The Rohrbaugh Forum
Miscellaneous => The Water Cooler -- General Discussions => Topic started by: DDGator on June 07, 2004, 02:22:53 PM
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A few have raised questions about the price of the R-9. Setting aside the issue of whether there is really anything out there that is comparable... would you still spend the money?
I think the reviews here and elsewhere have shown this gun to be of the higest quality in all regards, backed by a dedicated, responsive company. How much is that worth?
I am not a wealthy guy. I have plenty of responsibilities and don't go throwing money at everything that I want. But -- I have found in recent years that I do like to own quality items.
I wore a cheap watch for many years, but now I have a swiss-made Rado that I got for an anniversary present. I used a lot of Bics before getting a Mont Blanc pen. I carried an inexpensive knife for years, but I have a William Henry on order. Sometimes the fit and function and pride of ownerhship are worth the relatively small premium you pay.
On this board -- I think a lot of you will agree. I love my Kel-Tec P-3AT, but even in 9mm, its never going to be a Rohrbaugh, and wasn't designed to be.
Quality is its own reward.
Do you all agree?
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> would you still spend the money?
Yes. The Rohrbaugh is a superb piece of engineering and its machining represents a high-water mark in quality for a pocket pistol. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I didn't already have one. I also feel that the Rohrbaugh buyer becomes part of something special, not quite becoming part of the actual Rohrbaugh family, but something similar, something that can be depended on. Personal contact with Eric, (and Karl) had a lot to do with this feeling.
I do like quality items, but I also apprecialte practical, inexpensive, sturdy, knock-about, dependable items as well.
When I work with my hands, I wear a Timex instead of an expensive watch. And I also shoot Glocks, which I consider to be the Timex of the pistol world. My Kel-Tecs strike me as the Bic pens of the pistol world. Useful and handy, but not cherished for their world-class quality like the Rohrbaugh. Please, no flame-bait intended, I just think there are different levels of quality in useful tools.
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While not CHEAP....the R9 was one of my best investments. If you go looking for a quality "semi" custom pistol you can easily spend more than the cost of a Rohrbaugh. Most of the Kimbers, TRP, Gunsite, etc. .45s are more costly and some of them still need tweeked to work properly. Some USPs and SIGs still manage to come close. Any custom work (trigger job, NS, porting, etc.) raise costs too. Most "outfitted" hunting revolvers still manage to top the R9 cost. If you shop any of the quality builders (Volquartsen, S&W CS .500, Casull) you'll find they cost more.
I believe people just have an idea of what a pocket pistol should cost (cheap!) but no one has ever made a similar pistol. Granted it likely is not for everyone, but it is exactly what I needed and I gladly handed over my money.
As for expensive things - it's relative to your income. I know someone who recently had four watches stolen. $75000.00+ in watches.....I can't imagine but I don't believe he would balk at the price of a Rohrbaugh. I also know people who can't keep a job and have addictive habits. They have busted their a** their entire life and have nothing to show for it except for a ruined liver (even the dog left just after his wife took the kids).
I have a job that pays OK. I work extra and try to save some. My wife stays home to raise our child and while I don't miss meals, I ain't gettin' rich. I believe our sacrifices now will benefit our son because he is being raised by my wife with our values.
Quality is the materials, skills, and time that is put into something. While it's not cheap, Rohrbaugh is an investment in quality. My money was well spent.
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When some 1911's can run over a grand .. up to $1.5k, easily ... then I think the R9 is put into perspective a bit. It is tempting to think that small = cheaper.
From a design and engineering standpoint this is irrelevant .. only the material costs are slightly less. It has been said - and I fully endorse this ... that good craftsmanship and engineering, coupled with superb customer support - is one heck of a formula.
I doubt there is one of us - currently an R9 owner, who has not both spoken with Eric and emailed him. This guy is ''hands-on'' with his customers and - this makes any of us feel special. The ''magic'' formula if you like for great customer relations.
It is done tho graciously and not it seems from a wish to be ''creeping'' .. no - it is a genuine wish to please. This counts for so, so much.
As a result, I feel we early owners have the wish to see Rohrbaugh succeed .. big time, tho not shy of mentioning faults or criticisms, should we find them ..... not fortunately too likely.
I do not feel I have spent too much despite the price ... because I see the value in it ... and can relate that to the quite phenomenal R&D gone into it ... as I said before - it could take these guys two years to break even .. with all they have put in.
It is rather nice to be in at the ground floor .. and be part of the growth I so anticipate and hope for.
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I can admit it, I like nice things. Although I can't take it with me, my wife can have one of the best *yard sales* ever ! [that's *Tag Sale* to you Northern brothers...] :)
There's more $$ in the Ivory than the Rohrbaugh goes for...
(http://www.fototime.com/798D7F67608AFF3/standard.jpg)
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"Expensive" is often associated with premium quality, this little baby (Rohrbaugh) maybe one of those expensive, premium quality guns. My advice, which I seldom follow, has always been - buy the best quality "toy" even if you can't afford it, otherwise you'll end up spending lots more in the process of trading up… and, boy, don't I know that. With my meager fixed income, in order to buy this gun, I'd have to sell the three guns I have left. A new Kahr MK9 Elite 2003 with wood grips and night sights; a new S&W M60 2 1/8" with CT Laser Grips and front night sight; and my favorite toy, a .22 Ruger MK II Government Target pistol…. else it will take me a year to squirrel away enough money to buy it - unless Duane, Compman and others are willing to donate to a good cause, and share my joy.
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Oldella, why are you waiting. Sell the three guns and pick up a Rohrbaugh.
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oldfella .. be a crying shame to have to sell those three. but i guess, the decision needs to revolve around the carry issue and what you actually need as well as want.
If good concealment is paramount then probably the R9 could be the ideal. Still bugs me tho when a guy has to sell guns to get guns. :)
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... guess I'll have to wait, or maybe not; here in Tennessee we got ourselves a new lottery - so, maybe I'll get lucky.
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I keep coming back to this thread because I like to drool over RJ's engraved snubbies...
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The most expensive ! One done at S&W for me, It's lettered.
(http://www.fototime.com/7E23910C97A577C/standard.jpg)
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WOW!! that sure is purty. and my poor p-11 is all black and blue...
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I "must" like expensive things, I've been married thirty years. What's one or two R9's when you have six P7's?
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Hi RJ,
Your guns are spectacular and are far more beautiful than any most of us will ever own. Thank you for sharing. I can't wait to get my R9s and only wish that I had ordered one last year instead of April 30th of this year. Good things are worth waiting for though. Thank's again for sharing.
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Thank you for your comments. It was many years of work to get to this point. You still have something to look forward to..
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I think that you're right on the money with this. Most times you get what you pay for and I learned the hard way that it's cheaper in the long run to buy the best you can afford initially than to gradually keep upgrading until you get what you originally wanted. In the end you pay 2 or 3 times the cost of what you wanted to buy in the first place.
Also the difference in quality in most case's is immediately apparent. A 1911 is a 1911 is a 1911. That is until the first time you shoot a Les Baer, or Wilson. Then it's not quite the same anymore. Same thing with a Mont Blanc, or a Randall model 14. Seecamps had a great reputation for consistent high quality and still enjoys the fruits of that reputation.
This applies in spades to the R-9's.
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RJ,
Those pistols are gorgeous! I thought " Fly and Scuba had some great handguns, but you just went to an entirely different level!
Good for you!
Mike
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Gator,
Speaking of fine things, did you get a look at Richards Porsche 911. Talk about smooth and hot. I'll bet you a donut that there is a Browning or Perrassi 12 gauge in the trunk. Very cool! Richard, did you say you had 2 R-9's? LOL
Mike
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I'm still trying to talk RJ into letting me relieve him of the Grim Reaper....
I can see it now, me on the witness stand -- with the plantiff attorney for the estate of the low-life post-hurricane looter (but now being lauded as a fine and caring "baby's daddy" and upstanding citizen) who was efficiently dispatched by the Reaper in my hand...
"Sir, please explain to the jury why you chose to have an urban assault short barreled multiple shot pistol engraved with the Grim Reaper on it's side?"
My reply -- "because I can". ;D
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Fly,
Great answer! Good to have you back on board! I assume everything is starting to work out and the first level garage doors worked out fine. Good idea for you. I heard a quote once that goes something like this :" if it's stupid but it works, It's not stupid!" Any chance you can still make the August 1st deadline? As for me and the reaper, I'm still trying to get a " Serbu shorty 12 gauge! " That tends to end most discussions pretty quickly. There is just this small matter of a class three FFL and I'm home free! Like that's going to happen.
Take care and welcome home.
Mike
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Good to see ya back in Fly - hope you got thru OK.
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Fly, Good to hear from you. I hope everything is OK. Mike, I have an as new Benelli M1 Super 90 in 12 gauge you can have. Tom
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Tom,
Why am I not surprised? Actually, I already have a Bennelli M-1 super, but I appreciate the thought! I see we are on the same track though. "Fly" is looking for RJ's Grim Reaper revolver.......! I thought you MIGHT have some juice! lol
Mike