P85 for a bug-out sidearm?

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Sammael94

Sammael94

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I have been slowly building a bug-out bag for a while now, and my current set-up, weapons wise, is a bolt-action .308 and a Ruger SR45 (not much chance out here of encountering human threats at a range for which neither weapon is appropriate), but I have my doubts as to the ruggedness of the pistol. Don't get me wrong, I love my big .45, it was my first handgun and it always goes bang when I pull the trigger, but for a bug out weapon, I just don't feel comfortable with that as my weapon.

I have three main issues with the SR45: First, the polymer frame. For a carry or duty gun, polymer is fine, but in a bug out scenario where I have to bug out, I would prefer something made out of steel, or at least some kind of alloy. Secondly, the striker-fired action. I don't know why, but I just feel more comfortable with a SA/DA setup. Finally, the caliber. There is nothing ballistically wrong with .45, but 9mm is so much cheaper and more popular, not to mention the higher capacity magazines and the weight of the ammunition itself, that I feel it is a much better choice for a bug out gun.

My father recently upgraded his personal handgun from a P85 to a SIG P226 Mk25, and I am thinking he will allow me to "repurpose" his old wondernine for my bug-out bag.

So I guess what I am asking for here is input. Is there any reason not to have a P85 for my bug out side-arm? Are there better options out there? What are your thoughts? In general I trust you guys and really value your opinions, so I figured I'd reach out to you. Also I have a lot of fun talking about this kind of stuff. ;)

Thanks in advance for your input.
 
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I can't think of any reason not to get the P85 for your stated purpose, other than when I travel, I like to travel light. Typically that would mean something in a polymer or aluminum alloy framed semi-auto.
 
It's a big heavy pistol. I would imagine that if a situation required bugging out, you might find more value in a concealable gun.
 
The Ruger P series pistols were some of the most robust pistols ever made. I read a torture test that was done on one and the amount of abuse that pistol survived was incredible.
 
I'm not sure what requirement you'd have for a "bug-out sidearm", but I'd really hate to have to count on a product that is out of production and may not have parts availability.
 
Ruger P85's and 89's are big clunky and somewhat heavy pistols, but they're basically bomb proof. So if you exchange 'bug out pistol' for 'truck gun' I'd have no issues with relying on one.

I didn't know if Ruger still services them or makes parts for them or what, but if so Numrich is your friend. There's a ton of parts on there for them there. Maybe buy a few of the most commonly worn parts now just to have as a kit.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/Ruger-33474/AutoPistols-40403/P85-35123.htm
 
Availability of magazines is the biggest issue with uncommon firearms. Make sure you have a supply adequate enough to address whatever issues could arise, and assume you may lose some or have some break along the way.
 
I like the Ruger pistols but they are, as stated above; heavy, not supported well with parts/mags, etc. I like Berettas a lot since they are very common and supported with parts/mags well. Same for Glock and SIG.

The Ruger will do fine. However, it does have some downsides. If possible I would go with some of the others mentioned.
 
"Ruger P85's and 89's are big clunky and somewhat heavy pistols, but they're basically bomb proof."

Ditto. In addition the action is somewhat dated being a early version of the DA/SA Wondernines.

I recommend you replace the recoil, main and firing pin springs with new ones. They are available from Wolff. The firing pin spring is a bit of a pain to replace but I did it myself. My P-89 started malfunctioning a couple of years ago and new springs got it running like new again. The moral of the story is after 25 years springs get tired and need replacement.

"Availability of magazines is the biggest issue with uncommon firearms"

Huh? Ruger P-series are far, far from being uncommon with widespread use by Law Enforcement Agencies. High capacity magazines are made by Mec-Gar and are affordable. While you are at it I would replace the magazine springs in the original and any old magazines you have with the Wolff +5% extra strength ones.

As you probably have guessed by now I am a big believer in replacing springs in all the used guns I get especially 25+ years old ones. It is a easy, cheap and get way to ensure maximum reliability from your gun.
 
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"What law enforcement agencies are carrying P85s?"

If you asking me I am not aware of any law enforcement agencies that are currently carrying the P-series. The Department I retired from in 2008 was using P-95 9mm's. We started out with P-85s and upgraded whenever Ruger introduced a new P-series model.

The same magazine works in any P-series and magazines are easily available from Mec-Gar. Mec-Gar is the oem magazine supplier for many companies and are very high quality.
 
When I had a BUG out bag Years ago. (don't need one today I bugged out to boonies long ago. ) I carried a Ruger MKII extra mags and a 500 round brick . Weight is a problem. Need to keep low as possible, yet have what you feel you need.
22 would take small game in country. In city If fired in SD low report Considering the possible rioting and noise Likely never heard. Object is to escape not go to war. People don't want shot Riots and looting not really going to change that .
 
Don't know why you'd want a bigger clunkier pistol that shoots a smaller caliber, but, yeah it'd work. P85's are big, ugly, and clunky, but they are reliable, and the price is right. ;)
 
There was a thread here a few months ago about someone not being able to find some springs for one of the P series Ruger but I don't remember which one. Someone else commented they're out of production and hard to find.

I definitely would check into that.

If that's the case... sell it and get something else.

Generally I prefer metal over poly guns mainly because of balance reasons but I don't see any down side to polymers in that role... or any role that I can readily think of for that matter
 
danez71 said:
There was a thread here a few months ago about someone not being able to find some springs for one of the P series Ruger but I don't remember which one. Someone else commented they're out of production and hard to find.

I definitely would check into that.

If that's the case... sell it and get something else.

Generally I prefer metal over poly guns mainly because of balance reasons but I don't see any down side to polymers in that role... or any role that I can readily think of for that matter
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I think it was recoil springs for a Ruger P95. If I remember right Ruger and Wolff didn't carry them.
 
Sammael94 said:
.....I have three main issues with the SR45: First, the polymer frame. For a carry or duty gun, polymer is fine, but in a bug out scenario where I have to bug out, I would prefer something made out of steel, or at least some kind of alloy. .
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Why? I cannot think of a single scenario where a steel frame would be advantageous.
"Bugging out" means you probably are going to place a priority on weight and ease of maintenance....steel suffers in that regard.
 
I think I would go for a Beretta 92. Oh, yeah, I did. Strong, common, plenty of mags, parts, and fairly accurate. Mine feeds stuff my Taurus choked on. I had a 85, and I echo that it is tough, accurate and reliable. Mine loved 150 grain semi wadcutters.
 
Yeah, the Beretta is definitely something I've looked into, and I'm sure that eventually either the 92 or m9 will probably supplant whatever I go with right now.
 
I may know of a guy who picked up one at a gun show, vacuum sealed it and some ammo, placed it and other things in a ammo can he buried on some rural property in case of an emergency. I think it is still doing its job there. A cheap gun that will work when needed.


.
 
I wouldn't pick either of the mentioned guns.
I wouldn't want a polymer pistol as a bug out gun,
and I wouldn't want a P series either. The one I owned had a broken safety and could be fired while firmly on safe.
 
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