Ruger P95 Barrel Play

[warman]

Hi, new to the forums and to shooting. I recently purchased a Ruger P95PR for my first semi-auto pistol. I cleaned it for the 2nd time and noticed this time that after I put it together and had the slide back in the locked position and noticed that the barrel had some play where it rattled around slightly.
I was just wondering if this was normal.
Took it apart a couple more times and verified the spring and barrel were installed correctly and locked.
I don't remember this the 1st time I cleaned but then again I didn't look for it and just put the gun away.
Anyhow, I wanted to get an answer before I went out shooting.
Thanks.

 

[putteral]

Totally normal. Mine does the same thing.

 

[warman]

Thanks - I really appreciate it....

 

[rcmodel]

Perfectly normal.

Almost all auto-pistol barrels are loose and rattly when out of battery.

It aids in feeding and adds reliability when the gun is dirty.

Fugedaboutit!

rc

 

[Mike J]

Dang they beat me to it. Congrats on the Ruger & welcome to The High Road Warman.

 

[warman]

Thanks again for all of the help. I took my Ruger P95 out this am for some practice and it fired fine. Funny thing, the first time I shot with it (last week) it would jam about half way through every magazine - it was getting frustrated. After I cleaned it thoroughly and oiled it, I've been out twice this week and not a single jam after about 300 rounds total. So I really am liking this pistol!
I definitely have the "bug". I already went back to the gun shop but can't decide what to buy next. I was looking at rifles and a Ruger .38 LCR as a carry weapon (after I complete the course and get a license).
Just wanted to share with those that understand what I'm feeling and maybe help those looking for a good, inexpensive 9mm semi-auto handgun.
Here are some pics of the range I go to...

 

[makarovnik]

Just make sure it's locked up tight when in battery. I love my P95 except for that big bulge near the take down lever.

 

[JDGray]

Congrats, and welcome to THR!

Kind of an intresting range, is it a covered outdoor range?

 

[warman]

Hey and thanks for the welcome. Yes it's covered outdoor with 5, 10, 25 & 100 yard ranges. You can 't see it very well but there is a line of about 30 ceiling fans going all the time. It still gets humid in there, but very well run.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

On this or any pistol that uses the Browning tilting barrel recoil operation, the barrel is free to move when it is not in lockup. To have it move around when the slide is retracted and locked back is perfectly normal. A large part of the gun's accuracy is having all these moving parts return to the same place every time.

 

[warman]

Thanks, The Lone Haranguer. That's interesting info. Just makes me realize how much I have to learn about the operation of firearms. I appreciate it...