Ruger 9mm Buying Recommendation?

[tedburns]

I'm thinking of buying a Ruger as my next 9mm.

Which Ruger model would be best value and bang for the buck?

I'm looking to buy 'new', inexpensive, accurate for target, sturdy enough to shoot 1000's of reloads on a yearly basis. Thanks!

Note: It's important that it have ambidextrous safety or ambidextrous decocking lever. I prefer DA/SA or pure SA, but would not outright eliminate DAO (okay if no external safety).

 

[boomer1911a1]

I don't think Ruger makes a centerfire SA automatic pistol. If they did, I'd be very interested.

If I'm not mistaken, you can get the ambi safety/decocker on all their models. The thing you're going to have to decide is polymer frame vs. alloy. The P89 is alloy and the P95 (I think) is polymer, and there're about a dozen variations between the two. Pick up examples of each of the two types and see which one fits your hand better.
The P89 has a spotty, sometimes-it's-great-sometimes-it-sucks reputation for accuracy. Not sure about the P94/P95 family. But I am sure about the durability: you can't exceed it. Freshen up the springs every ten years or so and you can leave it in your will...

 

[tedburns]

Well, I am looking into the P95, but will check out your suggestions. I don't have any problem with polymer guns or alloy or steel. I just would like a good range gun that I can shoot alot, with +P loads when desired, and with cast bullets, that is reliable, reasonably accurate, and cheap. The P95 looks reasonably attractive. I'm not familiar with all the different Ruger lines of semi-autos-P94 vs. P95 etc. I'm a southpaw so ambidextrous safety/decocker is a must where gun has external safety mechanism. If all their models have such, that is good-for me! Thanks for your very prompt post!

p.s. Not much of a Ladd-fan, but liked him in that role! But I kinda liked his daughter...a lot!

 

[DMZ]

I purchased a P-95PR yesterday ($389) and put about 150 rounds through it this morning.

I was very pleased with the accuracy, the SA trigger, and the fact that it fed and fired several types of ammo (including some of my reloads) without a hitch. Also very easy to break down and clean.

I like it!

 

[tedburns]

Thanks, DMZ. ambi-safety? or a decocker safety? or decocker only? polymer? alloy?

It seems post above was accurate-current offerings appear to be models 89 or 95 and variants thereof.

 

[skinnyguy]

I have a P89dc and I love it. The pistol is more accurate than I am, but I'm learning.... well, when I can afford the ammo.

I've picked up, but never fired a P95. I find it less top-heavy than the other polymers I've picked up, and the fit and feel is very much like my P89.

You can take a look at the features and details of both the P89 and P95 at Ruger's website here.

Good luck and I'm sure you're going to love your final choice!!

 

[alan]

The CZ75 is made in 9mm Para/9mm Luger. All steel, about same weight as Browning Hi-Power, 16 round magazines.

The CZ 75 can be carried "cocked and locked" ala the 1911 pistol, or hammer down on a loaded chamber, first shot will be double action, subsequent shots single action.

CZ75BD is a "decocker" no external safety. Classic "double action" pistol, carried hammer down, first shot is double action, subsequent shots will be single action. Can be fired from "decocked" hammer position.

CZ's seem to handle quite well, but look at one for yourself. Prices seem reasonable.

 

[boomer1911a1]

Alan: The man was asking about Rugers, specifically, and you start throwing CZs at him. Let's not muddy the waters!


Ted: Ruger's website will be the best place to research the various incarnations of the P-series. Once you've found the features that you want, find a large Ruger-stocking gun store and heft a few to gauge feel. A rental range would be better still, but I don't know what you have available.

 

[DMZ]

Ted,

The P-95PR I have has ambi-decocker/safety (trigger is disabled) and ambi-mag release. Blue steel slide, poly frame, Picatinny rail. Very robust, easy to keep on target during rapid fire drill.

 

[Ruffwood]

Ted I have 2 P95's one is an early Blued model P95D which accuracy is good. And a new KP95DPR which is very accurate and haven't had a problem with either 1000 rounds through each, but I don't shoot reloads.

 

[tedburns]

DMZ Ted,

The P-95PR I have has ambi-decocker/safety (trigger is disabled) and ambi-mag release. Blue steel slide, poly frame, Picatinny rail. Very robust, easy to keep on target during rapid fire drill.

I have gone to the Ruger site, and will focus on your exact model number-P-95PR.


Gosh, all that sounds really great! I'll be shooting mostly reloads through it, copper-plated, but some pure lead cast bullets. I imagine the riflling is NOT polygonal, if it is, I wish someone would advise as lead is not recommended for such rifling...for instance, the Glocks, I think, have polygonal rifling..

I wonder what benefit to getting the 89, though, over your 95, might be. I wonder if it's large and clunky compared to the 95? I do like a longer barrel for target, though.

 

[Jeff Timm]

Gander Mountain has a sale: http://www.gandermountain.com/

"Ruger® KP95 9mm Semi Auto Pistol
HOT BUY!

$319.95
( Compare at $419.99)
thru Oct 3
Features a 3.9” barrel plus a polymer frame with Picatinny style accessory rail. 15-round magazine capacity.
* 15-round magazine not available in NY and MD."

I own more Rugers than any other brand. No 9mm autos however.

Geoff
Who has been told the Ruger 9mm is a favorite of new shooters who are married to military people about to go overseas.

 

[tedburns]

Anyone have years of shooting with a P-95 and/or P-89 with at least 20,000 rounds shot?

 

[Anna's Dad]

Buddy of mine has a P89. Great gun. The only thing he doesn't like about it is that it's on the bulky side. I personally don't have a problem with it, but I have fairly large hands.

I have the P345 (obviously not a 9mm) and it is an excellent pistol as well. I imagine that it would be more comparable to the polymer P95.

I just don't think you just can't go wrong with Ruger durability and reliability for the price.

Both have an optional ambidextrous safety. If I remember correctly the mag release is also ambidextrous.

I don't believe the slide stop is ambidextrous or can be reversed nor do I think that the decocker (in the decoker-only version) is ambi but I could be wrong as both mine and my buddy's have the safety/decocker.

 

[tedburns]

Jeff timm:

I'm in California and there's a limit to 10-rd. mags.

An alternative purchase site for me would be Budsgunshop.com or Gunbroker.com.

Thanks.

 

[tkarter]

I have a P89 I love. Have shot a friends P95 and it is a great gun and has a better trigger than what a P89 has for DA pull.

Can't go wrong with either. If the P95 fits then go for it.

tk

 

[mavracer]

Anyone have years of shooting with a P-95 and/or P-89 with at least 20,000 rounds shot?

I had an early p-85 put 30,000 rounds through it, no problems, never jammed,even fired under water it function and cycled.yes they have conventional rifling and will shoot lead.I sold it years ago,I bought a p-89 6 months ago,decocker only.I like it as others have said its a little bulky,but if you look in the dictionary under

I just would like a good range gun that I can shoot alot, with +P loads when desired, and with cast bullets, that is reliable, reasonably accurate, and cheap

.you'll find a picture of a ruger

 

[tedburns]

boomer--

Ted: Ruger's website will be the best place to research the various incarnations of the P-series. Once you've found the features that you want, find a large Ruger-stocking gun store and heft a few to gauge feel. A rental range would be better still, but I don't know what you have available.
Today 11:43 AM

As a member of an indoor range, I can rent guns for free-just have to buy their reloads. If they carry the 89 and/or 95 I will rent them. On another matter, I hesitated on buying a KP345PR due to its being 'clunky' looking/feeling. I wonder if I'll experience the same with the 89. Thanks.

 

[tedburns]

DMZ Ted,

The P-95PR I have has ambi-decocker/safety (trigger is disabled) and ambi-mag release. Blue steel slide, poly frame, Picatinny rail. Very robust, easy to keep on target during rapid fire drill.
Today 12:15 PM

DMZ:

I'm a bit confused. For your model, the Ruger site states "manual safety/firing pin block". re: nomenclature: I understand there are decockers and manual safeties. As far as I am concerned, the decocker is safer as you drop the hammer on a live round because the firing pin is blocked when decock in use. With a manual safety, such as on the CZ-75B, it is similar to the 1911 manual safety, and if you inadvertently drop the hammer you will likely have a AD.

I also thought there may be decockers that do not contain safeties, but the majority of decockers are apparently decocker /safeties. It safely drops the hammer on a chambered round and you have to then 'lift' decock lever upward in order to disengage the 'safety' and then fire the handgun.

And I have now learned the 'decocker only' version of the Rugers...it safely decocks the hammer and lets it fall on a live chambered round, then lever automatically springs upward so that you can shoot DA immediately. Best of all, in my view.

 

[putteral]

Just got a Kp95dc15 acouple of weeks ago from Budsgunroom.com. Love it . He still has on sale with free shipping.

 

[tedburns]

Did you get it real cheap? I think his policy is to sell the guns cheap that have the large magazines, and then charge us Californians a premium for our limited capacity mag requirements.

He has one high capacity on sale for less than $300.00, and mine (10-rd) for about 50 bucks more!

 

[putteral]

I got it for 293 plus shipping but i live in Florida so there is no mag restrictions

 

[tedburns]

Hard to beat that putteral! So you like the gun? I think I'll rent one at my club, along with the 89. My gun store does not carry the P95. I may end up buying from Bud's or from one of his auctions on gunbroker.com (seems same price when push comes to shove). Then I gotta pay FFL transfer fee plus a dealer's record of sale fee-additional $70.00!

 

[putteral]

Also try Davidsons gallery of guns. They will find dealers near you and ship it to them. Price is reasonable

 

[tedburns]

Are those with that 'lifetime warranty'?