Ruger P90 recoil tuning

[WardenWolf]

I've had a Ruger P90 for many years now, and, while I overall like the gun, I find its recoil a bit too spongy for my tastes. I'm looking at installing a lower-powered Wolff recoil spring to correct this, but I'd like to know if anyone else has done similar. Thanks in advance.

 

[Runningman]

Humm..... are you shooting light target loads? The Ruger P90 recoil spring is rated at 11 pounds on the P90. That is on the low side for shooting normal 230 grain stuff.

When I got my P90 years ago I thought the recoil impulse was a bit much for my tastes with the stock 11 pound recoil spring. Years ago I changed the factory recoil spring in my P90 out to a Wolff 14 pound recoil spring. Thought it was an improvement, never looked back.


BTW Don't know if I just got Lucky or what but my older Ruger P90 is one of the most accurate 45 autos I've ever owned.

 

[MCgunner]

Not me, I put a heavy 1911 spring in mine early on, from Wilson, that I had left over from my 1911s. It's 16 lbs (standard 1911) and preloads due to the longer slide length of the 1911. I don't shoot soft ball loads. It's 100 percent reliable with my standard loads and negates muzzle flip a bit, as much as possible, anyway. Easier on the frame, too, IMHO. I like to go with as strong a recoil spring as possible within reason and still maintain 100 percent reliability. The one it came with, I thought, was too light.

 

[MCgunner]

BTW Don't know if I just got Lucky or what but my older Ruger P90 is one of the most accurate 45 autos I've ever owned.

That is my experience, too. Mine will group 1.5" off a bench at 25 yards. It's very accurate and points well. I think it's the best of the P guns. I also like the trigger a lot better than the P95 or the P85, smoother, lighter DA and better transition to SA.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Spongy recoil?

 

[tunnug]

My P-90 is the first handgun I bought years ago, the first thing I did was replace the guide rod with one that was filled with some heavy liquid (don't remember exactly what it is) when the salesman dropped the sample on the ground it wouldn't bounce, anyways, it does a great job absorbing the recoil from even the hottest rounds I've put through it.
Sorry, it doesn't help not knowing the info on the guide rod, I'll look and see if I still have it squirreled away somewhere.

 

[WardenWolf]

I normally shoot 225 grain FMJ ammo. I guess I'm just used to a snappier recoil. Compared to my father's Combat Commander and my milsurp pistols, I find it a bit hard to get used to.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

tunnug: that guide rod might have been mercury-filled.