I'm looking at Ruger .45 autos

wildmanh

wildmanh

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
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I've been eyeing the Ruger P90 (.45 APC) and Ruger P95 (9mm) for a few years now. Have shot my friends P95 a few times and really like it. Since it's the same size as the P95 I've been drooling over both. So last week I emailed a friend about Ruger Pistols because I know he likes them also and turns out that he has a P90 he'd be willing to sell me and also a P97 (.45 ACP). The P97 was "improved on" and is now called the P345. So today while I was at Sportmans Warehouse buying a new Dutch Oven (Lodge 12" Deep) I checked out the P345 and P90 side by side. Now I really really want the P90 or P97. The grip on the new p345 is slightly different then that of the P97 and I like the look of the P97 grip better. Looks like it would fit my hand just a tad better. Anyways, the P90 and P97 are the guns I'm looking at.

Anyone have any experience with either of them or the P345? Mind you I'm still planning on buying a 1911 some day but with a good deal on the Ruger which I've also lusted after am thinking I might get it first. What are your thoughts and feelings on those Rugers? Thanks,

Heber
 
I've got a P345 and it's eaten about 1000 rounds with no failures. It's also very accurate; much more so than I am...
 
Heber- tell you true- I had the P90 and got rid of it. :(

Awful trigger- I'd hit a bullseye then miss the paper. Could not shoot that gun.

Also had to replace a couple springs.

Now the SIG-Sauer P229... much better.

YMMV. But shoot it, don't just handle it.


Mike
 
i have a p90. theyre decent guns for the money. sigs, glocks, s&w's, and most 1911's are better guns but they are much higher in price.,,,VWB.
 
I taught a friend to shoot on one of those Rugers last year. It may have complicated things in some ways. (That's my nice way of saying that the ergonomics sucked and it pointed like a brick, BTW.)

For plusses, it was reasonably accurate, ran reliably (even feeding the empty cases I began introducing to the loaded magazines after I noticed a flinch) and the price was right.

I neither have one nor want one, but if you were to get one Heber, I wouldn't hold it against you. Much. ;)
 
Used to have one. Liked it a great deal. Didn't have any trouble keeping it in the black out to 25 yards. I don't miss it as much as my Taurus 669 (.357) but it was a good gun.

Frank
 
I remember reading that you really wanted a 1911? If that is "your" gun, then I think you should save up a little longer and maybe try to shop around for a good price. That'll probably be cheaper in the long run, unless of course you want redundancy and want to keep another gun around.
 
I used to own a P90, now I have a KP97D which is IMHO a much better piece of equipment. It is reliable, tough, fairly accurate, and I like the way it looks as well (do make sure you get the little hogue rubber wrapper that they sold for the old model glocks) it fits in a bianchi holster made to fit the hk usp (no holsters for it specifically when I made the purchase). That being said, I have to say tha I don't like the trigger, or the sintered metal internals. I have had to clean burrs off the innards several times because the sear engaugement seems to be a little soft, and deforms slightly over time.
 
If you like the Ruger, get the Ruger. If you're wishy-washy on it, don't. Save your money and save yourself the heartache and get yourself something you really want. I always hold off on big purchases for about a month or so. If I really still want it after that time, I get it. In that time, I'll know if that infatuation has really taken root or if it's just a passing thing.

Still, ain't nothing as accurate and reliable as cast iron cookware!
 
If you want a this gun as an honest to God TOOL for home defense, personal protection, etc. It may be worth considering. Pro's are that they're very accurate, reliable, and rugged. Cons are that theyre ugly, point like a framing square, and double action. (for me anyways) Even staying under the considered notion of a tool, I'd suggest you check out a Springfield XD 45.

If you want something that's a bit more aesthetically and alot more ergonomically pleasing, that you can enjoy at the range, customize to your liking, etc. Keep saving for a 1911 or something.

Either way you're gonna get a reliable, rugged weapon out of the deal. The Ergo's and double action are the deal killers for me and the Ruger personally, but YMMV- different shaped hands, different preferences, lifestyles etc.
 
I'm surprised to hear about the trigger issues; my P91's DA pull was smooth and even, SA was crisp, a little heavy both ways but I like that best. The recoil spring did break once, but that was my fault- I put it in backwards, not knowing it made a difference- Ruger fixed the problem right away and returned the money I sent them. Having said that, DrT88 is right. Sleep on it for a month, keep shopping around, save money, be sure what you want. I hear Kahr is about to (if they haven't already) put out a .45 version of their *nice* solid little pistol.
 
Keep the 1911. I have tried almost everything and keep coming back to it. It is amazing how an almost 100 year old design can hold its own with all the modern gun technologies. I did not like the feel of the Ruger. I would draw it and and had to adjust my grip. It was not a natural point and shoot gun. I have normal large hands and it never felt right.
 
Both I and my father have P90s.
Mine has over 7000 rounds through it.
It definitely prefers heavier rounds, it doesn't shoot well with 165s or 185s. However, with 230-gr bullets, especially +p, it's a tack driver. It's a regular event to get 5 of 8 to cloverleaf at 25 yards, and I'm not that good a shot. Same with my father's. This is with American Eagle, PMC and UMC FMJ, and with Federal 230-gr HydraShoks, Speer 230-gr Gold Dots and Cor-Bon 230-gr +p.

Most people I know say their P90s are phenomenally accurate also. The only downsides are the size and 8 round capacity.

You might consider looking at the Glock 21.

Here's a comparison from another site:
"Height is top of rear sight to bottom of magazine.
Width is frame only, not incl slide release
Length is from end of barrel to rearmost point of grip
GW = Grip width at widest point
GL = gip length at largest point not including magazine toe

All measurements were via caliper, rounded to nearest .01"

P90DC: H: 5.76" W: 1.3" L: 7.84" GW: 1.26" GL: 2.18"
Glock 21: H: 5.52" W: 1.17" L: 8.15" GW: 1.28" GL: 2.5" at base, 2.28" at triggerguard.

So, the guns themselves are very close to the same size, and if anything, the grip is a tad bigger on the Glock. If you can conceal a P90DC, you can conceal a G21 (in fact, since it does not have the huge slide release making the Ruger wider, the G21 conceals a little more easily. Plus, you gain 5 rounds over the P90."
 
I have been looking at this thread and trying to think how to answer constructively.
I have handled some of the Ruger autos over the years, and find them large and a bit awkward in my smallish hands. I am a huge fan of the ergos of CZ 75/85s and 1911's.
There are several options out there now, chambered in .45 ACP, that are lighter, easier to conceal, and faster handling.

Opinions.......you know the rest of the story

DaddyDett
 
Guys, thanks so much for your thoughts and feelings on the guns. I really do apreciate it. Desiding between a 1911 and Ruger is hard for me because I like both. Pretty much it's "Which do I get first?".

Well that question was solved today. Was at the local Gunnies with a friend drooling and doing some pricing. They had a little used gun case and two 1911's. One was a Colt Series 80 stainless the other a Springfield with Novak Combat sights. The Colt looked almost brand new, great finish, tight slide with no rattle and just really pretty. The Springfield was obviously used, the finish was warn a bit from carry, inside looked clean and well cared for and it rattled just a little bit. Felt better in my hand then the Colt plus it was a durn sight less expencive, way less expencive! So I put it on Lay away. This time next month I should be bringing it home with me.

By the way it didn't have the Springfield Mag it had a Wilson Combat Mag with it. At least the guy at the counter didn't know if it had the factory mag he'd find out and if it did, I'd get it with it when I picked it up. I'm sooo excited, can't wait. I spent part of the evening looking at custom grips for it. Called my gun smith and other friends to talk about other upgrades. We will probably refinish it, tighten it up, install some grips and work over the trigger. Even after all this excitement I still am lusting after the Ruger P97. LOL!! Am thinking 1911 for range and the P97 for concelled carry. Am I crazy or what?

The Springfield XD in .45 was mentioned. I've shot the XD 9mm and XD .40 both are nice. I really like the feal of the XD .45. One day perhaps I might buy it. But for now it's the Springfield 1911 for me. I'll take pics and have more information when I get it in about 4 weeks.

Thanks again for your input and for listening! :)

Heber
 
I bought a Springfield Mil_Spec 1911 a few years back. It's been a great gun, you'll love it. BTW those Wilson mags are the best of the best, they're all I run in a 1911.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
I bought a Springfield Mil_Spec 1911 a few years back. It's been a great gun, you'll love it. BTW those Wilson mags are the best of the best, they're all I run in a 1911.
Click to expand...

The Milspec Springfield is the one I rent at the range quite a bit. Rather liked shooting it, thought if I had bought that model I would have had Novak Combat or Novak night sights installed. Since mine comes with the Novak night sights I won't need that upgrade done. Oh yeah I got mine for a few bucks less then Rangemasters wanted for their Stainless Milspec. Thats one of the reasons why I am so pleased with the price. Have you done any upgrades or mods to yours?


Here is a picture from Springfields website that closely resembles mine. Two differences though, mine has black grips and no ambi safety as shown in the picture. From what I can tell that upgrade was made by Springfield 7 or so years ago. Linky

Heber
 
Don't go crazy with a bunch of upgrades until you've shot the gun. With 1911s, 90% of problems you might encounter stems from the mags. Buy quality mags and you will have far fewer problems. I prefer Wilson or Chuck McCormick.

One thing I would do is replace the recoil spring, and check inside for shock buffs. IIRC, stock 1911 springs are 17 lbs., and can be ordered from Wolfe. Shock buffs are unnecessary and can cause jams and failures.

Only run quality ammo through this pistol. Do not scrimp and buy factory reloads, that is asking for trouble.

One last thing, keep her well lubricated! 1911s like lube, get a quality oil, keep her clean and lubed, and she should run just fine.

If she doesn't and you've tried several fixes, sell her and buy a Glock.

Andy
 
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