Article:
Boberg XR9 and XR9-Shorty (XR9S) Ultra-Compact Subcompact Semi-Auto 9mm Pocket Pistols for Concealed Carry (CCW) Applications
By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com
August 17, 2009
<i>August
A company called Boberg Engineering has designed and developed two new semi-auto subcompact 9mm (9mm Parabellum a.k.a. 9×19mm NATO) pistols called the Boberg XR9 and XR9-Shorty (XR9S or XR9-S) for concealed carry (CCW) applications. First introduced at SHOT Show 2008, the Boberg XR9 semi-auto subcompact 9mm pistol, billed by the company as “the world’s most powerful 9mm pocket-sized pistol”, is a single-stack pistol with a capacity of 7+1 (7 in the magazine plus 1 in the chamber/”down the pipe).
The XR9’s barrel length is an impressive 4.2 inches (4.2″) giving it a .74″ barrel length advantage over the Glock 26 (G26), even though the XR9’s overall length looks to be significantly shorter than the G26. The XR9 (and XR9S) achieves this long-barrel/short OA length feat by placing the chamber and feeding mechanism relatively far back in the pistol’s slide. Unlike most semi-auto pistols that use the standard Browning tilting barrel locked-breach action, the XR9 series pistols utilize a unique two-stage “pull push” feeding mechanism with rotating-barrel a.k.a. rotary-barrel lock-up. The “pull-push” feeding system, first developed for the Gabbet-Fairfax “Mars” pistol about 100 years ago, relies on a claw-type loader that’s pivotally attached to the slide. Here’s how Modern Firearms explains the XR9’s “push-pull” feeding sequence:
When slide is in forward position, the claws are lowered under the barrel breech area, gripping the base of the topmost cartridge in the magazine. When slide is cycled (manually or under the recoil of the previous discharge), the claws pull the cartridge rearwards from the magazine until it is clear; at the end of recoil stroke, claws are lifted to place the cartridge to feed position. On the closing stroke of teh slide, cartridhe is pushed into the barrel chamber, and the feed claws are lowered to grip on the following round in the magazine. Obviously, such system requires specially designed magazines and is somewhat more complicated than standard “push forward” feed system encountered in most other firearms, including pistols. The benefit of this system is significantly increased barrel lenght, which is especially important for compact pistols with shortest possible barrels.
You can see the barrel length-to-OA length difference the XR9’s unique feeding mechanism achieves in a number of overlay images, including an XR9 vs. G26 overlay image on Boberg Engineering’s website. The Boberg website also shows overlay comparisons of the XR9 with the Springfield XD9-C (Compact), S&W M&P-C, Kahr PM9, and Kel-Tec PF9 subcompact pistols.
The XR9’s OA length is only 5.8 inches (5.8″) vs. the G19’s 6.29-inch (6.29″) OA length. The XR9’s height is 4.2 inches (4.2″) vs. the G19’s 4.17 inches (4.17″). The Boberg XR9 9mm pistol weighs 19.5 ounces (19.5 oz) with magazine vs. the G19’s 19.75 ounces (19.75 oz).
The XR9 utilizes a rotating-barrel locked-breach action and appears to be hammer-fired from the YouTube video we’ve seen titled Boberg XR-9 9mm. The pistol achieves a fairly low bore axis (low barrel with correspondingly low slide) for a hammer-fired double-action-only (DAO) pistol. The XR9’s DAO trigger pull weight is 6.5 lbs. DefenseReview is curious about the XR9’s trigger pull length. The pistol also incorporates three (3) safeties, although Defense Review doesn’t yet know how these safeties operate.
So, how reliable and durable is the Boberg XR9 pistol? DefenseReview doesn’t yet know because we haven’t tested it. The only feedback we’ve received about is so far is from Oleg Volk, who wrote the following to us about it:
The gun (Gen. 8 pistol) is running great with several hundred flawless rounds through it so far. Volk added: I expect to carry one as backup. The recoil reduction vs. [Kahr] PM9 or G26 is worth it.
Regarding the Boberg XR9’s accuracy, so far, we’ve only seen photos of 5-shot groups shot at 15 yards onto paper targets. We presume the groups were shot off-hand. If that’s the case, the Boberg XR9 subcompact pistol would appear to be combat accurate.
Now, in case the XR9 isn’t compact-enough for you, Boberg has a chopped-down version of the pistol, the aforementioned Boberg XR9-Shorty (XR9S or XR9-S). The Boberg XR9S is an ultra-compact pistol that’s designed to allow the user to carry it in the pocket if he/she so desires. It features a 3.3-inch (3.3″) barrel and OA length of 5.0 inches (5.0″).
And, in case the Boberg XR9-S utlra-shorty pistol is still not compact enough for you, Boberg Engineering is contemplating developing an even shorter version of the pistol with a 3.1-inch (3.1″) barrel and and OA length of 4.8 inches (4.8″). Boberg claims that “a 3.1″ barrel should be able to deliver 460 ft-lbs with Cor-Bon/Glaser Pow’RBall (TM).”
If you’d like to see a bullet-penetration comparison between the Boberg XR9, SIG P226 and Kahr PM9 pistols, click here.
The XR9 and XR9S are good-looking little pistols. If they prove to be reliable, durable, and accurate under high-round count and they’re offered at a competitive price point, Boberg Engineering may have a very promising pistol on its hands. DefenseReview would like to see the Boberg XR9 and XR9S pistols offered with a 5.5-pound trigger and a black self-lubricating/self-lubricitous anti-rust/corrosion finish like the IonBond Diamond Black PVD Diamond Like Carbon a.k.a. Black Diamond firearm coating/finish on the slide so that the pistol is all black. There’s another black anti-rust/corrosion finish out there called “Hard Hat” developed by Severns Custom, but we don’t know much about it, including whether or not it’s a self-lubricating coating/finish like Ion Bond Diamond Black.
Addendum 8/17/09: I just spoke with Arne Boberg this evening, and he informed me that it is indeed possible to outfit the XR9 and XR9-Shorty (XR9S) with a 5.5-pound trigger. Boberg has already successfully tested a 6.0-pound trigger. Mr. Boberg informed us that the XR9S will be the first model available, and it will be offered at $849.00 USD.
Company Contact Info:
Boberg Engineering
St. Paul, MN
[email protected] Email
http://www.bobergengineering.com
