RAP 401 versus SIG 228...pictures of course.

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arinvolvo

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Ok, just recieved the RAP 401...havent shot it yet...A range report is forthcoming.

Decided to snap a few pics...You have seen it next to a Kahr, now see it next to a similar looking, but not sized SIG 228. That aught to give you a nice point of reference. Byt the way, I was delightfully pleased with how small the pistol is...I have rather smaller hands...one readon that I bought my Steyr a while back...And this SIG 228 feels like a monster in my hands.

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I am extremely pleased with the overall quality of this inexpensive little pistol...the only blemish is a bare spot in the blueing right below the "R" of the RAP roll mark. NOT the little white dot, that is the takedown marker.

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Yes, this is the 9mm version. The 401=9mm, 440=40cal

Andrew, you are right, the safety IS in a nice spot...it is also the decocker, and it is so well placed, that I can even operate it as a lefty.

BowStreetRunner. The RAP is a pistol from South Africa...There is limited availability in the states. Chances are if you purchase one, that may be the only one you ever see. It is a general copy of the Astra A75, and the machining quality is unbelievable.

Best of all, we reap the benefits of S. Africa's crappy economy....they are $225 with two mags, and as far as I know only available through Century Arms, or through a guy in Florida named Shawn Thayer.
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Here are some VERY informative threads about the RAP.


http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22688&perpage=25&highlight=RAP&pagenumber=1

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=142391&highlight=RAP+Kahr

http://www.cruffler.com/Features/DEC-01/review-December-01.html
 
Dammit ... between all these threads and my brother braging about his 440 and 401, you guys are really making me want a RAP.

:neener:

Well my brother should be visiting here in about 3 weeks ... said he's bringing his RAPs so after holding one (and maybe shooting it) I'll surely want one even more. :banghead:
 
Hopefully I'll be getting to the range very soon for a full report of my unfired 401
I already own the 440 its my primary CCW

The 440 has been a solid firing weapon.
Never had a jam yet, although a couple times the slide didn't return fully, but I think that has more to do with the age of the spring. The 440 I have was bought used and had been a regular back up for an LEO.
I absolutely love the size and compact feel of this gun.
Of all the reviews I've read on them, the predominant complaint seems to be the weight... I don't find it heavy at all, in fact I like the solid feel the "extra" weight it has gives it, compared to other models.

I'll come back to this thread once I've fired the 401.

But I'm already sold on these rather obscure weapons.

Oh and on a side note.. I've read that there is some debate as to whether the Astra A-75 was modeled after the RAP or visa versa.
 
Astra A75 or RAP 401? Head to head, which is better? Those RAPs seem really well made. I am thinking about getting one but I am worried about finding extra mags.
 
Ive shot both the Astra and RAP....personally the RAP is a nicer gun...I love Astra's...the A100 is a killer shooter. The RAP has a better safety, better metalurgy, trigger, sights and fit than the little Astra.
I know where there are NIB Astra 75's for sale in Ut.....Ill take an RAP anyday.....If I could find one for sale....I think I may need a Mold for making holsters for them.....
Shoot well....
 
Firestar, RAPs and Astra A75s take the same mags ... Astra mags aren't that hard to come by.

I'm wondering what other internal parts are interchangable ... for instance Recoil Springs.
 
Looking at that pistol I can see it would make for a fine shooter. I’d love to see what a custom gunsmith could do with one of these… with the solid steel construction, you could do a slick melt job on it with a lot of recontouring… such possibilities remind me of the “ASP†a custom gun built from older S&W autos designed for CCW carry. Being all steel, I can only imagine this to be a crème puff of a shooter even with hot 9MM +P and +P+ loads.
 
Ok range report...informal

Day after I bought it, I took it directly to the range, and having never shot it before, qualified with it....which is my style...Did the same thing with my Autauga.

Functioned flawlessly, put exactly 42 rounds down range for qualification. Ammo was magtec TMJ. Shot straight...

Double action trigger is HEAVY!!! not so heavy that it is innacurate, but in the ballpark of 1 billion pounds...but smooth. This is fine by me...I am a lefty, and thumbing the safety is a bit of a hassle for me, so I will most likely carry it decocked, no safety.
It can also be carried cocked and locked, but I was fiddling with this idea, and would not recommend it....To insafe the pistol, the safety/decock lever is pulled downwards...it is very hard to unsafe the cocked pistol, without decocking it...of course the gun will still fire...but if you mean to unsafe the weapon, and end up decocking it, it may cause you to pull one of these:confused: and therefor hesitate.:uhoh:

SA trigger is better than a beretta 92, IMHO. Nice clean break, not to much slack.

On the 8th shot, white insert in the front site fell out, never to be seen again.. Someone had warned me about that, suggested I put a dab of superglue on the sight...I didnt listen. I am now in the market for something to fill the empty hole with...possibly white out, or maybe I will get fancy and stick some fiber optic colored light rod in there. Similar to the stuff that comes on those HiViZ clip on sights. Just let a little bit of it stick out of the hole, and it should pick up enough light to glow nicely.

http://www.hivizsights.com/

Took it to the range today...sans front site...and put an untold amount of Winchester White Box through it...not a hitch...and still shootin straight.

I have probably put a total of 150 rounds through it total...excellent accuracy, excellent reliability, no failures of any kind.

Mine will go into battery even if you ease the slide forward....the recoil spring is nice and heavy....snaps right into battery and locks up tight. Even my Steyr will hang up a little of you ease the slide.

Overall...extremely impressed with the weapon....Will most likely become a primary CCW.

VELOCE...I want to know how you carry your RAP....Procurement of a holster is proving to be exceedingly hard...

I will most likely try to shove it into a GALCO thumbreak pancake for the SIG 239...they seem to be of relatively similar dimensions...but may still be a challenge, because of course..I am a lefty.:rolleyes: :banghead:
 
nice pics arinvolvo!

too bad bout that front sight. mine has stayed put rather nicely, but i too need to put a drop of glue on it still.

holsters: what i've figured out so far... it's very similar to a sig p239, and it will always fit an uncle mike's generic medim auto non-kydex holster.

personally, i just got finished making my own IWB out of leather. fun, tough project, and if I can find a digital camera, i'll be telling everyone about it soon enough. :D

it's not hard to work leather. it's very hard to work leather well. :cuss: :banghead:

it is now my primary CCW.
 
About the empty front sight hole. This happened to my HK USP .40 once.

Crayola.

Take a Crayola crayon of your color choice and press the wax into the hole to fill it completely. Then wipe off the excess.

Done.

Upside, you can change colors depending upon the target color.
 
What was in the front sight? Was it paint or something else? I am really thinking hard about getting one of these guns now.
 
Firestar...I dont know, looked like some white plastic material melted into the hole or something...But even though...it has not wrecked my opinion of this pistol...absolutely wonderful value!!

George, no way with the crayola....I live in las vegas, sometimes the gun gets left in the trunk of the car...nuff said.
 
You might try using some Testor's Model Paint - usually found wherever models are sold. It works great as an infill for logos and such...is easy to apply with the little brush included. BTW, I just found this forum and yes! I too am a happy RAP 401 owner - good to see that I am not alone.

hornsmoker -
 
Pic of my RAP

In my enthusiasim for finding other RAP owner's, I am adding a pic of mine...enjoy!

hornsmoker -
 

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Thanks! no holster yet, just toting it around in a kolpin gun rug so far. When it's time. I will probably go with an Uncle Mike's in black codura.
 
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