The Rohrbaugh Forum

Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh Range Reports => Topic started by: C0untZer0 on January 03, 2013, 12:30:00 AM

Title: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on January 03, 2013, 12:30:00 AM: I purchased an R9s Stealth from Tom Watson / Irish Gaurd and got it last Saturday.

http://irishguardfirearmsltd.com/contact.htm

Tom is a great guy to work with.

The pistol is very well put together, high quality fit & finish. The DAO trigger is very smooth, only a slight amount of stacking toward the very end and it has a fairly crisp break. Cycling the pistol was a little herky-jerky and there was a lot of clink-ka-chink to it.

I posted this same range report on a few other forums and immediately got negative feedback on the R9 being too expensive, a few people spouted off about the Kel-Tec being lighter and a whole lot cheaper... yada yada yada.

As you guys know, it's a true pocket pistol, it fits comfortably in a normal Levi jeans front pocket and dissapears from view. We all know there are people out there who drop a Glock 26 in their cargo pocket and declare the G26 a "pocket" pistol. Other people stuff an "ultra" compact 9mm in their front pocket and even though its bulging out all over and sticking out the top - it's a pocket pistol and no one can say otherwise. We know the R9 is a true pocket nine. I'm comfortable walking with it, sitting down and standing back up, driving, seat belt on, whatever - it's very comfortable.

I think only people on this forum would understand this but my favorite thing about the R9 is just carrying it. I forget it's there, it doesn't poke me, it doesn't weigh my pants down, but I know I have 7 rounds of potent 9mm conflict-stoppers if I should need them.

Well the first thing I did was read the manual and field strip the firearm. I then inspected it (fit & finish were excellent). I then cleaned it. It wasn't dirty so this really only amounted to wiping off the factory oil. I then lubed it in the spots that the manual called for. I used Tri-flow oil for everything except the end of the barrel, and under the barrel - inside the link. (I think it's called a link?) On the end of the barrel and inside the link I used a tiny bit of Lubriplate SFL-0.

I had a really tough time reassembling it. In my clean workspace, I dropped and lost the retaining pin twice. It took me 10 or so minutes to find it the second time, I thought it went down a vent but i did eventually find it. I am guessing it took me 30 or so minutes to get the pistol back together.

Although I've gotten better at it since, I really need this tool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58xJ9Fv0P6Y

I went to the range and fired a box of 124gr Gold Dots. It went through the 50 rounds without a hitch and that's important to me. My plan is to just use 124 gr Gold Dots for the first 100 rounds. I also have 124gr Lawman which I will use. When I get past 250 rounds of the 124gr stuff I plan to test out Winchester Ranger "T" Series 147gr JHPs - RA9T. I'm really hoping my R9 likes those rounds because I like the way they perform in the FBI tests and the 4 layer denim engineering protocol. But the first 100 rounds will be 124gr Gold Dots, followed by Lawman 124gr TMJs.

The recoil is snappy with this little pistol, my trigger finger got twacked quite a bit and it wasn't fun to shoot, but I didn't buy it as a range toy. I purchased some batting gloves just for shooting the R9 and I wore one glove over my shooting hand for the range session.

I used a thumbs forward grip and I don't have it all quite worked out yet. I had to readjust my grip each time and I was very slow for follow up shots. I actually do better with follow up shots firing one handed, and at close distances I'm sure it would be better for me to fire it one handed. But anyway, firing with a Weaver stance and thumbs forward grip - slow fire at 15 yards I was able to keep 5-shot groups under 2" which I'm happy with for the first time out with this pistol.

I'm mainly happy that the little pistol fired 50 trouble-free rounds, that is the most important thing for me right now. When I got home from the range I cleaned it, it cleans up fairly easy. I was surprised how much fifty rounds smoothed the pistol out. The herky-jerky clink-ka-chink was gone. Pulling the slide back and chambering a Snap-Cap was much much smoother. I suspect it will only get smoother with use.

I have a Nemesis holster for it, and one of the things I am experiencing is that the R9 comes out of my pocket still wearing its holster. I may be able to learn to brush the holster off on the draw, it may just be this particular pair of jeans - they are old and they had a relaxed fit to begin with. Or I may need to purchase one of those really high quality leather pocket holsters from the top-notch holster makers listed in various posts on this forum, we'll see.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on January 03, 2013, 12:40:47 AM: People who get the R9 obviously don't get it to prepare for a protracted gun battle. I figure 7 rounds is enough to cover most situations I could get into (I know the R9 doesn't prepare me for every possible situation). Bit as part of that thinking, I wasn't counting on ever being able to do a mag change with the heel release. But I work for home a lot and I've been practicing mag changes and it's not as impossible as I thought. I drop my right ring finger under the magazine and push up while using my left index finger to pull the magazine latch back. I think I'm just going to get faster and faster with practice.

I'll keep everyone updated on how it goes. The two things coming up are integrating Lawman 124gr TMJs and finally testing the RA9Ts in the R9 - that is the big test because that's what I'm really hoping to carry.

I'm tapped out financially right now, so I have to make due with factory grips.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: Richard S on January 03, 2013, 07:31:45 AM: Count:

Congratulations on the purchase of your R9 Stealth. Im glad that Tom Watson ("theirishguard") was able to get you the model you wanted. And your range report sounds like you are on a roll with your new EDC.

As for those few people on "other forums" who "spouted off about the Kel-Tec being lighter and a whole lot cheaper... yada yada yada," I'll give odds that none of them bothered to mention that the PF-9, with its "plastic" frame, is .65" longer than the R9, with its aircraft aluminum frame. As far as I am concerned, comparing the PF-9 to the R9 is a lot like comparing a Timex watch to a Rolex chronograph. In either case, the former is an expendable piece of gear while the latter is a masterpiece of form and function.

Congratulations again!
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: Reinz on January 03, 2013, 03:54:50 PM: Count - sounds like you are off to a great start. Everybody will never "get it", that's just the way it is. I second Richard's thoughts exactly, and that's coming from a Kel-Tec owner of both the PF-9 and P11. I carried the P-11 for many years and jumped on the R9 as soon as I saw it.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: backupr9 on January 03, 2013, 04:04:32 PM: I owned a KelTec PF9...it didn't feed well, even after a trip back to the factory to "polish the feed ramp"; it rattled when shaken, and had a terrible trigger pull. Traded off and R9 purchased.

A bit of gratuitous advice from one who has a bin of excellent and expensive holsters: for front pocket carry the only one I have that is light, comfortable, fits front or rear pocket and has no give-away printing is the DeSantis Superfly...AND it NEVER comes out of the pocket with the pistol. You can remove the square backpad (velcro) for a smaller pocket, put it on for larger and for rear pocket. The sticky finish keeps it in the pocket. It is cheap and it even looks nice. It is convenient and practical. I usually wear a Del Fatti OWB to show off, but since ""concealed" means hidden, that is pretty infrequent.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: Richard S on January 03, 2013, 05:46:27 PM: Count:

The late R. J. Hedley developed a "Limited" front-pocket holster with a tab at the forward edge that can be used to push the holster down with the thumb during the draw. RJ's daughter, Lisa, could make one for you and even monogram it, as RJ did for me:

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/rohrbaughr9atsixandonehalfyears.jpg)

http://hedleyholsters.com/rohrbaugh.html
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: tracker on January 03, 2013, 06:03:26 PM: Lisa is, indeed, a very accomplished and accommodating holster maker. She reworked two of RJ's holsters for me and they looked like new after she applied her considerable and well trained talent.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on January 04, 2013, 09:51:13 AM: Thanks for the holster recomendations.

And you guys are right - some people are not going to get it EVER. I just read a post about the Shield this morning where someone said "It'll do pocket carry in a big enough pocket."

What kind of logic is that? The statement is meaningless. A Desert Eagle 40 AE will do "pocket carry" in a big enough pocket. Did we stop teaching critical thinking in our schools or something?

Well to each their own...
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: Reinz on January 04, 2013, 02:44:50 PM: Quote from: C0untZer0 on January 04, 2013, 09:51:13 AM

I just read a post about the Shield this morning where someone said "It'll do pocket carry in a big enough pocket."

ROFL !

Well by that logic, every pistol in my gun safe is a pocket pistol!

And I have a few Auto Mags and Wildeys, and 8" scoped revolvers - they don't get any/much bigger.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: Richard S on January 04, 2013, 05:19:56 PM: Quote from: C0untZer0 on January 04, 2013, 09:51:13 AM
Thanks for the holster recomendations.

And you guys are right - some people are not going to get it EVER. I just read a post about the Shield this morning where someone said "It'll do pocket carry in a big enough pocket."

What kind of logic is that? The statement is meaningless. A Desert Eagle 40 AE will do "pocket carry" in a big enough pocket. Did we stop teaching critical thinking in our schools or something?

Well to each their own...

My new, improved "pocket pistol" . . . as soon as my tailor completes the work. (He's adding a left-side pocket to accommodate a 7-pound barbell for balance.) ;)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/Miscellaneous%20Firearms/DesertEagle.jpg)
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on January 04, 2013, 05:38:17 PM: ;D

Right - you need the barbell for balance otherwise you walk crooked...
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: Reinz on January 04, 2013, 11:19:03 PM: Richard, forget the barbell, packet 250 rounds instead! (loaded in mags of course 8))
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on January 05, 2013, 03:03:14 AM: I put 55 rounds through my R9 tonight.

I know that sounds like an odd number.

I shot a box of 124gr Gold Dots, the range was about to close and I only had time for another 5 rounds or so. I switched to 124gr Lawman TMJs and shot five of those and called it a night.

No problems whatsoever and oddly enough I think I'm getting used to the recoil.

I did a lot more one handed firing tonight. This was 7 shots firing one handed at 21 feet:
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: ricardo on January 05, 2013, 05:32:14 AM: Thats very nice grouping for that distance. Curious though, was that from a standing and aiming position or did you fire any of those from a pocket draw? Thanks, R
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on January 05, 2013, 10:33:10 AM: Ranges in my area do not allow drawing from a holster(or a pocket). So this was going from the low ready postion.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: Reinz on January 05, 2013, 10:38:40 PM: Nice shooting Count. You have adapted to the R9 well! :)
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on January 06, 2013, 02:09:04 PM: I knew I needed a hex wrench for the grip screws, for doing a detailed cleaning, (so far I've just field stripped it for cleaning it) I forgot about the screws possibly loosening up when firing.

So I went to the hardware store this moring and got 1/16" hex wrench, and when I went to unloosen the srews I found they were already loose.

They must not have loosened up too badly because I didn't have any failures with the pistol my first two times out to the range.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: Reinz on January 06, 2013, 02:25:33 PM: Better buy another hex wrench to keep in your range bag.

Very cheap insurance.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: Richard S on January 06, 2013, 03:49:14 PM: Count:

You might also get some of Yankee's O-rings to help keep the grips screws snug. They work for me.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: backupr9 on January 08, 2013, 02:40:01 PM: I clean the screw holes with a pipe cleaner to remove oil on the advice of a forum member, and also use O-rings...the screws still loosen a little after extensive firing...IMO you should check them and tighten gently after each range trip/cleaning just in case...after all, this is a carry piece that will not function if the right side screws are loose so take no chances.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: Reinz on January 08, 2013, 10:22:06 PM: Quote from: backupr9 on January 08, 2013, 02:40:01 PM
I clean the screw holes with a pipe cleaner to remove oil on the advice of a forum member, and also use O-rings...the screws still loosen a little after extensive firing...IMO you should check them and tighten gently after each range trip/cleaning just in case...after all, this is a carry piece that will not function if the right side screws are loose so take no chances.

Yup, what he said!
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on January 22, 2013, 09:35:12 PM: I am at 150 rounds through the R9 tonight.

I had originally planned to put just a bunch of 124gr Gold Dots through the Rohrbaugh but I fired a different mix of stuff.

Mostly I fired 124gr Lawman. I fired at 15 feet and was really happy with my 7-dhot groups. I only fired 28 rounds of the Lawman I fired 7 rounds of 147gr Gold Dots, 7 rounds of 147gr Winchester Ranger T, and 3 rounds of 147 gr PDX.

When you add in the 5 rounds of 124gr Lawman I tacked onto my last range trip - it's 150 rounds through the R9 without a problem.

I know you're suppossed to get through 200 to 250 rounds with a pistol before you trust it for carry, but actually I do trust it for carry.

One thing I noticed though is that using 124gr Lawman TMJ, I had very tight 7-shot groups, but as soon as I switched to 147gr ammo I had 3" shot groups. At 15 feet that's not good IMO. It was the same with Gold Dot, PDX and Ranger T.

I made sure my grip screws were tight before I moved to the 147gr cartridges.

I have 147gr Lawman TMJ, I'm going to use some of those next range trip, I'm also going to shoot my Winchester Ranger T at the beginning of my shooting session - not the end of it.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on January 22, 2013, 09:37:58 PM: The other thing I did was browse pistol while waiting to get on the range. A year ago when I looked at the Sig-Sauer P290 - it seemed like a really small pistol.

Now that I have the R9 - the Sig P290 seems like a pretty big pistol, just looking at it in the case - it seemed pretty big.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: Reinz on January 23, 2013, 08:32:27 PM: Man you think your pistol was a little picky in the ammo choice/accuracy department; in my experience rifles take it to a whole new level.

And yeah, when you compare the smallest and lightest pockect nine on the planet, evertyhing looks big. :)
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on January 25, 2013, 08:45:21 AM: I hope I can put together better groups with the Ranger T in the future.

I'm happy though that the R9 cycles it just fine (so far)
Title: I found out my R9 does not like Golden Sabres
Post by: C0untZer0 on March 13, 2013, 11:32:02 PM: I put another 50 rounds through the R9 tonight. I fired a mix of Winchester 147gr PDX1, 147gr Ranger T - RA9T, 147gr Gold Dots, 124gr Blazzer Brass, 147gr Bonded Golden Sabre, and 124gr Lawman TMJ.

I had 2 failure to ignite out of 7 Golden Sabres. I noticed on the cases that did fire - I had very shallow indentations on the primers.

The top left two are Winchester Ranger T and Speer Gold Dot, the bottom left is a Golden Sabre that fired and you can see the primer is barely nicked.

The top right two are Remington Golden Sabres that failed to fire.

(http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6686.0;attach=645;image)
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on March 13, 2013, 11:39:22 PM: I shot better with the Winchester RA9Ts than I did previously. I did notice that my first shot is a bullseye and the rest of the shots are low, I'm not sure what's causing that. The next time I go to the range I am going to load and fire one round at a time to see what happens.

(http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6686.0;attach=647;image)

I bought a few boxes of 124gr Blazzer Brass for practice and learned that was a waste of money - at least for practicing with my R9. I fired 3 shots and stopped when I noticed the rip in the target, the shots were all over the place anyway... I'll save it for my other guns.

(http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6686.0;attach=649;image)
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on February 01, 2014, 10:51:00 PM: I haven't been to the range nearly as much as I should, but I've been spending my time and money on my kid's shooting. But I finally carved out a little time today to shoot the R9 again.

I shot 7 rounds of 124gr Lawman TMJ at 21 feet and made one ragged hole a little bit low and a little bit left of the bullseye. I fired 6 rounds of Winchester RA9T and had a 3" shot group... >:(

I am happy though that I haven't had any problems with either ammo, they both work flawlessly in my R9.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: feedramp on February 02, 2014, 05:56:49 AM: Some nice range shooting COunt.

Most must remember, that the R9 is a defensive pistol designed for "close encounters" and also a firearm that can be taken with you at all times.

I'll give you at lot of credit COunt, if you can go through 50 rounds with this little cannon at one session ... 8)

How are the hands ...
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: tracker on February 02, 2014, 11:36:47 AM: He shot 50 rounds a year ago and 13 this time around; maybe that addresses the question about the hands.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on February 02, 2014, 05:25:00 PM: I've been taking my kids shooting and haven't been shooting the R9. I meant to practice with the pistol at least once a month, time just seemed to whiz by, I do carry it with me all the time, and I keep meaning to shoot it, but then something comes up and I don't get around to it.

But in the past I've pit 50 rounds through the R9 in an single range session.

In 2011. I noticed I was getting fatigued at the range doing offhand shooting. After 20 minutes or so of shooting I couldn't hold a steady sight picture, my arms were trembling.

I was a little amazed at this because I hadn't had the problem before, and every morning I do pushups, situps, leg lifts and I curl 30lb dumbbells. I also ran and did cycling.

At that time I also purchased a Glock 17L, and I was not able to dry fire it and maintain good follow through - the sight always twitched to the right. I had people tell me I had to pull the trigger more slowly - more slowly still. I had people tell me I needed stronger fingers so I could do a smooth pull...

I started doing research and I added different exercises to my workout. Basically I focused on adding muscle mass to my forearms and increasing the strength of my fingers / hands.

I have a routine now that I do to keep muscle mass in my shoulders and forearms, as well as keep my grip strong, and it has made a huge difference in keeping a steady sight picture, and being able to shoot better for extended range sessions:

Hammer curls:

(http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6686.0;attach=913;image)

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Brachioradialis/DBHammerCurl.html

Ulnar dumbbell:

(http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6686.0;attach=915;image)

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristFlexors/DBUlnarFlexion.html

Wrist curls:

(http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6686.0;attach=917;image)

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristFlexors/DBWristCurl.html

Reverse wrist curls:

(http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6686.0;attach=919;image)

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristExtensors/DBReverseWristCurl.html
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on February 02, 2014, 05:42:58 PM: Wrist roller:

(http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6686.0;attach=921;image)

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristExtensors/CBRollerWristExtention.html

I also exercise the fingers to improve grip. I notice it's improved my ability to hold a steady sight picture for longer range sessions:

(http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6686.0;attach=925;image)

I use Captains of Crush and adjustable grippers to strengthen my grip and to increase muscle mass in my forearms:

(http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6686.0;attach=923;image)

I also use meridian balls to work my hands out. The guy in this video makes it look easy, but it's not. And when I do this 200 times with 1¼ lb steel balls - all the tiny muscles in my hands are sore - which is a sign that they are getting worked out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-bGPcdL4nU&feature=player_embedded#t=0s
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on February 02, 2014, 06:00:35 PM: I'm a lot better at consistently exercising than I am about consistently going to the range with My R9.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: tracker on February 02, 2014, 07:12:24 PM: You have your priorities in the right order; the pup doesn't lose its grip over time with no exercise.
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: bamboobob on March 31, 2014, 11:30:07 PM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscopic_exercise_tool

Dyna bee Very cool Heard about decades ago from Long time friend / instructor.

Gets going very fast, quite a workout.
Starting, speeding-up, maintaining and slowing down are all different.

Very cool!!! ( for hand and forearm )
Title: Re: Range report for the R9
Post by: C0untZer0 on April 24, 2014, 07:05:17 PM: Took the R9 to the range this weekend, and I did a couple of things I haven't done before. I didn't clean it before the range trip, I've been carrying it in my pocket for a month with no cleaning. I noticed it did have a little lint and crumbs in it - I don't know how that gets there, there is no lint in my pockets and it isn't like I eat crackers or cookies over my R9, but about every week when I inspect the R9 I notice that it somehow got shmutz on it.

So anyway I just fired it, didn't clean it.

Also, the screws with the rubber seals did not loosen up at all from either carrying it or firing it

I also shot the 147gr Winchester Ranger "T" Series at the beginning of my shooting session and not the end, to see if it made a difference in the accuracy department, and it did. I got a 5 shot group at under 2 inches at 21 feet and I'm happy with that. Actually only one flyer.

(http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6686.0;attach=1007;image)