The Rohrbaugh Forum
Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R9 (all variations) => Topic started by: fgunnr on June 23, 2011, 10:16:56 AM
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I purchased my R9 new in 2005. It has the desired carbon fiber grips. I have only fired Winchester Silver tips. I tried to get this gun to be reliable but every time I took it out to shoot I had FTF and FTE issues. I let it sit in the safe for over a year and in 2009 sent it back to Rohrbaugh with a letter explaining my problems. They replaced the slide with a new slide(sighted) and returned it to me. On my first trip to the range I experienced the same FTE and FTF problems but to a lesser degree. So, back in the safe it goes until this week. I asked a local firearms instructor to take the gun and shoot it and let me know if it was me or the gun.
He fired one mag without issues but had FTE on the second(and different)mag. The FTE mag also ejected the casing back into his face. In short he said it was the gun and not me. I am frustrated because I want to carry this beautiful gun but can't and I will not sell something that is not reliable.
I guess my only option is to return it to Rohrbaugh again. Thanks for letting me rant.
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Is it always the same mag? Lips buggered up on the mag? Take a small piece of fine sand paper and VERY lightly polish the feed ramp a little bit. Might be a jagged edge there?
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I am curious what ammo that Rohrbaugh uses to function test their pistols. I too had a R9 that would not function with anything but Blaser aluminum. Three of us tried with seven brands of ammo and never got a full magazine off. I had a PM9 and the other two had PF9's and they all functioned 100% with the same ammo so I don't think we all were limp wristing it.
I sent the pistol back to Long Island and they said the gun functioned perfectly. I purchased a different R9 and it is 100% through 150 rounds of the same ammo and my practice reloads. I don't know what they used unless it was the Blaser aluminum.
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I purchased my R9 new in 2005. It has the desired carbon fiber grips. I have only fired Winchester Silver tips. I tried to get this gun to be reliable but every time I took it out to shoot I had FTF and FTE issues. I let it sit in the safe for over a year and in 2009 sent it back to Rohrbaugh with a letter explaining my problems. They replaced the slide with a new slide(sighted) and returned it to me. On my first trip to the range I experienced the same FTE and FTF problems but to a lesser degree. So, back in the safe it goes until this week. I asked a local firearms instructor to take the gun and shoot it and let me know if it was me or the gun.
He fired one mag without issues but had FTE on the second(and different)mag. The FTE mag also ejected the casing back into his face. In short he said it was the gun and not me. I am frustrated because I want to carry this beautiful gun but can't and I will not sell something that is not reliable.
I guess my only option is to return it to Rohrbaugh again. Thanks for letting me rant.
You say you have only used Silvertips in the gun, if thats the case I would try some other brands of premium SD ammo.
My first choice would be Speere Gold Dots also Winchester Ranger, Golden Sabers or Federal Hydra Shocks would be good to try. Until you rule out ammo I wouldn't give up on the gun, there are others on the forum who have had issues with the Silvertips but another brand works flawless.
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also check the OAL of rounds. Tom
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What should the OAL be?
thanks
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I've only put 240 rounds through my R9, but it's had zero failures, although I've not tried Winchester Silver Tips, so I can't say if they function well or not. I use Gold Dots for SD ammo and just about anything cheap for range ammo.
I assume by FTF you mean failure to feed and not failure to fire. Along with the FTE's that gives you a clue.
If the mag spring is over strong (pushes next round up too hard) or recoil spring is a bit over strong that could cause the slide to move more slowly in recoil. This often causes a FTE. Try loading three rounds (less spring pressure) and see if it functions.
The solution for a mag spring is to load and unload it fully several times then leave it loaded for a few days.
An easy solution to "loosen up" the firearm is to rack the slide 100-200 times.
You'd be surprised how many "broken" pistols I've fixed this way. The factory just may be using a heavier bullet or a slightly stronger recoiling round that the Silver Tips, this would impart more thrust to the slide and force a tight gun/spring to function reliably. Hence the factory says the gun works but you say it doesn't. The factory also may not load the magazine fully, putting less upward pressure on the slide.
One last possibility, the above scenario with the slide not cycling with enough momentum to feed/eject can be caused by a poor grip that allows the frame to recoil to much/too quickly and reduce the movement of the slide relative to the frame. This could also be caused by a thumb dragging on the slide. An extremely common error, even with experienced shooters using very small framed auto's.
I've had many folks say the gun was defective, only to have it work perfectly clamped in a rest. Basically the frame has to remain motionless for long enough for the slide to cycle. In these small guns, this is a big issue for some people. My PM45 is flawless in my hands, but more than half of the people that shoot it have FTE issues because the 230gr .45 ACP in such a light firearm is too much for their grip/strength/style, or they drag their thumb on the side of the slide.
Try this to eliminate yourself as the cause of the trouble:
1.) Shoot one-handed, if it functions correctly your support hand is dragging on the slide at some point when shooting two handed. If not, try #2.
2.) Clamp the pistol in a rest and fire it. If it functions correctly your allowing the pistol to move too much with your grip. If it still malfunctions, you're not the issue.
Good luck and feel free to drop me a message if I can help out.
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Thanks
I will try your advice. I tried to take myself out by having someone more qualified than I fire the pistol. He had the same issues I did.
I am going to try some Speer Gold Dots and I am going to load up the mags now and let them sit until the ammo gets here in a week or so.
thanks
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Another variation of the download suggestion is to load just one, fire it, then two, etc. until you have fired a full mag.
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I am convinced that the several years of these same problems that I experienced were caused by the original mag springs. Much lighter than the newer ones.
Once they were replaced I have had almost no problems.
Craig T.
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I am convinced that the several years of these same problems that I experienced were caused by the original mag springs. Much lighter than the newer ones.
Once they were replaced I have had almost no problems.
Craig T.
Craig is right...
I am the second owner of an early Deer Park R9s R6XX, the original owner replaced the original mag springs and never experienced any problems. I'm up to 350 with no issues (expect for one lone GD 115gr rd that would not fire in any of my guns). Replace the mag springs and see if that helps
Mike
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Based on your information I am going to do the following
1. try Speer Gold Dots
2. load 1 then 2 etc
3 lube well(eezox)
4.the mags are sitting loaded to help with a possible spring problem
If this doesn't work I guess I will send it back to Rohrbaugh again
thanks to all
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fgunnr, you should buy & try some new mag springs before sending it back to the factory.
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On another thread in this forum the consensus (based on good references) is that mag springs do not deteriorate due to leaving the mag loaded for long periods, as opposed to recoil springs which are "overloaded" with each round fired. If that is the case, why would leaving the mag loaded have any effect on feeding?
I was having problems with the ejected case catching the case rim of the next round to be loaded, stopping the mechanism. This happened with several of my four mags (using Remington ball ammo and some Hornady Critical Defence, among others), but changed my cleaning procedure: I had always been trained to lubricate very lightly "to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating." I now lubricate liberally and wipe free, but liberally use a top quality lubricant (currently purchased from Ed Brown industries) on slide rails and contact points. No more problems using Federal and Speer ammo as recommended.
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My understanding is that the mag spring specs were changed a few years back. ( stiffer?)
I'm sure someone else will verify or correct me on this.
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Got to the range today with 115gr speer gold dots. Three mags with a minor FTE on the first round. So happy with this 6 year old gun, finally. So stupid to have tried to make silvertips work for so long.
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fgunnr. Definitely good to use what works best in your R9. :) Some R9's have a preference; others don't. I've never had a problem with 115 gr. Silvertips and never had to try anything else; now that's just me and I'm sure some others.
Stick with the Gold Dots as I'm sure you will. Thanks for the update.
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Fgunnr,
I am glad you gave your R9 a second chance. Have fun "dialing" it in! The Gold Dot's are fantastic. I have used them for years. If you find they do work the best in your R9, I would suggest you buy in bulk. Hopefully you can get them all from the same lot.
The R9 is a fantastic carry pistol. It deserves to be in your pocket not your safe.
Robar233
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Yep love them Gold Dots & another favorite of mine is the Winchester Ranger ammo. :D
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My Robar R9 is coming home from the hospital tomorrow after I experienced some problems on the range the week before last. After a ftf, my slide became frozen and I found it impossible to work.
The problem commenced with a squibb(sp?) round and got worse from then on. The information gleened from this string is helpful and I thank those who made recommendations.
The factory, unsurprisingly, has performed well and I am on a countdown to happiness.
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Love that happy feeling; knowing when you get it back, the Robar will be as new. Been there with the Seecamp.
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ACP, i love a happy ending. Tom
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When back to the range today and fired 3 mags(speer 115gr GDHP) with no FTF or FTE.
I did have one round fail to fire. Pulled the trigger again and bang.
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fgunnr
Since your Pup, like mine, loves Gold Dots you might like to try Speer Lawman TMJ practice ammo for range work. It is designed to replicate the performance of Gold Dots at about half the price, allowing you to practice with what you carry without denting the wallet too badly. A nice system. I get them from Ammo-To-Go.
Good to hear your Pup is running well now.
Rick
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RickP,
Thanks for the tip on the TMJ lawman ammo! I will give them a try as I am getting low on W/W white box.
Robar233
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Welcome to the OP...
Being an "older" Pup,you still may want to change out your mag springs..The springs for your slide should have been updated when you sent to the R Bros..
As stated earlier,try different food for your Pup,it'll let you know what it likes to eat!!
fxgunnr-once again,Welcome..
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they use federal champion in the red box at the rohrbaugh factory.
I am curious what ammo that Rohrbaugh uses to function test their pistols. I too had a R9 that would not function with anything but Blaser aluminum. Three of us tried with seven brands of ammo and never got a full magazine off. I had a PM9 and the other two had PF9's and they all functioned 100% with the same ammo so I don't think we all were limp wristing it.
I sent the pistol back to Long Island and they said the gun functioned perfectly. I purchased a different R9 and it is 100% through 150 rounds of the same ammo and my practice reloads. I don't know what they used unless it was the Blaser aluminum.