[Riphalman]

Now, I'm about as traditional and conservative as it get when it comes to handguns. Just keep it simple. A pretty chunk of hardwood fixed to some shiny blue steel....and I'm happy. For over 20 years, my daily carry gun has been a series 70 Colt in .45ACP. Recently, I decided another pistol in the same caliber might be nice....so I went shopping. Lots of choices out there. So many possibilities and so much variety that goes far beyond the old 1911 configuration. After a lot of looking and handling I settled on a Ruger P97DC. This is about as far from my traditional concept of a combat pistol as I can imagine, but it fit my hand very well and the controls were friendly and well thought out. I have to admit that the pla....uh, polymer frame idea took a while for me to get used to, but the more I handle and shoot this gun, the more I respect it. I had heard horror stories of parts falling off and guns coming apart during firing, so I was a bit apprehensive. My fears were totally unfounded. This Ruger .45 is a real winner. It eats everything I feed it. It has never malfunctioned. Never. It even likes my favorite handload, the standby IPSC load. H&G 68 at around 900fps. Most surprising though is the accuracy. This thing gives my Colt a run for it's money in the tight groups department. How the hell can Ruger do all that and keep the cost so low? Is this gun a fluke or are my experiences typical of Ruger pistols?

[.45Ruger]

I have the P90 in .45ACP and the P95 in 9mm. Both of mine are great guns and utterly reliable. I have ten 10K rounds through the 95 without so much as a hickup. The 90 has about 3K rounds also with no problem. These are my home defence guns but are a little to big for CCW most of the time.

[HSMITH]

The Ruger autoloaders SUCK, terrible garbage!!!!!!!

For mid $300's you get a gun that works ALL the time, and is fairly accurate. They are built like bricks, possibly even soldierproof. The will last forever it seems. Big and blocky and so ugly only a mother could love them...

If one actually fit my hand well enough to buy one I might not say they suck :neener: They are, IF THEY FIT YOU, one of the best deals in firearms today. They don't fit me so they SUCK LOL.

[Lone_Gunman]

Don't matter how good they work, they are still too damn ugly to have to look at.

[denfoote]

The last two answers right out of the block were "blast Ruger"!!! ;) Well, I took my P95 to the desert today and neatly perforated a spray paint can from 15 yards!!! I carried the beast all over Wallyworld yesterday in a Bianchi #7 "shadow" without anybody being the wiser. So much for big and chunky!! As for ugly, I bet the goof on the recieving end of it in a confrontation aint gunna be admiring it's looks!!! ;)

[Jim K]

Everyone to his own taste, but I will take "works" over "looks pretty" every time. I for one consider the Glock uglier than the Ruger, but they both work. Shine and gadgetry look great in a display case or on the range, but don't count worth a darn in a gunfight.

Jim

[ajacobs]

Hmm, I have never really heard of people having problems with any rugers (well except for the mini line) all their handguns and non semi auto rifles have always received praise except for in terms of looks of their semi handguns. I am glad you are happy with your new ruger, I would never buy a new one due to political reasons but that is just me. Congradulations.

[Arub]

More positives for the Rugers. I have both a P95 and a P944 (.40S&W). Both are reliable and as accurate as I need. Have been able to conceal both (one at a time) in an Uncle Mike's IWB. No complaints!

[JeepDriver]

It's nice to see people starting to appriciate Ruger Auto Loaders. I was laughed at by several people when I bought my P95 (it was my first handgun, and all I could afford at the time). I still shoot that gun almost every weekend.

[Ninj500]

Ruger autos are WAY under-rated

Yep! They sure are. If Sig, Glock, Colt or HK was stamped on the side, instead of Ruger, people would think they are the second coming. Or, if Ruger charged $700 instead of $300 they might get respect, because, who wants to bet their life on a $300 gun? Fact is, Rugers are utterly reliable, accurate and easy to shoot. What more can you ask for?

[The Plainsman]

I've got a Mark I, a P95 and a P89 and I'll match their overall quality and accuracy with any Glock, 1911, CZ, Browning, or any other mass-produced, production line semi-auto handgun made anywhere by anybody. As previously stated, they may not be the most picturesque shootin' iron I've ever seen, but, as also previously stated, the bottomline is how well they do what they were built to do - and they DO IT!!

I also own several Ruger wheel guns and they're at least as good as the auto's, plus they're actually nice to look at as well. ;)

[Stevie-Ray]

The first Ruger centerfire auto I fired was a Ruger P-89. God it was an ugly sucker!:D But it was also one hell of a durable piece and as accurate an out-of-the-box auto as I've ever shot. It instantly made me jealous, what with all the hard work I put into my 1911. No, I don't own one, but probably only because they don't make one quite small enough, yet. I own 3 other Rugers, and am quite happy with them. I think they are a fine company. As far as ugly goes, yes they're ugly. Not as much as they used to be, though. Glocks are ugly too. I love mine. Even my H&K USPc is rather ugly. Come to think of it, the only guns I have that aren't ugly are my Ruger Redhawk and my 1911s.

[bad_dad_brad]

I think they are a good value. But I have small hands, and they don't fit me. I have tried! Like the Beretta 92, they just don't work.

[Veritas]

slide mounted safties/decockers :barf:

Up for fire, down for safe :barf: :barf: :barf:

other than that, very adequate pistols

[natedog]

They might be accurate, but I'll never know. So ugly I shot it with my eyes closed...

[Neal Bloom]

Bought a P95 two years ago and like others the friends and shooting partners laughed. After two years they don't laugh anymore but nod in admiration for its accuracy. Ugly? Its realibilty makes me overlook its ugliness.

[Ian11]

I've heard nothing but good things about them. I'm sure they're good but compared to the smooth DA/SA trigger of my SIG P226, I'll take the SIG.

And at that price I'd rather take a CZ 75BD which is also an awesome pistol and easier on the eyes.:o

[Riphalman]

to all of you folks who replied to my thread. Those of you who own and shoot these ruger pistols understand what I'm talking about. For those of you who don't, there may still be room for education concerning the true nature of combat weaponry. I'm not talking about pretty little range guns that your buddies can drool over. I'm talking about a quality built tool that you can stake your life on when the chips are down. What the hell does ugly have to do with it?.....and what IS ugly anyway? I can remember in my youth many people thought that the 1911 was ugly. Now the old girl is everyone's princess. It's all in the mind, people. I've also noticed that younger shooters seem less inclined to dismiss modern polymer guns than us old farts. I suppose having grown up in a world where so much around us is made of plastics helps to shape our concepts how it should be. Old Bill Ruger was a very forward thinking man. God rest his soul.

[seeker_two]

My dad has had a P-90 for about 10 years. Shot about every .45ACP ammo known to man in it (including Wolf :barf: ) in virtually every weather condition. Pistol has yet to jam.

Their autos are just like their revolvers: big, overbuilt, heavy, acceptably accurate, & utterly reliable. And I trust my life to two of their revolvers almost daily. If I decide to get a full-size auto in 9mm or .45ACP (in addition to my 1911), Ruger's at the top of the list...

I like Bill Ruger's "canned hams"...:D

[Lone_Gunman]

Functional and attractive are not mutually exclusive.

Why not pick a gun that is both?

[bikerp97]

I have had my KP97DC for over a year and just bought a P95. I thought they were a little ugly at first, a little big maybe and bought one anyways due to a reputation. Now I have grown very attached to the P97 and am kind of partial to its looks. It is big but still lighter than a 1911. I even carry it now!!! That big ugly thing!! That big ugly accurate reliable thing that is. For the price they cannot be beat!! or even for more they are hard to beat. I love my Rugers and always will. And to think I got started on Rugers because I was too cheap to buy anything else. I guess being cheap is good :)


Kevin

[Sean Smith]

On Ruger semi-autos:

Ruger makes a reliable, rugged, and for the most part acceptably accurate semi-auto at a low price. I've shot 'em, and don't think you can really deny that they are functional weapons. They do not, however, make the best all around gun at that price point, and the gun is lacking a lot of qualities that matter to some people. The Ruger would only be underrated if the CZ-75B didn't exist.

1. The ergonomics stink. The guns are bulky and blocky, with long trigger reach and poor safety and/or decocker placement. A CZ-75B just beats the Ruger into tiny bits in this regard.
2. The trigger stinks. At least the one I shot had the worst DA trigger I’ve ever had the displeasure of dealing with. It really had every vice you can give a trigger that still works… long pull, heavy, gritty, stacking, uneven, and just obnoxious in every way I can think of. Single action was OK, but at about 7 gritty pounds was excessively heavy. The CZ-75B has a much better trigger.
3. The sights are tiny, too small to pick up quickly, and give a mediocre sight picture. CZ sights are a little better, but they are pretty small too in all fairness.
4. Ugly. The guns are, let’s face it, total dogs in the looks department. Not terribly important, but still a factor in the mix. A CZ-75B is better looking and more nicely finished, at least in my opinion.

Given that at about the same price point, the CZ-75B is just as reliable, probably more accurate, and definitely better in all of the qualities noted above, you can’t really say that the Ruger is “underrated.”

[cslinger]

I love it. Reliable, accurate and contrary to popular belief I have a pretty darn good double action trigger on mine.

I also happen to think as far as polymer guns go the Polymer PSeries is very attractive.

I have small hands and my P97 fits me very well.

Two thumbs up here and I have a SIG 220 to compare it against. Still two big thumbs up here for the Ruger.

Chris

[Nero Steptoe]

My brother had a P90 that had the absolutely worst trigger that I've ever fired. Other than that, it was a durable, low-capacity, clunky pistol. Accuracy was poor (although probably good enough to hit a paint can @ 15 yds. :)), due to lousy trigger.

[mini14jac]

Let's see.....
Ruger's are ugly...
Hey! Ugly guns need love too! :D
Besides, I owned several Glocks before I got a Ruger, so then, the Ruger didn't look so bad.

I can't buy one because of Bill Ruger's politics..... :scrutiny:
Well, do you agree with everything that the Austrians, the Mormons, the Moonies, the Czechs(?), the Chinese, the Germans, and Smith and Wesson,etc. etc. have done.?
So, you don't buy their guns either, right?

It will never be as good as a CZ..... :rolleyes:
Look, if you like CZs that's fine.
But that comment is getting almost as old as "Get a Glock."
1. Rugers are American made. They are a good value, and if you buy one, your money stays in the states, instead of supporting a foreign country.
2. Ruger has first rate customer service. I've had a lot of experience with firearms manufacturers, and trust me, Ruger customer service is hard to beat.
3. Parts for a Ruger are going to be much easier to come by.

It doesn't fit my hand.....
Well, there is one I can relate to.
I have small hands, and the P95 just doesn't "fit" me as well as a Glock does.
On the other hand, "Guns are supposed to comforting, not comfortable."
I got tired of paying $100 for standard capacity mags for my Glocks. I had heard a lot of good stuff about Rugers, so I decided to give them a try, even though the P95 felt "chunky" in my hands.
Well, I don't have any trouble holding the gun.
I can easily hit what I aim at.
I forget about the clunkiness as soon as I start pulling the trigger.
>>>And, factory mags can be had for $30, and aftermarket mags that cost $10 can be made to work too. What's not to like?

I've had a P95DC for a couple of years now. In my hands, with Gold Dot +P ammo, I can put a mag full of bullets in one quarter-sized hole from 10 yards, without trying that hard.
That says a lot, to me.
The gun is really accurate beyond my wildest dreams.
I don't shoot a lot of Wolf ammo in it, but it didn't seem to mind.
So far, I've not found any ammo it won't handle.

I like it so well, I've got a P97 on my radar scope now. :cool:

[Nero Steptoe]

"I can put a mag full of bullets ..."

How many bullets would that be??.....13??

[BevrFevr]

I have done alot of preaching againt the uglies of ruger for several years now I still have and like the 2 of the 3 I've owned.

Sold the p89 to buy a cz and never looked back. Just think of Rugers as the Blue Light special of handguns. They will meet the needs of most. Just don't look to close.

If I could only have a Ruger and no other I would get by.

I ROFLMAO About the sell it for $700 comment. Who would pay it?
They don't even use real steel It's like some puffy marshmallow metal. Hell for even $300 I can deal with plastic but I won't accept cast.

If Ruger took what they know and used it on real steel they could be a major player.

I would go out of my way to buy a ruger if it:

was made out of real steel
had a better triggers
had better sights
had a frame mounted safety
cocked and locked
still used cheap mags
had better ergonomics
was narrower in slide and frame
had better accuracy

Oh wait a minute I just described a CZ75 :neener:

-bevr

[caz223]

LOL!

[mini14jac]

Nero Steptoe wrote:
How many bullets would that be??.....13??

A standard capacity mag for a Ruger P-series 9mm pistol holds 15 rounds.

[Ninj500]

I ROFLMAO About the sell it for $700 comment. Who would pay it?

It wasn't that long ago people were saying "who would use a plastic gun." Or, The M-16 is unreliable and will never last as a viable weapon. Stranger things have happened. I never said the gun would be worth $700, but, people would pay it. People do strange things.

[mparris71]

Hell for even $300 I can deal with plastic but I won't accept cast.

Umm, have you ever heard of a ruger frame cracking?? or wearing out for that matter.

[Minute_Of_Torso]

I must be one of the few but I think Ruger semi-auto centerfires are a very good looking gun . . . and they fit my hands quite well. I've only owned a P97DC but I was extremely happy with it.

IMHO, Rugers are the best deal for the money, period.

[Rob96]

You won't hear me gripe about my P-90. Great gun.

[mini14jac]

I ROFLMAO About the sell it for $700 comment. Who would pay it?

Actually, that's a whole 'nother can of worms.
I don't actually feel any gun out there, (long or short) is worth $700 or more, but people pay it.
Since that is the price of some guns I have wanted, I have paid it. But, were they actually worth it?
Ruger, Glock, Sig, H&K,...... the value of any of these guns is in the eye of the beholder.

I certainly consider a Ruger handgun to a better value at $350, than a H&K at $700, but others may have different values than I do.

[Kahr carrier]

Ruger autos are good .Best bang for the buck and reliable thumbs up.

[panzerfuehrer]

I have a P85. It is kinda chunky, ugly, and has a wicked trigger pull, but it is utterly reliable, and came from the factory with 15 rd magazines. :)

[Handgun]

I agree that they are underrated.

I too must be the exception to the rule on the looks part... I really like the looks of the Rugers ... at least the P93, P94, and P97. I do not care much for the P85/89, P90, P91, or p95.

The ergonomics are a bit better on the P93, P94, and P97 than the P85/89, P90, P91, P95 due to the use of curved as apposed to straight sided grips ("reversed palm swells" is the only way I can explain what I am trying to describe). This makes the P93, P94, and P97 a bit less 2X2-ish or brick-like. Still though, the CZs and the Sigs feel better in my hand. But I do not shoot the CZ or the Sig any better.

Ruger DA triggers: The Rugers I own or have owned have relatively long and heavy double action triggers much like the Beretta 92. But, in my experience, they are very smooth, some almost buttery smooth. Because they are smooth I have found them easier to keep on target throughout the trigger stroke than a CZ or Sig. I find them to be heavier than the CZ or Sig triggers but easier to keep on target since the CZ and Sig DA triggers seem to be stagy to me.

Ruger SA triggers: Are hit or miss. I have one that is better than any CZ I have tried and is almost as good as the best Sig that I have tried. But, in general, they tend to have a gritty glitch in them prior to reaching a point where there is a smooth break.

I owned a Sig P220 and the Ruger P97DC. I still have the P97 because I shoot it better than I did the P220.