[Beorn]

I never see much about them. They are rather inexpensive, and yet no one seems to buy them because they aren't cool, or 1911 style, or something.

Anyone got any information? Experience? Anecdotes? Ironic musings?

[bedlamite]

Big, strong, very easy disassembly, and mine didn't like CCI Blazers. Good range gun, poor CCW.

[chaim]

My first auto was a Ruger P89 (9mm).

I got it because a buddy had a P90 which is essentially the same gun in .45acp. His gun was incredibly accurate and very reliable.

My 89 was easy to disassemble, it was very reliable (no trouble in about 2000 rounds), and built like a tank. However, it was fairly heavy and felt heavier than it was somehow (despite the aluminum frame). They are big and very bulky. They felt like a brick in the hand (as did the P90). For me it inspired no "pride of ownership". It wasn't very accurate at all- even as my first auto it was noticably less accurate for me than most other autos I tried. I traded it for a Charles Daly 1911 which has been a great gun for me on all counts.

I've heard that the polymer P95 (9mm) is more accurate and generally an improvement over the P89. I've also heard that the P97 (polymer .45acp) is no where up to Ruger reliablity standards. The P94s I've heard about sound decent.

So if I was to buy another Ruger right now it would be the P90, P95 or P94. I do plan to eventually get a P90, and depending upon other factors (such as if I buy a PC 9 or PC 4) I may get a P95 in 9mm or a P94 in .40S&W (the carbines use the same mags as the pistols in the same calibers).

[arinvolvo]

Ruger is a fine company, with a great warrantee...having said that...I was recently in the market for a 9mm pistol, and it came down to the ruger and the Steyr M9....I opted for the steyr for a number of different reasons...But I have shot ruger 9's numerous times...and I would have no qualms trusting my life to one. For the price they are hard to beat. You can usually find a polymer model for about 300 bucks.

[Minute_Of_Torso]

Carried a Ruger P97DC for about a year, and I'd have to disagree with bedlamite about it being a poor CCW. I had no trouble whatsoever. I could see a small framed person having trouble with it for CCW but I tend to carry larger semiautos and revolvers anyway (92FS, P97DC, GP100, G21, etc.). I like guns that are built like a tank and have a substantial weight to them . . . just a personal choice.

From TFL and other gun sites, I gathered that the P97DC wasn't too popular with many people but I had a great experience with it and would certainly own it or any other Ruger P-series again.

BTW, with a little fiddling with the mag, I could use my 1911 mags in it, too.

[Jeff OTMG]

Ruger is a good, reasonably priced, firearm. I have a personal boycott against Ruger firearms for that actions of Bill Ruger in March 1989 when he pushed for a 15 round limit on magazines. I spoke to Neal Knox today and Neal told him not to send it, but he did anyway. The result is the 10 round limit we have today. I have not bought a Ruger since and never will. I hope Bill Ruger is in a warm place.

[Rob96]

I own and carry a P-90 and love the thing. I actually thnk it looks bigger than what it is. I carry it IWB just like the 1911 I used to have and have had no problems. The P-90 are extremely accurate.

[arinvolvo]

Jeff...maybe when the ban sunsets next year you will go out and buy a ruger....or maybe not...but dont deprive yourself of a quality low priced firearm because of something that happened in 1989.

[STEVE M]

Ruger's are good guns but not great guns. They are big and

bulky and ugly, but they are generally very reliable (they look like

something the Russians would design. At least in the 45's (P90

and 97) they are also generally very accurate. I personaly

feel that the ergonomics need improvement and that they need

to learn how to get rid of sharp edges. Over all, they are a solid

choice but as on poster pointed out, little pride of ownership.

[Arub]

I have both a P944 (.40S&W) and a P95 (polymer 9mm). Both guns are reliable, point well and are accurate enough to be death on steel plates at 25 yards. Have carried them both as CCWs.

Have never had a malf with the P95 and have owned it about 3 or 4 years now. Initially had an ejection problem with the P944, brass kept comeing straight back at my eyes and forehead. Sent it back to Ruger, they replaced the extractor - no problems since. Have had it about as long as I have had the P95. I wouldn't part with either.

For non-auto chuckers, I can make the same statements about Ruger's GP. Accurate, well built, reliable.

[Pistolsmith]

The original .22 Ruger pistol, which is a re-creation of the Japanese baby Nambu, according to Bill Ruger's biography, is pleasant to shoot, but does not have the natural feel and point of a second model Woodsman (for me.) The government model .22 fits me very well.
The p-89 et al do not fit my hand by any stretch of the imaginaiton.
Rugers are purposely "overbuilt" and are therefore very sturdy. They are quite reliable and accurate, but a requirement is large hands, which I don't have.

[Bacchus]

One advantage that I see with the P series is that full capacity mags are readily available and really inexpensive.

[Bainx]

The Ruger MKII is just about my favorite handgun.
Well made and quite accurate.

[COK]

Good reliable guns for the money , several hundred rds through a P-95 and P-90 without a single problem. Workmanship is a bit rougher than some of the more expensive guns but the P-90 will shoot for me just as well as guns costing twice as much.

[P95Carry]

Well - guess what? yep .. I am a P95 user.!

Mid range pricing, tough as hell ....... bit chunky but ... innately reliable. Suits my purpose. If knocked around a bit, no great problems ....... it is difficult to damage.

Only crit' might be (until you are used to it) is the long trigger travel for D/A and then the very ''way back'' S/A release. If ever time to choose, I would cock hammer for a S/A first shot but .. otherwise, and with practice, this makes for me a good carry piece.

Have considered getting a 97 but so far never had a .45 ACP .... one day maybe.

[Khornet]

and, yes it is blocky and not very chic but its look have grown on me. And in a belt slide it just disappears under a polar fleece, believe it or not. The only problem is that it's stretching my belt, but that will go away when the UPS man brings that package from Bulman Gunleather.

It's nice to be able to afford a Wilson, Brown etc. 1911 or one of them fancy imported autos, but a Ruger will do the job just fine 'til then.

[Blackhawk]

Tough, reliable, inexpensive.

[10-Ring]

Great value! Good house gun, IDPA gun and good 1st gun. The guys that I've known that started buying handguns w/ Rugers still own them, but have moved on to 1911's, Glocks, SIGs, HKs. But all seem to say there's nothing wrong w/ the Ruger ;)

[RON in PA]

Nobody seems to buy them?? Ruger has sold a million or two or three. The analogy to things Russian is good. Overbuilt and tough with no finesse. The P95 is a step in the right direction. Often wondered what Bill Ruger's hand size was compared to JM Browning's.

[Poohgyrr]

The only Ruger auto I've shot was a short bull barrel .22, the centerfire's I looked at a few years ago were uglier than my Glocks, and felt like 2X4's.

But I saw a Lady do well with one of their 9mm's at our last IDPA match....

'Course, she woulda done better with a Hi Power ;).....
:neener:

[KP95DAO]

Do you wonder what I carry most of the time? Also, my eldest used his KP95DC to win his way to SSP/Master in IDPA. This during actual competitions, not shooting the Classifier over and over.

[Mark IV Series 80]

They are rather inexpensive, and yet no one seems to buy them because they aren't cool, or 1911 style, or something.I hear that in the latest reporting period, Ruger has surpassed S&W, producing more handguns in the US than any other manufacturer.

[EJ]

Jeff OTMG

Ruger is a good, reasonably priced, firearm. I have a personal boycott against Ruger firearms for that actions of Bill Ruger in March 1989 when he pushed for a 15 round limit on magazines. I spoke to Neal Knox today and Neal told him not to send it, but he did anyway. The result is the 10 round limit we have today. I have not bought a Ruger since and never will. I hope Bill Ruger is in a warm place.

I agree COMPLETELY--
I thought I was alone--
I always catch heck for knockin' ole Bill's Politics--

Glad to have someone express my feelings--

Thanks--;)

[Neal Bloom]

Bought a P95 a couple years ago and had to send it back. The distributor finally replaced it. The replacement has been very reliable and accurate enough for me. The trigger is long but it goes bang everytime. Not the sexiest gun in my collection but one that I trust enough for the night stand.

[Wilhelm]

Beorn if you care Jacob has a P89 I am sure we could get hold of it if you wanna shoot. Personaly I didnt like it. The brick analogy fits perfect.



Wilhelm

[xjer]

Ruger P95DC= good value, reliable, low maintenance, good
first gun.


Mike

[Beorn]

I may be in the market for a .45 soon. Eventually I'll get a 1911, but for my first .45 I want something different.

I was looking at the Ruger 95 or the 90. Especially the 90. Some others for my hands (larger) would be the EAA or the Glock 21.

I realize that all of these guns are cheaper than most 1911s. Cost is an issue, but not a huge one; if I have to save to get what I want, so be it.

But, when I made my earlier statement about nobody buying them, I was refering to semi-autos above .22. I know they sell a lot of guns, but very few people I know actually own one.

Thanks for all the information folks. Keep it coming!:D

[JeepDriver]

Another very happy P95 owner. It was my first handgun and is still going to the range with me every week.

If you go shoot a P95 you'll buy one. They are a great gun at a great price. They are 100% reliable and accurate. Aftermarket Standard cap mags are availiable from several places for $15-20.

I've recommended the Ruger P series to several first time handgun buyers. All with good results.

[bad_dad_brad]

The Mark II is a classic. A great pistol. Historic.

Ruger revolvers are second to none for the price.

Their rifles (except for the Mini-14) are excellent.

But Ruger centerfire auto-loaders are, chunky, with average accuracy, but they are reliable. It is just that they are so god-awful thick! An auto-loader should be super model slim. Personally, I have many Ruger products that I love, but their centerfire autoloaders, well, I hate them.

[Ninj500]

I love my P89. It was my first semi-auto and ten years later I still have it. Other guns have come and gone but the Ruger never leaves. You can spend a lot more money and not get a better pistol.

[Shooter973]

Blaming Bill Ruger for the Hi-cap ban is pretty silly, He didn't have a vote on it and He may have helped prevent it from being worse. Your Senators and Congress critters are the one that forced the Ban on us all. Thank heaven for the sunset clause!!!!! Why isn't it used on more legislation???? That all aside Ruger Autos are up to individual taste, but they are good weapons and I'm proud to say that I own more than a few of them. :scrutiny:

[Jeff OTMG]

I can blame mag restrictions on Ruger. They had never thought about it before his letter. He wanted a 15 round limit. Why 15? Because Glock was kicking his butt in the LE community with a $300 17 round 9mm. He was trying to gain a competitive advantage and it cost us dearly on 9/14/94. I will not forgive that, but it is my personal boycott based on principle, you are free to do as you wish.

[Beorn]

I was unaware why the whole 15 round thing came about. Thanks for the info.

By the way, where could I view that sunset legislation?

Thank you:)

[Beorn]

Never mind, I found it myself.

C'mon 2004!:D

[Longbow]

The first semi- auto handgun I bought was a Ruger P89 (circa 1993). It was reliable, fairly accurate and affordable. I kept it for awhile then sold it to finance an IPSC open gun. It wasn't easy to let go because of the said attributes. But, if I had known Glock :D and the envolvement of Ruger in the magazine ban at the time, it would have been an easy decision!
If you don't mind the magazine ban, then go for it. Like what's been said, its a good gun. Your call!

[denfoote]

The things I like about my P95 are that it goes BANG every time I squeeze the trigger and eats anything I feed it, including wolves!!!! :eek:
I got a hoard of 15 round Ruger factory mags some time ago, while they were still plentiful!!! :evil:

What I don't like about it is that it's a (vulgar for female dog) to conceal!!! :mad:

I can hide my P99 easier than that big Ruger!!! :what:

[Mark IV Series 80]

The first semi- auto handgun I bought was a Ruger P89 (circa 1993). It was reliable, fairly accurate and affordable. I kept it for awhile then sold it to finance an IPSC open gun. It wasn't easy to let go because of the said attributes. But, if I had known Glock and the involvement of Ruger in the magazine ban at the time, it would have been an easy decision! Bill Ruger paid dearly for his mistake. You can read about it in the book Ruger and His Guns.

He regretted what he did, and he is no longer with us.
I see no point in punishing the company that he founded.

On the other hand....... with the statements of Glock's Vice president on 60 minutes tonight, I have personally decided to Boycott Glock!

[triggertime]

On the other hand....... with the statements of Glock's Vice president on 60 minutes tonight, I have personally decided to Boycott Glock!

I'm already boycotting Glock due to the way they've handled their frame rail fiasco. From that we've learned that Glock does not care about their non-leo customer base and has gone so far as to place us in a lower priority than the law enforcement community. Add to that Paul Jannuzzo's statement on 60 minutes, and we learn that Glock does not care about our 2nd Amendment rights either. Supporting ballistic fingerprinting with the attitude of 'what can it hurt?' is disturbing. Perhaps Mr. Jannuzzo should actually think about the ramifications of his comments before he chooses to opine on national television.

[Kahr carrier]

The Mark-2 is great.:D

[Al Thompson]

I've owned a couple of the centerfires and shot or seen shot a bunch more. While a bit bulky, they have decent accuracy and are very reliable.

Folks, lets keep the politics in L&P.

[Byron Quick]

Concur with Al. Reliable. Accurate. Clunky.

[seeker_two]

As for the "canned ham" statement: I've seen some pretty small canned hams...:D

My next autopistol may be a Ruger--they're that good...:cool:

[TheFrontRange]

I owned a Ruger P95DC (stainless slide, polymer frame) for a couple of years. Mine was a good, solid pistol...accurate, reliable, and a bit chunky as noted by previous posters.

I actually carried mine not just for CCW but while on duty volunteering with my local Sheriff's Office as a Reserve Deputy. I was in a distinct minority there...obviously Glocks were far more numerous, followed by Smith autos and revolvers and a handful of 1911s, Berettas, and SIGs. Still scored the second-highest in the class on the range with my P95, though! (The top-scorer was an IPSC shooter with a Para-Ordnance P16-40...good gravy, that guy could SHOOT).

In the end, I sold my Ruger off toward the purchase of another handgun. I'm just a not a big polymer frame fan, I guess! I still recommend the Ruger line, though, and the P95 series in particular. :)

[Mark IV Series 80]

After I sell my G17 and G36, I'll be looking hard at the P89, P90, P95, and P97.

I could have bought three of them, for what I paid for the two Glocks.

[Longbow]

Edited by moderator.

[BevrFevr]

Hmmm let me think

Butt ugly!
Bulky!
Slide mounted safety! Blah!
Made from Castings!
Hard to get a fast sight picture(for me).
Controls hard to reach with one hand
triggers could be better


moderate accuracy
very reliable
plentiful high caps(No thanks to Bill Ruger)
Cheap
rugged

Did I say fat and ugly.
You could spend your money on worse things I suppose.
-bevr

[foghornl]

I have a KP-90 (matte finish Stainless Steel), and while large, and not the most Aestetically Pleasing (read ugly) gun around, it has good accuracy, and goes BANG! every time I mash the trigger, no matter what's in the mag and chamber. It is quite a bit bulkier than my Springfield Champion.