Rohrbaugh R9 and other pocket pistols?

[Hauptmann]

I've been looking for a good pocket pistol and the Rohrbaugh R9 caught my eye. Seems a bit pricy, but I guess that's what you get when you shove a 9x19mm into such a small platform. You need good engineering and a robust design. Anyhow, does anyone have any experience with this pistol. The good, the bad, the ugly?

Also, perhaps someone can give me some advice on the competition. I have a Sig P232 in .380, but it is a big too large for a pocket pistol and is more of a sub compact. I'm looking for something that is of similar robustness and quality to the Sig P232, but smaller and lighter in .380. Any advice? Thanks.

 

[CJ]

For pocket pistols as you've asked about, you'll get sent to this useful thread: Bobo's pocket auto comparison chart

And you'll likely hear to look at (in no particular order):

Rohrbaugh R9
Kahr PM9
Kel-tec P3AT
Ruger LCP (Just released; Kel-Tec P3AT clone)
Seecamp LWS38
NAA Guardian


Slightly larger (depends on your pocket size):
Most of the rest of the Kahr smaller pistols
Kel-Tec P11
Kel-Tec PF-9
Skyy

Lots of discussion on each of these exist already.

 

[Ol` Joe]

CJ pretty much covered it.
I`ve a buddy with a Rohrbaugh 9 and he is pleased with it. The pistol has been very reliable for him, although I`ve also heard on their forum (Rohrbaugh) of some problems at times. I`ve a Seecamp LWS380 and wouldn`t trade for love or money. Great little gun that has been so far 100% reliable. I does get rough on the trigger finger knuckle when fired though and hurts real quickly if you`re not careful. IMO it is a bit harder recoiling then the Rohrbaugh even though the cartridge is smaller. Smaller grip and wgt difference shows.
Do as suggested and read up on past posts covering mouse guns before you decide. Lots of people have different ideas, and they own/have shot more of what is presently out there then I.

 

[alpha6164]

In search of a mousegun i bought a Kahr PM9. Although it gave me some problems at the beginning, after about 500rounds it has been flawless. The problem is that although small its is still too big to be called a pocket gun. I wear it on my ankle and its great for that purpose. I have fell asleep coming home with it on and forgot that it was there. But could never wear it in a pocket.

I am still looking for a pocket gun that can be drawn quicker than reaching for my ankle. I really really want the Seecamp 380 (14oz) fully loaded but i dont want to wait a year. I am even willing to pay $900 for one right now but cant find one.

Even the Rohrbaugh is too heavy in my opinion with 17oz fully loaded. I really do hope that Ruger improved the Keltec design and made an "improved" 380. For $320 it would be hard to beat as a pocket pistol.

 

[45crittergitter]

Definite experience with the R9 here. (They're also doing a .380). It's a very high grade and well made gun, as one would expect with a $1k price tag. I figured my life was worth $1000, so that wasn't much of an issue. You really have to hang onto it, as recoil is quite snappy and easily causes the limp wrist syndrome with a mushy grasp. However, I've never seen anything else quite in its class of a true pocket gun in a true defensive caliber. Also, Mr. Rohrbaugh and staff are very nice.

 

[Alan Fud]

It's picky about what you feed it and is a handful to hold on to but it's the smallest 9mm currently in production and flawless with the right ammo ...

 

[MICHAEL T]

Bersa CC in 380 is a good pocket pistol
I carried a PPK/S in pocket holster for a long time I was never bothered by the weight. People carried S&W J frames for years in pocket before the light weight frame craze. I have my new Colt New Agent in pocket of my jeans at present . Its not too heavy and when I get a pocket holster made will be a nice pocket suprise

 

[camper]

Have an NAA 380 Guardian which resides in the pocket most of the time. You get used to the weight in no time and forget it is there.

 

[JohnBT]

I bought a used R9 last year and have been extremely pleased with it. It appeared to be almost new, but in fact was old enough to have the black carbon fiber grips.

I was a bit concerned that it might be a little heavy for front pocket carry after years of carrying a P-32 daily, but it only took me about a week to get used to it.

No complaints at all; a great gun that's cycled everything I've fed it. And yes, it is a handful. I shot it 101 times the first day out and probably won't do that again.

John

 

[Mainsail]

I always thought the Rohrbaugh R9 looked pretty interesting, but I could never see a need for it. I don't like loose change in my pockets, so a pistol is out of the question. I would never bother with ankle carry unless as a backup to the one on my belt (but haven't felt the need to yet) since that would take WAY too long to retrieve. “Would you thugs please stand back while I bend over and fiddle with my pant leg?” Nah, for me it's a 1911 OWB.

 

[DAdams]

Pocket Pistols

Thanks to Playboy Penguin, here are some overlay comparison shots of the
R9.


R9 vs Kahr MK 40.


R9 vs Seecamp.





Seecamp vs. Walther PPK or virtually the same as a BERSA BT380.

I have some favorite pocket carries:
Number one Seecamp LWS .380.
Number two S&W M&P 340 revolver 13.3 ounces with Crimson trace grips shoots .38 spl through .357.
Number three Kahr PM9.

I'm going to eat some crow here, since I have been a skeptic. My son just purchased a KT P32. we put 50 rounds through it flawlessly new out of the box. Light, recoil was not an issue and it shot straight.

Don't forget the new Ruger LCP 380.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/LCP/index.html
Due out next month. $330 MSRP. Looks like a KT P3AT but with better finish.




Some would say to check out the Walther PPS. Too large and heavy for pocket carry in my book.

 

[JohnBT]

"I don't like loose change in my pockets, so a pistol is out of the question."

Yeah, but a good gun don't rattle and then end up in the washing machine.

John

 

[Hawaiian]

Maybe it is just me, but I need my small finger on the grip and not under it.

 

[GunTech]

I'm fond of my Colt Mustang. Too bad they don't make them any more.

 

[Shadan7]

I've owned and carried an R9 for several years now. Phenomenal little gun, extremely well engineered - and 9mm power.

That said, most of the time I have my 642 in my pocket. Why? Because for someone with large hands, the R9 is damned hard to shoot. Oh, I can use it at defensive distances well - say up to 10 yards, without out a qualm. But my 642, because of the larger & thicker grip, I can shoot accurately out to 25 yards.

And you do definitely have to hang onto the R9 for it to cycle properly. Everything has to work just right in a 9mm of that small size. If push came to shove, I'd rather have the 642 single handed in my off hand, to make sure I got 5 shots rather than one. But when I need a very thin & discreet gun in a real caliber, the R9 is what I take.

Seven