Ruger P345 opinions

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Katana8869

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I am getting the bug to add another .45 to my collection and am considering a Ruger P345.

I already have and XD45 and 4 1911's (3 5" models and 1 Commander). I am looking for another model of .45 that is flat, reliable and has standard rifling (no polygonal or hexagonal)

The P345 looks like it would fit the bill. I have not gotten to the store yet to look at one, but I would like to know from those that have one how the P345 stacks up against the XD and the 1911 in grip, thickness, reliability and accuracy.

I had a P89 many years ago that was a brick. Thick, heavy with a heavy trigger and only so-so accuracy. I don't want to get into that again. The P345 looks like it may be of a different shade though so I'd like to hear some opinions.

Thanks in advance!
 
First, a question: Does your screen name refer to the motorcycle or the sword?

Second: Feel is always in the palm of the beholder, but I can say definitely that the P345's grip is slim -- almost too slim for my hands. But it is accurate with an excellent single-action trigger pull and has Ruger's unquestionable durability built-in.

Third: Do a search on this topic b/c I know of at least three other extensive threads about the P345. They should give you more info than could ever need.
 
The P345 is a good gun for small hands, the slim grip is skinnier than a standard 1911. My P345 was very accurate, didn't like 200gr SWC, but shot hollow pt, and ball ammo great. The trigger broke at less than 5#, but has alot of take up and could use a trigger stop to get rid of the 1/8" of over travel.
 
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=118219&highlight=ruger+345+range+report

The above link is to my initial range report for the P345. (with takedown photos) After a three years and several thousand rounds, I can honestly say (and I don't want to curse myself) that this gun has had maybe TWO failure to feeds and those were with handloaded lead RN bullets after extended range shooting. This is the MOST flawless auto I own. It's light, slim, has good sights, a good trigger and is #1 of my top 2 carry guns. I'd carry it all the time, but prefer a snubbie revolver for summer carry.

I had it at the range two nights ago, and I haven't lost one ounce of enjoyment for shooting it.

I don't think you can go wrong with this gun.
 
Has all the (almost legendary) accuracy, durability & dependability of previous Ruger centerfire autoloaders, with one terrific improvement...the grip doesn't feel like you're shaking hands with a 2x4!

Other than a rather "lawyer-proof" trigger (long take-up), it's a VERY fine .45.
 
Here's a link to a post I did awhile back at TFL with size comparisons and measurements of the P90/97/345.

Here's a link to my initial range report when I got my P345 several months ago including my first targets shot. I was very pleased and have been ever since. The P345 is my daily carry weapon and I would very readily bet my life on it's performance.
 
Very fond of mine. It was actually my first gun so it started the addiction! I have fairly large hands and I think it fits me just fine. Interestingly, my wife (4'11" with Smurf hands) has no trouble with it either.

One of my favorite guns to shoot although I have been playing with newer toys (S&W M&P and Sig 229) recently.
 
I am glad to read this post, earlier in the day I was researching to try to decide between RIA 1911 and a P345. It seems as if everyone is pleased with the Ruger and out of the box seems like it may be better for a guy with small hands for accuracy, concealed carry etc. Is this correct?
 
Didn't waste any time!

I went to the gunstore tonight to check out a P345 up close. There were no new ones, but they had a used one that was in GREAT shape. I picked it up and was very pleased with how it felt. I liked the sights, but what really got my attention was the trigger! Ruger triggers have come a long way from what I remember of my P89!

I was really surprised at how thin and light this gun is. The clerk made a remark that really struck me as the truth which was, "Imagine how many guns Ruger would have sold if they had started out with a design that slim." And yes I agree it does feel slimmer in the grip than my 1911's.

Price tag on the gun was $411.00 and I offered $325.00 for it. The manager of the shop countered with $350.00 and I took it! :D

Maybe I could have done better, maybe not, but I'm satisfied with the deal so that's good enough for me ;)

Now I get to use my new addition to put a dent in that .50 cal ammo can full of .45 reloads that's sitting in the bottom of my safe!

Oh and boomer1911a1 it's the sword. I'm a long time martial arts guy although my bad joints and bad back have taken most of the steam out of that nowadays. I still like to mix it up with the young bucks every now and then though! Hows the song go? "I'm as good once as I ever was!" Now it just takes a few advils with a beer chaser to feel better afterward. lol
 
Its funny actually, when I bought mine in '05 and spoke very highly of it .. everybody was telling me I was wrong and what a piece of junk it was .. Now everybody likes them. Go figure.

Mine has always performed very well. As far as the hand size issue goes.. When people say big hands, it can mean different things. Some people associate the word with stocky or chunky hands, regardless of length. Some people on the other hand think long thin fingers equates to "big". Personally, I have long thin fingers and a massively big palm. (I can easily hold a basketball by the top without dropping it). The P345 grip is a little small for my hands, and feels a bit strange. I put one of those rubber slip on finger grips on it, and it was much better for me. I do find the gun to be just about as accurate as a 5" Springfield loaded 1911. (Which is very good) Also, as another poster mentioned, I do think the cam block design does in fact lighten up noticeable recoil somewhat. Although that is when you compare it with other polymer framed .45s and not all steel guns. I do notice the recoil feels lighter to me than a glock 21. One little gripe about it I have is that the very small hammer is sort of tough to get a proper grip on when, if you're like me, you don't like the double action pull. Thats a small thing though, and I got used to it with practice. Overall I consider it to be a very good gun, especially for the price.

Oh and katana, from what I've seen I think $350 is a very good deal. Enjoy !
 
Well, I just spent the better part of the day at the range with the P345 and it runs just fine :)

I put 250 of my reloads through it. 150 were 230gr RN Lead and the other 100 were 180gr LSWC's. No Failures at all even with the wadcutters (which impressed me a great deal.) Recoil is VERY managable and I think I am going to grow to really like the cammed recoil system. The recoil comes in kind of a rolling sensation that is very easy to manage even firing one handed.

Accuracy was very good. It slightly out-grouped my XD45 which I ran 50 rounds through as well for comparison. It's not as accurate as my Smith PD Commander, but it shoots well enough to meet the needs of house and CCW duty.

For whatever it's worth, I think this is a good looking gun too. Mine has the stainless slide with the rail so it has some aesthetic value to go with it's good performance.

I have to say it again though, I was really impressed with the reliability and the handling of this gun. It just stamped rounds into the target like a sewing machine. I still have to test it with HP ammo of course, but I have a great deal more respect for Ruger auto's after today.
 
The triggers seem to be

pretty good with the DA pull shorter than the older models. Now, if they's make it a SA/DA with a manual safety - they'd have it!
 
i will first start by saying that the ruger is accurate, real accurate and up until a couple days ago was the most accurate handgun that i owned. the trigger is real nice, i am not a fan of da/sa but i have always wanted the 345 so i got it. the da trigger is long but very smooth and the sa trigger is awesome. it has the 3 dot sights again i love that. i will also say that ruger is a great company with a great customer service with a great turn around.

i will tell you that i had all kinds of malfunctions in mine when i got it, i thought they were mag related. so i called ruger and i had 2 new mags in about 3 days. that didn't work so i called them, and i sent it back, i had to deploy so my wife recieved after i had already left and i haven't had a chance to try it out. the invoice said they changed out the recoil spring i am anxious to see if that did it, but i have all the confidence in the world that if that didn't fix it they will make it right. btw i got the 345 for $369 +tax so i think it was an awesome value.

buy with confindence. this is the second ruger i have owned the 1st was a kp95 and it was great. just didn't fit my hand good and that is the gun that i decided that i didn't much care for da/sa.
 
no i had a chance to shoot it while i was on leave but that is the day that i walked in and they had the mc operator that i wanted, so all the ammo that i was gonna shoot in the ruger 345 went through the operator instead.

i will let ya'll know how it turned out when i get back but that will be a while from now.
 
I had one and had to get rid of it right away. Every 6th and 2nd round would misfeed and cause too many problems no matter what magazines i would use. From what I heard I must have got a lemon because everyone else I know seems to like theres. Good luck on yours.
 
I had two of these, and my experience is much different than everyone else's. First one would not fire intermittently (I never dry fired it). Pull the trigger and the hammer wouldn't release. Sometimes it did but no boom. Sent it in to Ruger and they "fixed" it. Well, it didn't happen as often but it was still acting up. Sent back to Ruger where they kept it longer. Once back, it was bad right out of the box. I spoke with Mike Smisko at their Prescott, AZ facility and he said to send it back and he'd replace it free of charge, which he did. So I get the second one and son-of-a-b!tch it's doing the same thing. I called Mike again and he said to send it back and he would refund me my money. I sent it back, and he mailed me a check covering every penny I'd spent on them. Too bad because I loved the looks and ergonomics of the P345.
 
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