What do you think of the Ruger P-85

[SniperStraz]

If anyone owns or knows someone that owns a Ruger P-85 and can give me a report/feedback on it that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tezcatlipoca]

A bit long in the trigger with alot of slop


Take down is moderately simple.


Looks like a 2x4 with a frame on it.they painted silver or black.



Rock solid reliable and will be the armament of radioactive cockroaches after the nuclear war.

 

[HiroProX]

Heavy, but as reliable as an AK. As far as looks, I personally like their appearance, but then I consider a FAL or Garand to be a work of art.

 

[tbreed725]

ive got the p89 and its a great gun built like a tank and reliable which is the most important thing to me it can be carried concealed it you dont mind the weight

 

[bakert]

This one has never jammed or failed to fire with many thousands rds of ammo in the years I've had it and that includes shooting both factory ammo and reloads. A bit chunky for some folks but it conceals much better than many would have you believe. No target pistol but more than acceptable accuracy for a self defence gun and the trigger has gotten better with shooting. Actually it has no more takeup or slop than most D/A S/A pistols.

 

[New_geezer]

I've a P-89, all previous comments apply. I would imagine it's a bit bulky for anyone with smallish hands to be comfortable with. But it is a tough gun and well suited for clubbing someone into submission once you run out of ammo.

 

[Storm]

I had one of the early ones when they first came out. It was extremely reliable but I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it so I sold it. In retrospect it was probably me as everything was low and to the left. I should have worked with it (trigger) more but really didn't know that much at the time to do so.

It was/is an incredibly solid gun and I have always liked the looks of it.

 

[Jkwas]

I have the "89" In addition to all the positive comments above, I can honestly say it's the most accurate gun I have. It's so accurate for me that it's not even a challenge to shoot!

 

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

I had one. My first handgun, actually. I sold it to fund a good deal on a Glock 17, unfortunately and although the G17 was nice... I shot the P85 much more accurately.

Never had an issue with it in any way.. good gun.

 

[tbtrout]

Well made and reliable. The trigger leaves alot to be desired, very long pull until the hammer falls. I have tried 3 times over the last 5 years to shoot mine, but I can only shoot 50 rounds and that is it. Simle and easy to break down, just hard for me to become one with it. I just put it up for sale because it does not see much use. I will put the money towards a .45 LC

 

[MCgunner]

Strong, reliable, and reasonably accurate pistol. I got mine from a guy for $225, couldn't turn it down. The trigger is not that long, doesn't seem any worse than a revolver as far as length, but quite rough and heavy compared to my P90 and the SA trigger isn't very clean, either, but it shoots fine. Long triggers don't bother me at all, but rough ones I have to tolerate. I'd much rather my trigger be smooth and the P85 doesn't fit that description. My daughter's boyfriend didn't like it, couldn't shoot it that well. He's not been shooting handguns that long. He kept going back to my P90 and praising it. LOL But, I shoot the P85 fine and it's a good gun to have in 9mm because it's so stout, I can burn up old +P ammo in it and never have to worry about the wear. Its weight is listed at 39 ounces, I think, on sites I've checked. The P89 and the P90 are listed at 33 ounces. I haven't figured out what's up with that, yet.

All in all, the P85 isn't one of my absolute favorite handguns, but it always goes bang and it's rugged to the max. I shoot it a lot because I load a lot of 9 and when I get lazy I'll buy a box now and then. But, I never ever carry the thing. I do carry the P90 occasionally. It's a much more refined handgun, trigger is fantastic, and it's even lighter weight. When you load that P85 up with 16 rounds, it's a brick on your hip. The P90 is quite a bit more comfortable to carry.

 

[Eagle103]

I've owned one since about '92. It's been a very good gun and I shoot it pretty well. Very reliable with full power loads. Downsides are a long lousy trigger and it's "chunkiness". I don't plan on getting rid of it any time soon.

 

[Blue .45]

I believe Ruger recalled some of the early P85s for issues with the decocker/safety. It seems the gun would actually fire when the hammer was decocked. Ruger should be able to tell you if your P85 is under recall. If so, they'll fix it for free, or at least, they used too. That said, I have a P89 and P97 which I'm very happy with. Ruger makes very good guns!

Sturm, Ruger & Co.: Ruger P85 safety Modification. We are installing a safety modification that replaces the:safety and firing pin mechanism of the original Ruger P85 9mm pistols manufactured between 1987-1990. This modification does not apply to any P85 which has "MKIIR" stamped on either the right or left safety; the "MKIIR" identifies that the safety modification has already been installed. The modification also does not apply to any other model P-Series pistol (including the P85MKII) as this safety system is installed in all other models at the time of production. All Ruger P85 pistols should be fitted with this new safety system because a P85 pistol fitted with the new safety system will not accidentally discharge when the safety/decocker lever is engaged if the firing pin is broken in a particular way [that is] very important! It can help prevent accidents caused by the user's failure to take the basic safety precaution of always keeping the pistol pointed in a safe direction,especially when loading,unloading or decocking. The safety modification consists of modifying the pistol internally to accept the new safety system, there is no alteration to the frame itself.It is installed at no charge at our factory. You pay only charges to ship the gun to us. We will pay the return shipping charges.

 

[tackleberry]

love the feel and function of my P89...just can't stand that trigger. Dropped it off at the 'smith yesterday to see what he can do for it.

 

[Phyphor]

Well...

...they're heavy, the trigger weight is just slightly less than a boat anchor's, stripping it is pretty easy, and they'll pretty much eat any ammo you feed it. Very reliable beater pistol.

 

[Jkwas]

The DA trigger pull is a long spongy affair, but the SA on mine is great. I think they make it that way deliberately so you will only shoot it when you really mean it in an SD situation. I just wish it was slightly smaller for CCW.
Too bad Ruger won't make a compact.

 

[MCgunner]

The DA trigger pull is a long spongy affair, but the SA on mine is great. I think they make it that way deliberately so you will only shoot it when you really mean it in an SD situation. I just wish it was slightly smaller for CCW.

All DA triggers are long, spongy affairs and, yes, the purpose is safety. Long and spongy is no problem if it's smooth and my P85 could use some work on that part. It is not smooth. It's not terrible or unshootable or anything like that, just ain't up to other P guns I've owned and especially the P90. It was Ruger's first P gun, so I reckon they learned from it.

The SA on mine is less than grand, too, rather heavy and a little creepy. But, I shoot it okay. Its other qualities are endearing enough for me to keep it around, but if someone offered a CZ in trade, I wouldn't cry a lot to see it go. At the price I got it for, I couldn't NOT buy it and I knew the guy well who sold it to me, knew he was the original owner and didn't shoot a whole lot. Heck, he sold me the gun and two years later bought a P89! LOL!

 

[Tattooed Bard]

Owned several and loved them all... as well as newer P models as well (89, 90, etc)

cant add much that has not already been stated, you either love there looks or find them ugly as sin, not a target shooter but great self defense, drag through the mud, wipe it down and run a 100 rounds through it and keep on truckin

great under the truck seat gun

 

[jon_in_wv]

I work for an agency that used Rugers for many years. They are reliable and reasonbly accurate BUT I've noticed rust on the slides after a while and the guide rod left metal shavings inside the weapon. The weapons were not heavily used at all. We switched to Beretta Vertec 92s about four years ago. They still look like new.