Ruger P-Series Question

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The_Armed_Therapist

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I'm considering purchasing one of these firearms, but got to handle a friend's P89 today and there was something that I didn't like. I'm right-handed and my right thumb could not reach the slide release while holding the firearm properly. I would need to use my other hand or completely change my grip. My Glock 22 is very easily reachable, despite being about the same size as the P89.

So I'm wondering if the other P-Series handguns are the same way. P85, P91, P93, P94, P95. Doing some reading, it looks like the P93 and P94 may be more serviceable for me because my information said that they have shorter barrels than the others. Does anyone have experience with a variety of these models and know if the slide releases are basically the same for them all or if some may be easier to reach?

Thanks in advance!
 
I think you will find them all about the same. Of course all the Ruger P-series pistols are out of production except the P95 and the P345.

I don't think you are the only one that can't reach the slide stop with your right thumb. I'm going to guess most can't reach the slide stop of most pistols with their right thumb. There are of course people and pistols that are the exception. My guess is most people are using a two hand hold and either release the slide with an over hand slide rack or use their left thumb to release the slide stop as they bring the support hand to the pistol.

Heck, the Glock boys will even tell you not to use the slide stop on your Glock because you'll break it. Wait, that's not it, it's don't use the slide stop to release the slide because it is tactically unsound.
 
If it is too close to your thumb in a normal shooting grip, you may activate (or deactivate) it while shooting. If you're shooting two-handed and have the support hand free, just use the thumb of that hand. If you do need to release your slide one-handed, you will just have to turn the gun in your hand a little. The 1911, S&W metal-frame and CZ75 pistols, just to name a few, are no different.
 
I can't reach mine with a normal shooting grip either, but a plus on the P-series (which I really, really wish other models had) is that the mag release is truly ambidextrous - not just reversible. I find it easy on my P95 to just reach back with the middle finger of my strong hand and release the mag using the "left handed" release side.

I own 6 different 9mm's (Glock 17, S&W M&P, Ruger P95, Walther P1, SIG P6, and :eek: a Hi Point C9), and though I shoot best with my M&P, my reloads are fastest with the P95, specifically because of the mag release.
 
but a plus on the P-series (which I really, really wish other models had) is that the mag release is truly ambidextrous - not just reversible.
Click to expand...
Not on the P90 or P345, though.
 
So I've done tons of research and gone to many LGSs to figure this out. You guys are right... My strong thumb cannot reach the slide release on most. Most in which I CAN reach it (Smith SD/Sigma, ie), are too flat for that thumb to get a good enough grip to activate it. My Glock's grip has been modified (and for all I know is already a "short-frame" model) and it is well-used (thousands of rounds through it as far as I know), so the activation of it by me is probably a rarity, hard to duplicate with another Glock.

The ONLY ones that I can activate Berettas and Sig Sauers with the Sig's being absurdly easy to activate. Most Sigs are out of my price range, so my next purchase will either be the Beretta Storm or the Sig P2022.
 
I have a P85 and I can't reach the slide release either with a normal grip. I can't do it with my Colt 1911 either though. I usually just rotate them a little to activate the slide release. The reason I bought the Ruger is for the ambi controls (saftey,mag release). Yes the trigger in DA is a little long. But I like it that way. It's like the trigger pull on a DAO semi auto carry gun. But it stays on the bedside table.
 
Mine is a truck gun, but my other p95 ( i have two) is mounted with an old faithful kydex hang next to our front door with two 15 round mags mounts onto the side of the door frame. There's another mag in the kitchen, and two more in the bedroom. I adore this gun and it is a crucial part of my defense plan.

I am left handed though... So I can see your dilema.
 
Mine is a truck gun, but my other p95 ( i have two) is mounted with an old faithful kydex hang next to our front door with two 15 round mags mounts onto the side of the door frame. There's another mag in the kitchen, and two more in the bedroom. I adore this gun and it is a crucial part of my defense plan
Click to expand...

I must say I can see a lot of things to go wrong with having a handgun sitting in a holster right next to the front door. If an intruder isn't armed when he first enters he likely will be shortly . . .
 
I used to shoot IDPA with a P-95, good gun, stopped shooting IDPA because of the attitudes of the other shooters! Will stick to Cowboy Shooting!
 
My P85 always goes bang. Never one FTF or FTE since I bought it new when they were introduced. The trigger could be better but the gun always works and I have put lots of brands of ammo, including my reloads, through this gun. It is by my bed at night with a 30 round magazine in it.
 
mgmorden

mgmorden, I apreciate your opinion. however, you have not saw this specific set up, I feel as though this is safe for my family, while i respect your opinion, I find it to be incorrect. This handgun is mounted inside a safe enclosure and is not viewable by the public. I find this to be a safe solution. Thank you for your .02. I will refund these now.
 
I use the support hand to release the slide on all semiautos -- not in a "slingshot" grip, but with the palm of the support hand down and the thumb toward me.

In Chris Bird's book on concealed carry, he relates a story of a cop who was unable to hit a slide release with his thumb under extreme stress during a gunfight. That and the fact that slide releases are all a little different convinced me to simplify and go with racking the slide to release it. It's quick, and I think I could do it even when my manual dexterity is shot to heck by stress.

Several years ago, I tried to dial 9-1-1 (one handed, the other held a .38 revolver) while two men were trying to kick in my front door. I was shaking so bad it took several tries to punch three good-sized buttons on a cordless phone (not a tiny cell phone). Fortunately, the men gave up before the steel door did, and they didn't think to break in through the window that was very close to them.

All my best,
Dirty Bob
 
I can barely activate the slide release on my P95 with a shooting grip but if I pivot my grip slightly it becomes easy. Some of the points mentioned above about racking the slide have me reconsidering however, especially since I enjoy shooting a variety of handguns.

FreedomFreak said:
The ONLY ones that I can activate Berettas and Sig Sauers with the Sig's being absurdly easy to activate. Most Sigs are out of my price range, so my next purchase will either be the Beretta Storm or the Sig P2022.
Click to expand...
As much as I love my P95 (for the price), if either of those suit your needs and feel that much better in your hand save up for them. Compared to the cost of ammo a few hundred extra dollars over the lifetime of a gun becomes trivial.
 
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