I don't have a scale appropriate to weigh my guns, but have a P85 (same dimensions as P89) and a P90. Sites I've checked say the P85 is about 38 ounces unloaded, the P90 33 ounces. I'm not sure, but the P90 does seem a little lighter. I had a P95 and it was definately lighter, under 30 ounces unloaded weight and was a handier size for concealment than the P90, but not enough to scream about. I can carry either one IWB pretty easily in a Sparks summer special.
I do know the P85 is a little slimmer through the slide, but both guns fit perfectly in the Sparks holster, six of one, half dozen of the other. The P85 has a rougher trigger in both SA and DA, but is 100 percent with everything I've fed it, just like the P90. My P95 had a slightly slicker DA SA pull than the P85 I have now, but not up to the P90. That P90 is really sweet. The two 9s would group good ammo into about 2.5" at 25 yards. The .45 is a 1" five shot, 25 yards gun with it's best loads. Normally, I'll pick up the P90 if I wanna carry a big gun. The lesser firepower doesn't bother me if I carry my Kel Tec P11 as a back up in a front pocket. Without the P11 along, I don't know, it's a toss up. I shoot slightly better with the P90, reload the tapered double stack mags quicker. I just love shooting that P90, though. It's normally the one I turn to for carry.
Just my view of the two guns, individual preference. I'm not about to sell the P85, great little gun, mostly got it for IDPA stuff. It is so similar to the P90 to shoot, it makes for good cheap practice if I wanna fire factory ammo. It also handles the hottest loads without a worry, built like a typical Ruger, to never wear out (okay, never say never, but it's sturdy).
I do think the P90 is the absolute jewel of the Ruger P series, though. I love that thing. Mine's a stainless decocker which is what I prefer. The P85 has a decock safety and is blued, but I couldn't turn it down with two 15 round mags (during the Clinton ban years) and for just $200. Also, a friend had it and I knew it had a really low round count. He was a little hard up for cash. Later, he bought a P89. LOL I don't think it's any harder to carry than the P85, just has a little less fire power. It makes up for that with it's shootability, though. I just seem to hit with it better, almost like it's pointing itself. I guess that's because I've shot it so much. I ain't quite as quick and accurate with the 9mm.
