Which Ruger auto?

[natedog]

I want a 9mm automatic pistol, and I've been told that Rugers make excellent first auto's as they are reliable, tough as nails, and can withstand "newbie" mistakes. But which one? I'm thinking a DA/SA (unless they offer a single action only). I'd prefer an all black finish (no two tone guns). I'm not sure on polymer frames or not...which is cheaper? Has cheaper mags?

 

[George Hill]

Is this a trick question? None.

 

[CWatson]

P-95DC. A poly frame 9mm.Mine is reliable and is accurate.I like the decocker only version because I do not like slide mounted safties.

CWatson

 

[natedog]

Care to elaborate, George? Why (besides political reasons) shouldn't one choose Ruger?

 

[10-Ring]

I have most my experience /w Ruger's 22s, but I have shot a couple of their pistols...one in 45 acp, the other 9mm. The thing about them both was that they totally reliable, a tad heavy & chunky and at best only average in its accuracy. In my book, they're nice values for the budget minded.

 

[greyhound]

I don't have the 9mm, but in its brother .45 P97 the decocker only model is my choice, since the safety model doesn't allow "cocked and locked" access(it automatically decocks once the safety is engaged).

The heavy initial DA pull seems to be safe, IMHO.

 

[Gary A]

I see no reason to not choose a Ruger auto whether for a first auto or not. My favorite is the P95 but all of them are very reliable, very durable, accurate enough, reasonably priced, and backed by great customer service should it be needed. Some like the .45 or .40 versions over the 9mm. Some like the (very) beefy aluminum frame over the newer polymer, and people have different tastes in DAO, Decock-only, or Safety models. Standard capacity magazines are still available at relatively reasonable cost. Factory ten rounders are inexpensive and reliable. My P95 is, in my hands at least, as accurate off-hand as any 9mm I shoot, certainly enough for any reasonable requirement outside of bullseye shooting. Personally, I find the polymer frames of the 95 and 97 to be incredibly tough and durable. And, compared side by side with other 9mm service pistols, it just is not as big and bulky as its reputation would imply. It is lightweight and equivalent to a Sig 229 in size, or a Glock 19 slide on a Glock 17 frame. Seems to me all pistols using a Sig-type lockup are a bit thick in the slide compared to a Browning-type lock, e.g. Hi-Power. Practically, that seems to make little or no difference, IMO. Right now a blued P95 can be had for slightly over $300 and a stainless in the mid $300s. It may not be the best pistol out there, but it does so many things well or adequately with such reliability and durability at such a low cost that it can easily be argued to be one of the best bargains available, newbie or not. Just MO.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

The Ruger P89 (AL frame) or P89 (polymer frame) are solid, reliable-as-heck semiautos for a good price. If you want standard cap mags, CDNN has Mec-Gars in stock that should work very well. Stay away from USA mags, which are junk.

If you aren't wedded to a DA auto, consider a Browning High Power or one of the less expensive clones from Argentina or Hungary.

 

[rde]

Have both the P89 in stainless with the safety/decocker and the P95 in stainless that is decocker only. Like the 95 a little better simply because it is a little smaller and between my 2 I shoot the 95 a little more accurately. I have nothing negative to say about either. Absolutely reliable to say the least.

 

[denfoote]

Another nod to the P95!!

 

[mini14jac]

I had a P95DC for a few years.
Sold it because I'm stupid.
(Wanted to buy another gun, and didn't want to wait. :banghead: )

I found factory 15rd mags for an average of $30 each.
I don't think it jammed once in 1500+ rounds.
I was very pleased with the accuracy, shootability, and reliability of the gun.

It was on the chunky side, but I really liked the way it felt in my hand, especially when it had 15 rounds of +P ammo on board.

Can you tell that I miss it?

 

[Brigrat]

P95 is #1

I vote for the P95 DC, mine has many thousands of accurate and reliable rounds through it without a hiccup. All 9mm Rugers use the same mags, so that is not an issue, the P93, or P94 are similar in size to the P95, but with aluminum frames, and consequently more unneeded weight. The P89 is aluminum framed, and slightly larger than the other Ruger 9mm's. I like the P89, but the P95 works better for me for CCW, and daily carry, as it is lighter, and smaller. You will not be disappointed with any Ruger Semi in my opinion. And remember, most Ruger haters hate Rugers for political misconception reasons, not reliability issues, and there are always two sides to every political argument. Good luck with you decision.

 

[killermarmot]

I just fired a ruger in 9 and in 45 a couple days ago and my choice would be none. They feel like holding a raw rubber coated potato with a bunny attatched to the slide. It felt cumbersome . Kind of like how the S&W auto loaders are. If you want a first 9mm I would heavily recomend a sig like the 239 which is absolutley amazing and indestructable or a glock. A beretta 92 seems like a good obvious choice except for the ungodly like 15lb double action. Been personaly I would choose no Ruger unless it's a revolver.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

There are so many other choices for 9mm, Ruger would be my last choice. I have personal experience with the P-95 and Ruger's vaunted customer service and I'd rather not have a gun then have a Ruger.
If price is a factor look at a FEG Hi-Power clone, some of the CZ 9mm pistols or even a Glock police trade in. There are many other choices out there other than Ruger at an affordable price.

ZM

 

[George S.]

My P89

just felt right in my hand when I was shopping for a 9mm. Looked at the Beretta 92FS and Glock but they just didn't have the right feel and balance for me.

I settled on the manual safety P89 Davidson's Special (P89TH) with the Hogue grips as those grips felt even better than the regular plastic grips. It's a two-tone but not a big contrast like the KP (stainless) versions. Although it only came with one mag, it still was a good deal at the time. I paid $340 including 8% tax and got in on last years $40 rebate coupon.

I have about 700 rounds through it so far; a mix of Winchester White Box in 115gr FMJ and S&B 115gr FMJ. This is currently my home defense gun and I tested about 100 rounds of Remington Golden Saber 124gr JHP's and did not have a single failure. At 25yds, I can easily get 3" groups with the factory 3-dot sights.

 

[sturmruger]

I love to hear everyone bash on Ruger. People always like to rip on who is on top. Ruger is the largest gun manufacturer in the US so they tend to get the most flak.


I just picked up 50 shares of Ruger's stock. I decided that if I own so many of their guns I should support them by buying some of thier stock. Needless to say I have a biased opinion.

 

[wenger]

I have owned close to a dozen P series in all the calibers and I will give you my impressions.

The P95 grip is too slippery in my hand. The gun wants to twist in my hand. You can put a hogue handall on it, but then it's fatter then a hog. The magazine retention system on the 9mm is the weak link. The ambidextrous levers stick out like canoe paddles. I carried a P95 in an IWB holsters and I would frequently bumb the right side magazine release lever and release the magazine just enough to turn my P95 in to a single shot.

I had another P95 that would drop the magaine out of the gun under recoil. It did it with both new magazines. For some reason magazine retention is better in the alloy framed models. I don't know why, but I don't trust the P95 as a carry gun for that reason.

The P89 is big, clunky and reliable. You can't go wrong with them. They are too big for practical concealed carry. The P94 is better and the P93 is better yet. The P93 is essentially an alloy framed versiosn of the P95, or more correctly, the P95 is the polymer version of the P93. I think the P93 is the most desireable 9mm Ruger, but for some reason it is seldom seen.

The P97 is the polymer frame .45 acp and it has developed a good reputation. It initially had problems with the extractor and the slide stop working it's way out of the gun under recoil. Ruger has taken care of that and by all reports the P97 is a good gun. The grip feels much better in my hand then the P95.

The P90 is an outstandingly accurate .45 acp and is just as accurate as my Gold Cup. It feeds and fires virtually anything and is a real tank. The P90 was originally designed around the 10mm, until Bill Ruger changed his mind and didn't offer it. The P90 has the traditional magazine catch and is a much better design.

Ruger P series are strong, reliable, chunky, affordable guns. Their accuracy is average, except for the P90 which has a reputation for outstanding accuracy. I don't trust the P95 version because of the weak magazine catch, but maybe that's just me. Most people on the web say they have had no problems with that. I've seen enough with it that I won't own another P95.

I prefer the Glock or the CZ over the Ruger.


John

 

[Roger Williams]

The P93DC is one hell of a gun for $299. I see them at gun shows all the time for that price. Get a gunsmith to do a trigger job on it and you'll have a very tough, reliable, accurate, and carryable pistol...and it won't break the bank.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I have the 'old' P85 Ruger (the fore runner of what youu see today), a Beretta 92, CS75B and Sig P239.

My choices (great to bad) is the reverse of how I listed them.

I hate to say it but I think Ruger is over rated and my 85 is not the choice I'd make again.

i honestly can't speak for the newer generation Ruger autos.

I think Ruger makes very good revolvers and long guns, but, once again, my 85 is a piece of crappola.

 

[mini14jac]

I meant to type "16 rounds of +P ammo on board" in my post above, but anyway.....

I felt for years that all Ruger handguns were too "chunky" for my hands.
After a lot of research, I decided to see if I could make myself like one.
The real kicker was, I wanted hi-cap mags, and was tired of the $100+ that Glock mags were going for.

After shooting my P95 for a while, I actually added the Hogue slip on grip.
Even though this made the grip bigger, I really liked the way it felt.
Yes, it is a handful, but I soon learned to really like the hand-filling grip.
It felt substantial, like I was holding a real gun.

Rugers are not for everybody.
Neither are Glocks, Sigs, CZs, etc.
You'll have to decide.

Good luck.

 

[greyhound]

The P95 grip is too slippery in my hand

I agree, my P97 was too. The Hogue Handall fixed that 100%. At first I also thought it was fat as a hog, but I got used to it and since CCW is not an option here in MD its not a problem for me.

As far as having problems with the P95's ambi mag release at least on the P97 it has only right hand release. Once again, since I can't CCW, I haven't had any problems here.

Ruger P-series are kinda odd. They were developed to compete in the US Army trials to replace the 1911, and while they have evolved into a complete line they seem to have run into two problems (both related to CCW):

1/ Bill Ruger is on record as not being in favor of high capacity mags, and in addition to that a lot of Ruger's politics have PO'd the staunch 2A folks.

2/ Related, Ruger P series really aren't CCW friendly, and per point 1, the company has not really gone out of its way to accomodate this growing market (though there are lots of rumors about it).


Overall, I think the Ruger P series is a good pistol for goofing around at the range or for Home Defense. I know people do carry them, but they seem not to be the optimal choice for CCW (what do I know though, I live in "May-issue/really No Issue" MD ).

Plus they are inexpensive, which is a good point. Hey , if Ruger wants to shut out the CCW/self defense market and concentrate on hunting and target shooting, that's their funeral. Stop selling pistols and Mini-14s and see where that lands 'em. That may have played in the 1990s, but post 9/11 Americans are more self-defense oriented, so I hope some of these rumores about Ruger changing direction and developing a concealable pistol are true.

Anyway, just me .02....

 

[Flashpoint]

Get one like this...



It was my first handgun and a pretty darn good one at that. I would still have it but I traded it for a small 9mm that I could carry, didn't have the money to buy outright.

Smaller 9mm below...






with the infamous teacup hold

 

[mini14jac]

The magazine retention system on the 9mm is the weak link. The ambidextrous levers stick out like canoe paddles. I carried a P95 in an IWB holsters and I would frequently bumb the right side magazine release lever and release the magazine just enough to turn my P95 in to a single shot.

I had another P95 that would drop the magaine out of the gun under recoil. It did it with both new magazines. For some reason magazine retention is better in the alloy framed models. I don't know why, but I don't trust the P95 as a carry gun for that reason.

The mag release buttons basically suck.
I called and talked to a Ruger gunsmith. He gave me instructions on how to cut them down, and sent two free replacement buttons, "in case I messed mine up".
Now, they are flush, like on the P97.

If a Ruger is dropping factory mags, it needs work at the factory, if you don't think you can do the work yourself.
They have excellent customer service.

Unless you are hitting the mag release levers, this is not a common problem with any Ruger gun.
Mine would drop aftermarket mags while firing, but none of the 8 factory mags ever had this problem.

 

[boss_spearman]

ya gotta love these people that think the polymer framed p series rugers are " clunky"..but then suggest a glock...

 

[Baron Holbach4]

My research has led me to conclude the P89 and P90 are the best Ruger autos.