New Owner with a Couple Questions

[pterodon]

Hi all.  Just picked up a new R9s today and have spent a fair amount of time reviewing the wealth of info on this forum - good stuff!  I plan to spend some time tomorrow breaking the new addition down and getting it cleaned and lubed.  I see that a special tool is commonly used to reinstall the guide rod/recoil spring.  I have one on order but will give it a go tomorrow with whatever I have around the house.  Hope it doesn't come to needing the channel locks like the manual shows - seems a bit Neanderthal for a $1000 piece  

Now for the questions:

1. Anybody use Federal HST 124gr JHP's successfully?  No chance to get to the range yet, but curious if the R9 will swallow these OK.

2. A search of the archives seems to indicate that dry-firing on an empty chamber is no problem.  Can anyone confirm?

Thanks in advance!

[Wheedum]

Here's my humble yet accurate opinion:
---Federal sucks.  Buy RBCD ammo and be done w/ it.
---Don't dry fire the thing w/out a snap cap.  Think of it as $5 insurance to protect a $1200 investment.
---You don't need channel locks.  What "Nancy" came up w/ that @ the Rohrbaugh factory?  My 14year old daughter can strip/clean/assemble the thing w/ bare hands.... no pressure.  PLEASE, check your gun @ the range before carry.  See my other post for the wealth of work needed on my gun.
Bsafe

[DTM_39]

pterodon,  Hold slide upside down. Line up and push recoil assembly through hole in front of slide. Slide barrel under recoil assembly , Let down. Very easy no tools. A little practice and it becomes second nature.  Dan

[Richard S]

pterodon:

Welcome to the Forum! I trust that your R9 will serve you as well as my No. 132 has done for the past four years of daily carry and more rounds fired than I have cared to count. Reassembly will become second nature after a little practice. Just keep the "pup" clean and well lubricated, and let it cool down a bit after strings of fire. Being the smallest and lightest 9 x 19 mm pistol yet made, it is built to minimal tolerances.

Good luck to you.

[BytorJr]

I don't know why the hate towards the HST's, but they function fine in everybody who I know that has fired them in an R9.  Of course, your mileage may vary; but they are not crap ammo.  I'd say they are the best right now in overall expansion and penetration; followed by Gold Dots.  All in 124g.

I also believe, much like a Seecamp, it's fine to dry fire without a snap cap.  Of course, repeated dry firings like say an evening spent, I would recommend snap-caps.  

As a note to folks who are so adamant at believing dry-firing will break the gun.  Go to a training class and let's see you put a snap-cap in....yeah right...you'll be promptly escorted off premise at anywhere I've been.  A clear chamber means just that...CLEAR!!!!!   There are times when you just cannot use a snap-cap, so a few dozen dry fires shouldn't break or damage anything.  

[pterodon]

Thanks to all for the replies, the advice, and the warm welcome....

I managed to get the R9 field stripped, cleaned and lubed.  Took me a few tries to get the recoil assembly reinstalled, but once I found a technique that works I was able to do it repeatedly without any tools.  I discovered the hard way not to pull the trigger too far with the slide removed, as this will cause the trigger bar to become disconnected from the hammer.  Had to remove the right side grip to put things back in order.  Not a big deal, I suppose, plus it gave me an opportunity to inspect/lube the trigger assembly.  The trigger pull is now noticeably smoother as a side benefit.

Thanks also for the input regarding ammunuition.  I'm kinda partial to the HST's, but will probably use 115gr Gold Dots to start.  I called Rohrbaugh today to ask about the Corbon DPX they have listed on their website.  I thought the 80gr bullet might have been a typo, but it's for real.  Was told this produces a velocity of 1300 ft/s and reduces felt recoil.  I may give these a try somewhere down the road; pretty pricey, though.

Anyway, thanks again for the help.  Happy holidays to all.