Rohrbaugh Arms

Rohrbaugh Arms is best known for the Rohrbaugh R9, a premium ultra compact 9 mm pistol built for deep concealment, close range defense, and refined pocket carry. Designed by Karl Rohrbaugh and produced in New York, the R9 series aimed to give shooters the smallest practical 9×19 mm defensive pistol, combining high grade machining with minimalist controls. Built in limited numbers and later acquired by Remington, Rohrbaugh pistols have earned a reputation as high end micro nines that still draw strong interest from concealed carry users and collectors.

Concealed Carry Accuracy

Rohrbaugh pistols are tuned for precise, close range hits from a very small footprint. The R9 uses a short recoil, locked breech system, fixed low profile sights, and a smooth double action only trigger to keep shots controlled inside realistic defensive distances. Reviews frequently note that for its size, the R9 can be impressively accurate in capable hands, provided the shooter manages the snappy recoil that comes with such a light 9 mm platform.

Everyday Carry Confidence

From the outset, the R9 and R9S Stealth were conceived as always there pistols built for pocket or deep concealment carry rather than extended range sessions. Overall length is about 5.2 inches with a 2.9 inch barrel, height is roughly 3.7 inches, and unloaded weight sits around 13 ounces, giving owners a 6+1 capacity 9 mm in a package comparable to many .380 pocket guns. Many users carry an R9 in a front pocket or ankle setup and reserve a dedicated range gun for higher round counts, keeping the Rohrbaugh primarily for discreet personal protection.

Premium Pocket Pistol Construction

Rohrbaugh pistols are built with materials and machining more often seen on higher end service pistols than on typical pocket guns. Slides, barrels, and key internal parts are CNC machined from stainless steel billets, while frames use 7075 T651 aluminum, then parts are hand fit for tight lockup and smooth cycling. Stealth variants add a Diamond Like Carbon coating on the slide for improved wear resistance and reduced friction. This focus on fit and finish helped the brand earn a reputation as a luxury grade pocket pistol among enthusiasts.

Product Focus

Pistols

Rohrbaugh pistols center on the R9 series, a locked breech, double action only 9 mm designed around standard pressure ammunition and deep concealment roles. Capacity is typically 6 rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber. The original R9 shipped with no sights for snag free pocket draw, while the R9S added small fixed sights and later Stealth editions applied a dark protective slide finish. The R9’s smooth, roughly 8 pound DAO trigger, compact grip, and rounded profile make it easy to carry yet demanding to master. Owners and reviewers often describe it as a purpose built defensive tool, not a high volume training pistol, with many limiting use to standard pressure loads in line with factory guidance. For those seeking maximum concealment in a true 9 mm, the R9 remains a benchmark micro pistol.

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R9 Variants And Companion Models

Beyond the core R9, Rohrbaugh offered several closely related pocket pistols built on similar frames and construction principles. The R9S Stealth and Stealth Elite combined the sighted slide configuration with a dark protective finish for reduced glare and added surface hardness. Companion R380 and R380 Stealth models scaled the concept to .380 Auto, keeping the same compact form factor and materials for shooters who prefer a lighter recoiling cartridge in a similar package. All of these pistols share the same design priorities: minimal external controls, no manual safety, fixed sights, and a double action only trigger intended to balance safety with readiness. Limited production runs and the later sale of the brand have made certain variants, especially Stealth editions, particularly interesting to collectors who focus on premium pocket pistols.

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Holsters

Rohrbaugh pistols inspired a dedicated ecosystem of pocket, inside the waistband, and ankle holsters from custom makers and boutique leather shops. Reviews and owner reports consistently emphasize the importance of a rigid, well formed holster that covers the trigger guard fully while allowing a clean draw from tight spaces such as front pockets. Many holsters for the R9 family feature reinforced mouths, sweat shields, and minimal bulk to preserve the pistol’s main advantage: very small size and weight in a serious defensive caliber.

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Frequently asked questions

What makes the Rohrbaugh R9 stand out?

The Rohrbaugh R9 is widely regarded as one of the smallest production 9 mm pistols of its era, pairing a locked breech design and 6+1 capacity with premium materials and hand fitting in a true pocket sized package.

Is the Rohrbaugh R9 still in production?

No. Rohrbaugh Firearms produced the R9 series from the early 2000s until around 2014, when the company was acquired by Remington. Production of original Rohrbaugh branded pistols has since ended, and existing guns trade on the used market.

What ammunition is recommended for the R9?

The R9 was designed for standard pressure 9×19 mm ammunition. The factory advised against the use of +P or +P+ loads due to the pistol’s very light weight and compact dimensions.

How does the R9 handle at the range?

Most reviews describe the R9 as controllable but brisk, with recoil and muzzle flip that are noticeable due to the small grip and low mass. It is often described as a pistol meant for short, focused practice sessions rather than extended high round count days.

Did Rohrbaugh make other models besides the R9?

Yes. Rohrbaugh produced variations such as the R9S Stealth, Stealth Elite, and R380 series pistols that share the same compact format and construction approach, with differences in sights, finishes, and chambering.

Where can I find Rohrbaugh pistols today?

Rohrbaugh pistols appear periodically through used firearm dealers, auction sites, and specialty marketplaces that focus on concealed carry and collector grade handguns. R9 and R9S Stealth models tend to draw the most attention from buyers.

About

Rohrbaugh Arms, often referred to as Rohrbaugh Firearms, operated as a small, privately owned manufacturer focused on precision ultra compact semi automatic pistols. The company built a strong reputation for attention to detail, tight tolerances, and high end materials in pistols that were significantly smaller than many competing 9 mm designs of the time. Enthusiasts frequently compared Rohrbaugh products to luxury timepieces due to the level of craftsmanship in such a small defensive tool.

History

Popular Models

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