Ruger p89 questions

[cracked junior]

Ruger p89 questions, other pistol questions

a guy i work with, has a p 89 for sale. probably in the 250 to 300 dollar range. he bought it new and maybe has 20 rounds put through it. comes with the case, case lock, keys, 2 clips. i am mainly looking for a handgun i can use around the farm i live one to get rid of animals that i dont want around. mainly raccoons, skunks, opossums, badgers and other varmints. also use it for target shooting, when i can. what grain ammo can these shoot. as in 115 grain or 125. i know they take 9mmx19.

if i get this gun, what is a good laser point site for it? i like the looks of the laser grips because it keeps it clean. but they are pricey, but then i like the tactical looks of the lasers that mount on the bottom of the barrel. i have found them with a little flashlight/laser sight combo. that looks sweet but also pricey, but i think finding a holster that can fit that laser sight without messing with the alignment would be hard. or can this pistol even hold a laser under the barrel. i really dont like the ones that mount to the trigger gaurd because it looks weak and easily to knock out of alignment.

thanks for any information, jeremy

 

[lee n. field]

Good price.

Crimson Trace makes laser grips for the P series (all them that have grip panels use the same), but they'll be pricy. Without a rail I wouldn't muck around with something hung under the muzzle.

As far as I know, any commercially available 9x19 ammo can be fired through a P89.

 

[cracked junior]

so there isnt a rail under the barrel for accessories on the p89, well crappy but the model did come out before stuff like that was around. so has to be expected. looks i leave it be or fork out 300 bucks for laser grips.

 

[lee n. field]

If it was me, I'd leave it be and learn to use the sights.

For your stated use I wonder if a .22 rifle or a shotgun might not be better.

 

[cracked junior]

i already have a 22LR rifle and 22 mini mag revolver. the rifle is clumsy when have flashlight in one hand and rifle in the other. and both 22s dont have enough power to take out such animals with out blasting over 5rounds in a possum, and i dont wanna get near a skunk with the 22s. my 12 gauge and 20 gauge pumpers are even worse when used with a flashlight, even though shotguns do a nice job at taking out such animals. its hard to aim them with one arm. also have 30/30 lever action, 30-06 and a .270 bolt actions. id rather just have a more powerfull pistol that i can operate with one hand. open sights arent a problem for me. only the 30-06 has a scope. everything else is open sights. i want the laser sight for night time.

 

[kansas45]

I bought a P-89 awhile back to carry around in the truck for fishing trips & such. I've shot it quite a bit & it's really a pretty good gun. I think you'd like one.

 

[Whirlwind06]

I recently picked a used P89, after packing a steel full size 1911 this puppy seems light as air! Seriously considering adding it to my carry line-up

 

[lee n. field]

my 12 gauge and 20 gauge pumpers are even worse when used with a flashlight, even though shotguns do a nice job at taking out such animals. its hard to aim them with one arm.

Something like this maybe, then. "May be used to mount mag extensions (see below) or 1 inch diameter flashlights or lasers to barrel. "

BTW, Ruger's recent revision of the P95 (plastic framed 9x19) has a frame rail (but that gets you away of what you can get for used prices from your associate).

 

[MCgunner]

Yeah, I'd carry a .22 rifle for said stuff and mount a flashlight to it. But, in pistols, I suppose the P89 would work. I get about 2-2.5" accuracy at 25 yards with my P85 (same gun, basically). My P90 in .45 ACP groups about half that big, inch or a little over, at that range. It really is amazingly accurate and has a better trigger to boot. The P85/89 is rugged to the max, only around 32 ounces on the hip, and never fails to go bang. Like all Rugers it's overbuilt and will handle any sane 9mm/9mm+P with no problems. I haven't fired a 9mm that does much better accuracy either. I've never fired one of the high end Euro guns, though. Glocks I've seen ain't much more accurate if any. This is more'n enough accuracy for it's intended purpose, though, and I reckon at 15 yards a possum wouldn't have a chance.

 

[lyricsdad]

get a beretta cx4 carbine! 9mm mount a red dot scope on it. I have been contemplating trading my p99 for one of these...

 

[Dollar An Hour]

Agree with the above poster about a 9mm carbine. Ruger PC9 maybe, or a Kel-Tec sub2000?

Also maybe a lever-action .357 rifle, you could shoot .38 Spl out of it.

Either one will give you better accuracy and range than a pistol...

 

[bowfin]

/*and both 22s dont have enough power to take out such animals with out blasting over 5rounds in a possum, and both 22s dont have enough power to take out such animals with out blasting over 5rounds in a possum, and i dont wanna get near a skunk with the 22s. */

The two species that would always find every trap of mine irrestible!

I think you might need to aim for the head or behind the front leg for the opossum. Most every opossum should readily succumb with a single, well placed .22 bullet.

For skunks I have found that a head shot should be avoided, as they usually end up spraying when hit there(!!). Try to hit it in the lungs, they have a much less propensity to spray if hit there, and it usually kills them quite quickly.

 

[New_geezer]

I have a P-89. Rock solid. Put some Hogue grips on (about $24) much prefered IMO over the basic. I initially thought it was a bit big and blocky but after many rounds and dry firing the action has smoothed out considerably. My accuracy with it has improved also. It's not a sexy 9mm but I think you'd be hard pressed to find one more reliable and trouble free.

 

[akjeff]

Over 7k rounds through my p-89. Never a jam, ftf or any other problem. Heavy but if you run out of ammo.......

 

[cracked junior]

if i could set traps, i would. i have traps of all sorts. but i have cats here and im not allowed to get rid of the cats. but i do have to protect them. also have 2 outside dogs(they are the ones that alert me to some animal being close, when they bark alot there is a animal, alittle barking is someone driving down the driveway). i have tried shooting the head but the 22 didnt do much. the possum was still was able to walk. i have read on skunks to shoot them in the middle of the back, that way it paralyzes the muscles that release the stink. i think i will get the p89 and add the fiber optic sights. i was also wondering what is considered a concealed weapon, i know nebraska just passed right to carry law. but i dont wanna go through the hassle. im planning on getting a pistol permit. i seen a pistol holster mount that can be mounted to the floor of a vehicle. im thinking on my f 150, the trannsmission tunnel is open except for the 4wd lever, so if i mount it next to the 4wd lever, would that be considered concealed weapon.

 

[JohnKSa]

To answer your question about ammunition, here's what the manual says:

"...no 9mmx19 ammunition manufactured in accordance with SAAMI, CIP, U.S. or NATO standards is known to be beyond the design limits or known not to function in this pistol."

The price range you quoted is pretty good. It's not a pretty pistol, but it works, it works well, and it will work pretty much forever.

 

[psychophipps]

The price range you quoted is pretty good. It's not a pretty pistol, but it works, it works well, and it will work pretty much forever.

It's amazing what you can get when you design 10mm pistols (about baseline .357 magnum energies with a bigger bullet) and then run only 9mm Para, .40 S&W and .45 ACP through them.

Mark(psycho)Phipps( HAHAHA! )

 

[Whirlwind06]

It's amazing what you can get when you design 10mm pistols (about baseline .357 magnum energies with a bigger bullet) and then run only 9mm Para, .40 S&W and .45 ACP through them.

Could you give a bit more detail?

 

[psychophipps]

From what I've read, not saying that it's true as I havn't really asked anyone at Ruger about it, the P-series was supposed to start with a 10mm pistol to pick up on that rounds previous fame from being the round of choice of the FBI and such. When that bubble popped, as it will tend to do with "the bestest round EVAR!" (at least according to the gun rags), they had this pistol that could shoot 10mm +P ammo until the cows came home but no big market for the weapon. Pondering this a bit, someone said to themself, "Self, what if we took this here 10mm pistol and made it fire the 9mm Para, the new .40 S&W and the .45 ACP, all of which are popular with both civilan and LE markets, instead of the 10mm in decline?"

The rest is one of the most overbuilt, dependable pistols out there for a fraction of the cost of a SigArms or H&K...
Mark(psycho)Phipps( HAHAHA! )

 

[lee n. field]

The way I've read the story, it was the .45 P90 that was originally intended for 10mm.

 

[iShootStraight]

I've got one, the P89 is a good gun. The trigger isn't the nicest out there but over-all it is a brute. Mine had 1 failure to extract last time at the range, for the first time EVER, and I've had it for over 5 years. Sure surprised the hell out of me! I was shooting regular Winchester 115gr. and the gun was clean. I think it likes to be shot dirty. :banghead:

You can pick them up for less than $300. It is not light and it is a bit bulky.
If you want something light and easy to shoot spend a little more money and get an XD 9. Fantastic gun. Light, very ergonomic, with a SUPERB trigger. I don't take my Ruger to the range often due to the long spongy trigger pull.

 

[cracked junior]

today i went to a big town, 20,000 population compared to my town of under 200. for a doctors appt. while i was up there. i stopped at a gun store. i got to hold a couple other pistols. i got prices in writiing for each. for future use and signed by the store owner.

taurus pt92, it holds 17 rounds in the clip. 9mm i really dont need that much capacity. it fit my hand better then the p89 does. feels about the same weight. dont really like the shiny finish. the gun shop said 429.00 plus free box of ammo. has 3 dot sights, with the accessory rail. decock only

also smith & wesson 9 ve. 10 round clip. 9mm. fits my hand very well and weighs almost nothing compared to the p89 and pt92. is black polymer body with matte stainless slide. he said 360 for this one. has 3 dot sights, with a different style accessory rail, its got the rails, but the front of the rail is closed. so nothing can slide into it. it has to be put on from the sides. also has decock only. also free box of ammo.

i am sure i could get use to the bulk of the p89 but will take awhile. im thinking more towards the s&w since its lite and fits my hand good and is also cheaper. but is it cheaper because its not as reliable. or just less expensive. so now i need help on these other 2 pistols. both pistols are new. i know im probably asking for alot here. but thanks to all.

 

[iShootStraight]

You can get that SW9VE for $297 at Buds Gun Shop.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/220015

No tax, but you pay $25 shipping and another 20 to transfer to a local FFL.
If you are considering a polymer gun, spend the extra money and get a Springfield XD. The feel of the gun is much nicer and the trigger is excellent.
I own a S&W SW9GVE and will tell you the trigger is very stiff. After 3 boxes my finger is very fatigued to the point that it really affects the accuracy. If you plan to shoot the gun at the range at all you must consider this. I love the looks of it, but the trigger is not good.

XD9 - od green (no accessories)
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/13343

Before you buy the sigma (sw9ve) TRY an XD. Pick it up and gently squeeze the trigger. You should be sold on it.

standard XD 9 complete package - gun, holster, mags, loader, ect ..
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/32473
One heck of a good deal.

Or for 60 bucks more you can get Heinie night sights. Excellent value.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/32549


To be straight forward, I am in no way affiliated with Buds Gun Shop. Just a great place to deal with.

 

[MCgunner]

Also maybe a lever-action .357 rifle, you could shoot .38 Spl out of it.

I got a Rossi 92 carbine and love it, but it ain't got any tacticool rails or anything for a light or laser or anything. I have a laser on a SKS that I bought a mount for that clamps to the barrel, might could do that clamping it to the magazine tube. Or, a Marlin 94 is drilled and tapped for a scope and a red dot sight or low power lighted reticle scope might work. Sure are handy, light weight, and easy to carry little carbines. I load a 105 grain light load .38 special to 900 fps out of that carbine that will do anything a 22 mag will do out to fifty yards. I've shot deer with this gun using 158 grain SWC loads in .357 magnum, very versatile and useful firearm around a ranch for sure!

 

[cracked junior]

i really like that xd series. the closest gun store that might have one in stock, would probably be cabela's, which is close to 60 miles away. and i really dont wannna drive up there just to look at that. i should be going up there in a couple weeks or so for other things.