Months of frustration finally over??

[harrydog]

I think I may hold the record for suffering longer than anyone else with an R9 that would not function properly - a distinction that I'd obviously prefer not to hold.
I'm a big Rohrbaugh fan and have been since the very beginning, long before they ever sold their first gun. I purposely waited awhile before buying one, just to see if there were any teething problems with the first production runs, since this was a groundbreaking design. When I finally did order a gun from the factory, it took 10 months before I received it. I took possession back in August 2005.
It's been 21 months now, and FINALLY I think this gun is working properly. It's been back to the factory 3 times over this period. I've had constant FTF problems.
I don't know what the problem(s) were, but it definitely wasn't limp wristing or a need to break-in. Among other things, they fitted a new, updated barrel, but nothing made it function properly for me. Any other gun I would have given up on long ago, but I really wanted this gun to work for me and the Rohrbaugh brothers have been exceedingly helpful in trying to get it working for me.
After the last time I got it back from the factory, I added a newer, increased power recoil spring (that Karl had previously sent me) before shooting it. The result was that the slide would slam back into battery without chambering a new round. The next round would remain in the magazine.
After a call to Karl (I'm sure he's weary of talking to me), he sent me the new increased power magazine springs and, as others have said, this seems to have solved the problem. I've only been to the range once since I changed the springs, but I ran a box of Gold Dots through it with no problems at all.
I'll need a few more trouble free sessions before I carry it but it's finally looking like I can keep this gun and be happy with it.
It's been a very frustrating 21 months but I'm glad that I persisted and didn't give up on the little R9.  

[PsychoSword]

What is different about the new barrel? I noticed the feedramp on mine is very steep and I'm having the FTF problem. I hope it's just related to the magazine springs though. If you don't mind my asking, what's the serial number range on yours?

[harrydog]

My gun is R252.
I'm not exactly sure what the difference is between the new barrel and the old one, but I THINK the chamber dimensions were increased ever so slightly. This is based on my memory of what Karl told me but I could be wrong.

[theirishguard]

harrydog, it sounds great that the pup is finally behaving and doing its job. I'm happy that you hung in there.   Tom

[harrydog]

Another box of Gold Dots yesterday. 115gr this time.
The gun ran flawlessly again. My confidence in the R9 is rapidly being restored.
It seems that the problem was the magazine springs all along.
Based on what I've read here, everyone who has had feeding issues has had them resolved when they switched to the new, stronger magazine springs.
It's a shame that it took so long to discover this, since there have been a few who have given up on the R9 before this became known.
I was talking to an instructer who conducts concealed carry classes yesterday. He has an R9 that's been back to the factory 3 times and still has FTF problems. He was ready to give up on it and was not aware of the new magazine springs. He's now going to call to request them.
I wonder how many others there are out there who are having problems and don't know about the springs...?

[theirishguard]

most likely a few, but, thats why we are here.   Tom

[jaycee]

Harrydog, I am glad that your R9s is finally working out for you. Most of the problems with the R9s relates back to the magazine springs in the gun, once the spring  is replaced the problem is resolved. I believe that there are quite a few people that are still having problems with their guns, that are totally unaware of the new springs,what a shame. By the way, the Rohrbaughs Bros., were not the ones that discovered the fix to this problem(the new magazine springs). You should also check with Rohrbaugh on the newer recoils springs.

[harrydog]

Are the new, flat wire recoil springs available yet?

Who actually did discover the fix to the problem?

[Brenden]

Excellent that the springs have done the job for you..
Early on this was always mentioned in posts,as IMO,a lot of misfeeding problems are related to the magazine issue(s)..

I have not had the problems that others have experienced,my pocket piece is a Deer Park R5_ _..I have shot a couple of my other pups to a lesser extent,also without problems..These are all with the "old" springs,both recoil and mag..

I know that there have many "tweaks" with the gun from the start-here is hoping that the spring thing helps those with the problems!!

I have always tried to keep the gun lubed,cleaned,and used the ammo it fed well-which are -for me-115 GDHPs..

harrydog-once again,hoping your pup makes you feel as secure as mine does'!!

Brenden