Ruger handguns - military contract?

[Checkman]

This is continuing a response that I posted to a Ruger thread on revolvers. I know that the Department of Defense purchased Ruger's Security Sixes(38's?) back in the late seventies and early eighties. If my information is correct the revolvers were mostly for security personnel (MP's, DOD civilian security etc.). But as I look at my GP-100 it dawned on me that Ruger's engineering is perfect for soldiers - field soldiers. The engineering is rugged, but it's also simple to work with. As a former soldier (86-2000) I observed (and sometimes was also guilty of) firsthand the kind of abuse and neglect that is inflicted on the weaponry carried by soldiers. Rugers can absorb that abuse and still function. I've even read posts on this forum where folks have described the Ruger autos as being perfect for new handgun owners who don't know autos real well but want a quality auto for their first purchase. A forgiving reliable handgun. Well I can tell you that describes alot of folks in uniform. They don't know guns, but they use a guna nd it needs to be there for them whne the stuff hits the fan.

Does Ruger have any foreign military contracts? If the military ever decides to go out for a new handgun will Ruger compete? And why the heck did H&K get the Special Forces contract? Surely Ruger could have designed and built a massive 45 auto with all the bells and whistles that the snake eaters demand. these are the things that I think about when I should be working.

 

[Tropical Z]

All i know is that if i was in Iraq id rather have a P95 on my thigh than a Beretta 92.Its a shame.

 

[BHPshooter]

You're right, Ruger does make some good products, but I won't buy any, and I won't recommend them (or S&W) to anyone because of how they've bled our Bill of Rights. Bill Ruger was one of the bigwigs that helped the '94 Crime Bill pass, and he was the guy that said that "no honest man needs more than 10 rounds."

If I could find a used P89, I might tell my cheap-@$$ friend about it, but I won't buy one.

In keeping with my feeling about them -- that I won't reward their traitorous behavior with my business -- I have to hope that they won't get a military contract, unless they change their tune and start supporting the folks that support them [we, the gun owners].

{/rant}
Wes

 

[treeprof]

I have seen Ruger autos on Feds of various sorts in Trinidad and Tobago (also Ruger revos there), Nicaragua (nicely complementing the still ubiquitous AK) and Costa Rica (where there is no military, tho the nat'l cops are often very heavily armed). Good guns for poor countries for the reasons you describe, tho I also saw SIGs, S&W and some 1911-clones in CR. In Europe, mostly guns of European make from what I've seen.

 

[Brigrat]

I have been told that the Ruger P89 was issued to the Isreali Air Force in the early 90's, but I can not verify that at this time. I will see if I can find where I read that.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Very first Ruger military contract was for the heavy barrel (5 1/2") MK-1 target gun.

 

[KP95DAO]

The Federal Bureau of Prisons uses the KP89DAO. A brick comparted to my 95s and yet I was able to outshoot everyone else at our institution during Annual Refresher Training last October. Rumor has it that we will be going to the Beretta in a few years. Our Captain managed to fumble his draw and toss his on the concrete this year. And last year the AW put a round from hers into the concrete about four feet in front of her. YES, A.R.T. CAN BE VERY INTERESTING!!!!!!!!!!


OK, OK, saying I was first wasn't much of a brag, just fact.

 

[JimJD]

I agree. I believe Ruger is totally capable of designing a sidearm for military use. But will they? Hmmm...
Wonder if Ruger is interested in the call for a new pistol for Marine Force Recon?
It would be nice to see what they come up with.

 

[Old Fuff]

>> Does Ruger have any foreign military contracts? <<

Ruger has filled U.S. Military contracts for .22 target pistols and Speed-Six revolvers. They have also had foreigh contracts for revolvers and Mini-14 rifles.


>> If the military ever decides to go out for a new handgun will Ruger compete? <<

Very likely if they're invited to bid.

>> And why the heck did H&K get the Special Forces contract? Surely Ruger could have designed and built a massive 45 auto with all the bells and whistles that the snake eaters demand. <<

They probably could have, but depending on the specifications the profit from the number of guns might not have paid for the development and tooling costs. In addition the company might end up spending a lot of money on the project and still not get a contract.

The military services don't necessarily "buy American" anymore.

 

[355sigfan]

Rugers are solid pistols. They lost the contract with the military because the then current P85 was pure crap. I would rather have a Glock as a general issue weapon over any other weapon. Then followed by sig, then Beretta, then HK. I would let the more gun savy troops carry 1911's.
Pat

 

[Brigrat]

I am issued a Glock, and despite serious considerations about swiching to the Glock, I still carry my P95. It is purley more reliable.

 

[355sigfan]

I still carry my P95. It is purley more reliable.
END

That has not been my experience.
Pat

 

[MarauderLS1]

The only Ruger I've ever had prolonged experience with was the P90 model. It worked fine, and was fairly accurate, however I wouldn't classify it as a "high quality" piece of machinery. I have no idea how they would hold up to dirt\debris and the massive round counts some military units have. I would take a Glock or practically any other sidearm before considering a Ruger P-series piece. For a general issue weapon, I think the 1911 in some form would probably serve the military quite well again, as long as they get a consistant quality supplier.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

All i know is that if i was in Iraq id rather have a P95 on my thigh than a Beretta 92.Its a shame.

Ditto.

 

[355sigfan]

To be fair any double stack handgun would be having the same problems the beretta is in Iraq. Sand gets into the mags and they don't work. I work in a sandy area and all mags need to be cleaned often. Single stack mags are more tolerant than double stack mags to sand.
Pat

 

[seeker_two]

I'd love to see Ruger get the military pistol contract. The P95DAO would make an excellent choice for general issue. If revolvers are needed , the GP-100 would also make a good MP pistol & the SP101 could serve pilots well. And don't forget the MkII's for "hush puppy" work...

I'd like to see the military spend less on pistols so more money would be available for training. Plus having American weapons made by an American-owned company could avoid big diplomatic hassles in the long run.