Let's Summarize....

[joesolo]

A few of yall know I am new here and to the R9s. I have been reading and reading and reading posts that are very helpful. It can be a little confusing sometimes though. For me, and possibly some other newbies, can someone do a bullet list (pun intended) or summary of the "right stuff" to use/do for the pup? For example:

. Bullet (WWB 115gr JHP, etc??)
. Lube (super-lube...oil, grease?)
. Recoil spring (replace every 100 rounds...no exceptions?)
. Cleaning intervals if not shot but carried in holster in pocket (weekly, monthly, .....depends on yur lint levels
. Etc, etc
 
Anyway, hope this doesn't sound too elementary or opening a can of worms and I know there are some variables but maybe the general consensus on what has been found to work. Cheers.

Joe

[R9SCarry]

Hi Joe and welcome.

I would suggest that for now anyways - and if you haven't already - go cruise thru my FAQ site, link in my sig line.

Not all matters are addressed perhaps but many - and I'd draw attention to the mentions here and there of the more recent lube methods.  Should be apparent if you browse fairly fully.  I still grease all major contact points around barrel but slide gets Mobil1 or Militech1.  Mobil1 also for internals re trigger etc but - minimalist application.

I choose 124 GD's but that is solely my own choice and they work for me and my pup.

Recoil spring service life has shrunk over time - best to follow the suggested intervals.

Cleaning during carry - very lint dependent IMO.  Weekly possibly enough but can vary I think a lot.  Compressed air will do much of time and gaps are so small I don't think its very easy for major lint ingress.

[dmobrien2001]

I've been away too long.   Special ammo?  Two clean mags means reliable? Boy has the R9 world changed in under a year.  I was unhappy with a few fail to eject and a few weird jams in 100 rounds the other day.  

I just purchased $70 worth of ammo to find one it likes (going to try GoldDot 115 and the new Federal HST 115) after trying to use my preferred 147 grain ammo and not having much luck.  And now I read just use Win WWB 115 JHP Personal Protection???

If I didn't already have an R9, none of this forum discussions would give me the warm and fuzzies about buying one.  Instead of carrying my R9S this past year, I've been pocket carrying a S/W 940 J-Frame (9mm snub) that will guaran-damn-tee me 5 rounds of 9mm with 5 more in a moon clip in my other pocket.

Sorry for the rant, but I'm nearly at the end of my frustration rope.  If I don't get this worked out in the next month or so, mine's going up for sale (but who in their right mind would even buy it?).

[riffraff]

dmobrien2001,

If you have a problum R9 and do not want to sent it back for a look see,  ammo that is guaranted to work with problum R9's has been posted numerous times if you care to look and it ain't WWB.  Two other major mods have been posted as to fixing problumatic R9's.  But you do not sound like a person who appreciates the R9 anyway so just go ahead and sell it.  My R9's are finicky too so I understand where you are comming from.  To each his own.

Mike

[dmobrien2001]

Mine has been back to the factory TWICE and has spent more time there than in my posssesion, so I guess I've earned a few moans and complaints. I'm on a first name basis with Karl.  He has called me more times than I've called them in fact.  Not once has Karl mentioned any of these new "requirements" for special ammo, oil instead of grease lube, 100 round limit on the recoil spring, carry reliability measured in terms of two clean mags instead of 200 clean rounds.

I'm no newby. I've owned my R9S, #R157, since April 2005 (I ordered it July 2004).  I've fired a little over 600 rounds in total since I've owned it (400 rounds in the last 30 days trying to re-prove it in).  I know what it is supposed to do.  It would be nice if it did.

[MountainMan]

Check out the new stronger mag springs that Rohrbaugh now provides - may be your answer.

[jimacp]

Dan, I know it doesn't help to hear from people who have had relatively few problems, but I have owned my R9 about as long as you and mine was problem free through 700 rounds (had EXACTLY one failure to fully chamber in that entire period). I quit shooting mine but carried it every day, and then several weeks ago at the range I decided to exercise it a little. Boy was I surprised when I had two jams...not failures to feed...jams...as in gun disabled for several minutes while I tried to clear spent casing from  between breach face and chamber.  I have since been trying to diagnose what caused this and I have various theories...the last of which is unusual.  First theory is my problem may have been caused by ammo..day of jams I was firing silvertips..I usually use gold dots.  Second theory is that upon disassembly, I noticed my recoil spring was significantly shorter than a spare spring I had, so  it could have been weak recoil spring. Third theory is that it could have been lint which I found in mags after carrying in pocket for a long time. But my fourth theory is the unusual one... I had put Uncle Mikes rubber boot grip over regular grips shortly before the session I experience the jams. That day at the range, I noticed the recoil with those grips on actually hurt my hand, and especially my trigger finger, much more than I had remembered from prior sessions before grip was put on. While gun felt good in my hand with those grips on prior to firing it, when I fired it, it just plain hurt, especially my trigger finger...something I just didn't remember it doing so much prior to putting grips on. Well, since then, I took Uncle Mikes grips off, changed all springs (including installing new extra power mag springs), cleaned, and went back to range today. I was shocked when I noticed I was right about those grips..the recoil was actually much milder without the Uncle Mikes grips and it didnt hurt my trigger finger like it had the day I was shooting with grips on. Only fired 50 rounds of Gold Dots, but had absolutely no stoppages at all. So, I'l never know if my problem was caused by weak springs, lint in mags, silvertips, or those Uncle Mike grips...but the more I think about it, I really think those grips might have contributed to the problem...apparently they changed the way my hand grasps the gun, and it made a huge difference in the way the recoil felt....that could also mean my grip wasn't sturdy enough for gun to function properly. I have seen other posts here recommending the Uncle Mikes grip, but they don't work for me. If you are using anything like that, that could possibly be part of the problem.. sorry for the rambling post.

[dmobrien2001]

Check out the new stronger mag springs that Rohrbaugh now provides - may be your answer.

I have them.  I reported in another thread I'm still getting fail to eject, and 2-3 (I lost count) weird "double" feeds, with top round hitting high into chamber and next round down up a bit seemingly pushing into the lower part of the feedramp.

The new mag springs correct about 90% of the problems.  I have yet to try it again with a fresh recoil spring, good clean and lube and other ammo.

The last 400 rounds has been with shooting glove.  (How else can you shoot 300 rounds in a range session...).  Next session I'll only shoot two mags worth, I'll do it bare handed, and if good to go, then it must be golden.  

[tracker]

That is most interesting. I have been happy with the tape
and almost thought about going to the rubber grips but not
now. The bottom line is if it works, don't fix it. How many
times have I learned the lesson, "if it don't fiddle don't flip
with it".

[riffraff]

Dan,

I feel your pain.  REALLY I do.  On the topic if it isn't broke don't fix it that is why I found the ammo that my problum R9's like and stick with it.

You seem to have tried most everything.  My only advice is to use the Winchester SCN9T ammo or the two other choices that are in a thread named This is the ammo that works.  Believe me, I tried more ammo than you can shake a stick at and if those three loads work in my first R9(jam city) than I can just about guarantee that they will work in any problumatic R9.

I hope you get it sorted.  My fix was to use ammo that worked and not the premium self defense ammo that we would all like to use.  I don't have a big problum with this because previously I was carrying 32's with FMJ ammo.  So the R9 is a big step up in stopping power for me.  I am going to get the new springs as from the get go I thought that the mag springs were weak.

You might want to give the P-38 floorplates a try if you still have problums.  

Mike

[dmobrien2001]

My fix was to use ammo that worked and not the premium self defense ammo that we would all like to use.

Your proposed solution is silly.  Sorry, someone has to say it.  To use anything but proven self defense ammo is foolish.  Yes, this little emporer has no clothes.

[riffraff]

Dan,

You are entitled to your opinions. My opinion is the only thing silly is your last post.  You just keep on trying to get your R9 to function 100%.  Go ahead and send it back a few more times.  Do a few more 300 rd range sessions.  Keep trying all the best and expensive self defense ammo you can round up.  It's your nickle.
I have already solved my problums.  I have already solved my reliability issues and I have owned R9's for a shorter length of time than you.  My 2 R9's work, your's doesn't.

Hail Ceasar,  you silly little man.

Edit

Perhaps I overreacted a bit.  I will attempt to clarify my point of view.  What is silly is to have no self defense item at all.  Those who could carry and do not are takeing a big chance in life.  Many people simply do not realize that if you are seriously assalted or your wife or daughter is raped that there are NO "do overs" in life.   Once a violent crime takes place it usually effects the victim and sometimes family the rest of their life.   So who is silly, the man or woman with children that goes about their lives with the weak hope that nothing will ever happen to them, or me carrying an R9 with seven rounds of Winchester SCN9T ammo with the hope that nothing will ever happen to me so I am not forced to take another human life.

Mike

[dmobrien2001]

1) My analogy apparently went over your head.  I'm sorry. A writer is always responsible for the conveyance if his message.

The R9 is the little emporer.  I can't believe the turn this board has made in the last year in accepting poor reliability and comprises in ammo selection.  I think what's happened is everyone who doesn't have a 100% R9 is just plain embarassed to say they paid nearly $1000 for a lemon.  Someone has to just come out and call a spade a spade and say when the emporer is buck naked.

2) I have other, 100% reliable, carry options and do, so your little smug speech about carrying and self defense falls flat.  Sure the first round going BANG in an R9 is better than a sharp stick in the eye, but having 6 more behind it is NOT too much to ask for.

====

I honestly cannot recommend an R9 to anyone who is looking for a small pocket sized 9mm pistol. My R9 replaced a perfectly good Kahr PM9. Sure, Kahr has had its share of problems, but none on the order of the R9.  In the Kahr forums, you don't read discussions of ammo selection to improve functionality, or which lube makes it function, or how if you get through two mags, call it golden.  

Well, I'm outta here.  If your attitude represents the current thinking on this board, then I guess I'm just too out of step with the rest of you.  Enjoy the emporers new clothes.

[riffraff]

Dan,

Yes, apparantly your post went over my head.

My post was "smug", once again you fail to convey your message and I being slow fail to see the smug part.  I have 2 other wonderful 9mm's that are 100% reliable with just about any ammo.  The problem is they are TO BIG  to carry conceiled.    * Get it.*   The R9 is what it is because of its SIZE and WEIGHT.   My attitude does not represent the other posters to this forum.  My posts are my own.  I can tell you have not done a whole lot of reading since your hiatus.  You seem to have remembered only the negatives you have read.

You have found the reasons to make your last post and then tell us goodbye.  You are obviously not interested in any continuing education concerning the R9 or sharing what you know about the R9, to make it work for them, with others who could use the info.

Goodbye and good riddance.  My opinions only.

Mike

[R9SCarry]

Oh dear

Sad to see ruffled feathers - and - the ''emperor's new clothes'' deal is not over polite IMO.

Trouble is - in text - opinions are less easy to promulgate than when chatting over a cold one.

Deep breath folks - and please let's keep things civil, as we almost always do.  If frictions continue unabated then the thread will be closed down.

And Dan - I sympathize greatly with all your problems regardless and can understand your angst.