Is a Ruger P95 worth the buy?

[Trent]

Ruger P95's are OK.. but for the price range, and size-range, I'd seriously consider a CZ-75...

 

[mgmorden]

I was trained on and issued the P-85, Ruger's all-steel predecessor to the P98, many years back.

The P-85 had an aluminum frame - it wasn't all-steel.

Ruger P95's are OK.. but for the price range, and size-range, I'd seriously consider a CZ-75...

The CZ-75 is a great gun, but it's not even remotely in the same price range as the P95. The P95 tends to run $300-350. The CZ-75 runs $500-550.

If you're going to go to CZ-75 price territory then a whole host of other options open up (Glock, SR9, M&P, etc).

 

[Trent]

The CZ-75 is a great gun, but it's not even remotely in the same price range as the P95. The P95 tends to run $300-350. The CZ-75 runs $500-550.

If you're going to go to CZ-75 price territory then a whole host of other options open up (Glock, SR9, M&P, etc).

I stand corrected! You are right, when I bought my CZ75B NIB, I paid $475 (this summer).

Backing up a step, given the $300-350 price point, there's not a whole lot of guns that will outperform the P95. Aside from wearing out springs, I've never had so much as a hiccup from mine. It's high on my list of reliability. (Mine is relatively old production, bought it well-used back in 1999... fed it many, many, many cases of 9x19 over the years.)

 

[snooperman]

I bought a P95 years ago for $289 and it is reliable, accurate and well made. That said , it does not fit the role of a CCW for me. I prefer something lighter in weight with smaller dimensions like a Kahr PM9. My P95 is used mostly as a range gun and for home defense.

 

[MedWheeler]

The P-85 had an aluminum frame - it wasn't all-steel.

True. I actually meant to say "all-metal."

 

[Big Mike]

Yes, they are worth it.

 

[Shipwreck]

The P95 is the cheapest 9mm I would buy that is reliable. I have previously owned 2 of them - to have as beater guns. They always worked. Trigger isn't the best, IMHO. But they always work. Around here, they are around $300. Never had an issue with either of the ones I had before.

 

[Blue Brick]

Taken out from some old reviews.....

by Dick Metcalf
Technical Editor
Shooting Times
Category: Gun Reviews
June, 2000

P-Series Centerfire Pistols

The most recent introductions in the Ruger centerfire auto line are in the P95 and P97 groups, currently consisting of four polymer-frame 9mm pistols scaled the same as the compact P93 guns and two .45 ACP Models. All other members of the P-Series family are made with investment-cast aluminum frames, same as the original P85. The P95 guns are offered in choices of decock-only and DAO versions in blued finish or decock-only and DAO versions in stainless. The P97 guns are offered in either decock-only or DAO versions—both in stainless. All in all, it's quite a list.

Current-generation Ruger P-Series pistols include several improvements and refinements that distinguish them from the original versions of the gun. Externally, the most noticeable operating-feature difference between a current "P" gun and the original P85 is the design of the slide stop: The current slide stop sits notably higher on the gun with its thumb-engagement surface well above the top of the frame and angled inward over the frame's beefy top shoulder. The reason for the design change was to streamline the gun's profile and to reduce the amount of the slide stop's outward protrusion, which was found to cause a bit of drag and resistance to a rapid draw with some holster designs. And original P85 barrels were of two-piece construction with the barrel and the square breechblock pressed together and then welded. Current barrels are cast as one piece with broached bores.

Also notably better than the original is current P-Series trigger pull quality, due to internal changes in the sear/trigger engagement linkages and parts configuration. The sear pivot pin has been reduced in size from original models, the trigger bar has been thickened, and the hammer-spring seat pin has been enlarged. The new mechanism also involves a bearing and slave pin to hold the sear blocker lever spring assembly together as a coherent unit. The overall result is a distinct smoothing and lightening of the trigger pull because the bearing considerably reduces friction in the sear assembly's operation without weakening the mechanism or reducing the mass of the working parts. I have done three separate 10,000-round endurance runs with three separate examples of Ruger P-Series centerfire autos, and all were completed without failure, stoppage-free. In my opinion they definitely deserve serious consideration for Ruger's claim of producing the world's most rugged conventional semiautomatic pistols.



by Dick Metcalf
Technical Editor, Shooting Times
Shooting Times
Category: Gun Reviews
August 3, 2001

Ruger’s .45 ACP
P90 Turns 10


A True Family

Regardless of chambering and slight configuration differences, all Ruger P-Series centerfire auto pistols have the same basic design. All have double-action mechanisms and operate on the classic Browning short-recoil principle. Metal-frame models are constructed from hard-coated investment cast A356T6 aluminum alloy; the recent compact P95 9mm and P97 .45 have molded polymer frames. All P-Series barrels, whether for blued chrome-moly pistols or stainless-steel pistols, are cast from heat-treated 400-series stainless steel. Many other small parts—such as hammers and triggers—in all P-Series pistols are also made of stainless steel. Standard barrel length for full-size guns, including the P90, is 4.5 inches. The two-piece, grooved black grip panels are made of General Electric 6123 Xenoy resin.

All P-Series pistols feature an oversize trigger guard to permit safe function with a gloved hand, and the front of the trigger guard bow is recurved to accommodate the support-hand forefinger in a two-hand hold. The rear sight is dovetail drift-adjustable for
windage; front and rear sights have white-dot inserts for high visibility. All P-Series models or versions are ordinarily shipped with an accessory package consisting of a fitted, lockable black polymer gun box; a padlock with keys; spare magazine; and
magazine loading tool.



by Dick Metcalf
Technical Editor
Shooting Times
Category: Gun Reviews
August 24, 2001

Ruger's .45 ACP Polymer Auto Pistol


Able To Stand Up To 5000 Rounds
Shooting Times received a review sample P97 from Ruger’s initial production run, and I submitted it to a performance review program devised to assess the new polymer-frame design’s ability to digest varied and different types of current commercial .45 ACP ammunition and to demonstrate how well it would stand up to extended use. The core of the program would be 4000 rounds of Winchester/USA 230-grain FMJ military-type ammunition generously provided by Winchester, supplemented by 100 function-test rounds each of nine different other commercial .45 ACP ammunition loads, plus an accuracy review with a selected half-dozen of those load variations representing different bullet weights, bullet configurations, and loading levels—all
of which would amount to a bit over 5000 rounds total shooting.
The nine additional function-test loads included CCI Blazer 200-grain TMJ Combat Match, Cor-Bon 165-grain JHP +P, Federal 180-grain Hydra-Shok JHP, Hornady 185-grain HP/XTP, PMC 230-grain Starfire JHP, Remington 185-grain BJHP (+P) Golden Saber, Speer 185-grain Gold Dot HP, Winchester 170-grain JSP SuperClean NT, and Winchester 230-grain SXT.

The outcome of all this shooting is summarized in the chart at the end of this article. In more than 5000 total rounds fired with 10 different loads, the Ruger P97 experienced no failures to feed, fire, extract, eject, cycle, or function. None. And if you trace through the firing profile as illustrated, you’ll see something interesting. To wit: The gun essentially shot just as well after 5000 record rounds as it did when new.

This is not a typical pattern. I’ve done several dozen extended 5000-round and 10,000-round reviews of various makes, models, and chamberings of quality-made centerfire auto pistols over the past decade. In general, given a basically sound, well-made gun, accuracy performance will usually improve, sometimes dramatically, during an initial wear-in period of several hundred rounds, while velocity will often improve as a consequence of actual bore polishing from the bullets (if you don’t think “soft” copper-alloy bullet-jacket metal has any polishing effect on a tough steel bore, explain how dripping water erodes stone).





Averaging about 2.25 inches at 25 yards, the P97 was as
accurate after having 5000 rounds put through it as it was new from the box.

Then, if the design is sound and the material is strong, things will remain at a fairly even performance plateau on out. Poorly constructed guns will wear and deteriorate. The P97 stayed right where it started—very, very good—all the way through, with remarkable consistency. I’d stake my life on the reliability and accuracy of this gun any day of the week. The P97 gets two thumbs up, for sure.

When I called to relate my experience with the P97 to Ruger’s Bob Stutler, his mild response was, “Well, yeah, we make ’em strong.” He also politely allowed as how my 5000-round review (of which I had been so proud in the telling) was only a piddling portion of the extended endurance testing Ruger puts all its pistols through during development. So nothing I had to say was going to impress or hold any surprise for him. Still, I could tell he was particularly happy about how the P97 project had worked out for the Ruger design and production teams. “Yeah,” he chuckled, “this one really shoots good, doesn’t it?”

 

[Blue Brick]

More:

Ruger P-85 barrel’s was plugged with a Steel rod and fired with military high-pressure M882 ammunition and the only damage was bent extractor that separated from the slide as the case was removed from the chamber. One P-85 had its entire right side of the ejection port removed and 2,000 rounds of M882 ammunition were fired with no signs of stress. The pistol was then subjected to 3,000 rounds of M882 ammunition. During both sessions the pistol was not disassembled or cleaned and was not allowed to cool during firing. At 1,000 round intervals the pistol was examined for slide fractures. After 5,000 rounds no damage was observed.

 

[wgaynor]

With a long enough shirt, you can hide anything. Great gun. I'm 5'6" and weigh 156lbs. I have no trouble concealing mine.

 

[W.E.G.]

Best $300 brand-new 9mm there is.

Period.

It is NOT "too large" for CCW.
Get a proper holster, and make wardrobe adjustments to accommodate it.
Its WAY smaller than four-inch revolver.
I used to carry a four-inch revolver around Washington DC all the time wearing not much more than shorts and a polo shirt. Only two guys ever noticed that I was carrying. Each of them was trying to rob me when I made sure they saw that I was carrying.

 

[Dr_B]

Students have brought the Ruger P95 to my pistol classes on two occasions. Both guns shot a little high for my preference. A 6 o'clock hold was necessary on targets 7 yards and beyond. Aside from a tendency to shoot a bit high, they seem to be solid guns even thought they look and feel a little cheap for a Ruger product. DA to SA trigger with a heavy pull on the first shot.

 

[nyc71]

I friend of mine is selling his for $300, like the op I'm unsure about this weapon. I want to buy but I really have no use for it other than to have one more firearm.

 

[MedWheeler]

Good read, Blue Brick, though, as you mentioned, older material (2001.)

The de-cock-only version has since been discontinued, from what I understand. That version had a de-cock lever that sprang back up after being used to lower the hammer; it could not be left down ("on-safe".) I think it was around 2005 that it was dropped.

The original P-85 mentioned in the review was my first duty-issued autoloader. It was indeed one tough, reliable brick of a gun.

 

[cja245]

They are great guns for the money, but honestly it would be worth the extra 50-100 bucks to get an SR series.

 

[Trent]

Good read, Blue Brick, though, as you mentioned, older material (2001.)

The de-cock-only version has since been discontinued, from what I understand. That version had a de-cock lever that sprang back up after being used to lower the hammer; it could not be left down ("on-safe".) I think it was around 2005 that it was dropped.

Thanks for adding that, I wasn't aware they discontinued it. Mine is a P95DC, 9mm, decocker only (no safety). It's one of the few guns that I won't sell at any price. I've put (at least) 40,000 rounds of 9mm through it, worn through a couple sets of springs, and my slide rattles a little now, but otherwise it still shoots good. It's *never* failed, even when using starting-charge handloads on load development that will choke up a Glock 19.

 

[VoodooSan]

I actually have my dad's Ruger P85 MKII that I STILL shoot. Id be lucky to get $275 for that gun but I wouldnt sell it for anything. Sure its sentimental but aside from that its a heck of a shooter. You keep hearing the P series referred to as 'tanks' and they are. My dad carried it on duty, I took it to the police academy, carried it on duty, used it for CCW, now its it stays loaded in my safe.

Great gun. The Ruger P series are well built guns. They wont break the bank and you get a lot of gun for the inexpensive price IMHO.

 

[Deer_Freak]

A belly band holster will conceal a P95. The belly band is great. You can carry IWB, OWB. twist the holster around to clear seat belts. You don't get poked by the gun. And best of all if you are a good shopper you can get a nice belly band under $25. If you have to have the gun on your belt a 3 slot pancake holster will work with the P95. You have to carry it at 1 or 2 o clock or it will print in the rear.

 

[hipoint]

they're good guns, but my personal preference is for metal guns, not plastic. If I went with plastic, I'd just get something smaller with the same mag capacity, but honestly if you're already going to be carrying something that large, you should be able to find a P89 for the same price or cheaper. I like a gun I can hammer nails with if need be haha

 

[Blue Brick]

The original P-85 mentioned in the review was my first duty-issued autoloader. It was indeed one tough, reliable brick of a gun.

I actually have my dad's Ruger P85 MKII that I STILL shoot. Id be lucky to get $275 for that gun but I wouldnt sell it for anything.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=360585574

Not one bid.......sad.