4 Mar 14
Boberg XR9-S Pistol
I’ve been carrying my XR9-S, as a back-up, for several weeks, and I’ve had the opportunity to run some rounds through it. My friend and colleague, Brian Hoffner, made me a wonderful IWB “J-Hook” holster, so I can comfortably carry it on my left side.
I really like the small size and carryability. Recoil is very acceptable for a 9mm pistol that size. For concealed carry, it is appealing.
However, because of its system of pulling the cartridge backward out of the magazine, it has a habit of pulling cases off of bullets during the feeding process, so it runs fine with some ammunition, and not others!
It likes Cor-Bon 115gr DPX (my normal carry-round), and Federal Hydra-shok 124gr. It also runs with WW white-box 115gr hardball.
It does not run with Speer 115gr Gold Dot, nor most 9mm reloads. The problem is, as noted above, that, upon firing, the pistol pulls the case off the bullet during the normal cycle of operation. The resulting “ammunition-disassembly stoppage” is permanent and cannot be reduced in the short term. The pistol is just out of action!
Boberg’s Web Page lists rounds that are comparable, and those that are not, and there are many that are not, including most low-cost, practice ammunition. I discovered that they’re not kidding. The only ammunition that runs reliably in this pistol has a bullet that is firmly attached to the case!
So, with the right ammunition, the little Boberg runs fine and can be carried confidently. But, you can’t just throw rounds in it that comes from any box labeled “9mm.”
I’ll continue to use the Boberg XR9-S, as, aside from the above issue, it is beautifully made and carries conveniently. However, as a “travel-gun,” where finding the “right” ammunition may be an issue, it is probably not the best choice.
/John
