Hello,
I am a licensed private investigator and carry gun 24/7. I was stabbed back in 1999 while working and un armed. Since that day, I have not gone anywhere I could not carry (except where prohibited by law).
I own many firearms and have spent endless money looking for what I just purchased ...my new r9s (stainless slide). I am very un happy that I passed on this purchase a long time ago. I carry a Kimber Ultra CDP 2 daily and have done so for approximately 3 years. Prior to that I was the "only carry a full sized 1911 guy". I became very tired of the full sized 1911 comfort wise. I fell in love with the Kimber, as it was so much easier for daily carry. I am exceptionally confident in the reliability and calibur. The gun is an incredible weapon.
About 2 years ago I walked into my favorite toy store looking for something more comfortable while not working (much less risk). I spoke with my toy store salesman and told him that I was not happy with anything less than 9mm. I have had and still have .357 snubbies, but other than incredible reliability, i just prefer semi-autos. Now don't throw anything at me yet.. I was told, well from what you describe, you can go Kel-Tek PF-9 or buy a Ferrari and get an R9. I looked at both and thought, well $1200.00 for a back up and off work weapon was a lot. I am not usually one to skimp on a weapon. I did love the size of the pf9 and I bought it. I went to the range and it was incredibly reliable. I was thrilled...untill the 256th round. Not one jam, nothing. Round 256 the ejector broke. I was bummed. I sent it back and the factory was exceptional. They were the best I have dealt with. A short time later I had a brand new gun, fluffed, buffed and better than the first. I went to the range and after 105 rounds, flawless, perfect. Round 106, the firing pin fell out. I sent it back and again a brand new gun arrived. I went to my toy store and traded it for a Taurus 605. I liked the Taurus, but it was not a semi-auto and it was not quite up to snuff with my usual quality of arms. It was a fine weapon and I purchased it based on the feel in my hand. I later just didn't like something about it and heard about the LCR. I bought the LCR and I like it alot. Its not a semi-auto, but a joy to carry.
I use the LCR as a back up (New York reload) to my Kimber and as primary when on my own time. I was in the toy store the other day and I was chatting with the owner. He has been selling quality firearms for longer than I have been on earth. I told him how much easier the LCR was to carry than my Kimber and how dissappointed I was that the Crap Tek was a carry often, break often, unreliable sidearm. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an r9s. I said oh yeah, I had seen that when I bought that Kel Tek from you. I took another look and said wow, what a quality piece that I foolishly overlook at the time. I asked to put it in my pocked and walk around.
I immediately noticed this thing was made of Holy $h..t quality and I said do you have any. He had two on the shelf and I walked out with one.
I went straight to the range to break her in. I did not clean or lube the gun as this gun was in the shop for only 1 week. I fired the first two rounds and
I had a fte on the third. I was pissed. I didn't limp wrist, the ammo was good. I had numerous other issues and was very frustrated after 250 rounds (I cleaned at the reange at 100 rounds, 200 rounds).
I went home called Rohrbaugh and spoke with a female who was very pleasant and well versed in the product. After a series of questions, she said "I will have an expert call you back".
I began cleaning the gun and the phone rang and to my delight, it was Karl Rohrbaugh. He was happy to explain a few things that may have lead to my issues. I was surprised at how happy he was to chat and explain everything.
I got off the phone with the idea that I had over heated the weapon. I went to the range clean and with a new spring.
I put 25 Rounds of Golden sabers (147) not a hitch. I fired 7 rounds rapid fire and 6 reload rapid fire and cooled her down. This is really all I will do in the real world.
I the repeated this with a second box (25) Rounds and went home as I am to clean the weapon at 50 rounds and wanted to do it properly.
I returned and repeated the 50 round process above and had no further issues. I returned home and ordered 4 recoil springs and a new (3rd) magazine for rotation to relieve the mag springs monthly.
I have been carrying this firearm with a grin on my face for 3 days now and pull it out just to look at it and admire it. It will never see the safe, it will be my all day every day gun as eighter a back up to my kimber or my primary.
I also found this to be more accure than it was intended to be, so I am confident with it even as a primary while working.
I have bought and sold many firearms that have fallen short in certain areas and I can't count the thousands of dollars I have spent to arrive here. Is the r9s expensive? Yes, very. Is it worth it? Absloutely.
I intend to sell my LCR, My J frame and that will off set much of the cost, but had I never purchased the Crap Tek, LCR, Taurus 605 and S+w J frame and just jumped straight to the r9, I would not tell you the r9 was expensive, I would say it made me money while protecting my life and still putting a smile on my face.
Thanks Karl.
