Carbon Fiber Grips

[LRHogFan]

So, I am a new owner of a Rohrbaugh R9S with the G10 grips which are definitely adequate.  I am also about to order some of the Hogue Extreme Series Grips from the Rohrbaugh website to have as a backup or to swap out to see how they compare to my factory G10 grips.  

To the point now, the carbon fiber grips seem to have sort of a mystique about them.  It seems they are no longer available and for that reason, I am sure they are super expensive once found on the secondary market.  Why doesn't Rohrbaugh firearms still produce or have them produced for those like me that would like to pick some up without the collector's pricetag?  

I would love to pick up a set, but am not interested in paying a premium pricetag for the luxury of having them.  I know I am not the only person that expresses an interest as I have looked in the classifieds section and there are several posts from people looking for the carbon fiber grips with absolutely zero replies from other members.  

[ccoorreeyy]

Though I never bought a set from the factory when they were available I think (that gets me into trouble sometimes) they were not cheap then eithor.   Maybe sombody that did pick up a set from the factory can tell us just what they cost.
Corey

[yankee2500]

I was asking Maria about the carbon fiber grips when I spoke with her, and she said the last ones they sold were around $150.   John

[Richard S]

As I understand it, the increasing demand for carbon fiber material for the military and the aircraft industry has made it both expensive and difficult to obtain for small manufacturing operations.  I have both CF blue and CF black grips for my R9, but it usually wears OD aluminum panels.  

[PsychoSword]

As I understand it, the increasing demand for carbon fiber material for the military and the aircraft industry has made it both expensive and difficult to obtain for small manufacturing operations.  I have both CF blue and CF black grips for my R9, but it usually wears OD aluminum panels.  

That may be true, but I don't buy that explanation personally. How do they explain operations like carbon creations?

If I recall correctly, I believe they were selling the last carbon fiber grips for $160 a piece. Which is about double what carbon creations charges for theirs.

[PsychoSword]

The thing I liked most about the Rohrbaugh carbon fiber grips along with the looks is that they would seem to grip MORE as my hand got sweaty from shooting.

[Richard S]

These market swings come and go, with supply and demand usually tending to reach equilibrium over time. This is one example of what I had been reading in the trade press about the carbon fiber market over the recent past:

[size=10]The market price of carbon fiber saw a 150 percent increase during 2005, primarily due to increased use in the civil aerospace industry. Allocation and contracts to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and Airbus' A350 XWB caused supply constraints, and suppliers raised prices to suit. The carbon fiber industry was seemingly unprepared for the demand spike caused by both the commercial aircraft industries and the Pentagon. As such, producers have addressed increasing their capacities aggressively. Still, demand continues growing faster, and according to Fibre Glast Developments, "a few big users are squeezing smaller users, even smaller industries, right out."[/size]

http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2007/07/carbon_fiber_set_to_take_off_again_boeing_dreamliner.html?t=recent


[size=10]Edit: Typo.[/size]

[JHatmaker]

As I understand it, the increasing demand for carbon fiber material for the military and the aircraft industry has made it both expensive and difficult to obtain for small manufacturing operations.  I have both CF blue and CF black grips for my R9, but it usually wears OD aluminum panels.  

If you ever wish to sell the black carbon fiber grips, please shoot me a note, as I'm interested in finding a pair.  Thanks!

Jason

[Richard S]

Jason:

If I change my mind I'll let you know, but right now it is my hope to take my R9 and all of its accessories with me if and when the valkyries escort me to Valhalla.  

[JHatmaker]

Jason:

If I change my mind I'll let you know, but right now it is my hope to take my R9 and all of its accessories with me if and when the valkyries escort me to Valhalla.  

10-4, thanks!

[slashsplat]

I lucked into buying a pair, and part of the deal was my G10s.  The CF have a non-metallic feel to them, they just don't feel cold or warm like metal or G10 does when you touch it.  Cool, and a great cherry on top.

But they probably work just as well as the polymer grips on my Glocks...  what the pistol really needs is checkering on the front and backstraps, but I don't really want to have to do without it long enough to get that done.  Having a choice of the Glock or the R9 in pocket is very comforting, given the prayer that the choice will remain moot.

[R9_fan]

I purchased my R9s Stealth in March. I have had Diamond Black Coating done to the trigger, hammer, recoil rod, grip screws, mag release lever and the mag end plates. I would like to buy a set of carbon fiber black grips and will pay top dollar. Contact me and name your price!

[ccoorreeyy]

R9_fan,
Welcome to the forum.  Show us some pictures of your R9 when you get a chance.  Good luck on the black CF grips.  I have been looking for a set for a long time but am unwilling to pay top dollar so you might just be able to swing a set faster than I.  Post often.
Corey

[Richard S]

R9_fan:

Welcome to the Forum and congratulations on selecting your new masterpiece.

If you are really willing to pay top dollar for black CF grips, you might want to post a watch notice on Gunbroker and Auction Arms for R9s as well as post in the classified section of this forum. If you see one of the R9s offered with the black CFs, you could purchase the entire pistol, then switch out grips with the one you own, and flip the one newly acquired or keep it as a backup.

Again, welcome to the growing legion of owners of what I consider to be the finest pocket pistol yet produced.

[kjtrains]

I purchased my R9s Stealth in March. I have had Diamond Black Coating done to the trigger, hammer, recoil rod, grip screws, mag release lever and the mag end plates. I would like to buy a set of carbon fiber black grips and will pay top dollar. Contact me and name your price!

Welcome to the Forum and good luck on the grips!!