Bottom Line: This is an awesome little machine! – By my definition, it is very accurate and so far has been very reliable. I am looking forward to many happy years to come!!
Background: I bought the R9S from ‘wired’ on the Forum who reported putting 250 rounds through it. It is new production with April 2010 date on the original paperwork. ‘Wired’ had changed the spring [and cleaned it] before sending to me, but otherwise the gun is stock; I touched-up the lube a little – personal preference, but I like Miltec grease on a gun going to the range in the summer in Florida. I also put some sight paint on the front blade.
I was able to get my hands on four types of ammo from local sources; they were the typical 115gr WWB; 115gr Gold Dots; 135gr HydraShok and 124gr Golden Sabers – no Silvertips around.
All shots were fired as aimed slow-fire [very deliberate trigger pull and sight picture] from a two-hand, unsupported grip, standing, at 10 yards, onto bulls-eye target w/2-inch center bull. For comparison, I have shot literally 10s of thousands of rounds through 1911s, thousands thru a 92-style Beretta and several hundred thru my K-T P-32, but I have never fired a ‘pup’ before. I fully understand the role of this gun and will likely never print a bulls-eye target again – BUT, it is always nice to know for the future what the gun is capable of and what is the shooter’s contribution to the final result – plus to rephrase the old saying “…accurate guns are more interesting!”
I initially shot two magazines of WWB for familiarization. No issues, except to note that those first 2-3 unknown shots WILL get your attention! – by the second mag I felt settled and although recoil was indeed stout, I never felt the gun was out of control nor did it surprise me again. I then shot one magazine of each of the HPs for ‘record’ in the order shown - GD, GS, HS. In each case I did the old trick of intentionally throwing the first round off the target so that the next 5 on the target were all the result of the same mechanical lock-up.
Accuracy Results: The target is shown.
I would say that the Gold Dots were the most successful overall, both in shooting closer to POA and with very good grouping. However, the Hydra-Shoks were pretty close – a little lower on POA, but you can see darn near a three shot cloverleaf! – The Sabers were less successful in both POA and grouping, but hardly “bad” as far as results. The two flyers out to lower right were both the last shots in the last two strings – I was clearly getting hand-weary and in fact I actually backed off trigger pulls a few times at that point because the sight picture was deteriorating. [You will just have to take my word for this – the one shot way outside the ring with the “x” thru it is not a flyer – it is actually one of the lock-up shots I had intended to throw away – “
tried to miss the paper, but the pup wouldn’t let me!!”] Following this target, I reloaded three mags worth of all 4 types of ammo in random, mixed order and shot a fresh target – a less deliberate sight picture, but still not just ‘instinctive pointing.’ I easily held all nineteen rounds within the 7-ring with nine within the 9-ring. There were no FTF or FTE even with the mixed types/brands. On two occasions, both with the Golden Sabers, the slide ‘dragged’ closed as it went into battery – it did close, but slowly. I looked more carefully at these rounds and noticed that where the pre-cuts/splits in the bullet noses end, the resulting surface is rough – certainly more so than the other brands. I did not experience any slide bite or other ‘bleeding wounds,’ but by the end I had worn a hole into the inside of the third finger on my strong hand where the protruding edge of the magazine hit me – I’ll put a wrap of tape there ‘next time.’
Final Thoughts: This gun was pretty well broken-in when I got it, but in ~50 more rounds I had no failures or any other mechanical problems. The trigger is long and by no means light, but it IS very smooth, consistent and has that solid/machine-feel to it -- it is clearly a completely different animal than my K-T, which a friend once described as “horsing back on a green twig!” I was very impressed by the overall accuracy and consistency. Next trip will be for some doubles & triples on silhouettes – I already got the Extreme grips to switch out. After another session, or maybe two, I’ll be ready to carry it - I have carried the P-32 in my pocket w/o a holster for almost 10 years – personal preference… but I’m probably going to at least try a holster for the pup. I’m very pleased with my purchase and appreciate all the information and encouragement from folks here on the Forum.
