RUGER P89

Erwin

Anyone on this forum had experience with Ruger P89? I bought one from law enforcement (sheriff’s) auction years ago, replaced springs all around and she runs like new, a fine American 9mm *battle tank*!

I am wondering, what you other guys think of this gun compared to the modern handguns (etc. Glock)? Could it withstand h2h battle in a matter of performances?


(Photo Credits: RUGER P89)

RugerFan

I’ve got a P85. Not the prettiest pistols but it’s fine for my needs. 

Jayhawker

Being an older platform doesn't render it obsolete or ineffective....plenty of us using 1911s

GunNut

I’ve never heard of a P series Ruger leaving anyone stranded.  They are starting to  go up in price.  I sold a great example of a P90 LNIB recently for a pretty nice sum.

Bigslug

Ruger designed it to be the military's replacement for the 1911, but I understand Uncle Sam wanted a missile base across the Med from Khaddafi - sooooooo we got the spaghetti blaster instead.

With the 15-round double stack mag paired with a DA/SA trigger and decocking safety, it's like, TOTALLY '80's, OMIGAWD! 

While it is functional, I regard it and its contemporary's 1930's Walther-knockoff trigger system as an outdated concept that proceeded from some flawed reasoning.  The heavy DA first shot was intended to keep a poorly trained operator from plugging himself in the foot, but the "two different trigger pulls" transition makes it much harder for the poorly trained operator to actually hit anything - - which defeats the whole point of the exercise.  You have to put in some dedicated practice to master that system, and once you do, you're no longer a poorly trained operator that needs a heavy trigger to keep from plugging himself in the foot.  This is why the striker-fired guns took over and the SAO's made a comeback.

Within those confines, it's a very solid, reliable tank of a pistol that was designed to run NATO +P-ish submachinegun ammo as standard food.

Like all autos of that type, the DA trigger system adds quite a bit to the mechanical complexity when you compare it to a 1911 or Glock, but that only becomes an issue when something breaks.  Ruger P-Series are good at not breaking.

rberglof

Have had mine for some time now and never a a problem, very reliable.

Tugar

Had the P90 for a while. They are overbuilt but then again they are big as well. Due to the size they are harder to conceal. Good pistols and if the price was right, great. Usually reliable, mine had a thing about going that last millimeter into battery without help on occasion. 

Uncle Fester

Tugar said:

Had the P90 for a while. They are overbuilt but then again they are big as well. Due to the size they are harder to conceal. Good pistols and if the price was right, great. Usually reliable, mine had a thing about going that last millimeter into battery without help on occasion. 

Things built by Ruger usually work OK, but the P series pistols are  oversized.  There are even rumors out there that Bill Ruger ordered them to make the grip the same diameter as a beer can. 

Definitely not a pistol for people with smaller hands.

Gene L

I heard Ruger built them to try for an Army contract but that didn't work out.  They're big(er) but supposedly very reliable and rugged. I don't know why more LE agencies didn't adopt them; they were competitively priced.

Diver43

Bigslug said:

Ruger designed it to be the military's replacement for the 1911, but I understand Uncle Sam wanted a missile base across the Med from Khaddafi - sooooooo we got the spaghetti blaster instead.

With the 15-round double stack mag paired with a DA/SA trigger and decocking safety, it's like, TOTALLY '80's, OMIGAWD! 

While it is functional, I regard it and its contemporary's 1930's Walther-knockoff trigger system as an outdated concept that proceeded from some flawed reasoning.  The heavy DA first shot was intended to keep a poorly trained operator from plugging himself in the foot, but the "two different trigger pulls" transition makes it much harder for the poorly trained operator to actually hit anything - - which defeats the whole point of the exercise.  You have to put in some dedicated practice to master that system, and once you do, you're no longer a poorly trained operator that needs a heavy trigger to keep from plugging himself in the foot.  This is why the striker-fired guns took over and the SAO's made a comeback.

Within those confines, it's a very solid, reliable tank of a pistol that was designed to run NATO +P-ish submachinegun ammo as standard food.

Like all autos of that type, the DA trigger system adds quite a bit to the mechanical complexity when you compare it to a 1911 or Glock, but that only becomes an issue when something breaks.  Ruger P-Series are good at not breaking.

Big, you slam that trigger system each chance you get.  Some people, me amongst them find it simple to use and do not lose any accuracy.  My P 89 went elsewhere a long time ago, but not because of the trigger.  I still have my P229 as a house gun.

The Ruger may be a bit aged, but it is a solid handgun that will continue to serve its owner for years to come.

ilove22s

You may want to remember,

Any gun is better than none in a gunfight.   If its an older model and it still goes bang, you are better off than those without.

CHIRO1989

I have a P97 that sits by me all day, I have no issues with it what so ever.

gunner81

I have the P90 LNIB  maybe a couple hundred rounds if that through it still setting in the safe not a bad pistol but for some reason never makes the range trip

GunNut

gunner81 said:

I have the P90 LNIB  maybe a couple hundred rounds if that through it still setting in the safe not a bad pistol but for some reason never makes the range trip

That’s just like the gun I sold.  They are low bringing good money on GB!

Erwin

Thanks for your thoughts, I could agree with most of your comments. I like it because it is unusual, when I take it to the gun range, most of the people there could not recognize it. Automatically, it becomes interesting to them. It works pretty well, even it is pretty old. No malfunctions, solid performance but too bulky (that is the only thing I don't like).

Compared to the other guns, it does the job and that is what only matters.

ilove22s

Erwin said:

Thanks for your thoughts, I could agree with most of your comments. I like it because it is unusual, when I take it to the gun range, most of the people there could not recognize it. Automatically, it becomes interesting to them. It works pretty well, even it is pretty old. No malfunctions, solid performance but too bulky (that is the only thing I don't like).

Compared to the other guns, it does the job and that is what only matters.

IIRC,

the P89 was the next rev on the P85.

the P85 was a solution to the US Armys bid for new service side arm.  Some of the requirements was to be able to function with a gloved hand.

Along with many other requirements...

have fun

Bigslug

Erwin said:

. . . I like it because it is unusual, when I take it to the gun range, most of the people there could not recognize it. Automatically, it becomes interesting to them. 

OK. . .that's more than a little painful.  I got hired by the local gun store in April of 1992, and worked in the industry until November 2005.  The first gun I wrote up for a customer was a Ruger P-Series, and it's safe to say I wrote up hundreds more.  They were the cheaper (and I would say better) option to the Beretta 92 - there's A LOT of them out there.

Sure, they never got much Hollywood screen time, but are we REALLY at a point where people don't recognize them?

Gene L

Erwin said:

Thanks for your thoughts, I could agree with most of your comments. I like it because it is unusual, when I take it to the gun range, most of the people there could not recognize it. Automatically, it becomes interesting to them. It works pretty well, even it is pretty old. No malfunctions, solid performance but too bulky (that is the only thing I don't like).

Compared to the other guns, it does the job and that is what only matters.

Erwin said:

Well, it's a fine pistol and will perform along with any other pistol.  Doing the job isn't what only matters, IMO. Ultimately, yes, but with all the choices we have today, there is a reason why some sell better than others. Military weapons in general have different criteria than civilian guns, although that difference is narrowing as pistol development seems to minimize the differences. 

And tastes change and guns are generally cheaper than they were years ago.  A democracy of gun ownership, at least in America.

pjames777

I have a P95 and find it comfortable to shoot.  

10canyon53

Just realized there is no pic posted of the gun in question.  Going to have to levy the $5 No Pic fine. 

JerryBobCo

I had a p90dc chambered in .45acp.  I liked it fine, except I found it somewhat heavy and clunky.  It was a good shooter, and I could handle it fairly well.

As others have stated, it's simply too big for concealed carry, so I traded it for a smaller 9mm (Kahr).  I didn't shoot the Kahr as well, but it's much more concealable.

Of course, all of my firearms have been sold, so I no longer have any.