Well, thanks for the comments folks. However, DVC hit the nail on the head with a sledgehammer. If I cannot shoot at least 50-100 per month (which IMO is a minimum for true competency), then this is definitely not the gun for me and I shall keep my J-frame. No offense towards anybody, that's just my opinion and the opinion of most tactical schools. Granted, if ammo goes up, that number is going to have to go down just due to sheer pricing, but as it stands, that's "my number."
Also, to only shoot 400 rounds from a pistol, over the life of the gun is setting yourself up for total disaster in the case of emergency and testing purposes. A handgun should be just that...and extension of your hand, both in terms of "pointability" and especially in muscle memory. Each gun is different. That's in particular why I'm looking at the R9 instead of my J-frame. At least the R9 is SIMILAR to an HK or Glock, etc. Not to mention the recoil is less than a 340PD. I also heard the 340PD won't hold up well. Well, mine's got probably 2000 rounds (though only a few hundred 357's) and it's doing fine. Some wear from the 357's, but that's when I decided 38+P would be better especially in light of faster follow ups.
Reloads are also important. NEVER think you won't have to reload!!! Maybe you have to do a tactical or a combat reload say to get to your car, back to the house, or somewhere else to get the big bad boy defense weapon out, but these should reloads be drillled into you - yet again another failure of the J-frame....try to load one of those fast!!
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As for the mag spring, I have no problem with the 100 round "limit." But if you've ever taken a tactical training class, or any basic handgun class for that matter, the round count goes up faster than you can imagine. It'd be very hard to change every 100 rounds when you're given time to reload mags while the other group shoots, then you're up. Also, it's a strict no-no, and will get you expelled from all the schools I've been to if you decide to "break down" your gun right there. You shoot, guns in holster, reload all mags that have been expelled, then shoot again. To change springs, more than likely you'd be sent off to the "smith's" area or have one of the assistants with you, losing valuable training time and possibly even shutting the range down for everybody else while you do your spring change. That's unacceptable if one plans on this form of training to get proficient. Besides, the occasional malfunction is VERY good practice and one I'd be willing to live with during training...just not in "real" life.
As for a target gun...I would be shooting a 22, not a 32, 38, 357, 9mm (Kurz or Luger), 45, etc. I practice for one thing....self defense. This WILL not be...repeat WILL NOT be a target gun. Sure, it'll shoot paper (preferably steel) targets, but I'm not going out to have a really nice Hamden series High Standard here to blast holes at 50 yards.
Also, I think I mentioned a cool down period after 3 or 4 mags. (4 tops). But it should be able to handle 3, period. If it can't, then it's not for me. Tight tolerance is fine, bu too tight is a liability. Just look at how well an AK functions....not what I'd call a GREAT looking gun, but one of the best of all times without a doubt...and it has well..does it even have tolerance?
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I'm glad some of you guys are happy with your pups, but other than what DVC said, unless somebody else chimes in, I'll stick with the J-frame and not look back....for now that is.
Thanks for allowing me to pester you guys and for your input. I know this board has some guys with good views on a variety of topics, so that's why I came here. If the information I'm getting isn't satisfactory for me, then simply put you've saved me money; but you've at least told it to me and not led me down some path. Again, thanks!!!!
So, in a nutshell, since I tend to write long posts...would the R9 be able to handle say 500 to 700 rounds per year?
