Second Look at the Remington RP9 | Breakdown and Review Video

YouTube personality, Graham Baates, gives us a video breakdown and review of the Remington RP9.

Second Look: Remington RP9 Video
Second Look: Remington RP9 Video

USA –-(Ammoland.com)- When the Remington RP9 was released I was excited.  An American-made handgun from one of America’s famous names.  For more than 200 years Remington has produced arms.  Remington has been used in defense of both the United States and it’s allies.  The Remington 700 lives famously as a military sniper rifle, and 870 shotgun as military and law enforcement shotgun.  Unfortunately, Remington has been plagued by the same lack of innovation that has struck other great American names like Colt.

The RP9 was a venture into something new and modern.  A polymer-framed, striker-fired handgun boasting 18+1 capacity makes a fit for law enforcement, home defenders, and range junkies alike.  Unfortunately, the RP9 was met with great criticism as early-production models were claimed to be plagued with problems.  While details were not always specific, one of the major complaints was that the right-side slide lock could only be used as a slide lock and not as a release.  Ironically this same capacity doesn’t bother handgunners of other makes who will argue until they’re blue in the face that a slide lock is only to be used as a lock and never as a release.

Regardless of the internet negativity, I wanted to give the gun a try.  Remington’s public relations personnel were too busy handling other crisis to return my calls and so I swooped in on a killer deal and picked one up for myself.  Shouldn’t every great American own a truly American handgun?  With great curiosity, I got the gun on my “bench” and took a look at the insides.

The RP9 and Glock 17 barrel lengths are identical.

From what I could see the pistol is well-made.  The exception, of course, being that the slide lock only functions as a slide lock.  For less than $300 can we really be that picky?  Other complaints include size.  The RP9 is a large handgun.  Compared to other full-size guns it is beefy, but as a night-stand gun, I couldn’t care less how much it weighs.  It needs to function reliably and be quick to operate.  I don’t care what it weighs, or how tall the slide is.  I want the gun to run and have full capacity.

For size comparison, the closest I had on hand was the Glock 17.  The Glock is another duty-sized gun that I consider a bit too large for carrying but great for the range or duty use.  The slide and overall profile of the RP9 is bigger, but features are also more modern, and out of the box the trigger far more acceptable.  I’ve never understood Glock fans who are willing to pay so much for a gun they know they’ll immediately invest two-fold in modifications.

So how does a current-production RP9 perform on the range?  I tested full-mag +1 cycling, load compatibility with ten different loads from 165gr down to 65 gr, and then tried a quick group at seven yards using Nosler 115gr Match ammunition.  The video below shows how the gun performed out of the box, no lubrication added, and in below freezing conditions.

If you’re curious about the specifications see the chart below taken directly from the product web page.

Features:

  • Smooth, light and crisp single-action trigger – consistent and smooth, with short tactile reset
  • Ergonomic polymer frame fits 95% of all shooters
  • Ambidextrous slide control
  • “Fighting surface” on rear sight – for one-hand slide operation
  • Optimized grip angle – reduces felt recoil and increases shootability
  • Trigger guard undercut – allows higher hand hold for increased control
  • Drift adjustable sights – easily adjusts sights to user preference
  • Easy loading, double-stack magazines – industry’s highest magazine capacity per caliber
  • PVD finish on slide and barrel for maximum durability

Is the RP9 the next best pistol?  Probably not, but is it worth considering when in the market for an American-made pistol? Yes.  There was a lot of trash talking on the internet when this handgun was new, and yet I haven’t heard from many actual owners of Remington’s RP9.  If you own one, or have at least shot one, please let us know about your experience below.


About Graham BaatesG B Guns

“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .

 

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GeniusJoe

The Millitary Arms Channel hates Remington and should not he trusted. He helped bankrupt the company and cost thousands of Remington employee’s their jobs with his prolific negative claims; cla8ms which RP9 & RP45 owners can’t seem to replicate.

GeniusJoe

My RP45 works flawlessly…

Russell Hunt

Like some others, mine was around $200 with the rebate – probably the main reason I got it. Had some hiccups at first, Remington help desk suggested +P or at least American ammo, explained some foreign ammo isn’t held to the same standards as U.S. made, that did the trick! Only other problem was with some steel cased stuff I got when ammo was scarce (at least here), seemed to stick in the mags. Sometimes the slide isn’t easily removed during disassembly and have to depress the recoil spring, but for the price I can live with that – especially… Read more »

Steve McClelland

Any one having issues with the cheaper brands of ammo thru any new 9mm pistol should break them in with 124gr NATO ammo. After 200-300 rds of NATO, the recoil spring should be ok with the weaker 115 gr ammo.

Brian Schollaert

I bought one for my wife to introduce her to handguns and must say I’m not very pleased. It jams about every 3rd or 4th shot when cycling slow, not sure if it’s just the load I purchased or not but I figured 115grain blazers would be fine for testing it out. I’m now going to purchase a few different brands and see if that makes a difference any help would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Steven

Mine did the same, but tried two boxes of 124 gr and after 500 rounds it’s been 100% reliable

Todd

I have had my RP9 since it first came out. I mainly bought it as a “student Pistol” for the classes I teach. The pistol has over 2000 rounds through it. It is very accurate pistol, and the only malfunctions I have seen/had is well after shooting it 400 round without a cleaning, but a quick wipe and it run’s great again. Is it the best pistol made, no. Is it a great option for someone on a budget, heck yes! Some think that the slide is little heavy, but that is what helps make it a very accurate firearm.… Read more »

Allen

The wife and I have his and hers RP9/RP45. They have functioned flawlessly. Each has had over a thousand rounds of ball, and various defense ammunition brands ran through them. They ate everything without complain. I did notice that rounds with too much set back will move foward in the magazinee (on the rp9), but didn’t effect function for me. (Your mileage may varie)
Trigger is nice for a striker fired pistol, and reset is decent.
A side note about the RP45 is they added night sites, and the left side slide release is functional.

Richard

Thanks for taking another look at this pistol. I have one and had a hard time believing it could really be that bad. I am very happy with this pistol and have no regrets. Internet reviews help me make decisions on what to purchase in most cases but I will always say “Do your own research with reputable sources.” One point you make which is flawed and I am subject to it as well is the slide stop. At no point in the owners manual does Remington refer to this as a slide release. It is a slide stop and… Read more »

Mark Bierman

For the money, best sub $300 gun you can buy. Capacity almost 20 rounds! Fits very well in my hand and the trigger is nice out of the box. It is a large gun but then again this is not a conceal carry gun. It points well. This one always seems to find it’s way into my range bag when I go.

Steve McClelland

As an Vietnam vet (USMC) and an former LEO, I would have no problem carrying a RP9 in either area. I own one and it has never had any issues. I love both the size and feel of it. It feels just as good in my hand as a 1911 and my only com with it is loading those 17th and 18th rds in mags. Lol.
I am not a striker fired fan and the RP9 has caused me to adjust my estimation of that type of pistol.
Love mine and got for just under 200 with the rebate!

Hank

I got mine for under 200 with rebate also. Great deal. Love the pistol. Looking for the best ammo to feed it. Any suggestions?

Dennis

Found a crazy deal on one for less than $200 after rebate. Very good pistol and for the price wish I had bought a dozen. Considering it’s performance and price paid it was a steal!