Rohrbaugh R9

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Jimbo, there is nothing wrong with your choice of the Glock 26. It is an excellent carry gun "IF" one can carry it. As a pocket gun, it is not easy. In a holster outside it would shine. But, most people want something that is much smaller and lighter and that is why the new "Pocket" 9mm guns like the PM9 and r9 are popular. If you have that discipline and can carry the subcompact or compact regularly, that is a big plus for you. My brother carries a Glock 19 almost every day and everywhere and like you said "dresses around the gun". I like those guns but do not have the discipline or desire to do it. Like many others, I feel I can protect myself adequately with a smaller, lighter gun.
 
That said, I really can buy into what Billy Shears is saying and Grant Cunningham. The article by Greg Ellifritz is backed up by much research data of actual shootings and can not be taken lightly. That article to me , is an eye-opener.
 
Thanks Billy Shears, for a fine article from A person I much admire, Grant Cunningham.
 
My brother-law-came over a few days ago and was discussing pocket pistols. He stated that his Rohrbaugh r9 was a bit too much to shoot well and the current 380 guns were not enough gun. He is a retired LEO and said what we need is a "380 magnum", about the size of the Ruger LCP weighing about 14 oz fully loaded.
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IMO, that is what the DiamondBack DB9 is. It was designed to shoot 115gr standard pressure ammo and doesn't do so well with heavier bullet loadings.

The gun probably would have a longer life if you shot 105gr bullets (or lighter) loaded to achieve around 1000fps. That's just a little heavier and a little faster than what most 380 premium SD ammo is doing right now right?

I shot 14 rounds out of my R9 today, 8 rounds of 124gr Lawman and 6 rounds of Winchester RA9T.

That's pretty much a range session with this gun.
 
If in your search for the best handgun to carry the smallest that fits in a pocket is your top priority, your going about it the wrong way in my opinion. I tried most of the tiny pocket models and found I can't make hits as well or as fast as larger models. So I choose to carry the smallest pistol I can shoot well with the largest caliber and the most capacity. The r-9 sights are lacking, it can't handle +p and I don't like the heel magazine release. Just my opinion.
 
I originally thought that because of the heel mag release I might as well only count on getting 7 rounds, and those 7 better be enough.

But for months I sat in front of the TV and just practiced magazine changes, and I actually got fairly proficient at doing quick magazine changes.

One thing I like about it is the gun can't release the mag by being bumped while it is in your pocket.
 
COuntZerO, you are correct, the DB9 with 95gr "Double Tap" round going 1250ft/s will do it. Double Tap is using Barnes 95gr 380 bullet going about 250 ft sec faster than their normal 380 for lightweight 9mm guns. In fact when I called them about it, the one man on the phone said he uses it in his Keltec PF9 and it went 13" into ballistic gel and opened up to a .66" diameter. Also a friend of mine uses the Federal guard dog 105gr 9mm in his DB9. Both with much milder recoil and quick follow-up shots but with adequate penetration.
 
Here is a weird thing about the R9, Carl Rohrbaugh recommends using the Federal 105gr Guard Dog EFMJ.

That is strange to me because usually when people have trouble with the R9 you find they're using 115gr something or other, and the solution that you often hear on the forum is to use 124gr Gold Dots.

The first 100 rounds I fired through my R9 were 124gr Gold Dots because I wanted zero problems with the gun if possible.

I really freak out when my carry gun has a problem. I obsess about it.

I was on GlockTalk and this guy was having trouble with his 17L... yes trouble with a Glock (sort of). He didn't clean it before taking it to the range, he was using all sorts of crap ammo of different types and weights. When people told him to take it apart, clean it and lube it - he wouldn't He was hell bent on firing it without cleaning it. I didn't know what he was going to do, change out parts before cleaning and lubing it? It was like he was on a mission to prove the Glock can take anything. I'm not bashing Glock - mine run like champs, I'm just saying what is it about people who think that something like that proves anything. That's like putting sugar in your gas tank and driving your car like that so you can brag to people what a tough car you have.

Well anyway I'm not like that, and I really freak out when my carry gun has a problem so I want everything to go perfectly. And since most people on the Rohrbaugh forum reported the most success with and least problems with 124gr Gold Dots - that's all I shot through my R9 for the first 100 rounds.

I would think that since some people have problems with 115gr ammo, you'd have more problems with 105gr ammo. But Carl Rohrbaugh says they work great in the R9.

I wouldn't use that ammo anyway since the tests that I've seen of the Guard Dog show it to perform about like a 380 AUTO does -10 or so inches of penetration in bare gel, a little less through the 4 ply denim test. Although I haven't seen it tested out of a 3" barrel... Out of a Glock 19 the 105gr Guard Dog acts like a 380 AUTO.

A 9mm minus P round might sell to some people. Especially if there are guns that will cycle 9mm -P. Well actually, I think anyone who bought the DoubleTap Defense Double Tap in 9mm would be interested in loading it with -P ammo.

Heck, someone might even manufacture a semi auto designed specifically to fire 9mm -P ammo.
 
"So we agree that the glock 26 is a superior fighting handgun than a rohrbaugh r9"

The Model 17 is better than both.

And my FNP-45 USG is a superior fighting handgun to the Glock 26 and it won't fit in my front pocket either. I wish my X-5 TAC TB would fit in my pocket.

I love how people will tell someone they've never met what's best for them and how everybody knows it. They probably read it in a magazine or on the web.

The thing they never consider is the size of the person's hand. Not only does the gun have to fit the pocket, there has to be enough room left over to get your hand in the pocket and draw. Seems obvious, but the focus in these discussions is always about the gun.

And no, I won't wear bib overalls everyday or cargo pants.

John
 
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I remember my father having discussions about large pocket revolvers vs. the smaller chief's specials and such back in the '50s and '60s. He'd been a state trooper and his cousin was the county sheriff and they always had at least one backup.

My great uncle Ed just kept carrying his 1884 S&W breaktop .38 and let the boys talk. He was a navy vet and electrician at UVA who raised black Angus in his spare time. He found the old S&W to be a perfectly useful pocket pistol. I carried it a few days for old times' sake after it came to me.
 
Who says you have to buy a gun that fits in a pocket? All I'm saying is that with a little effort and change like a shirt with tails out instead of tucked in you can consider larger more effective handguns. I just used the glock 26 as an example. Walther pps, s&w shield, springfield xds are all larger than a rorhbaugh but have superior sights and are easier in my opinion to make accurate hits. And they still can be carried in a pocket if needed. The op stated he wants to sell his rorhbaugh.
 
No box and only one mag worth about $750-$825. They are VERY nice guns. CS is excellent. Only problem I have had was grips coming loose but a little locktight solved that problem The manufacturer recommends not shooting +P mine likes 125 Federal HP. I would much rather have it than a Glock but if you want to sell it PM me I have a friend who is looking for one.
 
The grip screws are a problem, the frame is aluminum so it is possible to mess the threads up if you try to tighten the screws down too tight, and then you have to have the holes re-tapped or something. It is also easy to strip the heads on the screws if you over-tighten them or if you've locked them down to the point that the force needed to break the Loctite is greater than what the screw heads will bear.

I replaced the stock screws with steel screws and put tiny rubber washers on the screws. The washers keep tension on the screws and keep them from working loose.

I also use a tiny 1/16" allen wrench and only tighten the screws with my pinky finger. Yes - I use my pinky finger and even then I don't try to muscle the hell out of tightening the screws.

http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/rohrbaugh/basefile/gripscrews.htm
 
Who says you have to buy a gun that fits in a pocket?
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Did the OP say he only has 1 gun? I'm sitting here with a P226 under a light shirt, but I could use a pocket gun for those rare times when it is pocket carry or nothing.
 
The R9 is grossly overpriced, considering its weaknesses. For the same money, you can have a Used Kahr CM9 AND a used CW9 as a practice spare. Or a pair of used Keltec PF9's, and a Twisted Industries .22 unit for one of them, AND a laserlyte training device and special target.
 
"Who says you have to buy a gun that fits in a pocket?"

Look at the thread title - Rohrbaugh R9. We're talking about world class pocket pistols here, not belt holsters and big guns. I have big guns and big holsters and even one for appendix carry of a BHP, but the R9 is still in my pocket. Think of it as backup on my ankle, except I don't have to bend over to get it. :)

I suppose somebody has belt-carried an R9, but it wasn't me. What's the point?

John
 
The op like me is not so impressed with his r-9 and is thinking of selling it. Lucky for him there are plenty of options in a small 9mm that can fit into a pocket have better sights, can fire all 9mm ammo and you can practice without fear of wearing the gun out.
 
Lucky for him there are plenty of options in a small 9mm that can fit into a pocket have better sights, can fire all 9mm ammo and you can practice without fear of wearing the gun out.
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- Like the Boberg -


Yes the Boberg is a tougher gun, all steel. But it is also a lot heavier than the R9, and it can't fire all 9mm ammo because of the way it take rounds out of the magazine.

I'm not criticizing the Boberg, I think it a great gun.

There are at least 4 pocket-sized nines that I know of that have ammo restrictions on them - I think it is just the nature of the beast.
 
I've been looking at a Beretta 85FS Cheetah in Nickel....basically NOS for $875. Kind of second-guessing that as I originally wanted a Boberg...looks like I can get one for not much more. I've got plenty of 9mm at home to choose from...some works with it while some doesn't.
 
The op like me is not so impressed with his r-9 and is thinking of selling it. Lucky for him there are plenty of options in a small 9mm that can fit into a pocket have better sights, can fire all 9mm ammo and you can practice without fear of wearing the gun out.
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I have heard that Rohrbaughs aren't built to last. I read about a guy that wore one out in just a thousand rounds or so and called Rohrbaugh CS and they said their guns weren't made for every day shooting. :rolleyes:

Now, I'm not trying to set myself up as an expert. I've never even handled one.
Can anyone shed any light as to whether this is legit or not?
 
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