Different, But Different: Boberg Arm's XR9-S

Jim Watson

Member

posted

quote:
The next gun we are looking at is the XR9-L, and the advantage there will be a truly full-length barrel (at 4.2").

Now you are playing my tune.
If I am going to wear a holster, I want some barrel for the sight radius and balance, even more than the velocity.

Posts: 2095 | Location: Florence, Alabama, USA | Registered: July 05, 2001

Ignored post by Jim Watson posted

varoadking

King of Goodness
Picture of varoadking

posted

quote:
Originally posted by ScotP7:

I put my name on the list in October, 2010, so am hoping for an email perhaps in summer?
Scott

2010 or 2011? I signed up in October 2011 and am just 80 names from the top now...

Posts: 5864 | Location: Dixie | Registered: February 10, 2003

Ignored post by varoadking posted

ScotP7

Member

posted

Varoadking,
Thanks. Your note mademe check. I signed up in late October -- 160 away.

Posts: 123 | Location: Baltimore, MD | Registered: March 29, 2009

Ignored post by ScotP7 posted

Member

posted

Here are my first impressions given the excellent original post by LDD.

I ordered the XR9-S last August and just received it last this week. Took it to the range today and fired it at 10 yard paper target outdoors for the first time.
I began by cycling different ammunition I like to carry and one target load. They included:
• Winchester White Box 115 gr. FMJ
• Hornady Critical Defense 115 gr. JHP
• Black Hills 115 gr. JHP+P
• Remington Golden Saber 147 gr. JHP
• Winchester Ranger 147 gr. SXT
• Winchester White Box 115gr. FMJ

Great first impression!

My only problem and jams were with the Ranger T Series ammunition. This is not my first experience with feeding issues and Ranger T. I will likely carry the B.H.,115 gr., JHP+P load. This is a potent round and had the most felt recoil of those I evaluated today. I intend to try a half a dozen other rounds next outing and work on cycling the XR9-S much more.

First Impressions:

• Soft shooting. Amazingly light recoil (as claimed).
• Accurate
• Feels good in the hand a lot like a PPK, surprisingly.
• Good contrast 3 dot sights (could us night sights).
• My new EDC pistol (it is that good).
• Trigger is long pull, but smooth and positive. I will likely change out
the spring for the 5 pound vs. 8 pound pull at some point.
• A magazine extension would be helpful for some.
• CT should develop a laser sight grip with Boberg Arms.
• Holster makers need to jump on board. My preference will be to carry
this in an IWB holster.
• Clearing a jam can be a little tricky. Patience helps.

Arne Boberg was built a pistol as good as some of the best production pistols I own, i.e., Ed Brown and Larry Seecamp. That says a mouth full.
His design and engineering ability makes me link him to John Browning visionary abilities.

Very impressive work.

Posts: 793 | Location: SWFL | Registered: April 09, 2010

Ignored post by fiddlers posted

Tubetone

Member

posted

quote:
Originally posted by ironguy:
Just finished up this package for a customer's XR9s

Both of your rigs are quite nicely done!

_______________________________
NRA Life Member
NRA Certified Range Safety Officer

Posts: 1333 | Registered: January 06, 2010

Ignored post by Tubetone posted

Tubetone

Member

posted

quote:
Originally posted by Tubetone:
quote:
Originally posted by fiddlers:
Here are my first impressions given the excellent original post by LDD. . . .

My only problem and jams were with the Ranger T Series ammunition. This is not my first experience with feeding issues and Ranger T. I will likely carry the B.H.,115 gr., JHP+P load. . . .
• Clearing a jam can be a little tricky. Patience helps.

Could you describe what was tricky? Did you have the cartridge break apart in the pistol as others have described? That situation makes me nervous. Is there a fast way to clear a jam with your Boberg that you know but just haven't mastered yet or would an ammo jam render the pistol useless if it happened in a defense situation?

I have been considering some of the small pistols but I do not shoot them worth a toot - until last weekend. I shot a Ruger LC9 and at 6 yards, I had 4 shots touching and the 5th also in the bulls eye but not touching. Another shooter asked me to try his LC9 after I had finished a 300 round practice session with my P228. The LC9 felt very soft to me but I was shooting the owner's lead hand loads. Have you ever tried the LC9 so as to offer any contrast to the Boberg?

It took a few shots to get a feel for the long but smooth LC9 trigger. It had a weird 2 stage, long reset. How was the reset on the Boberg?

The LC9 and the Boberg, for my purposes, are in the same size range but the LC9 is half the price . . . although that would not be my determining factor. The craftsmanship of the Boberg seems simply outstanding. But, reliability and accuracy are my key concerns once a pistol is as small as these.

Thanks for any reply.

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NRA Certified Range Safety Officer

Posts: 1333 | Registered: January 06, 2010

Ignored post by Tubetone posted

Member

posted

quote:
Originally posted by Tubetone:
quote:
Originally posted by Tubetone:
quote:
Originally posted by fiddlers:
Here are my first impressions given the excellent original post by LDD. . . .

My only problem and jams were with the Ranger T Series ammunition. This is not my first experience with feeding issues and Ranger T. I will likely carry the B.H.,115 gr., JHP+P load. . . .
• Clearing a jam can be a little tricky. Patience helps.

Could you describe what was tricky? Did you have the cartridge break apart in the pistol as others have described? That situation makes me nervous. Is there a fast way to clear a jam with your Boberg that you know but just haven't mastered yet or would an ammo jam render the pistol useless if it happened in a defense situation?

I have been considering some of the small pistols but I do not shoot them worth a toot - until last weekend. I shot a Ruger LC9 and at 6 yards, I had 4 shots touching and the 5th also in the bulls eye but not touching. Another shooter asked me to try his LC9 after I had finished a 300 round practice session with my P228. The LC9 felt very soft to me but I was shooting the owner's lead hand loads. Have you ever tried the LC9 so as to offer any contrast to the Boberg?

It took a few shots to get a feel for the long but smooth LC9 trigger. It had a weird 2 stage, long reset. How was the reset on the Boberg?

The LC9 and the Boberg, for my purposes, are in the same size range but the LC9 is half the price . . . although that would not be my determining factor. The craftsmanship of the Boberg seems simply outstanding. But, reliability and accuracy are my key concerns once a pistol is as small as these.

Thanks for any reply.

Take time to read the Boberg Website. The XR9-S and LC9 are two very different 9MM pistols. http://www.bobergarms.com/notes/XR9_Shorty

I believe you will get all your questions answered. The XR9-S is replacing my favorite EDC pistols, except for the Seecamp LWS32 which is a second or fall back pistol. It will replace a couple of favorite .380ACP's as pictured:

The XR9-S is almost as soft shooting as the heavier Sig P238HD.
That is amazing! Out of the box, it was totally reliable with all but one ammunition.
By the way, my Sig P238 and Walther PPK/S only feed a few types of ammunition reliably.
It is lighter than both pistols and is small than the PPK/S and the same size as the P238HD, it carries the same quantity of rounds, but in 9MM vs. .380ACP.
I can not attest to the LC9's reliability, but it is too large for me for every day carry and I do not like the Ruger magazine/trigger safety.

Posts: 793 | Location: SWFL | Registered: April 09, 2010

Ignored post by fiddlers posted

jrprich

Member

posted

Nice grips on your P238

Will be interesting to see how the XR9-S compares to the new Sig P938 due out soon.

Posts: 215 | Location: PNW | Registered: February 20, 2012

Ignored post by jrprich posted

Tubetone

Member

posted

quote:
Originally posted by fiddlers:
Take time to read the Boberg Website. The XR9-S and LC9 are two very different 9MM pistols. http://www.bobergarms.com/notes/XR9_Shorty

I believe you will get all your questions answered. . . . I do not like the Ruger magazine/trigger safety.

Thanks for the reply. I have read the website extensively. I have been looking into the Boberg for years now. I first posted in this thread in November of 2011. Perhaps I overlooked a page on the Boberg site. Do you have a page you are referencing in particular about my questions? I am happy that you are pleased with your pistol. Everybody says that the lack of recoil is amazing and Mr. Boberg is to be congratulated.

I am just trying to see if users could comment from their experience about certain issues. I do not know or have measurable access to those who post testimonials on a manufacturer's site. That's why I was looking for some independent user comments here.

The fact that one must find the best ammo for a given pistol is understandable. But, as a defensive devise, I am leery of a pistol that does not have a way to quickly clear a malfunction - even with the best of devices. That's why I wanted to know if you knew a method but were just not well practiced with it yet. You said clearing a jam requires "patience." Although my Sigs have been very reliable, mechanical devices will have issues every now and then so I wanted to know about the issue.

I saw on the Boberg site last fall that the pistol had broken certain cartridges in two and it sounded like quite a production to clear it all out of the pistol. As I consider defensive pistols in this size range, I am just trying to find something that will shoot accurately and reliably. But, part of that is wondering a bit about Murphy. I have never had to clear a malfunction with my Sigs during competition or training - except when I would do a lazy rack or some such user mistake - but I practice for clearing jams anyway.

I saw someone write (I believe it was on the Boberg site) that if one does not rack the Boberg just right, the cartridge will jam. Because I understood that to have occurred using ammo that normally feeds well in the Boberg, I still have the question about how one can clear a jam efficiently. Maybe there is a method. Maybe there is not.

I'm hoping someone here will comment on this at some point.

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NRA Certified Range Safety Officer

Posts: 1333 | Registered: January 06, 2010

Ignored post by Tubetone posted

jrprich

Member

posted

Looks like my wait will be a long one with about 235 buyers in line ahead of me

But if I find a new Sig P238 first I will post up my spot for someone else to use and save the $300+ for ammo

Posts: 215 | Location: PNW | Registered: February 20, 2012

Ignored post by jrprich posted

Member

posted

quote:
Originally posted by Tubetone:
quote:
Originally posted by fiddlers:
Take time to read the Boberg Website. The XR9-S and LC9 are two very different 9MM pistols. http://www.bobergarms.com/notes/XR9_Shorty

I believe you will get all your questions answered. . . . I do not like the Ruger magazine/trigger safety.

Thanks for the reply. I have read the website extensively. I have been looking into the Boberg for years now. I first posted in this thread in November of 2011. Perhaps I overlooked a page on the Boberg site. Do you have a page you are referencing in particular about my questions? I am happy that you are pleased with your pistol. Everybody says that the lack of recoil is amazing and Mr. Boberg is to be congratulated.

I am just trying to see if users could comment from their experience about certain issues. I do not know or have measurable access to those who post testimonials on a manufacturer's site. That's why I was looking for some independent user comments here.

The fact that one must find the best ammo for a given pistol is understandable. But, as a defensive devise, I am leery of a pistol that does not have a way to quickly clear a malfunction - even with the best of devices. That's why I wanted to know if you knew a method but were just not well practiced with it yet. You said clearing a jam requires "patience." Although my Sigs have been very reliable, mechanical devices will have issues every now and then so I wanted to know about the issue.

I saw on the Boberg site last fall that the pistol had broken certain cartridges in two and it sounded like quite a production to clear it all out of the pistol. As I consider defensive pistols in this size range, I am just trying to find something that will shoot accurately and reliably. But, part of that is wondering a bit about Murphy. I have never had to clear a malfunction with my Sigs during competition or training - except when I would do a lazy rack or some such user mistake - but I practice for clearing jams anyway.

I saw someone write (I believe it was on the Boberg site) that if one does not rack the Boberg just right, the cartridge will jam. Because I understood that to have occurred using ammo that normally feeds well in the Boberg, I still have the question about how one can clear a jam efficiently. Maybe there is a method. Maybe there is not.

I'm hoping someone here will comment on this at some point.

I had the same experience and results already explained by Waterbury Bob's experience mentioned on page 5....

"That long trigger reset did give me trouble a few times with the first few magazines until I realized what I was doing wrong. On a few shots, I hadn't let the trigger reset all the way; this results in the hammer not quite resetting all the way. You are able to pull the trigger again, but (probably) due to the hammer being partially back, the round didn't fire when the hammer fell. On one of those times, a third strike didn't fire the round either.

That led me to eject the round, and learn something else in the process. You have to pull the slide back sharply to eject an unfired round. I had done it somewhat slowly, and the round got hung up in the chamber. It was easily removed after dropping the mag.

On the last occasion where I didn't let the trigger reset properly, second and third strikes failed to fire the round. That time, though, I just pulled the slide back a little and let it go into battery again with that same round. It fired on the next trigger pull.

Once I learned the proper technique with the trigger, I had no further problems with the pistol and it ran perfectly."

I did not experience any broken cartridges. Now let me say that if I had to grab only one pistol in a gun fight it would be my Sig P226.
My advice would be if you do not want to be an early adapter, as I am. Wait a could of years to buy the XR9-S. I paid a price having had to return MY LCP, 238TT, 238HD, PPK and PPK/S. Each was plagued by recalls and several with multiple design and engineering problems.

Posts: 793 | Location: SWFL | Registered: April 09, 2010

Ignored post by fiddlers posted

abboberg

Member

posted

quote:
Originally posted by Tubetone:
quote:
Originally posted by fiddlers:
Take time to read the Boberg Website. The XR9-S and LC9 are two very different 9MM pistols. http://www.bobergarms.com/notes/XR9_Shorty

I believe you will get all your questions answered. . . . I do not like the Ruger magazine/trigger safety.

Thanks for the reply. I have read the website extensively. I have been looking into the Boberg for years now. I first posted in this thread in November of 2011. Perhaps I overlooked a page on the Boberg site. Do you have a page you are referencing in particular about my questions? I am happy that you are pleased with your pistol. Everybody says that the lack of recoil is amazing and Mr. Boberg is to be congratulated.

I am just trying to see if users could comment from their experience about certain issues. I do not know or have measurable access to those who post testimonials on a manufacturer's site. That's why I was looking for some independent user comments here.

The fact that one must find the best ammo for a given pistol is understandable. But, as a defensive devise, I am leery of a pistol that does not have a way to quickly clear a malfunction - even with the best of devices. That's why I wanted to know if you knew a method but were just not well practiced with it yet. You said clearing a jam requires "patience." Although my Sigs have been very reliable, mechanical devices will have issues every now and then so I wanted to know about the issue.

I saw on the Boberg site last fall that the pistol had broken certain cartridges in two and it sounded like quite a production to clear it all out of the pistol. As I consider defensive pistols in this size range, I am just trying to find something that will shoot accurately and reliably. But, part of that is wondering a bit about Murphy. I have never had to clear a malfunction with my Sigs during competition or training - except when I would do a lazy rack or some such user mistake - but I practice for clearing jams anyway.

I saw someone write (I believe it was on the Boberg site) that if one does not rack the Boberg just right, the cartridge will jam. Because I understood that to have occurred using ammo that normally feeds well in the Boberg, I still have the question about how one can clear a jam efficiently. Maybe there is a method. Maybe there is not.

I'm hoping someone here will comment on this at some point.

It seems that you may be confusing cartridge separation with jamming. In general, a crimpless cartridge will come apart, with the bullet in one of four places: still in the magazine, in the breech area, in the chamber, or somewhere outside of the gun. The loose bullet does not usually present any jamming issue where the gun is disabled. If the bullet is in the chamber, you may not be aware of any separation and the gun will fire normally. If the bullet is sitting cockeyed in the chamber mouth, then merely pull the slide back and eject the components. The empty case (less the powder) is usually in the chamber where it can easily be ejected. The most common "jam" that I have been hearing from customers is chambering that first round on a new gun - the slide is not pulled back far enough and the cartridge gets stuck in a "no mans land" between the ejector and the barrel. If anyone is concerned about this for self-defense, then keep a cartridge in the chamber. The way to clear this jam is to lift the cartridge level with the barrel by getting under it with a paper clip , coin, screwdriver or what ever else fits under it. With time, the XR9-S wears in, and pulling the slide all the way back becomes much easier.

Posts: 5 | Location: US | Registered: February 01, 2011

Ignored post by abboberg posted

Member

posted

I have several new Holsters that are terrific with the Boberg XR9-S and just wanted to show them to folks for your consider. The Meco IWB is a favorite, as is the Remora IWB full body shield.

Posts: 793 | Location: SWFL | Registered: April 09, 2010

Ignored post by fiddlers posted

ScotP7

Member

posted

Just checked. I'm only a couple away from the top of the queue! Placed my order late October.
Any further Sig Forum appraisals?
I live in Maryland. Do they come with a fired shell casing?
Can't wait!

Posts: 123 | Location: Baltimore, MD | Registered: March 29, 2009

Ignored post by ScotP7 posted

les_garten

Banned

posted

quote:
Originally posted by ScotP7:
Just checked. I'm only a couple away from the top of the queue! Placed my order late October.
Any further Sig Forum appraisals?
I live in Maryland. Do they come with a fired shell casing?
Can't wait!

I read that they don't come with the fired shell. Let us know when you get the call. It seems like this will take forever!

Posts: 89 | Location: PSL, FL | Registered: November 16, 2010

Ignored post by les_garten posted

blueeyedme

Member

posted

I went on the list in early October and just got the email asking for my cc with a shipping estimate of 8-10 weeks.

Posts: 210 | Location: St. Petersburg, Florida | Registered: February 09, 2011

Ignored post by blueeyedme posted

ScotP7

Member

posted

Thanks for the info, all.

Posts: 123 | Location: Baltimore, MD | Registered: March 29, 2009

Ignored post by ScotP7 posted

blueeyedme

Member

posted

In case you didn't know, there are two new color combinations now available - here is part of the notification I received last week from Boberg. The pics on their order site look great!

"This is the first order notification that includes the option of two new
color schemes: Onyx (Black) and Platinum (Satin Sheen Chrome/Nickel). The
Onyx has all black parts, excluding the trigger parts. The Onyx is
protected by an extremely hard nitriding process. I felt that the XR9-S
Platinum would appeal to those looking for a more classic, less tactical
look. *Both the Onyx and the Platinum are available in limited quantities."

Posts: 210 | Location: St. Petersburg, Florida | Registered: February 09, 2011

Ignored post by blueeyedme posted

JYogi

Member

posted

The next person on the list put in their request 11/6

I submitted mine 11/19!!!

Shouldn't be that much longer!

Think its time to order a OWB and IWB holster.
Anyone make anything like a Yaqui slide???

Please vote for me! http://guldendraak2012.devsite...bassador/wall?aid=86

Posts: 277 | Registered: December 12, 2005

Ignored post by JYogi posted