Rohrbaugh worth it?
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ReloaderFred
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The Rohrbaugh is a custom handgun. Each one is made one at a time, and each part is hand fitted. I've handled several of them at the various SHOT Shows I've attended, all the way back to when they were right around $600. I know of three people who own one, and they all like them. It's a 9x19 caliber firearm that you can literally carry in your pocket and it won't look like a gun.
There are two basic models, other than finish. One is smooth top, without sights, and the other has small sights. This is a gun for close in work, and certainly isn't intended for punching paper and winning matches. They have very smooth triggers, but because of the short sight radius (on the model with sights) and double action only, it's made for minute of torso shooting at close range.
Hope this helps.
Fred
There are two basic models, other than finish. One is smooth top, without sights, and the other has small sights. This is a gun for close in work, and certainly isn't intended for punching paper and winning matches. They have very smooth triggers, but because of the short sight radius (on the model with sights) and double action only, it's made for minute of torso shooting at close range.
Hope this helps.
Fred
NO!
I know 3 guys who bought them only to trade them in and take a bath on 'em. IMO those stupid little guns for that much money just reminds me of the saying "a fool and his money are soon parted".
There are so many better choices all priced $600 or less...
I know 3 guys who bought them only to trade them in and take a bath on 'em. IMO those stupid little guns for that much money just reminds me of the saying "a fool and his money are soon parted".
There are so many better choices all priced $600 or less...
LightningMan
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I'm holding out for one of these; http://pistolbuyersguide.com/Articles.php?action=detail&g=content1246208096
when I can get one, and save some $$$ to boot. LM
when I can get one, and save some $$$ to boot. LM
JohnBT
Member
I still like mine and still carry it everyday.
"I know 3 guys who bought them only to trade them in and take a bath on 'em."
If they lost more than a few dollars it's because they didn't sell them in the right place. Did they trade them in? Why'd they get rid of them, couldn't take the recoil? Snappy little thing when that 9mm round starts pushing that little 12.8-ounce gun around, ain't it? I guess they were too sensitive or something.
John
"I know 3 guys who bought them only to trade them in and take a bath on 'em."
If they lost more than a few dollars it's because they didn't sell them in the right place. Did they trade them in? Why'd they get rid of them, couldn't take the recoil? Snappy little thing when that 9mm round starts pushing that little 12.8-ounce gun around, ain't it? I guess they were too sensitive or something.
John
Worth it? Depends on your comfort level on spending money, I suppose, and for what. I know people who think it is important to have a fancy 60" flat screen that I would never spend that kind of money on. 
I like my R9 - have had it for years, and I have no intention whatsoever of getting rid of it, even though I don't carry it often. Because when I want a good 9x19 that is so small I can carry it no matter what, then it fits the bill. And they are *extremely* well made.
Now, I don't carry it much, and I shoot it even less - my hands are large and the thing is just plain painful to shoot much. I shoot my 642 better, if I want a pocket gun that is a bit bigger. But the R9 sure has a place.
Jim D.
I like my R9 - have had it for years, and I have no intention whatsoever of getting rid of it, even though I don't carry it often. Because when I want a good 9x19 that is so small I can carry it no matter what, then it fits the bill. And they are *extremely* well made.
Now, I don't carry it much, and I shoot it even less - my hands are large and the thing is just plain painful to shoot much. I shoot my 642 better, if I want a pocket gun that is a bit bigger. But the R9 sure has a place.
Jim D.
mustang_steve
Member
Put a guiderod or grip laser on it, and then it'll be nice. Until then, like said, too short a sight distance for decent accuracy. I also think they need grippier grip panel options....the thing is just too small to get a solid grip on, at least for my hands.
oneounceload
member
Not the same size or fit and finish they're aren't
transalpian
Member
Yes and no.
As the others have said, it is EXTREMELY well made, very compact, and is 9mm. Pick up a half dozen recoil springs and it should last you the rest of your life. Get the R9s over the R9. The sights are minimal, but are there. I found I could keep it in the black on a B16 target at 25ft, if I took my time. The pinky finger mag extensions help TREMENDOUSLY, but take away a little in concealment.
BUT, its a PITA to take down to clean. You get better at doing it, but never good. OTOH, its a carry gun, so you don't shoot it much. BUT, I must have linty pockets, 'cause I always found gunk in it when I'd take it apart.
I sold mine (did NOT take a loss on the sale), picked up a j-frame for EDC, and never looked back.
Bottom line (for me) - its a great gun, I enjoyed owning it, but don't really miss it. If I had unlimited funds, I'd own one again.
As the others have said, it is EXTREMELY well made, very compact, and is 9mm. Pick up a half dozen recoil springs and it should last you the rest of your life. Get the R9s over the R9. The sights are minimal, but are there. I found I could keep it in the black on a B16 target at 25ft, if I took my time. The pinky finger mag extensions help TREMENDOUSLY, but take away a little in concealment.
BUT, its a PITA to take down to clean. You get better at doing it, but never good. OTOH, its a carry gun, so you don't shoot it much. BUT, I must have linty pockets, 'cause I always found gunk in it when I'd take it apart.
I sold mine (did NOT take a loss on the sale), picked up a j-frame for EDC, and never looked back.
Bottom line (for me) - its a great gun, I enjoyed owning it, but don't really miss it. If I had unlimited funds, I'd own one again.
MICHAEL T
Member
I would take the Kahr or a KelTec PF-9 Both conceal easy work and less money
If you can afford it, absolutly...
I own and carry one often, i love it.. so small and well made you will hardly even notice you have it.'
Highly satisfied owner, wouldnt trade it for anything....
Couple things you should know before buying:
-- Deffo not a range gun...
-- Has a pretty big kick
-- Is Ammo picky... there are many rounds that work well, some are Hornady Criticle Defense, Speer Gold Dots and Silver Tips..
-- No +P
I own and carry one often, i love it.. so small and well made you will hardly even notice you have it.'
Highly satisfied owner, wouldnt trade it for anything....
Couple things you should know before buying:
-- Deffo not a range gun...
-- Has a pretty big kick
-- Is Ammo picky... there are many rounds that work well, some are Hornady Criticle Defense, Speer Gold Dots and Silver Tips..
-- No +P
I'm troubled by the reports of ammunition sensitivity and tendency to jam due to metal shavings and very tight tolerances. It's nice that it's made to such close tolerances, but if it's not going to fire every time why would I want to carry it?
I've given it serious cnsideration, but I just can't get past the range reports. Bottom line is I can't justify dropping over a grand on a pistol that I cant trust to work the one time I'd need it.
But that's just me. YMMV, as they say.
I've given it serious cnsideration, but I just can't get past the range reports. Bottom line is I can't justify dropping over a grand on a pistol that I cant trust to work the one time I'd need it.
But that's just me. YMMV, as they say.
nonseven
Member
The Rohrbaugh will go bang everytime if you:
1. Keep the grip screws tight.
2. Feed it it's preferred ammunition.
3. Keep it clean and lubed.
4. Replace the recoil spring after 300 rounds.
I don't think that's too much personally for a 9mm the size and weight of a .380.
For me, the R9s is much easier to shoot accurately and less punishing than an alloy frame .357, it's easier to conceal and has two more shots. And a trigger like glass. I'm spoiled by mine, and carry it more often than not.
1. Keep the grip screws tight.
2. Feed it it's preferred ammunition.
3. Keep it clean and lubed.
4. Replace the recoil spring after 300 rounds.
I don't think that's too much personally for a 9mm the size and weight of a .380.
For me, the R9s is much easier to shoot accurately and less punishing than an alloy frame .357, it's easier to conceal and has two more shots. And a trigger like glass. I'm spoiled by mine, and carry it more often than not.
chihuahuatn
Member
Depends, I have had mine for a week and after one week of carry my LCP, and P380 are in the safe.
I’ve tried as a serious shooter for the last 11 years to be non-objective in my choices and tell it the way I see it. Honestly there are great carry guns out there and there are great arguments for carrying an LCP over the R9. I'm not going to try to say what is right for you, but what has worked for me. I spent a year researching before I bought my R9s.
The R9 is worth it because it accomplishes 2 critical things for me. One is the smallest most powerful controllable package that fits in my pocket. Two; the gun is meticulously made and excellent quality. 90% of the time I am in khakis , button up and bowtie (with or without lab coat), outside of work I’m in jeans or khakis, never cargo paints or t-shirts. My dress dictates a lot of what I can carry and what I can’t; the R9 is about the biggest I can pocket carry successfully.
There will be a lot of comparisons btw the Kahrs PM9 with the R9, the Rohrbaugh is smaller with is significant for me. I currently own a PM9, P9 and TP9 and I used to rotate btw the TP9 and PM9. I can’t pocket carry a PM9 but it makes a great IWB gun, Kahrs quality is great not the same level as Rohrbaugh’s .
One big thing for me being a lefty is that the heal mag release on the Rohrbaugh R9 a huge advantage for me. With most other pocket guns either front pocket carry or back pocket carry the mag release would be inadvertently pressed cause they protrude from the frame. This was really bad with my PM9 and rare with my Kel-Tec P3AT. The only caveat to this is the Ruger LCP with has an indented mag release.
Rohrbaugh R9, is not +P rated, this is a non issue for me it’s designed as a close range last ditch defensive handgun .
Rohrbaugh R9 functions with premium ammo that’s what it was designed to do. It’s a defensive gun not a range beater.
Rohrbaugh R9 accuracy is subjective however I think it’s great considering its size even on my first 3 outings.
Rohrbaugh R9 will need its recoil spring changed at ever 250-300rds, the small frame and the recoil abuse the gun takes necessitates this. The recoil springs are $4.99 from the factory.
Other posters have mentioned the recoil of the gun, I don’t find it any different the Kel Tec PF-9 or P11. The 357 short frame revolvers are worse.
Read the Rohrbaugh forum at http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/ and see what others saying.
Other posters have mentioned the Microtech Archangel the specs look similar, let’s see if it delivers.
Hope this helps,
Mike
I’ve tried as a serious shooter for the last 11 years to be non-objective in my choices and tell it the way I see it. Honestly there are great carry guns out there and there are great arguments for carrying an LCP over the R9. I'm not going to try to say what is right for you, but what has worked for me. I spent a year researching before I bought my R9s.
The R9 is worth it because it accomplishes 2 critical things for me. One is the smallest most powerful controllable package that fits in my pocket. Two; the gun is meticulously made and excellent quality. 90% of the time I am in khakis , button up and bowtie (with or without lab coat), outside of work I’m in jeans or khakis, never cargo paints or t-shirts. My dress dictates a lot of what I can carry and what I can’t; the R9 is about the biggest I can pocket carry successfully.
There will be a lot of comparisons btw the Kahrs PM9 with the R9, the Rohrbaugh is smaller with is significant for me. I currently own a PM9, P9 and TP9 and I used to rotate btw the TP9 and PM9. I can’t pocket carry a PM9 but it makes a great IWB gun, Kahrs quality is great not the same level as Rohrbaugh’s .
One big thing for me being a lefty is that the heal mag release on the Rohrbaugh R9 a huge advantage for me. With most other pocket guns either front pocket carry or back pocket carry the mag release would be inadvertently pressed cause they protrude from the frame. This was really bad with my PM9 and rare with my Kel-Tec P3AT. The only caveat to this is the Ruger LCP with has an indented mag release.
Rohrbaugh R9, is not +P rated, this is a non issue for me it’s designed as a close range last ditch defensive handgun .
Rohrbaugh R9 functions with premium ammo that’s what it was designed to do. It’s a defensive gun not a range beater.
Rohrbaugh R9 accuracy is subjective however I think it’s great considering its size even on my first 3 outings.
Rohrbaugh R9 will need its recoil spring changed at ever 250-300rds, the small frame and the recoil abuse the gun takes necessitates this. The recoil springs are $4.99 from the factory.
Other posters have mentioned the recoil of the gun, I don’t find it any different the Kel Tec PF-9 or P11. The 357 short frame revolvers are worse.
Read the Rohrbaugh forum at http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/ and see what others saying.
Other posters have mentioned the Microtech Archangel the specs look similar, let’s see if it delivers.
Hope this helps,
Mike
KBintheSLC
Member
I would never spend that kind of money on a pocket gun... or any handgun for that matter. My handguns range between $250-$700 and they all go "bang" just the same. The Rohrbaugh to me is like a Rolls Royce, and my guns are more like a Honda Civic. I have no desire to buy a Rolls when my Civic gets me there just the same.
Guillermo
member
I couldn't afford one so I bought a PM9 and it is a nice gun. Very dependable. Light. It is a very good tool.
The Rohrbaugh is a piece of art. I am sure that even though it does nothing that my $400 PM9 won't do, I am sure that the joy of ownership is much greater.
The Rohrbaugh is a piece of art. I am sure that even though it does nothing that my $400 PM9 won't do, I am sure that the joy of ownership is much greater.
45crittergitter
Member
I say "yes," and yes I did buy one. Woulda bought two if my wife could handle the recoil. My reasons are:
#1, I've never seen another gun 9mm or larger that is as small as the R9, and it works for pocket carry in dressy/smallish slacks, where a PM9, J frame, etc. stick out.
#2, I'm not buying a "pocket gun." I'm buying life insurance, and my life is certainly worth a grand. I think it's a LOT better than a .380, even if it cost $700 more.
#1, I've never seen another gun 9mm or larger that is as small as the R9, and it works for pocket carry in dressy/smallish slacks, where a PM9, J frame, etc. stick out.
#2, I'm not buying a "pocket gun." I'm buying life insurance, and my life is certainly worth a grand. I think it's a LOT better than a .380, even if it cost $700 more.
Joe Pickett
Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2009
- Messages
- 3
If for some reason I was forced to give up all my defensive handguns but one, it would be hard to choose between my Rohrbaugh R9S and my Seecamp LWS380. IMHO they are the absolutely most useful truly concealable handguns available.
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