The Rohrbaugh Forum

Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R9 (all variations) => Topic started by: Praelus on September 18, 2018, 10:20:49 PM

Title: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: Praelus on September 18, 2018, 10:20:49 PM
Hi all,

I am a soon-to-be owner of a new in box R9s, as I just recently won an online auction.  Hopefully will have the gun in hand within a week or two.

I probably paid more for it than I should have, but what can I say - I guess I fell for the Rohrbaugh seduction. And seeing that hang tag still attached to the trigger guard sealed the deal for me! :)

I also ordered several different types of 9mm ammo to have on hand when it arrives - Speer Gold Dot 115 gr and 124 gr, Winchester Silvertip 115 gr, and Federal HST Micro 150 gr.  I am only planning on trying the types other than Speer GD 124 if I have failures in the first 3 magazines - if I get through the 3 initial mags with the Speer GD 124, I’ll end the range session content, carry the gun happily, and not shoot again for 6 months... scout’s honor! :)

But I wanted to have alternatives in place in case I do experience failures, though hopefully it doesn’t come to that.

I also stocked up on Super Lube and will give it a thorough inspection, cleaning, and lubing before the first range session.

At any rate, I’m glad to have this forum as a resource and hope you won’t mind if I share my range reports.

Thanks!

Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: MikeInTexas on September 18, 2018, 11:50:57 PM
Welcome to the forum Praelus,

You will find an extensive knowledge base here regarding your new pistol.

You will also find a friendly and civilized group of members.

It's unlike any forum I have experienced on the internet.



Kick off your shoes and stay awhile.


.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: PhilZ on September 19, 2018, 08:01:34 AM
Welcome.  There are a few good takedown and reassembly videos on YouTube that will help with field stripping after your range day.  One of the various reassembly tools helps too.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: ECR on September 19, 2018, 08:56:23 AM
Welcome aboard  Praelus.

All good folks here and, as mentioned, a wealth of Rohrbaugh R9 Pistol information and history.

Enjoy looking around the different threads and acquaint yourself with the happenings in the R9 community.

I do believe you will enjoy the comradery here.

Should you have any questions once your little gal has arrived, feel free to ask away. . . . . .

 . . . . . . oh, and don't forget those photographs of your newly found love! The troops here won't forgive you if you don't!  LOL

Regards,

Eric C. Rohrbaugh
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: tracker on September 19, 2018, 12:01:12 PM
Even though the factory initially recommended Super Lube it was found to be too viscous. Eric could elaborate on this but some time ago Rohrbaugh switched their recommendation to a high quality oil for lubrication. I, too, have a large supply of it.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: MRC on September 19, 2018, 12:41:40 PM
Even though the factory initially recommended Super Lube it was found to be too viscous. Eric could elaborate on this but some time ago Rohrbaugh switched their recommendation to a high quality oil for lubrication. I, too, have a large supply of it.

This reminds that I just bought a used Farmingdale that appears to have just been test fired.  The whole gun was spotless inside and out with no marks what so ever. 

The only sign that it had been used was that every part was gooped up with a thick coating of Super Lube.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: docboss on September 19, 2018, 12:51:11 PM
I have been very happy using Frog Lube on my r9s. It smells good and makes the firearm very easy to clean with just a wipe down.
You are correct on using good range ammo. Winchester and Fiocci brands have served me well. Keep a firm grip and a stiff wrist to virtually eliminate FTE. I have had some FTF with Blazer. Gold dots have always worked.
Once you get the hang of assembly you are set. Spring compression with a proper wrench and a little pressure on top of the barrel will set the recoil assembly. Don't be afraid to put rounds through it. The "sights" are pretty useless, but no one would consider using an R9s for anything beyond ten yards anyway. These little guns are tough. Springs are cheap.
IMHO, if you are going to carry it full time, six months between range sessions with it is not nearly enough. This is a "point and shoot" firearm with a long trigger pull, slick grips, and a "history of FTE" with limp wrist. A couple of magazines, one with defense rounds, every couple of months may suffice. But, that is just my experience. I am sure there are others on the forum who may disagree.
Congrats on your purchase. This is a great forum with some very knowledgeable folks.  ;)
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: Praelus on September 19, 2018, 02:11:36 PM
Thank you all for the detailed replies and warm welcome!  And it’s an honor to receive a reply directly from you, Eric! :)

Even though the factory initially recommended Super Lube it was found to be too viscous. Eric could elaborate on this but some time ago Rohrbaugh switched their recommendation to a high quality oil for lubrication. I, too, have a large supply of it.

My usual cleaning and lubrication product line is Mil-Comm, including MC 25 cleaner/degreaser, MC 2500 oil, and TW 25B light grease.  I have heard that the TW 25B and Super Lube are actually somewhat similar in that both are synthetic lubricants with PTFE.  However TW 25B is significantly less viscous than Super Lube in my understanding, so if the issue with Super Lube was the viscosity, perhaps TW25B is a good alternative?
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: tracker on September 19, 2018, 02:43:57 PM
With the tight tolerances in the R9 I don't think you need grease but perhaps TW 25B would work for you in small amounts. The proof is in the pudding.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: MRC on September 19, 2018, 03:40:07 PM
If you were going to put a couple of hundred rounds through it at a range session, grease might be a good idea.  You just aren't going to shoot the R9 that much.

Grease on a pocket gun is not a good idea, too much crap sticking to it.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: backupr9 on September 19, 2018, 04:07:38 PM
Welcome to a great and generous forum!  Remember several things to make your experience with “The Pup” a happy one:
1.  Tighten grip screws after every 30 rounds or so, but do not overtighten.
2. There are a number of good loads.  Interestingly, individual R9’s seem to have individual preferences in ammo, so experiment to find what yours likes.
3.  Speer 124 Gold Dot is a gold standard, and the Speer Lawman 124 was developed as a cheaper load that reproduces the Gold Dot experience in practice.
4.  I have routinely used EEZOX to clean and lubricate my small pistols...this was the preferred agent of Larry Seecamp for the Seecamp pistols, and has the advantages of a nice smell, and it dries as a powder that lubricates but doesn’t collect dust and lint...was used in combat for that reason I am told.
5.  If compressing the recoil spring is difficult for you during reassembly, there are several tools available, but I favor going to Lowes and buying a blue plastic Bus puller.  Us a Dremel or similar tool to cut a semicircular bite out of one of the teeth and it works like a dream.
Good shooting!
John
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: PursuitSS on September 20, 2018, 03:00:56 PM
I’ve been using Mobil 1 Grease on my R9’s. I like grease where it can be used because I feel it gives better protection from metal to metal contact and it stays put. I use Mobil 1 0W-40 oil on the recoil spring assy.

(https://i.imgur.com/du8U7v8.jpg)
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: MRC on September 20, 2018, 03:40:59 PM
I started using Mobil 1, 15W-50, on my all stainless steel Auto Mags years ago and have had excellent results.

I have since started using it on most of my stainless pistols.  A quart lasts a long time.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: tracker on September 20, 2018, 08:51:19 PM
"Take it easy greasy. You've got a long way to slide."
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: PursuitSS on September 20, 2018, 10:39:47 PM
I started using Mobil 1, 15W-50, on my all stainless steel Auto Mags years ago and have had excellent results.

I have since started using it on most of my stainless pistols.  A quart lasts a long time.

You’re into Auto Mags?

A good friend of mine has close to thirty, including some extremely rare units.

Prototype #2
Several Jurras units
A couple of Lamont units
And one of the new Founders Editions.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: MRC on September 21, 2018, 07:19:57 AM
I've been shooting Auto Mags for close to 25 years and have actively collected them for 10 or 12 years.

I also own a good number of Jurras and Lomont guns as well as factory guns.

As far as I know, Prototypes 001 and 002 are owned in Washington state and are non-firing concept guns.  003 is in California and is the first functioning AMP and fired 20 some rounds before breaking.  There is no 004.

I own XP005, XP008, and XP010. XP005 is an important gun as it is the first AMP to be assembled with the improvements incorporated by Chief Engineer Bob Barbasiewicz.  It is the first AMP that continued to function and functions yet today.  XP010 is an important gun as it includes all the modifications that were needed.  There were no major improvements to the design after XP010.

I have chosen to wait until all the new design changes can be incorporated to take delivery on my Founder's Edition.  It should be delivered soon I hope.  It has been a long wait.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: PursuitSS on September 21, 2018, 09:50:27 AM
I though I had a few photos of his....

(https://i.imgur.com/zlaUI25.jpg)

I wish I had a better photo than this of his Alaskan model, you can see the the shoulder stock slot and the end of the stock in the photo.

(https://i.imgur.com/N6NvDmZ.jpg)
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: MRC on September 21, 2018, 10:04:20 AM
The LEJ Alaskans are really neat and rare, Jurras did not make many.

I do not know what the #2 Prototype "B" Solid Bolt gun is.  I have never heard of prototypes for that series.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: tracker on September 21, 2018, 11:33:24 AM
Definitely toys for big boys.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: johnny on September 21, 2018, 06:29:57 PM
  Welcome aboard Praelus.
      I don't think you will find a gun that is more comfortable or concealable.
         Top notch forum and a bunch a very knowledgeable and helpful people.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: Buffalo on September 21, 2018, 07:38:00 PM
What's the phrase: "...the only different between a man and a boy is the price of his toys" 

Very nice toys!!!
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: MRC on September 22, 2018, 09:22:51 AM
Here is the WOW gun of my Auto Mag collection. 

A 16" octagonal Lomont 44 AMP.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: ECR on September 22, 2018, 07:38:26 PM
I don't know if that's a "WOW" gun or an "Ouch" gun!  LOL

That must have a bark to it when you pull the trigger! 
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: cargaritaville on September 23, 2018, 08:53:59 AM
WOW!
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: PhilZ on September 23, 2018, 03:06:35 PM
I don't know if that's a "WOW" gun or an "Ouch" gun!  LOL

That must have a bark to it when you pull the trigger!

I think the "ouchiest" handguns I have shot have been micro guns with hot loads.  I have a 38sp/357mag S&W M&P 340 that is 13.8 oz. When I shoot hot 357mag through it, it's usually one or two shots and I'm done.  I haven't shot one, but I would think that the weight of that 16inch barrel would help tame the recoil. 
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: MRC on September 23, 2018, 06:17:23 PM
The 16" Lomont AMP is one of two made and the other was fired a lot.  This one is unfired so I have not shot it.

The AMP's all are fairly easy to shoot and very accurate.  I have fired the 6 1/2" versions a lot and they are easier to shoot than my 629 Smith.

Here is a picture of Kent Lomont holding it.  This pic was taken at the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot 30 some years ago.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: Douglas on September 23, 2018, 07:06:46 PM
Welcome.

This is a special place on the 'net.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: PursuitSS on September 23, 2018, 09:31:56 PM
Here is the WOW gun of my Auto Mag collection. 

A 16" octagonal Lomont 44 AMP.

Here is a photo of my friends 14” octagonal engraved Lomont...

(https://i.imgur.com/UDSYKLZ.jpg)
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: Praelus on October 05, 2018, 10:38:20 PM
Hi again all,

I’m pleased to tell you that the R9 finally arrived today.  I picked it up at my FFL and documented the process of unboxing and disassembly once I got home, as you’ll see below.

Disassembly wasn’t too difficult, aside from not quite having the hang of holding the slide open to remove the pin yet.

I cleaned and lubed the gun with the Mil-Comm lineup that I use in my other firearms.  I followed the instructions in the manual and on the following page, with the exception of substituting TW25B for the Super Lube and MC2500 for the Mobil 1.

http://www.thingameez.com/download-pdf/r9-eric-stills.pdf

As I said, disassembly wasn’t too bad - but reassembly was another matter.  Suffice it to say that profanities were uttered and tears were shed before all was said and done. :) The main pain points were getting the recoil spring assembly back into the slide with the spring under tension, and getting it to line up properly so that the slide could be mounted on the frame.

I am sure that there’s just a learning curve and I’ll get better at it with time, but if anyone has any pointers, I’m certainly all ears.  (I unfortunately didn’t have a pair of channel lock pliers as the manual suggests, but I’m interested to hear if that’s what other people here use.)

I am hoping to find time for range trip later this weekend and will certainly post the results of that session afterward.

Thanks again for all your comments so far, and I hope you enjoy the pictures!

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/d3456cdc9b42685b63f76051f179af05.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/bc134de2fbd460191b9f63af87c13980.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/d812abce78eda555248e037ef22dc00d.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/31e0d3b7ec417db3ff61d3937a3c1785.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/5064e1c6535b8965f6942849f6ca548e.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/cd8cfc75ef00d6669eebd8814958f20e.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/5ea2e10dd7bcdc4bcbcdb3c60ed4be04.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/e120be1f92091c6c8650b458932a59c4.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/5178ed4fa2eccb82c826f59c24d2c013.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/9fbf37f78bed5d3cc7306f4ae9dbb382.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/4a79a3091e984c202f2e9c5e7e00406a.jpg)
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: Praelus on October 06, 2018, 03:09:01 PM
Hello again gentlemen,

I’m happy to report that I took the R9 to the range today and it functioned flawlessly. :)

I ran three magazines of 124 gr Gold Dot through it without any trouble at all.  I loaded five rounds into the first two magazines and a full six rounds into the third.

As promised, this will be the first and last time I fire the weapon until next April!  I am very pleased with this result and now feel like I can carry with confidence, which I plan to do starting today.

Point shooting at five yards
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/af1215f0b1905e896d8a9012e8deae3b.jpg)
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: MikeInTexas on October 06, 2018, 04:17:47 PM
Very nice!

Glad your pup shot well for you.

You might consider a take down tool made specifically for your pistol.

This is what I am referring to.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/787307291

I have one of the same design and it works great.


.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: Praelus on October 06, 2018, 04:26:25 PM
Very nice!

Glad your pup shot well for you.

You might consider a take down tool made specifically for your pistol.

This is what I am referring to.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/787307291

I have one of the same design and it works great.


.

Thank you very much for the tip, just bought one without a second thought!
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: MikeInTexas on October 06, 2018, 07:20:38 PM
You are welcome sir.

I am pretty sure you use of colorful language will change its tone once you get it and try it out.    ;D

Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: ECR on October 09, 2018, 09:22:10 PM
Congratulations on your new R9. I see I initialed the CoBIS envelope in 2010. Good times for Rohrbaugh at that point.
You got a nice one too. Those have all of the updates to it.
The Deer Park, N.Y. Made in U.S.A. (with the dots in between the USA) means it is all up to date.
That's those darned "Internal Company Codes" don't cha know. Ha haa. . . . .

Enjoy your new pistol and wear it in health and pride!

Regards,

Eric R.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: Praelus on October 10, 2018, 07:27:06 PM
Thanks Eric, great to hear those little details that only an insider would know!

I’ve been enjoying carrying the R9 in a DeSantis Nemesis - works great with jeans.  I also have a back pocket holster from Bear Creek and ordered a couple from Hedley as well... now that I know this R9’s esteemed heritage, I will make sure it rides in style! 8)
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: ECR on October 11, 2018, 02:10:08 PM
Somehow, I think you'll wear it well, good Sir.

. . . . Carry on..................

Eric R.
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: Praelus on October 19, 2018, 08:51:59 PM
You are welcome sir.

I am pretty sure you use of colorful language will change its tone once you get it and try it out.    ;D

The assembly tool arrived today - apparently I got the last one, as the machinist has stopped making them!  I had a chance to try it out, and assembly with the tool versus without is like night and day.  No more ripping of clothes, no more gnashing of teeth, and no more colorful language, just as you said.  In short, worth every penny!  Thanks again for the excellent advice!  :D
Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: MikeInTexas on October 20, 2018, 11:46:52 AM
Ha, ha.

Glad you got it and are enjoying it's benefits.



I appreciate mine (and the forum member who gifted it to me) every time I clean the pistol.


.

Title: Re: New R9s Owner To Be
Post by: Brian on October 29, 2018, 09:14:47 AM
I can make more DRT's (Disassembly / Reassembly Tools) if anyone needs one. 
Brian@DesignerGrips.com