Ruger P85

Status
Not open for further replies.
Over the years I've gathered a P-90 DC, a P-94, a P-89 and a P-95.
I've kept them all in the rotation.
All were sold to me as "lemons".
After detail cleaning they all have worked flawlessly, some for over twenty-five years.
The P-90 DC was my first .45 ACP.
They are all over-sized and a bit clumsy.
So am I.
 
Wow, I did not expect so many replies on a handgun series that most of the shooting world ignores.... Glad to see people still enjoy and like the P-series. My exposure to them came via my father's Ruger P90 he bought in 2000, after he tried a Charles Daly 1911 which did nothing but malfunction. His P90 on the other hand ran like a sewing machine from day one. I later purchased a P95 several years before they were discontinued, and as I expected it ran like a top. I've always wanted a P89 or P85, as I like the looks of the big first gen wonder nines.
 
Love mine!
I bought a P944DAO( 40cal) for $295. It sat in the case at the lgs for awhile until I came around looking for a range toy/home defense gun. 40 cal had fallen out of favor, so the guy knocked $30 off the price if I gave him cash for it that day which I gladly did after I took it apart and saw how nice the stainless steel cleaned up. The big honkin' parts that are inside this gun will never wear out or break(unless I handload an atomic bomb into a 40S&W case).
naysayers love to bash the big ugly Rugers, but damn are they a safe bet if you want something boringly reliable.
 
My first semi auto was a P89 that I got somewhere in the mid to late 90s. Had it till last year and kinda wish I'd kept it. Never had a hiccup that I can recall.
 
although bulky and unrefined

When ever I see a P series Ruger I think Dump Truck. It’s big, bulky and it gets the job done.

They are all over-sized and a bit clumsy

My p97 ( width 1.29 and weight 28.5oz) is narrower, shorter grip, shorter slide, and lighter than all but 1 of the following. (No reason for those choices other than they were handy) Screenshot_20190517-200938_Gallery.jpg

Beretta 96, 1.510 width and 29.7 oz

HK usp 40, 1.476 and 27.5 oz. Never woulda guessed it was lighter.

sig 226, 1.595 and 30.37 oz

Glock 20 1.145 and 29.63 oz. (For disclosure it has a 6 inch Kkm)

And those are unloaded and measured and weighed by me out of curiosity. True they may feel big but they really aren't more so than any other full size.
I did take pics of every measurement and weight for all the pics or it didn't happen guys. Just didn't feel it was worth the wasted space online
 
Last edited:
I have a P90, P95, and P89 all with the safety, in order I acquired them. I bought the P90 new to use for a duty gun. It was half the price of a SIG220 and more accurate. Ransom Rest more accurate not Joe and Charlie at the gravel pit.

Lately I've been carrying the P95 a lot.
 
I think a some of us (me included) tend to over rate the newest, smallest and lightest super pistol .

My best friend from high school has been carrying a P-93 for almost a quarter century. It may not be the slimmest or lightest pistol ever built but it continues to function and he continues to carry it every day.

Am I truly better armed with my latest P365 vs the Colt LW Commander I carried at 18 (Legal Age in my state)?
 
My P85. I don’t find them ugly or unrefined at all. I’ve had mine for over 20 years and have never had a problem with it. Not a target pistol but acceptably accurate and feed and shoots all weight bullets.

AF033AB4-2587-4D90-A2B1-E6609F5A3186.jpeg
3165B2F9-47AC-4804-A74B-E2DBB9B538C7.jpeg

You can tell if an original P85 has had the safety recall work done by the “MKIIR” mark on the right side ambi safety lever.

F58D36CC-E476-45DA-AF47-359E1FBC80BF.jpeg
 
The P89 has that classic look of the wonder nine years. There were a lot of new guns hitting the market during the mid to late 80’s.
I looked at two today and would have bought one if they weren’t priced at $389 and $399. Now why would I even think of buying one? Because I have a set of Uncle Mike’s grips somewhere in my shop that needs a P89.:)
 
My P85. I don’t find them ugly or unrefined at all. I’ve had mine for over 20 years and have never had a problem with it. Not a target pistol but acceptably accurate and feed and shoots all weight bullets.

View attachment 842442
View attachment 842443

You can tell if an original P85 has had the safety recall work done by the “MKIIR” mark on the right side ambi safety lever.

View attachment 842445


I like the wear on it where the edges are. Classic old pistol with natural wear is sexy .
 
I don’t know, but the Ruger P-Series are a bit large for what they are.

G23.4 to a Ruger P-94

13+1 rds of .40 S&W to 10+1 rds of .40 S&W.

View attachment 841894

View attachment 841895

Flush at the bottom on the mag
View attachment 841892

View attachment 841896

View attachment 841893

View attachment 841897

Are they ridiculously larger? No, but they are a bit overbuilt.

Part of that is the casting though (which makes them relatively inexpensive).
I don’t know, but the Ruger P-Series are a bit large for what they are.

G23.4 to a Ruger P-94

13+1 rds of .40 S&W to 10+1 rds of .40 S&W.

View attachment 841894

View attachment 841895

Flush at the bottom on the mag
View attachment 841892

View attachment 841896

View attachment 841893

View attachment 841897

Are they ridiculously larger? No, but they are a bit overbuilt.

Part of that is the casting though (which makes them relatively inexpensive).



In the first picture , what is the black colored square near the slide stop ?
 
In the first picture , what is the black colored square near the slide stop ?
It’s a cam block. Its supposed to help absorb recoil forces. Probably to help with the increased recoil of the .40 over the 9mm.

The Ruger P94 had at least couple different generations and the cam block type design was the later generation with the swinging link being the first.

Don’t ask me if it works. :cool: I’ve never shot one of the swinging link P94’s.
 
It’s a cam block. Its supposed to help absorb recoil forces. Probably to help with the increased recoil of the .40 over the 9mm.

The Ruger P94 had at least couple different generations and the cam block type design was the later generation with the swinging link being the first.

Don’t ask me if it works. :cool: I’ve never shot one of the swinging link P94’s.

My .40 caliber P94 is the swinging link version. If you were closer I'd offer to meet up so we could shoot each others guns & do a comparison. I don't think I could justify driving to Texas for a range trip though.
 
I've had a P 89 9mm for over 20 years it aint pretty but like the previous posters have said it always goes bang and fairly accurate. I carry a 1911, but the Ruger stays in the truck like a friend you can always count on.

JD
 
Well I finally got a day off work and picked up my new (to me) P85. So far, I am really pleased with this old wonder nine. It does have an early Ruger two-piece barrel, but that did not seem to affect accuracy.

I ran about 200 rounds of mixed ammo through it today, consisting of Wolf 115gr FMJ, Fiocchi 115 FMJ, IMI 115gr JHP, and some Hornady 135gr Critical Duty. I benched the handgun at 7 and 10 yards. Shooting in groups of 5, the pistol appears to be printing slightly right of my point of aim, but it pretty close to POA/POI overall for me. It seems the pistol likes Wolf and Fiocchi. While shooting groups, the first shot of each string was double action.

The five shot groups are as follows:

7 Yards
-Fiocchi 1 1/2''
-Wolf 1 3/4"
-IMI 2"
-Hornady 2'' and 2 1/4"

10 Yards
-Fiocchi 1 1/2"
-Wolf 2 1/2" (1 1/4" without flyer)
-IMI 2 1/2"
-Hornady 1 1/2"


As you will see in the pictures, the early slide release on this pistol is quite large, which caused me to inadvertently activate it several times while at the range, causing two to three failures to return to battery. As a result, I have ordered the updated shorter slide stop from Numrich. I also believe the magazine springs in the two magazines that came with the handgun need replacing, so new springs are on order.
 

Attachments

  • 20190524_132019.jpg
    20190524_132019.jpg
    87.7 KB · Views: 12
  • 20190524_132405.jpg
    20190524_132405.jpg
    92.4 KB · Views: 12
  • 20190524_153049.jpg
    20190524_153049.jpg
    56.1 KB · Views: 13
  • 20190524_153101.jpg
    20190524_153101.jpg
    57.8 KB · Views: 13
  • 20190524_153200.jpg
    20190524_153200.jpg
    53.2 KB · Views: 12
  • 20190524_153235.jpg
    20190524_153235.jpg
    54.8 KB · Views: 12
  • 20190524_153249.jpg
    20190524_153249.jpg
    43.2 KB · Views: 12
  • 20190524_153345.jpg
    20190524_153345.jpg
    59.5 KB · Views: 12
  • 20190524_153433.jpg
    20190524_153433.jpg
    63.2 KB · Views: 12
  • 20190524_153457.jpg
    20190524_153457.jpg
    64.8 KB · Views: 12
Well I adjusted the sights slightly and I am extremely surprised with the accuracy of this P85. Most people do not believe these guns are capable of being shot accurately, and articles written about the gun at the time it was released showed mediocre accuracy. Unless I just happened across an above average P85, I am more than satisfied with this handgun. I am including several target pictures since adjusting the rear sights.

7 yards, full magazine
20190705_110121_zpsjxqmbkju.jpg

10 yards, full magazine
20190705_110131_zpszxdazlrk.jpg

25 yards, full magazine
20190705_110143_zpsm1bysjka.jpg

7 yard groups; top group was Rem 115gr FMJ; right group Fiocchi 115gr FMJ; bottom group IMI 115gr HP; left group Wolf steel 115gr FMJ; stickers were 3"
20190705_105052_zpswrrsan17.jpg
 
I used to own both a P95 and a P90 decock only, but was forced to sell them.

I missed the P95 a lot. It was a solid, good shooter and I missed it. I recently bought P95 safety model. I think its a good and unique looking pistol.

I'm starting to miss the P90 as well
 
I got P95, and P97 I call them the Granddaddy of all my Guns better shooters .well made they are Tanks ready at all times !
 
I got P95, and P97 I call them the Granddaddy of all my Guns better shooters .well made they are Tanks ready at all times !
Can I ask what holsters you are using. I have a P94 and was having a hard time finding holsters.
Will a P95/P97 holster fit the P94?
 
Can I ask what holsters you are using. I have a P94 and was having a hard time finding holsters.
Will a P95/P97 holster fit the P94?
I don't know if it will are not .I bought a holster from Alien Gear Holsters for P95 which that holster will fit the P97 so check them out i got the Cloak mod owb
 
Can I ask what holsters you are using. I have a P94 and was having a hard time finding holsters.
Will a P95/P97 holster fit the P94?

I have an old Don Hume 721 OT holster for my old P94. I am not sure if it is still available or not. If you do a search for Ruger P series holsters there are a lot of links that pop up from different companies including alien gear & crossbreed.
 
I carried mine in a black Galco cop 3 slot with thumb break. Not sure if it's still produced for the p- series. nice holster though
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top