Quoted parts are removed for my comments, not whole quote:
The only real issues I saw were with the 124gr JHP and JRN from re-loaded ammo and not actual issues with the Boberg. Poor Quality re-loaded ammo should not be used in the Boberg or any gun for that matter, high quality factory ammo should be used in this high quality gun. Once you get your hands on this little pistol you will see it's amazing quality and craftsmanship.
We spent a lot of time and effort into bringing in this pistol and we know how great it functions and we are also backed 100% by Arnie and Boberg Arms. I hope Aniest and others post follow up range reports as we have shipped quite a few out this week and we are positive the reviews will be great
The points, in brief:
Even though I have wanted one of these Boberg XR9's for awhile, I tried to keep the review as "Scientific" as a normal-joe shooter could: the results are up for personal opinion. I also was fussy with ammo: I wanted to shoot 124Gr bullet weights and I kept away from ammo on the
Boberg List of Ammunitions that was shown to be a problem.
I didn't want to focus on it in the review, but I feel that Custom Reloading Service ammo is not right for a Boberg, but works well in other firearms: I gave away the two partial boxes of that ammo to two other shooters on the adjacent range to test (they liked free ammo, I liked finding out about it)
and they had zero problems with it. As you said about 'not flagging something unfairly' I don't want to make Canadian Reloading Service seem unfairly 'flagged' either. It is more of a warning of those that might want to reload for the Boberg: your sizing die
must be set correctly and size as far down on the case as possible for the Boberg. I might try some other reloads I have later.
To get right down to the opinionated part: when I passed the Boberg XR9-L off to others to look at the first comment ALWAYS was, "Oh My God is the trigger nice [pause] light [pause] smooth [pause] and the release is crisp and flawless!" They were most impressed with the quality of the mechanisms and the genius of the gun: these are people compairing it to their Gen III Glock, Kimber, STI, Colt and so on. There has to be some bragging rights when there is that level of awe in a firearm from the get-go, not in form or look (like a Tacti-cool AR), but in the function and accuracy by other opinionated shooters who have been shooting 9mm for decades. Of the several ladies that have held it, they are massively impressed with the feel, and is much like going to the mall with a puppy: it gains a lot of instant female attention.
And to get to rant part: I have to admit, Boberg Arms is new on the market with their XR9 series. This lends to "growing pains" and the like: the greatness of the Mauser action didn't take a day to perfect, so I don't expect Boberg Arms to perfect the XR9 overnight either. For those that want to say, "But in this day and age with machining and technology"... yup, you are right. And somehow with all that machining and technology the best cup of tea is still with fresh cut leaves, steeped by hand, with raw sugar and fresh cream: I can't find a machine anywhere that makes anything but f'n sh!tty tea!!! And, all of that technology also lets someone spread a bad review like a Bubonic Plague, warranted or not. If you want to wait for the excellent genius of the mechanisms to be perfected, I don't blame you: just remember that if someone doesn't support the company then there won't be that perfection to get later.
I have to admit: the followers were stupid. I think that there was some "bad Internet Karma" created by idiots who had never used anything but their double stack tacti-crapped out AR and/or Glock and could not fathom in their little brain how a magazine could work without a follower. Arne, being swayed by the idiots, caved and bowed to public pressure hoping not to create bad reviews: the spring curls are ingenious and allow flawless magazine function without a follower.
Having a new firearm like the XR9 has one major advantage: Arne Boberg is there to explain things, work you through them, and take care of the gun. Imagine being able to get help and advice from (
not specifically comparing Arne Boberg to these, just using well known names) John Moses Browning, John Garand, Paul & Wilhem Mauser, Samuel Colt or one of them.
If you have issues, send an email or call Wanstalls or even Arne Boberg: he made them.I have left comments on his company boards, and he himself has replied.
As was pointed out before: maybe there are better smaller firearms out there cheaper. Until hell freezes over, I personally don't see you being able to own one of those
prohibited firearms in Canada: for those that want a firearm in this size category, it is a chance at one.
And for those few who may be able to travel to the USA and carry (open/concealed) down there at some point, but want to practice with it in Canada, this is an awesome option.
I will be doing follow up range reports over time: it is not a "range gun per-se" but in truth no handgun in Canada right now is anything else. I plan to try and "shoot the sh!t out of it" and see how long it takes to need new springs and a barrel. My review was intended to be neutral, even if it seems otherwise: future updates will show a lot more opinion, and maybe it won't be pretty or good. Who knows.
Lastly, and for me and my opinion, what is most important: I got a firearm in a small restricted frame/barrel that has '
full gun power and full gun recoil management.'
