The Rohrbaugh Forum

Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R9 (all variations) => Topic started by: Fud on January 04, 2006, 04:50:02 AM

Title: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: Fud on January 04, 2006, 04:50:02 AM
The ShotShow is less than two months away. Just curious if there is any more infor on the .380 model such as price and when they will start taking orders for it?

Also, is it going to be exactly the same size as the R9 or slightly smaller? I would hope that there is some size difference even if minor otherwise I can just picture myself grabbing the wrong gun and/or grapping the wrong spare mags.
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: DDGator on January 04, 2006, 12:41:27 PM
Fud -- I am not sure the R-380 is coming out at the SHOT show.  However, I shot the prototype over a  year ago -- it is a re-barrelled R-9.  No size difference at all.  In fact, you will probably be able to convert your R-9 to with a new barrel, spring and magazine.

Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: Michigunner on January 04, 2006, 12:51:26 PM
I'm hoping and praying that we can just change the barrel, spring, and magazine.  
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: WoodstockDoug on January 04, 2006, 01:36:08 PM
A smaller R in .380 might be interesting, but what would be the advantage of a .380 that was the same size?  Ammo is significantly more expensive, a bit less powerful, but the rounds aren't enough smaller to allow for higher capacity magazines.

If the entire gun was smaller, it might be worth checking out, but if the gun is going to be the same size and the barrels swappable, the only other caliber I'd be interested in would be .22lr, so I could plink cheaper with my carry gun.  

This isn't meant to be a flame; it is a serious question.  I doubt Rohrbaugh would make a .380 version if there wasn't a market for it, and I am probably just too dense to understand the why, so I'm asking in my ignorance for information... what is the advantage of .380 over 9mm?  
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: Michigunner on January 04, 2006, 02:09:25 PM
I think the main selling point would be controlability.  The .380 Auto should be easier to hold.

Of course, with the abrasive tape, it's much easier to hold the R9S.

Assuming someone would get the .380, it would be nice to share the same holster.  The .22LR sounds good, too.

But I do see what you mean.  We wanted all that 9mm power in a small package.

Bill  
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: DDGator on January 04, 2006, 02:24:55 PM
I asked Eric and Karl the same question when I was at the factory.  Eric said --- "just shoot it."  I put 6 rounds through the .380 prototype and 7 through Eric's own R-9 for comparision.

The difference was amazing.  Shooting .380 in a locked breech the size, weight and shape of the R-9 was amazingly easy.  Tame.  A pleasure to shoot.   That is going to be the appeal of this gun.

The real appeal of the .380 though is to open up foreign markets where civilians can't own guns in "military" calibers like 9mm.  
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: collim1 on January 04, 2006, 02:27:33 PM
I agree with the above.  The .380 would be more controllable and would put a lot less stress on the gun when firing.

Right now I carry a Kel-tec .380 and it is a handful.

I want a R9s in the worst way, and am trying to get as much info on them as possible.

I think I came to the right place!
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: alfonso2501 on January 04, 2006, 02:50:50 PM
Quote
A smaller R in .380 might be interesting, but what would be the advantage of a .380 that was the same size?....    
Over seas sales I suppose, where in some countries it’s the only caliber allowed to the civilian population. It’s a good business strategy in a sense that it opens up the company to new markets.

If it works & increases sales for the company I say go for it! For the rest of us in the US it probably wouldn’t make sense because there are other options available in smaller packages for .380.
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: Michigunner on January 04, 2006, 02:57:40 PM
collim1, welcome to the forum.  I hope you will return many times and enjoy talking with the good friends here.

Also, I hope you get your R9S right away.  You will enjoy it very much.

Bill
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: FB3 on January 04, 2006, 03:27:35 PM
I don't know if I would be interested in the 380 version of the R9 if it is the same size as the 9mm.

However, I do have a Seecamp 380 which is quite a bit smaller than the R9, and it is really punishing to shoot.  My 460 S&W  is more controllable and less punishing to the web of my hand than the 380 Seecamp.  Never would have figured on that.  However, the 460 is a very large revolver with good Hogue gell grips.

Will finally get a chance to shoot my R9 this weekend, so will have first hand experience on its recoil vs the Seecamp.
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: MountainMan on January 04, 2006, 05:13:35 PM
Quote
I want a R9s in the worst way, and am trying to get as much info on them as possible.

I think I came to the right place!

Welcome to the forum collim1 - stay around and join in.,

Tom (theirishguard) on the forum is a honest gun dealer and an all around good guy.  He just said that he should be getting some new R9s in within a few weeks.  Most of us had to wait for ours.  You may want to give him a PM.

Dave
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: Richard S on January 04, 2006, 05:47:49 PM
collim1:

Welcome to the Forum!

Dave is right about Tom ("theirishguard").  If anyone can get you one of the R9s in a hurry, he can.  He has listed his coordinates on his Forum profile:
    
Email:  tomswatson@sbcglobal.net
Website:  www.irishguardfirearms.com
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: theirishguard on January 04, 2006, 06:14:33 PM
collim1, welcome to the forum, have and enjoy. the info is free.
If I can help you get a R9s let me know.

Dave and Richard, thanks guys, your check is in the mail! :o
Tom
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: Brenden on January 04, 2006, 06:40:32 PM
I would buy a "changeout kit", to go to the .380 for the pup..

I would not buy a .380 cal. in the same size package-for the same price,as the pup ;)

I have been "contemplating" the .380 Seecamp for those "short pocket" days..Love the LWS.32s that I have.. :)
VERY small pkg. for a .380... :o

We have a 9mm pocket rocket in the pup!! ;D

collim1,
Welcome to the forum..

Great that you could make it!! :D

Brenden

Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: Newt on January 05, 2006, 01:21:16 PM
+1 on the 380 changeout kit! 8)
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: DTM_39 on January 05, 2006, 01:58:51 PM
Collim1 , welcome to the forum.  A change out kit sure makes sense. I could go for that. I don't know how much I would use it. Nice for the collection though. Dan
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: harrydog on January 06, 2006, 09:56:57 AM
I'll be really surprised if we see an actual new model in the forseeable future. A conversion kit, yes, but not a completely new model. Sure, they might eventually sell a gun that says "R380" on the slide, but it would really still be an R9 with a a few different parts, not a completely new model.
Put me down as another one who would probably buy a conversion kit, if the price wasn't astronomical.
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: jarcher on January 09, 2006, 04:28:49 AM
I would buy a conversipon kit for my R9 to make it shoot .380, if the price was reasonable.  I would expect the recoil to drop substantially.  I agree I would not be interested in another Rohrbaugh .380 if it was the same size as the R9.  
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: harrydog on January 09, 2006, 07:46:40 AM
I still hold out hope that there will someday be an all stainless steel version of the R9.   :)
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: Fud on January 09, 2006, 11:16:01 AM
I would buy an all-stainless steel R9 in a heart beat! For me, size is more of a governing factor than weight. And all-stainless steel R9 would be more durable and the added weight would help reduce recoil and thereby increase accuracy.
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: dfsutton on January 09, 2006, 11:45:15 AM
The question that I have is: Why wouldn't you just buy the Seecamp in .380?

It seems to me that the Rohrbaugh was made to fill a void in the pocket pistol market (lack of a true 9mm pocket pistol), but the Seecamp has already made a .380 that is of great quality and reliability and smaller than the R-9.  

Is the R-380 going to be significantly smaller than the R-9?  If not then I don't quite see the point.  
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: DDGator on January 09, 2006, 11:55:32 AM
Gosh, not pointing at anyone in particular, but I feel like I am beating my head against a wall on this...

The R-380 that is in the works is NOT any different dimensionally than an R-9.  It is an R-9 frame and slide with a .380 barrel, mag and a different spring.

Why would you want one over a Seecamp?  I don't know.  Why would you want a Sig over an H&K?  Just depends what you want, what you like, what you can get your hands on, and what you want to pay.

The R-380 is not a revolutionary gun that will set the market on fire -- its an evolutionary gun for people who want the R-9 package with less recoil, or for overseas sales where 9mm is not allowed.

Incidentally, is a Seecamp .380 blowback or locked breech?
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: jarcher on January 09, 2006, 01:08:41 PM
Quote
Incidentally, is a Seecamp .380 blowback or locked breech?

It's blowback, which is a great reason to prefer a R-380 (or a converted R9).  I originally asked how the recoil of a Seecamp 380 compares to a R9 and I didn't see an answer yet but I have read that the Seecamp 380 is a handfull.

Of course, I have read that about the R9 as well.

Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: RJ HEDLEY on January 09, 2006, 01:12:02 PM
Gator
The 380 Seecamp is a *Delayed blow back*,  the chamber has a small pocket cut in it that ''fire forms'' a bulge in the brass, therefore delaying the slide for a moment.
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: DDGator on January 09, 2006, 01:49:17 PM
Gotcha.  I figured it was.  So... that may well be another reason to prefer a R-9 to a Seecamp, or maybe not.

RJ -- that is interesting.  I assume then that the brass becomes unreloadable?
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: RJ HEDLEY on January 09, 2006, 02:11:54 PM
 .

RJ -- that is interesting.  I assume then that the brass becomes unreloadable ?  Gator

++++++++++++

Not sure about that.....
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: rtw on January 09, 2006, 02:40:48 PM
I "prefer" the recoil of the R9 to that of the LWS380.

Which is to say that they are both unpleasant-to me, anyway, but the R9 is less unpleasant.

Neither gun is a "fun" gun for me to shoot at the range. Both guns are controllable and manageable for their intended purpose. I have no doubt that if I ever had to use either, that I would never notice the recoil.

An R380 might be fun to shoot. Sign me up for a kit.
Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: DDGator on January 09, 2006, 02:45:11 PM
Well rtw, having shot both, if you prefer the R-9 to the LWS 380, you will LOVE shooting the R-380.  It is a piece of cake by comparison.  That tells me that the R-380 is likely going to be MUCH more pleasant than an LWS 380 to shoot.

Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: Michigunner on January 09, 2006, 03:12:52 PM
I'm looking forward to the reduced recoil.  Maybe tape will not be necessary for some of us.

I'm hoping they will provide a conversion kit at an affordable price.

Title: Re: Any more info on the .380 model ?
Post by: FB3 on January 09, 2006, 04:45:50 PM
I started another thread on this, but will add my personal experience with both the R9 and the Seecamp 380 as far as recoil goes.

To me it feels as if the Seecamp has a little more recoil than the R9.  Both abuse my trigger finger.