Rohrbaugh News 3/11/03

[Blackhawk]

Just got off the phone with Eric Rohrbaugh:

1. The magnetic trigger lock model is history. It will not be produced.

2. Just before the SHOT Show, the BATF cleared Rohrbaugh to manufacture guns.

3. They already have orders for thousands of the R-9s, including from other countries pending export licenses.

4. The only grips that will be available are carbon fiber and aluminum.

5. Mass distribution will begin in June.

6. The sight means has not been finalized.

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

lets hope they put a dovetail front and rear sight.

If you don't use the sights, don't use them.

I demand sights on all of my pistols, even "bellyguns".

 

[Blackhawk]

I also demand sights on all my guns.

The minimalist sights on my P-32 are actually quite useful and the gun is surprisingly accurate. I can hit what I want with it out to at least 16 yards.

A 9mm bellygun without sights seems a little like a V-8 on a gokart.

 

[tetchaje1]

Thank goodness they are dumping that kooky magnetic ring ILS...

 

[Pendragon]

Wow - do you think they dropped it to avoid being the company that triggers the 3 year count down in NJ?

If so, we outta show them some love

 

[Schuey2002]

Rohrbaugh should pay Blackhawk for all the free advertising that he does for them.

 

[Blackhawk]

I think I can tell you EXACTLY why they dropped the magnetic lock.

They read the comments on TFL and THR, and they asked questions among those who've contacted them about their new products.

They LISTEN to us!

"New company, new ideas" is their motto, so I guess they're still listening to their target market.

Smart!

 

[Blackhawk]

There's a method to my madness, Schuey.

I want a 9mm locked breech mouse gun, and I've wanted one for years. There were three choices:

1. I could make one myself at a cost of big bucks and a lot of my time plus having to learn zillions of things I don't really want to know about BATF, etc.

2. I could hire a custom gun maker to make one for me at a cost of really big bucks plus a lot of my time and a really big lot of frustration.

3. I could find and encourage some manufacturer who's already determined to make exactly what I want at a cost of whatever everybody else will pay for one and the intangible benefits from being a cheerleader doing whatever I can.

Door 3, please....

 

[clange]

1. The magnetic trigger lock model is history. It will not be produced.

Awesome.

 

[9x19]

Has the MSRP changed... or is it still 'bout doulbe that for the Kahr, and triple that for the Kel-Tecs?

 

[Blackhawk]

Don't know for sure about the MSRP, but my guess is $900-$950.

 

[Gusgus]

The magnetic trigger lock model is history. It will not be produced.

Thank God (and the Rohrbaugh brothers)! Now I can back this company with a clear conscience. I wish them tremendous success. I loved the concept and looks of this pistol from day one, and will now have to add it to the short list.

 

[Alan Fud]

I've got mine on order already and the expected retail price is $945.

Now for the $64,000.oo question ... has any independent source tested these guns yet? I mean, there are thousands of people (myself included) prepared to lay down close to a grand for a gun that might turn out to be a lemon!

Anybody remember the Vektor? It was a brand new gun with a brand new design that turned out was unsafe to use with live ammo and the gun makers couldn't fix the problem.

I certainly hope that this is not the case with the R-9 because it would be the perfect gun when wearing dress pants and a tucked in shirt with no jacket but suppose it turns out to be a lemon? Horrible trigger pull? Inaccurate? Unreliable? Jam-a-matic?

Are there any independent reviews of this gun?

» www.FamilyFriendsFirearms.com «
Alligator Al: Share What You Know & Learn What You Don't.

 

[Blackhawk]

Not yet, Al, but there will be before you plunk down your money.

 

[Zundfolge]

Does Rohrbaugh have a web page up yet?

I got people asking me to show them what the little guy looks like and I'm having a hard time finding pics.

 

[Felonious Monk]

http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com/

 

[smooth operator]

It'll be interesting to see what kind of demand there will be for this pistol, seeing that the price will be close to 1k. Seems kind of steep to me.
Jerry

 

[Blackhawk]

I always thought Rolex watches were overpriced too, but that's because I was perfectly happy with cheaper ones. After all, they all do pretty much the same thing!

Somehow, a grand for a good looking precision made 9mm micro blaster made of all stainless and aluminum and well finished doesn't seem unreasonable at all.

I love my P-32, and I'm good with it. It's a constant companion, but there's one thing that bothers me a bit about it. It's a .32 ACP. I'd much rather carry my P-11, but can't always.

When a P-3AT joins my mouse gun litter, I'll feel just a bit better about having a slightly more oomphy caliber, but I still have reservations about a .380 just as I have about a .32.

What I want, and have wanted for years is a 9mm mouse gun. The R-9 will be the first one, and it will own the genre for at least a year.

So my question to myself is: Is the comfort of 9mm chambering worth the money? That's like asking whether I'd rather have my P-32 than nothing.

Yes to both questions, and money comes and goes for something or other anyway.

 

[Blackhawk]

Zundfolge:

I got people asking me to show them what the little guy looks like and I'm having a hard time finding pics.

Here's one from the SHOT Show, but the flash messes up some of the detail. Carbon fiber (shown) or aluminum grips are available.

 

[incursion]

Is that a heal mag release?

 

[Blackhawk]

Yep. Mag release on the bottom of the grip. Note in this picture that NOTHING sticks out on sides of this thing. The bottom gun is a Kahr PM9.

 

[Alan Fud]

My dealer tells me that the aluminum grips are not being offered. Are you sure that they are still available?

Also, what is the trigger pull like? (With no safety, somebody please tell me that it's a bit heavier than the Kahr's)

 

[Schuey2002]

This little pocket rocket is what all the fuss is about??..

Okay. And at $1,000, it seems like a bargain.
Just teasin' ya', Blackhawk.

__________________
Molon Labe!!

 

[Blackhawk]

My dealer tells me that the aluminum grips are not being offered. Are you sure that they are still available?

Also, what is the trigger pull like?

All my information comes directly from Eric Rohrbaugh, and the aluminum grips and the carbon fiber grips are the only two styles available.

Don't know for sure about the trigger pull, but it's supposed supposed to be long, firm, and very smooth.

 

[Jeff OTMG]

More info:

The model with the magnetic trigger lock was originally offered due to concerns by investors to be seen as a safety conscious gun company. When that model ended up accounting for less than 1 in 10 guns ordered it was dropped so full effort could be put into producing as many of the R-9 models as possible.

Destructive testing is continuing, 3000 rounds and counting.

There are some barrel problems that need to be corrected before shipping, but June does sound reasonable.

The trigger pull is heavy, but smooth. I didn't have a pull gauge but was less than my 14lb SIG P225 as I remember.

Rohrbaugh sells directly to dealers so I am surprised by the distribution network. With the demand there is no need for distributor pricing.

The retail price went up $200 due to the high demand which required the purchase of additional EXPENSIVE equipment. Expect the 'street' price to be MUCH higher than the MSRP due to demand after all, a $450 Seecamp 32 was selling for nearly $1000 since the mid-80's up until a couple of years ago for the same reason.

Fewer than 2000 guns are scheduled for the initial run and there are orders for all of them.

I would guess that another run will be made immediately after the initial run and that won't cover all the orders that they have taken.

My order is already in and the gun is not for sale, not even at $1800.