The Rohrbaugh Forum
Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R9 (all variations) => Topic started by: rnapz on April 01, 2010, 10:06:16 PM
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New to the awsome forum here. Been lurking for a while and finally signed up. After doing extensive research, i have decided I want to get one of the Rohrbaugh guns. I have been driving myself crazy over the past few weeks over which one to get...on one hand, I am concerned of not having enough accuracy and speed with the R9 due to the much talked about recoil. On the other hand, the stopping power of the 380 is another highly debated subject.
I wish there was a way to shoot the R9 to see for myself how bad that recoil really is. Currently I shoot a Kimber Pro Covert II (28oz empty) in a 45cal and that seems a bit manageable to me though shot to shot times are not as fast as I would like. It gets quite a bit worse when I practice with one hand.
If anyone is aware of a shooting range in or around Houston that might have one to shoot with, I am all ears. All suggestions are welcome and thank you for making this such a great forum. :)
Best Regards,
Ramon
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Maybe someone in the Houston area will offer to meet you at the range with an R9 ;D
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Ramon. Welcome to the Forum. A lot of us have purchased an R9 sight unseen of which I am one. If you shoot a Kimber Covert .45, you should have no problems. Again, welcome.
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Thank you FloridaCCW...hadn't even occured to me that someone might actually let me shoot their gun.
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KJTrains,
Thank you for the response. Can I assume then that the Kimber has more kick than the R9?
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Ramon,
Welcome to the group.
I have a Kimber Ultra CDP II, and I would say the 45 has a different kick. The 45 has a larger and wider grip which spreads the recoil over a larger portion of the palm. The R9 demonstrates a little snappier recoil but by no means would I class it as punishing or severe. If you can handle the Pro Covert I don't think the R9 will be a problem, also remember the R9 is not something you are going to shoot a hundred rounds per range trip like you would with the Kimber.
I say if you can shoot one first great, and if not buy one and I believe you will be pleased with the R9. Check with Tom Watson
(The Irish Guard) about ordering one.
Best of luck with your decision.
John
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Thank you Yankee...I guess that kind of settles not going 380 with my decision.
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BTW, the reason for shooting the gun before purchase wasn't because I had doubts about the Rohrbaugh purchase but because I wanted to get a feel as to how bad that bite was on the 9 vs. the 380
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Just for information, I have both the R9 and .380 and the bite on the R9 is substanially more than the .380 but definitely not unbearable.
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kjtrains, do you feel that a double tap on the R9 hard to do and control?
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Ramon. The answer is no, however, I'm use to shooting a .454 Alaskan, .454 Freedom Arms, Taurus Judge, .357 Sig, Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Mag, and .45 ACP one handed, so the R9 is similiar to a peashooter, so to speak, after shooting these.
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What size ammo are you accustomed to running through it? Brand?
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I only use Winchester 115 gr. Silvertips and have never used anything else. I know they are scare now, but Winchester is supposed to start producing again 4/15/10 so should be in stores in May.
Fortunately, I have an excellent suppy, so I'm set for a very long time.
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Ramon:
Welcome to the Forum!
As for the recoil of the R9 -- recognizing that felt recoil is highly subjective, I think you will find the R9's recoil to be entirely maneageable. I would describe it as "crisp," but I've got straight-blowback pistols chambered for .32 ACP which are about the same. You should have no trouble with the R9.
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Ramon,
I have shot 115gr Winchester Silvertips and WWB FMJs, Winchester Ranger SXT 147gr, Remington UMC 115gr FMJ., Speere Gold Dot 115 and 124gr. Federal Hydra Shock 147gr, Blazer 115gr, Hornady Critical Defense 115gr. and maybe a couple of others I have forgotten.
All have functioned without a problem in my pup, try whatever you have and decide what works best for you and your gun, I use Winchester White Box for practice, and follow up a shooting session of those with a mag of my carry ammo.
John
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Ramon,
Welcome to the forum. I too believe that you will have no trouble with the "felt recoil" or the "control" of the R9. Including the "double taps" you like to practice. I believe you'll be very happy with the pistol. I would bet that most of us bought the Pup without ever having fired one.
What I would recommend is that you purchase one of Yankee 2500's beautiful mag extenders. I believe you'll find that the extra finger on the grip decreases "felt recoil" and increases "control" for follow up shots.
Que le vaya bien, Quiet1
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Ramon, Go for the R9. It has a stiff recoil, but is more than manageable for anyone familiar with handguns.
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I am one step closer to getting my first little R9. I did hear something disheartening today from the largest local dealer (I will not name names). He said he had stopped carrying the Rohrbaugh's because they were not meant to shoot 1,000 - 2,000rds. His exact words were that they did not last that long and were actually breaking down after a few hundred rds.
I understand that this gun is supposed to be carried a lot and shot only a bit but this just doesn't sound right to me. Not for a gun that costs this much. Maybe some of you can shed a bit of light on this. Has anyone here made it to 1,000rds or more?
I don't think this will change my decision...in fact, I already had a very good conversation with one of the very prominent Dallas dealers displayed in this forum. He was extremely helpful and now its just a matter of figuring out my finances since credit cards are not an option for this very nice gentleman.
Again, please understand that this doesn't sway my decision one way or another but any light any of you can shed on this would be greatly appreciated.
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I've heard of one R9 with around 5,000 rds put through. See last post in the link, harrydog. I would think by now, there would be others.
http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi?board=R9S;action=display;num=1178066855
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Ramon:
I've read the regulations governing FFL eligibility. Fortunately, nowhere in that voluminous collection of bureaucratic wisdom is "infallibility" mentioned as a requirement for issuance of the license.
For what it's worth, I've owned and carried my R9 for nearly six years. It has shown no vices.
My advice -- Go for it!
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Here is a link and it states Rohrbaugh has a test gun with over 5000 rounds through it in 2004
Back in 2004, the Administrator of the Forum posted a letter from a factory representative reporting 5,000 rounds had been run through a test gun (see Fact 2):
http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi?board=R9S;action=display;num=1091220026;start=1#1
John
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John. Can't get anything on the link. Try this one. Yours is the same, just the last part didn't get included in the color.
http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi?board=R9S;action=display;num=1091220026;start=1#1
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kj,
thanks I fixed the link.
John
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As far as recoil on the R9, I do not feel it is too bad. I would recommend that you put some skateboard tape on the front and rear strap of the gun. This really aids in controllability.
I bought a new Seecamp 380 when they first came out and it is an awful gun to shoot. The R9 is much easier on the hand.
Just remember, the R9 is not a target pistol for shooting several hundred rounds a day. Get used to it and you will really love it.
Change recoil springs about every 200 rounds and you will be good to go! These pistols are very well made high quality pieces. Well worth the price.
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Thanks again for everyone's input...I a buying the R9 as soon as possible.
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Excellent decision. :)
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Ramon, welcome to the forum, enjoy reading and posting. I also enjoyed visiting with you by phone yesterday.
I have 2 old customers, they both got their R9s 5-6 years ago. They have called me and told me that they have shot 5,000 to 6,000 rounds with no problems. Both of them bought the pistol sight unseen as most folks here. Birdman of this forum also owns both the R9s and K380, he carries the R9s.
Tom
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R,
There are a few videos on youtube of the R9 being shot. Obviously it's not the same as shooting on yourself, but you'll get the jest of it. You can always port it to tame the recoil more also...
Mark
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Thanks Tom...check should be in the mail this week.
Mark, I am pretty new to a lot of this. Could you please share the pros and cons of porting? thanks.
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rnapz,
If you still want to try shooting one, I am in Friendswood just south of Houston. There is a range down the street and you can try shooting my R9.
Just let me know and we can set something up.
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rnapz,
If you still want to try shooting one, I am in Friendswood just south of Houston. There is a range down the street and you can try shooting my R9.
Just let me know and we can set something up.
Now that is what I call Texas hospitality! 8)
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Tse. That is offering a helping hand, for sure. Excellent.
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Tse,
That is extremely generous of you. I would be more than happy to take you up on that offer. I am out of the country for the next couple of weeks but would very much like to touch base with you when I get back to set something up.
Thank you again.
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No problem, just shoot me an email when you get back.
tsegeela@gmail.com
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Ramon,
There are a few pluses and minuses on porting which I'll let the other more qualified people on here comment about. There are also lengthy discussions on this forum about it. However, the felt recoil is the one pluses that was too much to be ignored for me. Relatively cheap at $85, tamed it quite a bit, along with the magazine extensions. I have two handguns that have been ported now, one fully compensated 1911 and an assortment of rifles with a variety of compensator's and flash suppressors. Bottom line is they work.
Mark