Ruger p85

[MosinT53Hunter]

I was wondering what everyone thought of the old Ruger p85, pros and cons. I see them for sale off and on, and was curious as to what the community thought of them.

 

[badkarmamib]

Big, heavy, parts are becoming more scarce everyday. Robust, shoots reliably, most parts will outlast you. It has pros and cons. My father owned one, I never took to it, and he traded it off this year on something more compact.

 

[PapaG]

Had one. Shot it a lot. Digested everything from ninety grain through 158 grain bullets without a hitch. If any gripes it would be that it was way bigger than it needed to be for a nine. While I don't miss it I wouldn't be unhappy if I still had it.

 

[kozak6]

I have some experience with the P89, which is basically the same gun.

It's a big, heavy, bulky, reliable pistol with an meh trigger. The grip is huge and a little slippery, so I had some difficulty shooting it well. Hogue rubber grips completely transform the pistol, but I haven't actually been able to fire one with the grips yet.

Some of the P85's were known to have accuracy issues due to barrel construction, and there was a recall of the early models since the decocker could potentially fire the gun if the firing pin broke. It would be worth a google.

If I could get $250 out the door, I'd have to think real hard about it. $300, I'd pass. Options start to open up as you approach or pass $300.

 

[JRWhit]

They are known to be workhorses. Like an old farm truck, it's not the prettiest thing on the road but it fires first turn every time.

 

[Stumper]

What has already been said-Middlin' ugly but tough and reliable. I find them comfortable in the hand but a friend with small hands hates the older Ruger autoloaders.

 

[lsudave]

If I ever find a fairly decent one at a good price (I like a worn finish, but don't want gouges in the metal- I've seen a few Rugers like that!) I will pick it up. I have a soft spot for big metal DA/SA 9mms.

 

[BusMaster007]

HOGUE & TRIJICON.
About the size of a Beretta Centurion.
Damn tough pistol.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

I see on the Ruger its a mixed bag of opinions for it. I had wanted to know more about than as Sarcoinc has some in good condition for $265.00, and I like the style of the gun. I'm still on the fence weather to buy one or to pass on it.

 

[Eagle103]

I bought one new in about 1991 and still have it. Yes, it's heavy, clunky and some say ugly but it's 100% reliable and very accurate. Probably not a great carry gun because of it's clunkiness but not a bad choice for a truck gun or just something to plink around with. I have no plans on ever selling mine.

 

[kudu]

It was the first pistol I bought when I was old enough, 1987, still have it, replaced the grips with rosewood inserts. Really made it nice looking. I have big hands and it felt fine if a bit heavy. I occasionally take it out of the safe and feed it some ammo, it rarely ever hand any feeding problems and it has mostly eaten reloads of upward to 6-7 thousand rounds over the years. I did break the front sight several years ago, the dot cantilevered over the frame and it broke square, I smoothed it down and put a dot of white paint in it's place, didn't feel it was worth buying an $80 sight set for a $250 gun.

 

[bannockburn]

Would make for a good truck/car gun. Never really cared for the ergonomics of the gun but a very robust and dependable design.

 

[DeadEye9]

Big, heavy, parts are becoming more scarce everyday. Robust, shoots reliably, most parts will outlast you. It has pros and cons. My father owned one, I never took to it, and he traded it off this year on something more compact.

This is about a good accurate summary of all the Ruger P series. Whether in 9, 40, or .45 they all seem to be about the same. Kind of like their answer to a S&W 5900/4500 series. They are very hefty pistols and don't carry very well, but For a range gun they are very well suited. The weight just eats up recoil so it's an easy platform to shoot, and by and large the SA trigger pull on them is nice and clean. DA pull leaves a lot to be desired but realistically you won't be shooting DA more than the first round fired. Mag capacity is about on par with what is currently deemed normal, and although not as common as Glock or 1911 mags, there are still a ton out there for sale new and used. Reliability seems to be great with the P series if you maintain it. Clean and lube it and they seem to last forever. I know quite a few people that have them but don't know anyone who has broken one. Accessories aren't going to be common such as lights, grips, holsters etc but again, for a range gun this doesn't much matter. Holsters can be found but it's not a great carry gun anyway so that may be a mute point. All in all for an inexpensive plinker if it feels good in your hand I would say go for it. You probably won't pay more than like $250-275 or so and for that it's a decent pistol.

 

[bob40caliber]

I have a P90, a P89 and a P95.
All are good shooting extremely durable guns.
Massad Ayoob has said some very favorable things about the
P series guns from Ruger.
I have no problem trusting my life with one.

 

[FROGO207]

Built like a tank and tougher than a bag of boiled hammers! I have the P89 DC and it is a superb range gun. Fits my hand and goes back onto target quickly. Whats not to like.

 

[Analogkid]

If you like it get it. They are still pretty inexpensive.

I was never really super into them but I got a deal on a police trade in p89 for super cheap. I paid $150 for a beat up one on Gunbroker. It ran so I refinished it and it has really become one of my favorite pistols to take to the range to ring steel. I bought a new recoil spring off Gb but it didn't need it. I don't think there's any plastic on it other than the grips. There's tons of aftermarket grips for it BTW.

It's big, recoil is super super soft and it'll Eat anything. It's quite accurate as well with damn near anyone shooting it.

I'll grab it if I'm showing newbies how to run plates as it's super quick to get back on target. It is a tank of a pistol and that makes it pretty fun in a weird way and I have small ish hands even.

I put off getting one for years until I got into big frame pistols then it was like..."why the hell did I wait so long"

I wouldn't carry it for concealed carry...but I'd damn sure carry it into battle if need be. Parts are still around and you won't really need them just by seeing what I learned with mine and by others that have them.

I say get it you want it.