I had a Smith and Wesson 357 Combat with a 6" barrel in stainless steel. I used it for hunting and as a personal protection piece. When our place got broken into and the thieves were scared off by the Radio Schlock Security System, The Officer who came to investigate it showed me how they're trained to stick the web of their hand (between thumb and forefinger) into the breech between the hammer and frame so an attackers gun will not fire (assuming the hammer is exposed and the gun is in single action cocked mode or in the process of cycling in double action mode).
I thought a lot about this, sold the gun and bought a S&W Airweight with a concealed hammer (much easier to draw, and no chance of the hammer being fouled). Then a few years later a local Deputy showed how one can stop the firing of a double action revolver (most of the newer ones) by simply grabbing the cylinder so it wont rotate. This stops the gun cold (!). Ouch!
This was the main impetus for my getting a no-frills semi that would keep firing and would be hard to foul in a close situation.
Enter the R9.
I know one could theoretically foul the hammer on an R9 too, but the way it's shaped and positioned this would be extremely difficult at best. The gun is also so stiff and small that one cant push the slide back to defeat the trigger mechanism, like with other Semis. Anyway, sorry for the long-windedness, and I don't mean to bash revolvers (I'm in the market for a 1873 Colt 45 right now!) . They just don't make as much sense to me for CC / personal protection as the R9.
Hey, BTW When did Karl say they were going into production on an Unobtainium R9 frame?!?!? `:~>
Seriously speaking, I'd consider it a personal favor if a request for a Titanium frame was made by all forum members in any communication they have with Maria or Karl.....Thanks!