Help Getting Started...

[Coach]

I mailed my deposit check to Tom Watson this morning and had my dealer fax his license so hopefully within 2-3 weeks I'll be the proud owner of a Stealth R-9s.  I'm not good at being patient so I was hoping to get some ammo and leather while I kill time waiting for the purchase to be complete.

From the reading I've done I gather that Speer Gold Dots and Winchester Silver Tips are the way to go as a carry round.  What rounds perform well for the range?  What weight bullet is recommended?  Any other ammo to consider?

When I carry the R-9 it will be in a pocket.  What holsters come highly recommended?  I plan to use primarily front pocket carry in blue jeans and dockers with the R-9.  A big part of the reason I'm going with the R-9 is that I could not pocket carry my Kahr PM9 in a Mika's pocket holster without a very noticeable print and always ended up carrying it IWB.  (Now my IWB is a Walther PPS.) What is an effective front pocket holster that will hide the R-9 well?  I'm not opposed to rear pocket carry either if there is a comfortable, well-concealed option.  Thanks for the help.  Feel free to let me know of anything else a newbie should.

[kjtrains]

Coach.  Welcome to the forum and congratulations on ordering the R9 Stealth and from Tom.  I use Winchester Silvertips 115 gn. only, because of no problems.  I have 115 gn. Gold Dots, 147 gn. Golden Sabres, Hornady Critical Defense, and Winchester White Box 115 gn. hollow points as backup ammo.  All of these are recommended by forum members.  

On the holster, I have a Meco front pocket holster, black with full stitching, just personal preferance on color and stitching.  I also just got a Meco back pocket holster, lined, and I intend to use this as a front pocket holster as well.  Works very good.; looks more like a wallet to me.  

The ammo is whatever works best in your R9; some like a certain diet.   I tried Silvertips first with no dificulties and have plenty on hand, so just sticking with that as long as I can find them.  

[jokerdev]

For the holster, I went with the Desantis Nemesis (from Rohrbaugh) as it was a comfortable and inexpensive option. Works well with jeans. If you do go with this, I recommend getting it from Rohrbaugh since Desantis makes that one especially for the R9.

For ammo, everything mentioned works well, but  HP bullets can get expensive for the range. I've read on here that Speer Lawman FMJ 115 gr also work well and are quite a bit less than HP

[Richard S]

Coach:

Welcome to the Forum, and congratulations on your new R9!

When carrying my R9 in the front pocket of a pair of jeans or slacks which have a tighter fit than BDUs, I use a so-called "back-pocket" holster having a full counter-print panel. (What's in a name anyway?) With such a holster, any printing will appear to be that of a wallet or address book.

[sdlsaginaw]

I have a Meco back pocket holster for my front Wrangler relaxed-fit jeans pocket.  It's very nice.

I ended up making my own anti-print panel for it out of some scrap leather.  I still haven't taken the time to get it cleaned up by a professional, since that will mean I'll have to carry my P-32 for a day or two...

Here's the link to my modification in case you're interested.

http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi?board=Accessories;action=display;num=1241057221;start=0#0

[Coach]

Thank you all for the help.  I will give Meco's a hard look and depending on how things look and print when I try it out I may give that modified anti-print panel a shot.  Thanks again.  

[yankee2500]

I have a Meco pocket holster and that is the only one I use for pocket carry. If you are looking for one that comes with the panel Richard spoke of here is a link.
http://pocketholsters.com/Rohrbaugh_R9_Pocket_Wallet_Hol/rohrbaugh_r9_pocket_wallet_hol.html

John

[kjtrains]

This is the same back pocket holster I have as I stated above.  Works great.  Looks just like a wallet in the front pocket.  Easy to draw from.   Holster from Meco.  You will like it.

[ACP]

Welcome to the forum. I endorse the DeSantis (086) belt holster, purchased through Rohrbaugh. More recently, I jumped on yankee's band wagon and ordered an exotic leather OWB holster from Rafter S.

Though I differ from many on this forum, I am not a pocket holster guy. However, there are multiple strings within the forum that offer website information and photographs that suggest true quality.

As to ammo, I prefer 147 grain for reasons mentioned many times in this forum.

[kjtrains]

ACP and John.  Looking forward to how you like your new exotic holsters.

[ACP]

Rafter S is a small very personable business with which to deal. They quoted 8 to 12 weeks but hope to improve on that delivery based upon their ability to work their backlog.

John is the poster boy for these folks as his order got there before mine. If quality shows up as portayed on the website, this accessory will truly be enjoyed.

[Fat Boy]

I ordered the black on black alligator paddle holster and they said it should arrive in 6-8 weeks.....thats pretty good.

[kjtrains]

Something to look forward to.  

[ACP]

Maybe they are prejudiced with delivery of black holsters.