Special Forces model is extinct

[DanR9SF]

Just spoke with the factory and found out they no longer offer the "Special Forces" model.  They sold a total of around 2 dozen and then pulled the plug.  So it seems I now have a collectors item which I will sell for $7,500 if anyone is interested!

I called the factory to order a couple spare black magazines - and that's when I found out the SF is no longer offered.

She's looking into flat black magazines and should know more in a few days.    

[Richard S]

Dan:

You do indeed have a rarity! Carry it with pride.

[tracker]

Congratulations, Dan. I'm sure it was not easy to pony up with
that kind of money for a super pup but it always feels great when
it works in your favor. As i mentioned awhile back to ACP, what-
ever you buy from Deer Park today probably won't be around next
year. That is really a short run, though.

[DanR9SF]

I don't know why "congratulations" would be in order but like I said: first $7,500 gets it!  When I bought this gun I wanted the (moly-based) Armor-Tuff coating and hoped it would be applied at the correct thickness, and that the gun would operate properly with that coating.  It was, and it does.  Too much money but a good, very powerful pocket gun with a good coating.  I like it a lot.  I could have done it myself and saved $400 but with time and assembly and shipping and stress... I was comfortable letting Rohrbaugh do it all.

It'll be interesting to see what else they come up with in the future.  An all-black gun for concealed carry has its appeal to some.  Rohrbaugh seems to do business with Robar so perhaps we'll see that soon - maybe black Roguard over black Roguard?

Will they again use the name "Special Forces"?  Probably not.  Maybe "Special Operations", or "R9S-RR", or even Rohrbaugh "EBG" (evil black gun). Well, probably not the last one.

  

[yankee2500]

The  R9s "RR" is already taken by the Robar Rohrbaugh NP3 coated model, so that one is out.

John

[theirishguard]

The Elite is also history.   Tom

[arjuna70]

The Elite is also history.   Tom

That's my daily carry.  Too bad.  I think its the sweetest looking pistol of all.

[kjtrains]

Anyone know of anything on the horizon to replace the Special Forces and the Elite?  Checked the Rohrbaugh website and didn't find any info.  I know the R45 is in the works, but down the road.

[DanR9SF]

My guess, and it's only a guess: an all-black model utilizing Roguard black, and for a lower price.

I wonder if they stopped making the Elite because of the extra manhours spent on the finish?  With demand for R9's so high and with the relatively long wait time... if it were me I'd make only those models which take the least manhours to get out the door, and only those models which require no special handling or care during manufacturing (no polished surfaces and no sanding).

If/when sales slow then I'd consider special versions and other options (such as Tritium night sights - hint).

[yankee2500]

 Night sights would require a redesign of the slide, they have been tried and have not had good results. I don't know if manhours is the reason, all of there finishing work is not done inhouse they have S&W do some stuff for them.

John

[tracker]

One of the frequent traders in the premium models conveyed
to me recently that prices had softened somewhat in the upper
price range, perhaps indicating a reduced demand. Other than
this forum I don't hear much about sales of the regular models.
It seems that there are more for sale now on the resale market
than in the past but that may be because there are simply more
in existence.
Dan is probably right about the future direction of the "black gun"
price range. This slackening in the upper end could be economy
related also.

[DDGator]

I talked to Eric about some of these things...

Elite and Special Forces are discontinued.  The Elite was simply a lot of labor for the money and difficult to produce with the polished flats and all.

Another "all black" R-9 model may be coming -- they know the demand is out there.

As I will note on another thread though -- the Robar R-9 is NOT discontinued and is still available new.

[Chief-USN]

 What was the differance  (If any) between an "Elite" and an "Elite Premium"?

Chief

[DanR9SF]

Since the R9 Special Forces is no longer produced, and only about 2 dozen were ever made, it seems I now own a "rare" gun.  How much is a rare, out-of-production, extremely low-production volume gun worth?   $1,000,000?   $2,000,000?   $1,795?        

[Chief-USN]

 There was a used one sold on gunbroker last week for $1600.00 if that helps.

  I am trying to find out what the differance was between a Rohrbaugh "Elite" and a Rohrbagh "Elite Premium". I have never seen one with the "premium" tag attached.