Been a while since I checked into the forum. About 9 months, in fact, about the time I picked up the R9s. At that time I mentioned here that it was absolutely not a primary carry gun, but rather a backup, while I carried my J-frame snub as primary.
My how things change.
I started carrying the R9s more and more, as it conceals so well in my cheap off-the-shelf Bianchi holster (model 6D-9A), riding at about 3 o'clock, just behind the right hip bone.
Range trips in the past 9 months have been few, maybe once every couple months, and I always try to fire off six rounds from the R9s to keep it happy.
I've used only two (well three) types of ammo: Winchester "white box" 115 gr in JHP or FMJ flavor, and Speer 115 gr GDHP (for carry). Used both at the range. In the 100-200 round I've fired, no failures of any kind. No it's not much, and for a carry gun I should run more through it, agreed.
Point is, I have no hesitation about using it for primary carry when I can't carry my primary carry... ha. (which lately has been a Glock 27). The R9s still hits the 7-10 yard target with a decent group. At work, if I wear a button-down shirt untucked, the Glock is fine. But for an untucked polo-style shirt, that doesn't work for the Glock - but the R9s, no problem. For lightly dressed, it just works.
There's some galling on the frame rails - is this normal? - so I try to be extra careful now about making sure it's lubed up nicely before shooting.
When I got it, I had a very hard time reinstalling the guide rod / spring assembly without vice grips. After a few cleaning sessions, now I can do it... no need for tools (except a punch (I use the tip of an Allen wrench) to remove/install the slide lock pin). Maybe the spring has lost some of its strength, but for whatever reason, re-assembly is easy now, no vice grips. I like that.
This gun continues to fill a niche that no other has yet been able to fill for me: 6 or 7 rounds of 9 mm in the smallest, highest quality package.
Other guns have been so close to one another in form, function, firepower, etc. that I've had a hard time deciding which to settle upon, but with the R9s, nothing else does what it does. I love it.
