The "Rohrbaugh" is a diminuative 9mm BUG about the size of a Seecamp, for those unfamiliar with it. Also, the suggested retail price is around $800 USD. The information I've gleened from the official forum website is that these "pups" as their owners call them, are quite finicky in operation. In other words, not 100% reliable for the money. If I were going to spend this much money, I'd part with $500 for a Magnum Research .380. At least it's 100% reliable and accurate. The Rohrbaugh's also need their recoil spring changed out at 200 round intervals. Thanks, but no thanks! Does anyone else have any experience with these hideouts?

No, and after reading that I will stay far away. My P3AT might be ugly, but it always works.

I purchased one of these second hand at a good price. The previous owner had about 300 rounds through it with the original outer recoil spring.
Knowing about the outer recoil spring change interval recommendation, I purchased three. They're only 10 bucks or so.

After installing the new recoil spring the gun functioned without a hitch. I also replaced the magazine springs for good measure. I put Blazer Brass, Speer Gold Dots, Hornady critical defense and assorted handloads through the pipe; no issues. No +P's though. This is a tiny gun for 9.
However, the left rear of the slide began to develop a crack! Ouch!

I called Rohrbaugh and received the absolute best service for which I could have hoped. Karl Rohrbaugh himself called me back. I was informed that, although the gun was second-hand, they would make it right. He also explained that this was traced to a bad batch of bar stock that affected about 50 pieces.
The gun was shipped on their dime, they replaced the barrel, slide and outer recoil spring. About two weeks turnaround time.

I received the gun about 10 months ago. I have put about 30 rounds down range every month (as before) since then without failure.

When firing this gun you must pay attention. Recoil is snappy but not uncontrollable.

This is a unique piece. The engineering is amazing. This gun is about the same size as my Beretta Tomcat .32 ACP, it even fits the same holster. You're talking 9mm power in a package that small.
Expensive? Yes but also powerful all out of proportion to its size and reliable as long as you use the proper ammo. I can say from personal experience that it's worth the price. When you throw in the way that Rohrbaugh stands behind their product, you can't lose.
I carry it everyday with confidence and can carry anywhere.

It may not be for you, but it is for me and I'm happy with it.

Best Regards,
Arkdweller

That sounds interesting! It sounds like a real mean SOB in a small package! While there's nothing wrong with that, I would wonder about the problems related with the problems related by arkdweller22 when he stated, " However, the left rear of the slide began to develop a crack! Ouch!" Is it worth it to hear that, within a short period of time, that the pistol begins to "self destruct"?

I'm not so sure.

Scott

Just get a Keltec P3at or P9. Cheap and lifetime warranty. Mine goes boom every time. Kahr makes some good stuff too.

If anyone wants to confront Shelley or I while we carry our pieces, they are welcome. (I would recommend, however, that they have their life insurance premiums current!) Their kin will certainly appreciate that!

Scott

There's no denying that there are functional pistols out there that are cheaper and function well.
However, they will be bigger if you wish to have a 9mm, or larger caliber; conversely they are the same size but of inferior caliber.

The Rohrbaugh did have the issue with the slide cracking and that disappointed me at first. But there was a feasible explanation and an immediate, complete resolution to the issue from the manufacturer.

How many manufacturers can you say that about?

I'll give you two examples:
My friend owns a Kel-Tec P11. The extractor broke within 100 rounds. He sent it off to Kel-Tec a month ago and is still waiting. He purchased that gun NIB. Had it been second-hand, he'd be SOL.
Another friend owned a P3AT. FTF, FTE on every magazine. He sent it back a number of times, it never functioned correctly. He ended up trading it for an LCP.

Does this mean that all Kel-Tecs are cheap pieces of crap? Absolutely not. It just means that as mechanical objects, guns can have function issues occasionally. The key is to iron those out before it's needed in action.

Regards,
Arkdweller

This post has been edited by arkdweller22: September 25th 2009 7:42 AM

ANYONE can wind up producing some "lemons". As it has been said in another thread, the Tanfoglio "Witness" lineup has had its fair share of problems. (Cracking slides, due to inferior heat-treating) I am not certain of Rorbaugh's quality control department, but I am willing to give themthe benefit of the doubt.

The psychology of high cost = quality will only work if the premise bears itself out in reality. I hope that the people at the Rourbaugh plant will have responded in a timely fashion and rectify these problems.

Scott