For more information, visit https://www.remington.com/handguns/remington-rp/rp9.
To purchase on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=RP9.
the new RP9 is a striker-fired, polymer-framed pistol from Remington.
Overview
To be honest, I suspect most people do not think of Remington when it comes to the topic of handguns. Rifles? The Model 700? Of course. Shotguns? How about the Model 870, right? But this is unfair as the company has a long history of producing popular handguns. From the 1858 New Army blackpowder revolver to the .41 rimfire double derringer to the Model 51 in .32 and .380 ACP to the 1911s it produced for the United States government, Remington is a company that knows its way around a handgun. So, with the introduction of the new RP9, the company is both building on tradition as well as blazing a new path.
A polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol, the RP9 is clearly inspired by the revolution created by the Glock 17 in the 1980s, that has affected handgun design thereafter in immeasurable ways. It was so influential, you now have a company that is known for working in wood and steel producing a polymer framed pistol. So, how does it stack up?
The pistol has a large 18+1 magazine capacity. Image courtesy of Remington.
Specs
- Chambering: 9mm
- Barrel: 4.5 inches
- OA Length: 91 inches
- Weight: 26.4 ounces
- Grips: Integral
- Sights: Three dot
- Action: Striker fired
- Finish: Matte black
- Capacity: 18+1
- MSRP: $489
Impression
Although I have not had a chance to shoot the pistol, I did have a chance to handle it at SHOT Show 2017 (see video above). To be honest, it reminded me in some ways of the old HK VP70, with its massive 18+1 capacity and large slide (although the VP70 was admittedly a straight-blowback design while the RP9 is a locking-breech system with a tilting barrel). The pistol has a surprisingly slim grip, but its length is notable (no doubt to house the large magazine). We were told that the pistol will be available in .45 as well in the near future. The striker-fired pistol employs a fully cocked striker actuated by the cycling of the slide, resulting in a single-action trigger pull. There is no manual safety, apart from a paddle safety located on the face of the trigger. We also had an opportunity to take a look at some interesting new double-column 1911 pistols from Remington, so be sure to check that out in the video as well.
The RP9 was on display at the 2017 SHOT Show.
Price & Availability
The pistol is priced at a competitive $489 retail and is available right now on GunsAmerica.com for sale for well below that MSRP. Keep an eye out on our site for a full review in the very near future.
For more information, visit https://www.remington.com/handguns/remington-rp/rp9.
To purchase on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=RP9.
Unlike most commenters here, I have an RP9 and have successfully fired it. I loaded 18 rounds of cheesy Aguila 124’s and let fly. FWIW these rounds are underpowered compared to other 124’s in my experience with less recoil to cycle the slide.
I ran 100 rounds. I was shooting steel plates at 20-25 yards. There were no failures to feed or any interruptions of any kind. I loaded 18 and 1 in the chamber. Worked perfectly. It is accurate. I was able to hit fragments of clay birds on the berm.
The trigger breaks at 5 pounds with a rather long but smooth pull. I found the grip a little too smooth and feel it could use a rougher surface. That said, I also feel the smaller grip on this makes it a good choice for ladies or men with shorter fingers.
The three white dot sights are very good and right on target at 25 yards.
Like Hickok45, I can find nothing wrong with this pistol. I have a lot of others to compare it against and it matches them in out of the box reliability and accuracy. It will not be my first choice for going to a gunfight with a striker fired pistol. That first choice would be the Ruger American in 9mm or .45acp. If you needed to defend yourself or just have some fun shooting steel or cans, the RP9 will do the job and put rounds on target reliably.
I bought one of these and regret it. I took it to the range and got into my 5th magazine and it started jamming up on me. Accuracy and feel was fine but without reliability it means nothing. I will be calling the dealer to see if I can return it (I doubt it). Should have gone with my first instinct, which was to get a Bersa Thunder 9 pro.
I bought one, cuz… I like striker fired. I like 18+1. As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. And this handgun is poop pudding! It is going back to dealer today. I took it to the range yesterday after picking it up from my dealer. I struggled for 2 hours trying to get it to cycle through just one magazine of factory ammo. I did manage to get one string of 8 rounds without a FTF or FTE. Although I had to smack the slide a couple times to get it into battery. I will say this, I got REALLY REALLY good clearing stoppages!!!! I will just stick with my 870 and R1 from now on and avoid anything else from Big Green….
Is Remington out of touch with its customers, or is there some market out there that we are all oblivious of?
Remington produced M1911 pistols for the United States government? I’d sure like to see one of those! I believe you have Remington confused with Remington Rand.
Remington produced 21,676 1911’s for the US GOVERNMENT prior to ending in 1918.
The comments about the R51 brought back my own memories of the polymer Viper 22lr rifle these jokers produced. Shot exactly 5 rounds and never fired another, complete POS. I was done with Remington then.
What a pity. I have had numerous 522 Vipers and within their limitations, always liked them. They handled better and invariably shot better than 90%+ of the most high & holy 10/22s.Yes there are parts prone to breakage, but they can still be found in near new condition very cheap. YMMV.
I held one of these the other day at my dealer. It didn’t feel right. Very barrel heavy, and to me the balance just felt off. Bought a Smith M&P 2.0, instead.
By the way, I own an R51 Gen 2. I have not had any issues and it has worked fine.
I hope this pistol is a lot better than Remington’s last effort, the R51! What a P.O.S..
This gun makes my Glock look beautiful.
Just got back from the range shooting my PPQ-Q5. Looked at this artical and thought I’m glad I purchased the Walther. Another try from a once great Co. and they havent even got the R-51 Right! Yes I’m the Dumb Ass that thought they couldn’t screw up the R-51 a second time. So I purchase a Gen 2 Turd. Won’t cycle , grip safety junk, the most piss poor take down in the world. I wish they would take this one back as well. Buy the Walther Q-5 9mm . This new Remington Johnny come lately looks like the makings of another Boat Anchor like my Gen 2 R-51. Don’t rely on the 51 to save your life! Chuck Gun!
Just saw a review and this gun is junk like the R51. Will never trust Remington and their products. Save your money and buy a Glock, M&P, CZ or even a Hi point.
But have they fixed the R51 yet? I have seen a number of reviews with the gen 2 still having problems.
How is taken down process?
Does it have the plunger or drop safety?
Trigger felling is what’s key. I’m a long time glock person (LEO). I put a ghost trigger and polished up the trigger group in my father in laws cheap Ruger and was super impressed at the trigger movement, break and reset. Didn’t like the some of the cheaper parts of the Ruger, but it worked. So I’ll reserve comment on the Remington. They have had years to copy and improve on the glock design.
Just another Chuck Gun (under the seat- in the trunk- in the glove box )
Glocks actually work. With all the problems Remington has with quality I’ll spend my money elsewhere. Remember the R51. 1st they dupe all the gun writers then dump junk guns on the public. Another once great company gone. Sad.
they didn’t dupe me. go check out my review on Guns America’s you tube channel.
Clay, I just read/watched your review of Big Green’s new RP9. Comparing your review to this glowing SHOT show “advertisement” review was like night and day. I wasn’t at all considering the RP9, but just interested in learning about it to see what might happen for Remington – I also was ashamed of their R51 fiasco. The original Model 51 was so perfect in its day!
There’s more reason now to get a Glock/XD/SIG/Ruger/etc. than ever before. Sad to see Big Green in such straits.
If I am going to pay 500 for a striker, I would rather spend just a little bit more and get a HK VP9. But then I’m an HK fanboy! LOL
Honestly it reminds me of a Highpoint and we all know that is a BRICK
+1 on that
+1 on that grip looks like that brick of a gun to me. also whats up with their quality control? i once bought a vtr in “.243” with a .308 barrel installed.
The HiPoint may be a brick but it’s a brick that works whenever you pull the trigger. Most importantly, it fits my smallish hand. Doesn’t matter it the pistol is chambered in .380, 9mm, .40, or .45.
My dealer just got one in the other day and there was no rifling in the barrel…smoothbore.
I think Remington’s quality control is worse than most. I remember ordering an 11-87 premier years ago and it took five to get one without any finish flaws. Ever since then I have considered Remington the cheap junk gun maker. Your comment reinforces my conclusions. I have a model 11 sixteen ga. that was my grandfathers I learned to shoot with and it is a great gun with real steel but that was then this is now.
Rebadged Para-Ord Tac Ops … junk then / junk now…
I see the that’s a “fugly gun” comments and if I hadn’t seen a few other pics of the RP9 here n there Id totally agree, terrible pics!! But I have seen better pics and although its still not a beauty queen it isn’t as horrible as these silly pics make it look! Hope Remington stays after it I say the more good companies we have putting skin in the game the more innovation,choice and value us consumers get in firearms down the road. I implore folks to watch the video too maybe cause author couldn’t of picked worse pic looks like a highpoint its so blurry!
Sorry but that looks an awful like a Walther vs something Remington made. Tho might be a decent pistol considering the last pistol Remington actually made.
Sorry, but that thing is uuuuuuuuuuugly. It may be the finest handgun to have ever been made, but if it ain’t sexy I’m not carrying it.
An awful lot of people have been killed by ugly guns. If it works well and is accurate enough for the assigned task it is beautiful in my eyes. In the meantime let’s all hope we don’t get popped with a French rifle or an SKS or a Webley .38-200 etc. that might be aesthetically offensive. LOL!
That’s why God gave us the Beretta 92 F. Sexxxxy gun.
While I appreciate the author’s enthusiasm for this new pistol from Remington, I am reminded of similar articles (by other authors) extolling the virtues of their “impressions” of the “new Remington R51 9mmpistol”, in which, Remington duped a number of people to become unpaid beta testers for their recalled product. Seems Remington MIGHT be heading in that same direction here, that is MY impression.
I love puff pieces too, but, expect actual live firing “impressions” over the touchy-feely-fondling and caressing “impressions”done at all Shot Shows.
These writer get paid sometimes to speak well for companies. Propaganda is the best word for it. Never trust these gun reviwers.
One is a little glock-ish and the other is a lot para-ish. Old is new-ish again. Lol. I do want to learn more about both.
There was a skip of the .40 S&W, I think because its middle ground between the two designs which is more capacity in 9mm and 45ACP in service size grips(+-)