The professional's pistol: full-caliber 9mm in a true pocket pistol

American Handgunner, Sept-Oct, 2004 by Roy Huntington

A 95 grain HP load recoiled pleasantly and was very accurate, and the 124 grain FMJ standard "ball" from several makers ran fine, but wasn't the most accurate. Then I found two loads it loved. Federal's 147 grain sub-sonic "Tactical" police load (and the standard version) both fed 100-percent, had modest recoil and were real tack-drivers. I found if I did my part from a rest I could get some groups that hovered around the 3" range. Allow me to say that again, please. At 25 yards, the R9 shot 3" groups with sonic amino. I don't usually gel that kind of accuracy with full-sized duty-type auto pistols, much less a pocket pistol.

Then came more enlightenment. Speer's 124 gr. Gold Dot HP shot smoothly, gave comfortable recoil and went into 2.5" at 25 yards. Not once, not twice, but about every time I tried. This little gun shoots like balls-afire and in all honesty, a head-shot at 25 yards is possible with the right load. Sitting rabbit at 20 yards? He's yours. On my range, lurking at the 75 yard line, stands a man-sized gong, which we often bang-away at. I was able to hit it about 90-percent or better with the 124 gr. GDHP, and the only reason I missed was because I missed, not because the pistol couldn't do it. Simply astounding, if you ask me.

The R9 likes a firm grip to recoil against. If you limp-wrist, you can often generate a failure to feed of some kind. A firm wrist pays dividends in 100-percent reliability with loads it likes. Like we said, this is no beginner's pistol. A stout wrist and a practiced trigger finger is what makes the R9 happiest. And, with seven shots aboard, it makes a five-shot wheel-gun suddenly not quite as attractive an idea as it once was.

Honestly, I don't know why you'd want the version without sights. The R9s sprouts small but serviceable sights that don't get in anybody's way. And, with the kind of accuracy possible in the design, why not have them aboard to take full advantage if you need to? If accuracy was mediocre, then a slick-top might be okay. But in this case, I think you do yourself and the gun an injustice if you go sight-less.

Final Thoughts

There are almost endless possibilities here. Holsters are custom for now, but down the road who knows what will happen? If you're a cop, your agency can contact Rohrbaugh for a test and evaluation sample and the R9 series can be customized with special finishes and such for your agency.

With the almost unbelievable accuracy possible, as I said earlier, backpackers, hikers and plenty of others who need a reliable, accurate easy-to-carry full-caliber pistol have an answer to their day-dreams in the R9 series. With the right pocket, ankle or even belt holster, an R9s could easily become a constant companion, able to deliver stop ping-blows should the need arrive. All done neatly and with no small amount of panache, I might add. I liked this gun. Lots.

For more info, contact Rohrbaugh, PO Box 785, Bayport, NY 11705, (631) 847-3999, www.rohrbaughfirearms.com; Graham's Custom Gun Leather, 2206 S.E. Hogan Rd., Gresham, OR, www.grahamholsters.com.