans pocket everywhere. It prints less than a pack of American Spirit smokes. Love the little blaster................
 
"You could buy two Kahr Arms PM9 and a pleathora of PM9 magazines for the price of one Rohrbaugh R9S."

Yes, but then all you'd have would be 2 Kahrs. :neener:

A couple of years ago I bought a used R9 in the 6xx range that was marked "200 rounds fired" and it looked like it. It did not look like it had ever seen a holster or the inside of a pocket. Great gun.

I shot it 101 times the first time out and I won't be doing that again. I was going to shoot the 3rd box, but after the first round I decided I'd had enough. It was wearing me down and the back of my trigger finger was starting to bounce off the inside of the trigger guard with every shot.

I'll be 59 next week, but I'm still a little over 200# and can still handle a fair amount of recoil. It's not a little pistol for the faint of heart.

John
 
of the two the kahr PM9 is definitely not ammo sensitive either. the R9 is much more ammo sensitive. that being said once you find the rounds the shoots well in the r9, they are great guns. Just not a range gun, like the PM9 is . I own a PM9 and love it and it ahs 24,000 rounds down range and not one thing has gone wrong,very pleasant to shoot. Nothing against the R9 eithe4r, price shouldnot be an obstacle if that is what you realy want either. theya re top quality in workmanship, ...I like to cqarry a gun that I can shoot alot also, so that the gun and I get to know each other alot better. Just not sure the R9 is that type of gun either..
 
Welllll fate saw me window shopping and has kicked me in the groin. My 10 yr old pickup needed a grand worth of love today. I guess I'm running a bit late for the cash for clunkers deal. Go figure.

Thanks for the input folks but my wallet is now in rehab. :banghead:
 
That's too bad, but stuff like that certainly happens to us all.

The PM9 just weighs a little too much, and is a hair or two too wide, for me to front pocket carry. And unloaded it's a bit heavier than my S&W 442 - but call them even because it's in the tenths of an ounce.

IOW, I don't want a pocket gun big and heavy enough to be a range gun.

John
 
LancerMW said:
love my pm9 not a pocket gun though
Click to expand...

Huh? I pocket carry my PM9 all day, every day and it replaced my P3AT.

Another HUGE +1 for the Kahr PM9. :D
 
IOW, I don't want a pocket gun big and heavy enough to be a range gun.
Click to expand...

I guess that sorta sums it up for me. When I financially get back into the market I will not be looking for a range gun, I have those. I am looking for something that works with the lightest cover garment on an occasional basis. I was seriously investigating the 380's... just trying to get wrapped around the thought if spending 3X the .380 to get 9mm in the same package is worth it.
 
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