The Rohrbaugh Forum

Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R9 (all variations) => Topic started by: Bill_in_TX on August 03, 2008, 12:38:30 PM

Title: New Member & R9s Owner
Post by: Bill_in_TX on August 03, 2008, 12:38:30 PM

After deciding on an R9s, I've been lurking here for a bit to pick some added info on the pistol.

I received the the little pistol last week and decided to join up.

I took it to the range with a test sample of possible carry ammunition that included:

Speer GD's in 115 and 124 grain
Fiocchi 115 gr Extrema with the Hornady XTP bullet
Federal Tactical Bonded 124 gr.

All the test ammo cycled and shot flawlessly.  Not one hitch in the bunch unless you count one failure to load a first round where I'm sure that I rode the slide down.

The two 115 gr rounds seem to shoot a bit low at 7 yds, but may well have been me starting with those and getting used to such a small weapon (my normal carry is a Sig 239 in 357S).

The 124 gr rounds were all right on, but the Fed Tactical bonded showed noticeable keyholing at 7 yds, which disappeared at 15 yds  ??? .  It's possible that this round, which seemed hotter than the Speer, might be overstabilizing a bit and yawing before it slows down at the longer range.

Based on this quick test and some info from a couple of wound ballistics sources, I've decided that I'll  carry the 124 grain GDs.  I think that the Fiocchi load might be a good one, but I can't find any ballistics info on the lighter Hornady XTP bullet.

Overall I'm happy with the purchase, other than a couple minor improvements that I might have made were I the designer.  (The biggest of those would be to add just a hair more metal to the front and back straps of the grip so that those could be checkered or serrated for a better grip).

Perhaps because I'm accustomed to larger calibers, I didn't find the recoil to be a big deal except that it was a bit difficult to keep the little bugger seated in my hand under the muzzle flip of the 124 grain loads (see above).

Because I have very long fingers the trigger breaks behind my trigger finger knuckle making everything pull a bit right (I'm left-handed).  That, however, is something I'm quite used to with all but big frame pistols, so I'll just have to make an adjustment.

Minor quibbles to an otherwise fine weapon.

I've got an order in with holstermaker Rusty Sherrick for an OWB (his US Highride with a couple mods).  Meanwhile, at the shooting range I found that the cheap Uncle Mikes pocket holster ($12.95 here in Houston) for the Seecamp 32 fit pretty well.  It covers the trigger but not the complete trigger guard.

Title: Re: New Member & R9s Owner
Post by: ccoorreeyy on August 03, 2008, 07:06:15 PM

Welcom Bill, glad to have you here and to read your great first impressions.
Corey

Title: Re: New Member & R9s Owner
Post by: Jack Foulard on August 03, 2008, 10:03:01 PM

Welcome.

Take a look around but the R9 was customized quite heavily by a member here.  One of the mods was checkering that did come out quite nice.

Title: Re: New Member & R9s Owner
Post by: BytorJr on August 04, 2008, 12:54:26 AM

So, am I reading this correctly?  You felt a noticeable difference in perceived recoil between 115g and 124g?  Hmmm, I wouldn't thunk it. :)

Title: Re: New Member & R9s Owner
Post by: RickP on August 04, 2008, 10:22:51 AM

Bill, Welcome and thanks for the report. As far as the grip is concerned, I use a product called e-grips, and I have heard of people using skateboard tape.

Rick

Title: Re: New Member & R9s Owner
Post by: Richard S on August 04, 2008, 12:09:21 PM

Bill:

Welcome to the Forum, and thank you for the excellent range report.

For added control of this little "pocket rocket," you might want to look into a pair of the checkered aluminum grips offered by Rohrbaugh. I have them mounted on my early-edition R9 and find them helpful in that regard:

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/may2003.jpg)

Title: Re: New Member & R9s Owner
Post by: theirishguard on August 04, 2008, 12:18:14 PM

Bill, welcome to the forum, glad you and the pup had a good outting.  Tom

Title: Re: New Member & R9s Owner
Post by: Bill_in_TX on August 06, 2008, 01:26:01 PM

Thanks all for the welcome.

Richard S:

Thanks.  My initial impression is that the grips are less of a problem than the smooth front and backstraps.  I'm going to try some fixes on those first, then maybe move toward better grips.

Rick P:

Thanks for the tip on the Egrips.  That may be just the thing that I need for control -- especially for multiple shots.


BytorJr:

It wasn't so much that I saw a lot of difference in recoil between bullet weights (some, but not lots).  It's more that I also follow the tactical forum where they've not found a 115gr 9mm to be worth much so I spent most of my range time with the 124 grainers.


Jack Foulard:

Thanks, I did see the customized job with the grip strap checkering.  It looks good but a bit much in the $'s for me after springing $1200 for the weapon.  

I guess I have to say that my one initial disappointment is in what I'd called the operational ergonomics as opposed to pointing ergos, which are fine.

For the price, I'd expect to see  at least some straight line checkering or even stippling on front and back straps to aid in control, as well as something similar on that mag release (at least on the operational contour) to aid in mag drops which I found to be pretty difficult.   Any pointers on mag manipulation would be welcome.

Title: Re: New Member & R9s Owner
Post by: Brenden on August 06, 2008, 08:17:53 PM

Welcome to the forum and the pup!!!

Certain pup owners have used grip tape to help with your grip situation..

I personally do not have the problem but everyone is different..

I wish you the best on the pup,and look forward to hearing more from you..

Brenden

Title: Re: New Member & R9s Owner
Post by: BytorJr on August 06, 2008, 11:38:50 PM

I tested the 124g Gold Dot LE and Federal HSTs.  Both seemed to work through the R9.