SHOT Day 3 - Rohrbaugh

[Justin]

Eric Rohrbaugh was cool enough to take enough time to completely explain the process of how their pistols are built. They're extremely well-constructed, and if you're not already aware of Rohrbaugh, their claim to fame is that they build the smallest 9mm semi-auto pistol on the market.

I know that a lot of people like the Rohrbaugh guns, and having handled them, it's pretty obvious why they've got a strong following.

Also, in talking with Eric he mentioned that they're in the very early phases of preparing to design a pistol in .45 ACP. No prototypes yet, but you can pretty well be sure that whatever they design will be an excellent piece of work.

 

[lobo9er]

is it smaller than the boberg? not that we will ever see a boberg in person.

 

[oneounceload]

Here's a chart showing comparisons:

http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

 

[LCPor9mm]

Boberg

For all intents and purposes they are the same (within .01"). The Boberg will have the advantage of a longer barrel with increased performance. They also claim less recoil with their design. I am expecting the craftmanship to be similar for both guns. The grip on the Boberg looks a little larger to me.....which is a good thing IMO.

 

[InkEd]

The Boberg is vaporware. Believe it when I see it and probably still won't be amazed. They haven't even brought a horse to the track and the race is already been ran.

I wonder how often they will suggest changing the spring in a .45acp version?

The R9 is a well made boutique gun. However, I think since people can now buy guns that are really close in size and designed to be used more, like the PM9, it's going to be hard for them.

 

[JohnBT]

They've sold all they can make so far. Where's the problem? There is always a market for quality.

Who cares how often you have to change the spring, it's not a range gun and the price of a spring is $4.95.

I know, I know, but an xyz would have been cheaper and they're just as good. I've heard that song and dance for 4 years and I still have no regrets and I bought my R9 used. Only a complete idiot would buy a 12.8-ounce gun and think that they had a range blaster.

Great gun. Mine is an older one and came with black carbon fiber grips.

John

 

[DeepSouth]

Also, in talking with Eric he mentioned that they're in the very early phases of preparing to design a pistol in .45 ACP. No prototypes yet, but you can pretty well be sure that whatever they design will be an excellent piece of work.

PLEASE!!!!! Keep us informed on this one. I will SOOOO buy one, If it is smaller than my PM45. I have this strange obsession with compact 45's.

 

[maestro pistolero]

I wonder how the new tiny Kimber 9mm would compare on that chart?

 

[Mayo]

The only "negative" I could see on the Kimber is the 1.2" width---not quite slim enough IMO.

 

[oneounceload]

The shape of the Rohrbaugh is what has my attention since I prefer pocket carry and any extended rear area tens to snag when removing it from the pocket

 

[Justin]

I'll be completely honest here. I think most of the people who are critical of this gun haven't actually handled one.

They're extremely well made, thouroughly thought through, tiny as all get out, and shoot 9mm. Frankly, as much as I like the Kahrs, the Rohrbaugh is smaller and handier.

Sent from my Android smart phone using Tapatalk.

 

[JohnBT]

To compare the specs:


Solo R9

BBL: 2.7" 2.9"

H: 3.9" 3.7"

L: 5.5" 5.2"

W: 1.2" (measured by me with a Starrett: slide = .81", grips = .96")

Trigger: 7# listed by Kimber, (5# 3 oz. average on a Lyman digital just now)

Mag capacity for both is 6.

Solo has a safety lever, the R9 does not.

(I was surprised to see the R9 with a longer barrel in the shorter gun.)

 

[geekWithA.45]

I've handled and shot these pistols, and among the micro/pocket 9's, they're my favorite to fondle, and the one I like to shoot the least. They are most recoilsome.

I so want them to be better at being a gun. Even vestigial sights would be an improvement.

 

[Gramps300]

I'll stick with my smaller and way cheaper KelTec P3AT. It's never failed me yet.

 

[IMTHDUKE]

They've sold all they can make so far. Where's the problem? There is always a market for quality.

Who cares how often you have to change the spring, it's not a range gun and the price of a spring is $4.95.

I know, I know, but an xyz would have been cheaper and they're just as good. I've heard that song and dance for 4 years and I still have no regrets and I bought my R9 used. Only a complete idiot would buy a 12.8-ounce gun and think that they had a range blaster.

I own both of these....I perfer and carry the R9.

 

[JohnBT]

"I'll stick with my smaller and way cheaper KelTec P3AT."


Fine by me, but these aren't .380. If somebody offered you an R9 for free... would you carry it?

I'll give you a deal on a hardchromed P-32 with a SN in the 12xxx range. It would be lighter and cheaper.

 

[W L Johnson]

I'll stick with my smaller and way cheaper KelTec P3AT. It's never failed me yet.

An R9 will almost hide under a P3AT, it's really that small, just a little wider. Plus it is 9mm (9x19mm) vs the P3AT's 380 (9x17mm). I have both, well should say had, sold the P3AT after buying the R9.

 

[JohnBT]

What the heck, I looked it up.

P3AT R9

L: 5.2" 5.2"

H: 3.5" 3.7"

W: .77" (slide = .81", grips = .96")

BBL: 2.7" 2.9"

Sure, the weights are different, but a 9mm requires a heavier slide and spring.

 

[InkEd]

I have handled one and it was nice. However, if I can't practice regularly with a gun it is of no use for me. Critical parts shouldn't wearout that fast. Sorry. If you have one and enjoy great. I just prefer a "working breed" gun.

 

[JR956678]

Even vestigial sights would be an improvement.

There are two different models of the Rohrbaugh:

The R9 is the one you see pictured - it doesn't have sights.

The R9s does have sights. The vast majority of Rohrbaughs sold are the version with sights. They are pretty vestigial however very functional and the gun is capable of surprising accuracy.

I've shot a Rohrbaugh both with and without sights and while mine has them I would say you probably don't need them. Most situations where the gun would be deployed for its intended purpose will be point and shoot and you wouldn't be using sights even if you have them.

 

[JohnBT]

Why can't you practice regularly? Too cheap?

"Critical parts shouldn't wearout that fast."

That's the trade off when you build a 9mm that weighs less than a Kahr PM9.

Recoil springs are designed to be replaced. All gun manufacturers sell replacement recoil springs. The R9 doesn't stop working, malfunction or break if you exceed the recommended replacement interval.

So what's your excuse now, still won't spend $4.99 for a spring?


Speaking of the PM9, I just looked up the cost of the spring maintenance kit for the PM9 I was looking at when I lucked into the used R9 4 years ago.

"Kahr PM Series Spring Maintenance Kits (PM9 OLD STYLE)
Spring maintenance kit includes side panel screw, trigger bar spring, slide stop spring, slide stop spring screw and washer, magazine catch spring, recoil spring, recoil spring assembly, striker spring, striker block spring, and extractor spring.

$56.00"

Now there's a deal.

John

Kahr customer service said 1000-1500 rounds. http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=2812

 

[W L Johnson]

It's a Rohrbaugh thing, you wouldn't understand.

And as far as the spring goes, you're removing it every time you clean the gun anyway, so how hard is it to replace. I would rather have a $5 spring take the abuse than have the frame take it, it's only a 13.5 oz 9mm! Until someone else comes up with a 9mm that matches or beats the R9, in size and weight, the R9 is King of the pocket 9 hill (IMHO).

As far as recoil goes, it not nearly as bad as some people make it out to be, if you know how to work with the recoil instead of fighting against it, keep a firm grip but don't lock up, too many people lock up all their joints. I find it to be better recoil wise than the NAA Guardian 380 (straight blowback) I had, that thing hurt to shot, and that was a 18oz 380. Sold it after the first range trip.

Oh, and people harp on the fact you can't use +p ammo, IMHO +p would be wasted in a 2.9 inch barrel anyway, only resulting in more muzzle blast.

 

[Mike OTDP]

I found recoil tolerable on mine...but the muzzle climb is ferocious. NOT a gun for a fast follow-up shot.

But the workmanship is exquisite.

 

[David E]

the race is already been ran.

Almost a great line......

 

[Justin]

But the workmanship is exquisite.

Yeah, one thing that photos can't really show you is the workmanship on these things. I see a lot of complaints around here from people about how they don't build guns like they used to. The Rohrbaugh pistols are clear proof that quality gun builders still exist.

"I'll stick with my smaller and way cheaper KelTec P3AT."

Nothing wrong with that, I suppose. But speaking as someone who owns several 9mm pistols and not a single .380, I'd much rather have a gun that shoots the same ammo as most of my other pistols, rather than having to purchase ammunition, reloading components, dies, a tool head and powder drop for yet another caliber.