The Rohrbaugh Forum

Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R9 (all variations) => Topic started by: logical on June 28, 2005, 10:37:02 PM

Title: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: logical on June 28, 2005, 10:37:02 PM
A fairly accurate pic of a serial R38X serial gun and an R74X showing the darker frames on today's production:
(http://www.photopile.com/photos/logical/auctions/200425.jpg)

A slight change to the "9 MM" lettering on the barrel (not pictured) and a slightly reshaped mag release on the newer gun, also shows frame color change well:
(http://www.photopile.com/photos/logical/auctions/200428.jpg)

I used to call my Sig 239 a "small 9mm":
(http://www.photopile.com/photos/logical/auctions/200426.jpg)

Not so much now:
(http://www.photopile.com/photos/logical/auctions/200427.jpg)
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: MountainMan on June 28, 2005, 10:52:02 PM
I kind of liked the frame lighter - wonder why they changed it - this was probably discussed somewhere on the forum.  It makes sense to round off the mag latch some.  Would be nice to see a Deer Park  slide picture nice and detailed - the reflection washed it out.   Thanks logical
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: MountainMan on June 28, 2005, 10:59:39 PM
Now I see what bothered me about the the darker frame.  There seems to be much more contrast from the shiny slide to the frame.  The lighter frame seem to blend the gun together more.  In a few more pictures I'll probaly get used to it.
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: logical on June 28, 2005, 11:29:24 PM
I have to admit at first glance I like the lighter frame color better...maybe the new black will grow on me but it looks more painted where the old looked bead blasted.  I know they aren't...just describing the "look".  I'll try more pictures soon....a bunch were even more out of focus than the ones I posted.
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: MountainMan on June 28, 2005, 11:33:44 PM
logical - probably the flash reflection on the slide caused the high contrast
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: logical on June 28, 2005, 11:36:55 PM
I think it was more the overkill of 4 double tube shop lights over my workbench...I didn't even use a flash.
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: MountainMan on June 28, 2005, 11:43:11 PM
Sometimes I have found the best pictures come out when you use natural light on a overcast day - now do you still plan on selling the older one - would be interesting having one of each frame color and slide marking - easy for me to say not my money - right

Would be nice to have some of our photo experts on the forum do a photo shoot comparing the two frames.
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: MountainMan on June 28, 2005, 11:44:22 PM
Hey - post 51 just made me full member - boy am I getting old!
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: R9SCarry on June 29, 2005, 12:38:36 AM
Dave - no not old - just (like a good wine) more mature!! :D ;D
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: MountainMan on June 29, 2005, 12:43:43 AM
Chris - do you know why they changed the frame color from grey to a black.  
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: R9SCarry on June 29, 2005, 12:58:53 AM
Dave - actually not sure on that.  The original silver finish, per my #1 R9 was dropped because of difficulty in getting consistent anodizing results - there were just too many IIRC that had to be sent back.

As for Grey to Black - not so sure but again have made an assumtion that it is geared to effective finish quality control.  Aluminum is, whilst easy in theory to anodize - is also fussy and fickle re finished result.  I forget the chem's involved with different colors but - certainly some work better than others.

I recall when my Dad was alive and before he retired (long ago), his company (aluminum stockist) had some promo stuff done in a sorta black and it was a superb finish.

Further to getting info on this from Eric or Karl - this so far is my best guess.
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: MountainMan on June 29, 2005, 01:25:21 AM
Chris,
The grey finish is what attracted me to the R9 - there was something special about it.  Seems like my new one on order will be black.  It should be easier to touch up I guess.  Would like to see some good comparison pictures of the two frame colors.  

I have seen some closeup photos of grey frames where there was some wear and the silver was showing through - but  would assume the black would do the same - and if it did it would be more noticabe.  Then maybe you are right and the black is more durable.
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: RJ HEDLEY on June 29, 2005, 09:57:50 AM
 ''Chris - do you know why they changed the frame color from Grey to a black. ''    Mountainman
__________________________________
 
 Chris won't mind if I put my two cents here, and that's all that it is, ''just my two cents''.  

I feel the Anodize process continues to be a problem.  The black "color" is a dye applied as a chemical process.   When you lower a rack full of parts [frames] into a tank of heated chemicals, you will not know the results until they come out.  Until the process is formulated, i.e., time, temperature, chemical strength, the result will vary.

Just like Forest Gump taught us,"It's like a box  of  Chocolate's,  you never know what you are going to get."  
  
The final standard has not been established.  [My words]
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: MountainMan on June 29, 2005, 11:11:37 AM
RJ
Are you saying that some batchs of R9s may have black frames and some more toward the grey side depending on the day they were done.
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: logical on June 29, 2005, 11:29:03 AM
I suspect any newly shipped gun will have the black frame regardless of serial number.  If an early number frame got out of sequence because of a plating issue it would probably go back into the process for replating along with new frames and get the black.
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: RJ HEDLEY on June 29, 2005, 11:52:22 AM
Mountainman & logical

Yes, that's my idea of what's happening...
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: Michigunner on June 29, 2005, 11:59:03 AM
logical,

I had to comment about how great your Sig P239 looks, because mine looks just like it!  It had a trip down to Virgil Tripp in Texas for hard chrome plating, and Cobra polymer coat on the frame.  They also added MMC night sights.

Ken at Hogue Grips let me pick out some premium select Goncalo Alves grips, cut thin to tolerate smaller hands.

The Sig short trigger was also installed.

Now, the darn thing is so beautiful, it has never been fired and just sits in the safe looking good.

It has been a difficult decision about whether or not to fire it.

Bill

Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: Michigunner on June 29, 2005, 12:00:59 PM
And I forgot to mention that extremely good looking R9S.
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: logical on June 29, 2005, 12:08:10 PM
thanks, that Nickel P239 is by far my favorite...but now if you want to see some real bling on a Sig, here's my P226 made in 1991:
(http://www.photopile.com/photos/logical/ebay/200214.jpg)
(http://www.photopile.com/photos/logical/ebay/200215.jpg)
(http://www.photopile.com/photos/logical/ebay/200213.jpg)



Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: Michigunner on June 29, 2005, 12:15:01 PM
Wow!  It is truly beautiful.

I wanted hard chrome for the durability, but later learned that many people prefer Nickel because the appearance might be softer and richer.

Thanks for showing the pictures!

Bill
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: R9SCarry on June 29, 2005, 12:15:05 PM
Darn it Logical - that 226 is max bling!!!  I take it when shooting in sunlight, shades are mandatory? LOL ;D  Wonder what would happen if my 226 ST was buffed within an inch of its life?  Couldn't be that shiny tho!

As far as frame colors go - these are my two pups - not side by side I admit (must take a pic of that) - but still maybe shows the silver and grey as comparisons.


(http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/cb_gun2/r9-01_s.jpg)


(http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/cb_gun2/r9-2-s.jpg)
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: MountainMan on June 29, 2005, 12:44:55 PM
Well Chris if the new Deer Park ones are black frames you will need to get one to have all three.
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: theirishguard on June 29, 2005, 01:52:08 PM
Dave, Don't worry sooo  much! the black frame is really good looking and has a nice finish. Remember as long as it goes bang!! That's what really counts.   Tom
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: theirishguard on June 29, 2005, 01:57:01 PM
Bill, Hard chrome is the way to go. Very durable and with the matt finish easy to shoot.  Tom
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: RJ HEDLEY on June 29, 2005, 01:59:31 PM
To reinforce my theory, I submit my R 600 ........

(http://www.fototime.com/2871A862C430903/standard.jpg)
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: MountainMan on June 29, 2005, 02:02:31 PM
Tom
I just visited the Rohrbaugh company site today for the first time in a long time and the R9s they are showing now do have the black frames.   You're right - they do look real nice.  Well - time to head out for a haircut. Thanks Tom
Title: Re: Older/Newer and Small/Smaller
Post by: Michigunner on June 29, 2005, 05:21:25 PM
Thanks, Tom.

We probably need to start shooting it.  Get it dirty, etc.

I don't even stick it into the VM-2, thinking that the polymer coat might get worn.

I found out about Virgil Tripp, because of Teddy Jacobson.  He highly recommended them.

Bill