[NOVAdude]

I am a newbie shooter looking forward to my first handgun purchase. In the past, I have used the Sig Classic line (minaly p228 and p229) and the Glock 19, however both are out of my current price range.

I am looking for a handgun chambered in 9mm, at a price point around 300 dollars. Two guns that meet these criterea, and have been relatively well recieved are the Steyr M9 and the Ruger p95. The Steyr is 299 from CDNN, the ruger sells for that price on gunbroker.com before the current 40 dollar rebate.

What are the pros and cons of each gun? Any preference from the peanut gallery? Are there any other guns at that price point that I should consider? I thought about the XD line, but 400+ is a bit more then I can spend at this time. Some of the Highpower clones seem interesting, but I don't know enough about them to make an informed choice.

Oh, and I wanted to go to Virginia Arms the other day, but couldn't find it to save my life. Its a mess out there with all those major roads coming together off of route 28! lol

Thanks!

[makdaddy03]

I really dont know anything about the Steyr. But I do know the Ruger P95.
Pros Has never failed me.
Cons None.

[JeepDriver]

I've had my P95 for years. Matter of fact it was my first centerfire hand gun. :D

Over 15,ooo rounds through it w/o a major problem. (Had to replace the recoil spring assembly, $25 shipped from Ruger)

They USA afteramrket 15 round mags work quite well, I installed Ruger Followers and P89 mags springs(no listing for P95 springs) from Wolff in mine and they have been 100% reliable with all types of ammo.

I still shoot mine quite often, I shoot it better then any otherof my hand guns :confused: Sometimes I wonder if I should have stopped buying $700 pistols and stick with the $350 pistols :uhoh:

[COK]

No experience with the Steyr, my P-95 has never given me a problem , feeds all types of ammunition and from what I hear Ruger has good customer service .

[denfoote]

You might want to know that as far as I know, Steyr has not as yet found an importer for their pistols. They are not currently being imported, so things like spare mags and such are going to be difficult, if not impossible to get!! This may have changed in the past few months, but I have not heard anything about it. The pistols that CDNN is selling are those that were imported before Steyr had their factory sold out from under them and they lost their importing agent!!

I would get the Ruger P95!!! It's a solid dependable gun that is made right here in Arizona. (Almost Mexico, but not quite ;) ) I've had one for years and the only failure I have ever had was when it finally choked on an afternoon meal of about 500 wolves!! :what:

[Beav]

I e-mail the Steyr offices awhile back on the status of an importer, this is
what I got;

Dear Sir,
thank you for your e-mail of March 20.
Steyr Mannlicher started in December 2002 the cooperation with a new
importer for our Pistols in USA. Now you should get our pistols and
accessories from the distributor

DAVIDSON'S
or
CDNN

Concerning spare parts and after sales service you can also contact Diamond
Trail Shooter's Supply via the following means:

Diamond Trail Shooter's Supply
606 South Front Street
Montezuma, IA 50171
(641) 623-3098 telephone
(641)623-5672 fax
mshearn@netins.net

Michael Shearn
Marketing Director
Diamond Trail Shooter's Supply/Airgun Express

Hoping to be able to help you. If there are any problems please do not
hesitate to contact us again.

With best regards
STEYR MANNLICHER GmbH. & Co KG

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have ordered spare mags from CDNN and another HighRoader supposedly had warranty work done at Diamond Trail Shooters Supply. I have also ordered parts from Diamond Trail Shooters Supply and from ODell Engineering. The parts may not always be in stock and shipment from Austria is slow going but you CAN get parts and service.

Philip C. O'Dell, P.Eng.
President
O'Dell Engineering Ltd.
Tel.: 1 519 740 8620
Fax: 1 519 740 9483
Email: phil@odel.on.ca

[NOVAdude]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

For those in the know about the p95, is the stainless version of the gun the way to go? Is the finish on the black model durable, or does it wear down quicker then say, the tenifer finish on a glock?

Oh, and could you guys clarify the operation of the p95 with the safety? Is it a SA gun with a manual safety like the Hipower and 1911?

Thanks!

[P95Carry]

Being honest ........ zero Steyr experience but ..... whilst I freely admit to thinking my P95 (and P97) are total butt ugly ..... they are great tools ... solid, tough and dependable. I would not part with mine and for non summer carry make me feel well secure ..... and they are - it is (P95) ...... well accurate enough for me.

So .... P 95 IMO is a great choice.

[Beav]

I would probably go with the Ruger. Their service and parts availability are without question which is important if this is your first and only handgun. I got that impression that if a certain Steyr part was not in stock they would order it from Austria which could take a while. O'Dell was able to accomodate me and take a part off one of their stock guns but I don't know how willing they will be able to do that in the future. Anyway, you would want turn around to be quick if its your one and only, the Ruger would be your better bet in that regard.

[USGuns]

In my first handgun training class I shot the Steyr ... or I should say I TRIED to shoot the Steyr ... it kept jamming. Whereas the class P95 AND the P95 I bought thereafter has yet to fail to fire no matter what I feed it. It was also my first gun. I could have bought a much more pricey gun but I wanted an American made, reliable, accurate handgun and I found it in the Ruger P95.

[Zundfolge]

you can't go wrong with either.

I've got a Steyr M40 and its been absolutely reliable and accurate (more accurate then me).

I looked at the Rugers, but I too think they are ugly and frankly old man Bill pissed me off with his support of the 10 round mag limit. I guess he doesn't think I'm an "honest man" because I want more then 10 rounds if I can get it :fire:. So I decided I wouldn't own one (yeah, I'm being a curmudgeon but thats also why the only S&W I'll ever own is the 686 I'll inherit when my father passes away ... should be in another 20 years or so).

[10-Ring]

I'd go w/ the Ruger ;)

[Darrin]

I've shot an M40 and loved it so much I'm looking to buy it's little brother, the S40. :)

[seeker_two]

Ruger all the way...

1. Hell-for-stout reliable.
2. Easy to repair or service (& rarely needed).
3. Hell-for-stout reliable.
4. Accurate as any high-dollar autopistol.
5. Hell-for-stout reliable.
6. Least expensive quality American-made autopistol.
7. Hell-for-stout reliable.
8. Stainless slide & polymer frame just look great.
9. Hell-for-stout reliable.

And the Top Ten Reason...

10. Hell-for-stout reliable.

[Flashpoint]

Depends on what you want. I own a Steyr M40 and a Ruger P89. They are both good guns. Everything good that has been said about the Ruger is true, but for me it's just a plinker. The Steyr, for me, has better ergonomics, better balance, I like the DOA short trigger pull for a CCW better than the DA/SA on the Ruger. The Steyr is a well-made gun with some really neat sites. I have over 1000 rounds through mine without a hiccup. I would suggest finding both guns somewhere and handle them to see which one you like the best. You are not going to get hurt with either.

[denfoote]

I did not know that CDNN had become a Steyr distributer. The last flyer that I saw spoke of their supply being the "last ones ever"!!! :rolleyes:

Ok, me bad!! I just went to the Davidson's web site and found that they do handle Steyr pistols!!

[arinvolvo]

The problems with Steyr importation were solved a while back...there are many places that deal with steyr now....

NOVAdude...I was in the same predicament you were in not long ago...I was in the market for a low priced 9mm, and it was between the Steyr and the Ruger....

I had never shot the steyr, but I had shot a friends Ruger....i new the ruger to be absolutely reliable, reasonable accurate, and a great value...however, I hated it....I hated the way it felt in my hands....i hated the way it looked...

Long story short...I chose the steyr, without ever shooting one.....After I bought it, I took it directly to the attached range, and made myself very happy with my decision...I cut a giant hole throught the 10 ring of the target at 7 yards...and the feel of the gun was magnificent...thousands of rounds later, I am still a happy camper.

the steyr is a great gun, so dont discount it....but then again, never discount ruger for reliability and value.

Both guns are a great choice....get the one that feels right, and you wont loose.

Here is a pic of the very first target I ever shot with the Steyr. 10 shot group. Most through the same hole, more or less.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=172128

[mephisto]

Get the Steyr. Or get a p89.

[NOVAdude]

Tell me more about the P89!

I was doing a search on gunbroker.com last night and ran across some very nice looking p89 with a two-tone finish and hogue grips. they looked very nice.

[davidtdm]

NOVAdude,

I have a P95 DA/SA model and have shot the Styer. Both are very well made handguns. I purchase the P95 well before I heard of the Styers. But I plan on getting the M40 to replace my .40 handgun. Cslinger calls me monkeypaws, so the ergonomics of the styer felt awesome in my hands. I also found the sights were a lot easier for me to aquire objects in. Either way I don't think you will go wrong with either.

You asked on how the )P95) finish on the polymer holds up.( mine's two tone) Rugged is all I have to say. I have a few small spots of wear. If you treat it nice it will last. I'm going on about 4 years and about 8,000 rounds and it looks like it does when I first bought it.

To those who say it looks ugly. I guess I just dont see it. I love it. When disposable funds become available I plan on getting the P97 so I can have a matching set:D

Happy choosing

...Dave

[mephisto]

P89 is the best ruger auto ever. But its not as good as a steyr m-9. they are around the same price. you can find a p89 almost anywhere. i can keep my shots in 3" group at 35 feet with my steyr, my 89 is about 5" at the same range. I not a great shot with a pistol. I like the feel of the M9 more than the P89.

[twoblink]

Steyr

I think it is the most ergonomic gun currently available. Lowest felt recoil too.

[Flashpoint]

You mean like this?

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-4/148376/EXFKIUZBPRKWLQKPCFHI-rugerknife.JPG

IMHO the best looking gun in the P series. My P89 has never failed, but the POA is a little low for me. The grip feel goooood in my hand and it's accurate.

Really the reason I carry the Steyr and not the Ruger is because the Steyr is smaller and liter, POA is dead on, and I like the trigger better

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-4/148376/WSJKZWMGWGTSZPSXQKEC-STYER%20&%20SOG2.JPG

If you get the Steyr I'd recommend High noon Hoslters

http://highnoonholsters.com/index.html

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-4/148376/MLMBU[KNXSQEMQXIDLJP-Steyr%20Cult.JPG

[sturmruger]

I actually own both of these guns. I think that P95 is a little easier gun to shoot because it is a nice big gun that is very traditional. If you are just looking for something to shoot at the range the Ruger I think is a little better gun. It is also very easy to get very large capacity magazines for the ruger. I got some 30 round mags for $17 that have beeb very reliable.

The Steyr M9 is a blast to shoot and extremly accurate. I have never found a gun that is so accurate when shooting fast. If you are thinking about using this gun for concealed carry I would not recomend the Ruger. The Steyr is easy to conceal and has no sharp edges that might dig into your side. I have been carrying a Steyr handgun now for two years. I hope this helps.

[PawDaddy]

I own a P-95, but would like to get a Steyr someday. The only problem that I have had with my Ruger is that once while carrying it in my waistband, the mag dropped out when I was taking it out. I don't know if this could/would happed if drawing from a holster, but it would be a concern if it was carried for self-defense. The mag release is a bad design,IMO, because it can become depressed when withdrawing the gun.

Has any of you other P-95 owners experienced this?

My P-95 has always been 100% reliable when shooting.

[22x9]

NOVAdude,

Where in Northern VA are you? I have a Steyr M-9 and enjoy it. If you want to meet me at Blue Ridge Arsenal one weekend, you can put some rounds down range. Send me a PM or e-mail me at the address in my profile. Has to be on a weekend, since where I work has a "No Weapons on Premises" Rule.

[P95Carry]

PawDaddy -I own a P-95, .......... The only problem that I have had with my Ruger is that once while carrying it in my waistband, the mag dropped out when I was taking it out. I don't know if this could/would happed if drawing from a holster, but it would be a concern if it was carried for self-defense. The mag release is a bad design,IMO, because it can become depressed when withdrawing the gun. I have both P95 and P97 ..... they are 100% reliable too. I guess a draw from mexican carry just could apply enough pressure to mag release but never had a prob. I use a Fobus paddle for carry and at range .... and this presents no risk at all in that respect. I'd think to that a moulded leather holster would also be no prob.

[PawDaddy]

P95Carry,

The mag release on my P95 does seem easy to depress compared to what others have said over at the Ruger Forum. I've heard some say that they have to use finger and thumb on both sides to depress their releases. I can depress mine with either thumb or finger.

Is there some way to tighten up the tension on the release? I don't want it to be extremely hard to press, but it could offer a little more resisitence.

[P95Carry]

PawDaddy........

Well, seems you may just have the opposite of what my P97 had when I got it. It was VERY difficult, even with finger/thumb, to drop the damned mag!!

Dealer gave gun to his smith who eased it by removing just a whisker off the engagement protrusion. Seems like yours maybe is a tad lacking in that respect ....... so maybe get Ruger to replace that part and/or even fit new spring .. gotta be combination of one or the other or both methinks.

My P95 is pretty much ''about right'' :)

[mrapathy2000]

steyrs are great guns and right now they are availible in $300-$400 range due to special deals between cdnninvestments and davidsons. reason is cause steyr has had bad luck with factory and flood and isnt pumping out guns and parts and things are slow going but this fall they should be up and running baring problems. steyr is known for making quality guns just look at some of theyre most famous work. steyr aug,steyr tmp:tactical machine pistol,steyr scout.

steyrs will go back up in price in the future. the retail value for the M series is $600+ and sold. its tough competition in gun industry and they are trying to get theyre product out.

[Alan Smithiee]

never used a Styr, but I pack a P-95DC (no safety), (if B. Ruger was so opposed 10 rd's why do all his pistols take mags of more than 10 rds and why is the 30 rd camp carbine mag compatable with the P series??)

I've only once had a problem with the mag reliese, and that was a odd situation to start with (carried in a very crowded shoulder bag)

I would say try both and pick which ever one feels best in your hand and you enjoy shooting the most.