ruger p90 vs. p97 vs. p345

[Gary A]

JTQ wrote:

My understanding is they are basically the "Devel" follower used in the Chip McCormack 1911 mags that are known to tip forward after the last round and ding feed ramps on aluminum/alloy framed 1911's.

I have not, as yet, noticed this gouging but it seems to me there is an important difference. Is it not true that in an alloy-framed 1911 the feed ramp is part of the frame and therefore made of aluminum alloy? (I do not own a 1911 so maybe I'm wrong.) In the P90, however, the feed ramp is an integral part of the barrel and made of steel. OTOH, I do somewhat prefer the old-style 7 round mags and wish I had more of them.

 

[jim243]

I guess it must be something to do with who manufactures the 1911, my feed ramp is on the barrel (Kimber).

Can't speak to the 345 and P90. But I like the grips on the P90 better. Not sure how you are going to get a P-97DC, mine is not for sale and they have been discontinued.

If you can find one, I would recommend the P-97DC built like a tank and shoots very good as well. Not a small gun but fits the hand well and gets the job done every time.

If I ever ran out of ammo, I could use it to beat the hell out of anything I was shooting at, it's built that strong.

My first impression after shooting it was the Army should have addopted IT as their side arm instead of the Beretta 92. But with no manual safety and only 8 rounds I could understand, still think they should have used the Ruger instead of Beretta.

Good Luck in your gun hunting.
Jim

 

[Chevyguy85]

I have no problems with my p345 feeding ammo. Can't remember offhand if the feed ramp is dinged up but i highly doubt it. Although it only has 2-3000 rounds through it so maybe an issue later on? All of our magazines are the 8 round ones

 

[JTQ]

Anybody have a sight preference between the P90 and P345. The P345 rear sight is more rounded, but is it just as easy to visually pickup.

Is there an advantage to one over the other if looking for after market sights.

 

[capitolpeak]

my first handgun was a P97D, loved it! Sold it for an xd45 service for more capacity, sold that for a 4" redhawk for more power, sold that for another xd45 in tactical for less weight........haha but that sweet little P97 set me on the path of enlightenment and man I sure wish I still had it. Any of them are great but the P97 for me was the best option concerning price and simplicity. Tough as nails and ate everything I fed it.

 

[stchman]

I just got my P90 today.

I like the looks and it feels good to the hand. Have yet to shoot it, but Ruger pistols shoot well. My SR9, P95, and LCP all shoot very well.

I am a little perturbed that the P90 I got (P90TH) from Cabela's comes with ONE mag and no loader. I could care less about the loader, but come one Ruger, why one mag???? Also it looks like people just don't get rid of their P90s at all.

 

[9x19]

I prefer the poly frames over the alloy, so my choices are the P97D and P345D, both in de-cock only* form.

(Putting a safety on these is like putting a safety on the GP100... totally without merit - to me)

 

[devildave31]

I used to have a P90, I really miss it. I used it to trade up to my 1911, I would do it again without a second thought, but if I ever have the money burning a hole in my wallet, I would love to have another P90. It is a fairly large frame, but for me at 6'3" and 270, it was just right. I also had a Slip on grip with finger grooves, which I think really makes any gun more comfortable in the hand.

 

[clutch]

My P90 has been a reliable firearm, too big for concealed carry, at least for me, so I retired it to home defense and I sleep soundly with it near by. I have the decocking model.

I wasn't terribly impressed with the accuracy when I bought it years ago but then I'm a revolver guy at heart. A while back I bought a S&W40c and while struggling to master it I brought the p90 with me on one of the range days.

I had been improving with the .40c and when I shot my p90, it shot so much better than I remember so I suspect my earlier lack of accuracy was me not holding it right.

I shoot mostly cast bullets in the P90, screwed up once and used large rifle rifle primers by mistake. Got 95% to go off on first strike and most of the failed ones to go off on restrike, something you can do with a DA/SA auto loader like the P90.

If you can stand the trigger, it is stiff, buy and enjoy.

Clutch

 

[kragluver]

I own a P97DC and have shot my brother's P345. I have no experience with the P90, but it has a good reputation. When the P345 first came out they had an issue with FTF on the last round or something like that. It had to do with dry firing with the magazine removed or something. Anyway, I think that issue has been corrected, although my brother's pistol does seem to suffer from this problem (his was a 1st year P345).

I think all three pistols are very good. My P97 has never had any issues. I have about 2500 rounds or so through it. It used to be shot quite a bit and I used it for several IDPA and IPSC matches. Very reliable. Today, it has become one of the "house guns" because my wife can operate it easier than my 1911. The P97 is a bit too bulky to carry, but it could be done. The P345 seems a bit slimmer.

 

[stchman]

To kragluvr:

The P345 has a magazine disconnect. You will damage the pistol if you dry fire without a mag inserted.

The mag disconnect is removable by removing the rear sight. You can google this as others have done it.

 

[boomer1911a1]

I've owned all three and each is an excellent weapon. Other posters have mentioned some of the foibles of the three, but I'll posit this:
The P90 is the longest-established and has the most support in the way of holsters, grips, lanyards (with the optional loop) etc.
The P345 is the most technically advanced and best-balanced. Mine's trigger is superb, which gives it accuracy well above its price point.
The P97 was sort of an orphan with a too-brief production run. It shot pretty well, but was offered only with a decocking lever (not a true safety.) Polymer frame, so no fancy/soft rubber grips, and it predated the accessory rail. Its main advantage now is price.

Any way you go, it'll be the right choice.