Will my new Ruger P90 evict my 1911?

[JeeperCreeper]

Uh oh, I done did it again.... Found a "steal of a deal" on a LNIB Ruger P90 and bought it.

Handling this unnecessary purchase, comparing the 1911 gold standard is hard not to do. But, with the reputation for being underrated and being "built like an Abrams tank", will this new toy make me replace my 1911 to the lonely shelf in the safe?

Note: I like 1911s, but I do not have a love affair with them... what does a P90 bring to the table that a 1911 doesn't? Help me justify my impulse purchase.

 

[Quercusalba]

It costs a third of the price or less, isn't finicky, easier to take down...

 

[Shipwreck]

The Ruger P series guns are very reliable and built like tanks. I would bet, however, that your 1911 will be a bit more accurate at longer distances. It's a bit easier to shoot since the trigger doesn't pivot on a hinge.. A 1911 trigger goes straight back.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Wow, I feel stupid.... I never really ever considered the straight pull on the 1911. I just always liked the sweet single action.

 

[.455_Hunter]

My P90 is scary accurate. I highly recommend them.

 

[JDR]

The P90 was / is an excellent firearm, very underrated in its day. Good Luck with yours, let's hear a range report when you get a chance.

 

[CANNONMAN]

Which 1911? Kimber? No. The box kit 1911 ya get when going to a gunsmith school. Sure. Can shoot better with your new pride and joy. Absolutely!

 

[RussB]

The Ruger P series guns are very reliable and built like tanks. I would bet, however, that your 1911 will be a bit more accurate at longer distances. It's a bit easier to shoot since the trigger doesn't pivot on a hinge.. A 1911 trigger goes straight back.

I would take that bet!

My first autoloader was a P90. It was reliable and extremely accurate. I kept a 7-shot, 35yd target for years that had all 7 shots touching!

I sold that P90 to purchase a 1911. A Colt 1991 Compact in '92 which I still have. The P90 is a huge gun for it's 7-round capacity, much like a Sig P220. I also did not like the slide mounted safety

 

[Mike J]

I've never had a P-90 but they are said to be the most accurate of Rugers P series. The only down side I see is that I don't think Ruger supports parts for these guns anymore. I would probably keep the 1911 & enjoy both.

 

[AustinTX]

I'd definitely trust that P90 as much as any 1911, and more than most, in a home defense role.

Which 1911? Kimber? No.

Especially over any Kimber.

 

[stchman]

Ruger P90s are excellent guns. I own 2 and like them both very much.

 

[Jaymo]

They are great pistols.
I almost bought one, except it felt too muzzle heavy for my tastes.

I will say that I have never liked the P series mag release.

 

[JTQ]

...what does a P90 bring to the table that a 1911 doesn't?

The biggest point is the P90 is out of production. Magazines will be more difficult to find, as will spare parts.

A few years back, we had a guy on the forum with a P97 that ended up with some kind of catastrophic failure. He sent it back to Ruger for service, they sent him a P345 as a replacement. A similar problem with your P90 would probably end up with you getting an SR45.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Justify it? If you like the gun then it's justified, as long as you can afford it. If you can't, then you screwed up.

You gotta have hobbies man. They are what makes mundane life ok.

 

[bannockburn]

JeeperCreeper

I never really cared much for the overall grip design of the P Series. Could never get comfortable with it; always felt somewhat awkward and unwieldy. Good serviceable guns to be sure but they just didn't feel right in my hand. Also I'm a big fan of the single action trigger on the 1911 versus the double action/single action set-up on the P90.

 

[jhb]

Only you can make that call.

I always come back to my 1911s.......for a good reason, but that's me.

 

[LeonCarr]

The most accurate .45 ACP I have ever shot was a Ruger P90.

8 rounds into a ragged hole off the bench at 25 yards was common with both factory ammo and handloads. Easily the most accurate .45 for the money.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[akarguy]

Toss a Wolff trigger spring in that P90 and you can probably get your single action pull down to 2lb. Polish the hammer and sear a bit and I bet that setup will be smooth as butter over the 1911

 

[TimboKhan]

I owned a P90 for something like 14 years and though I sold it a couple years back to finance a new gun, I can tell you that it was by far and away the most reliable pistol I personally have owned and I kind of wish I hadn't sold it and instead had just replaced the barrel.

I like 1911's just fine, but I said then and I will say now that if I had to choose between a 1911 and a P90 to go to war with, it would be a P90 every time.

Quick note: IMHO they do require one upgrade: Hogue wrap around grips. I purely hate the stock grips and the highest made all the difference in the world.

 

[t.ramsey]

P90

If you change your mind and don't want it, I'm in the market for a P90.

 

[Storm]

There is room in my arsenal for both. Very different shooting experiences with caliber being all that is similar. As has been aptly said, if I was going to war it would be with the P90.

 

[TestPilot]

Whatever you shoot better.

Neither is particularly better.

 

[Teachu2]

I'm waiting for a Hi Point fan to enter the fray!

 

[JTQ]

This review may be helpful http://www.realguns.com/archives/182.htm

 

[ngnrd]

Love. My. P90.

I got it ... what ... 20+ years ago? I never shot it with the factory grips. Immediately swapped for Hogue grips, which I used up until last year when I finally broke down and replaced with Crimson Trace laser grips. In all that time, I've never had a single failure of any kind. It just works. And it works well.

That said, I've never owned a 1911. So, I guess I can't really make a fair comparison.