Ruger P85 Stainless

[Hizzoner]

I have a chance to buy a Ruger P85 MKII with a stainless slide, box, papers and (2) pre-ban 15 round mags.
(can't buy more than 10 round post-ban mags in NYS), finish is 95%+. ~$250
The pistol has had VERY few rounds (<100) put through it.
It would just be for a range gun not normal carry.
I looked it over pretty thoroughly and it is tight and clean.
Should I be interested?

 

[jmstevens2]

The original firing pins had an issue but it was recalled. That is just about the price when they were first out. They were Rugers design for the new us sidearm competition to replace the 1911.

I would.

 

[Blue Brick]

I would.

+ 1

 

[rule303]

Good, reliable gun at a decent price. They weren't as accurate as the later P-series guns, but plenty good enough for most uses outside of competition.

 

[Hizzoner]

I just parted with a couple of antiques for good $$$ so I guess I'll get it and go play.

 

[carbuncle]

I'd buy it, they're great workhorse guns: not pretty, but they go bang reliably and are fun to shoot.

 

[Hizzoner]

Bought it!
Permit lady tomorrow, pickup Friday, shoot it Saturday.

 

[MCgunner]

I bought mine for 225 off a guy at work, but blued. It's been a totally reliable shooter. It's about 3" at 25 yards accurate off the bench, not a target gun, but plenty enough for service/self defense. I don't care a lot for the trigger, but it's manageable.

You done good IMHO. PIX and range report are required, you know.

Permit? What, the fish? Best thing about buying a used gun in Texas is that the gubment don't know you got it.

 

[Hizzoner]

Permit? What, the fish? Best thing about buying a used gun in Texas is that the gubment don't know you got it.

All I can say is that it's only 18 months to retirement. I can play the game that long.
We are very fortunate in our county.
We have a pro-gun County Judge and a Pistol permit clerk who is a competitive shooter.
If I lived in any of the adjacent counties I would be lucky to get a permit to possess in my house.
Tennessee is looking better every day.

Range report and pics next week.

 

[Hizzoner]

Here it is.

 

[Hoth206]

Do yourself a favor and order some Hogue wrap-around grips for it. Just about the only thing you can "upgrade" on one of these, but worth every penny.

 

[9mmforMe]

Good purchase, I really like the look of the older Ps. That model was the very first semiauto I ever fired back in the early 90s. Enjoy, my friend.

 

[ku4hx]

The "P" series guns are tanks: rugged, reliable and strong. I have the .45 ACP version (KP-90) and it will function when my other 45s won't with a particular load. It's the Energizer bunny of my gun collection ... just shoots, and shoots and shoots and ......

Empty, my KP-90 weighs the exact same as my empty Glock 30SF and is the softest shooting gun I own. That includes the various 9mm guns.

I did have a problem with the last [cast bullet] round being loose on top of the mag follower when slide lock-back occurred. That was fixed with +10% Wolff springs in the 7 round OEM magazines and the purchase of newer design 8 round magazines. May or may not be a problem with earlier 9mm "P" series magazines.

Ugly to some maybe, but I like my "P" series a lot.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Do yourself a favor and order some Hogue wrap-around grips for it. Just about the only thing you can "upgrade" on one of these, but worth every penny.

Not so my friend!

Hogue wood checkered grips, P95 trigger and a 20lb Wolff hammer spring. Doing these three mods makes the gun feel and shoot so much better. Shorter trigger pull/reach, smoother trigger pull in DA or SA and grips that don't add a ton of bulk and feel so much better than plastic or rubber.

You can read about the trigger mod here: http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=88410&sid=47a1ce06d05a3bc33b3f5fcb205526ca

Trigger bought here: http://shopruger.com/KV03906-Trigger-P95/productinfo/62057/

Wolff spring here: http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto%20Pistols/RUGER/P%20Series%20Pistols/cID1/mID52/dID220

Grips here: http://www.hoguestore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=27_65

 

[David E]

Nak, looks good! I think I'd get s SS grip screw were it mine.

I also put skateboard tape on the front strap of my P90, tucking it under the grips. Wish I kept it.

OP, glad you bought it!

 

[Hizzoner]

Nakanokalronin, interesting post on the trigger change.
I know the P85 and the P89 have a lot in common.
Would this work on a P85 as well?

Oops, read the rest of the post you linked AND checked some part #s.
It should work OK. THANKS!

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Thanks for the replies!

David E, I've never seen a set of stainless grip screws sold for the P series and I've looked quite a bit. If you do know of some,let me know!

Hizzoner, The mod will work like you see posted on that forum thread. The P89 I have in the picture is my second P89 so I was quite used to the stock trigger and pull. Once I did the mods it was a night and day difference. If more people attempted this mod I think they would be pulling those P89s out of the safe to shoot more often. I know it sounds unbelievable since its been so ingrained that the P89s have bad triggers and are not that accurate. I think its the bad trigger that are having people not shoot them that well. For those that shoot them well , the groups should get even smaller.

 

[Hizzoner]

Thanks for the tip on the trigger.
It came in the mail today and I broke out the Dremel tool and installed it in the P85.
I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but even in dry fire I can tell the difference.
Wolff springs should arrive Monday along with some Hogue grips and a Hogue sleeve for my P345.
I got the spring pack with different weights so I may do the P345 spring too.
I also got my reloading dies and MB bullets this week so I have lots of experimenting to do.