Ruger 9mm questions

[Dark&Good]

Hi,
Today I checked out a few handguns (I can buy one in a week). My personal overall best fit/handling/features awards went to the Ruger SR9 and the P95. But I'm not fully happy with either at this point - I need some info...
The SR9 would be perfect if the trigger would be smoother - this "specimen" needed significantly more force from my index finger than the P95... Are all SR9s like that? I would appreciate SR9 owners' experience/opinion here.

The P95 didn't have a "classic" safety switch, which I'd prefer...

So which one?... And why?

Thanks.

[gunrun45]

I am a ruger lover. I would say that I am adicted, but adicts attend meetings and I haven't gone yet

I have found the controls on the SR9 to be a bit stiff to say the least. The mag catch is INCREDIBLY hard to function and the trigger leaves a lot to be desired. I don't plan on owning one in the forseeable future.

I have owned 3- P95's, 4- P89's and 1- P85 (amongst others). The P95 will come in three variets:
1. Double action only (kinda rare and not really desired by many)
2. Double action / single action with safety lever that locks in "safe" and "fire" modes with a decocker built in to the "safe" mode
3. Double action / single action style where the "safety" lever acts only as a decocking lever and does not lock into the "safe" possition.

The newer version of the P95 comes with the light rail and a slightly different grip while the older version does not. The older one is a better bargain IMO if you can find a used one in stainless is best.

I have owned versions 2 and 3 and really like version 3 the best. They are really great little guns and the mags are interchangeable with the P89 series.

Others will jump in with "don't get either, buy a XXXXX brand one instead. Rugers are junk". Rugers are not sexy, they just work every time you pull the trigger with mundane dependability. They are an incredible bargain and can usually be found used for a steal from those that traded them in for something "sexy"...

IMO the achelies heel to the Ruger is that they are bought by folks looking for a bargain who later use "bargain" magazines in them. Its the "bargain" cheap mags that fail to feed the gun properly that cause the issue. Feed them with Ruger brand mags and you will have zero issues.

[Dark&Good]

Others will jump in with "don't get either, buy a XXXXX brand one instead.

It's too late for that kind of "jump-in" I tried out a few XXXXX, too, and none fit my personality more than these two Rugers

Thank you, I'll check out the other P95s.

[kermit315]

I agree with gunrun. I have shot a P95 and have had 2 P89's (still have the second one).

The SR9 controls might smooth out after some use, but I havent shot one of those yet. P95's are great, especially if you pick up a used one. It sounds like you found a decock model, vice the safety model. The safety models are out their, and have the same decock functionality. any Ruger Pseries 9mm mag will work in it, and I have a promag and a megcar aftermarket for my P89 and dont have any problems (I got lucky with the promag, the ones I have for my AR absolutely suck.)

Hope you find what you are looking for.

Jamie

[Dutch]

I agree with gunrun. I have shot a P95 and have had 2 P89's (still have the second one).

The SR9 controls might smooth out after some use, but I havent shot one of those yet. P95's are great, especially if you pick up a used one. It sounds like you found a decock model, vice the safety model. The safety models are out their, and have the same decock functionality. any Ruger Pseries 9mm mag will work in it, and I have a promag and a megcar aftermarket for my P89 and dont have any problems (I got lucky with the promag, the ones I have for my AR absolutely suck.)

Hope you find what you are looking for.

Jamie

I own an SR9...have about 1000 (+/-) rounds through it....the trigger does smooth out considerably after 2 really good cleanings to remove the factory "goo" and after about 300 rounds. I like it more everytime I take it out to play.

The SR9 is not a sexy weapon, it is functional and value priced - in addition to the SR9, I own a Kimber .45, Sig 226 9mm, and M&P compact .40.....the
SR9 is a pistol I do not mind shooting all day.

[Kingofthehill]

Here's my P95 with a sandwich on it (g/f)....



This gun is awesome... it recoil is almost on a .22 level, its dead accurate, mine has the normal safety switch (i prefer), the trigger smooth and it has eaten up any ammo ive ever fed it...

I was gonna buy the SR9 but my buddy got it first.. so i thought it would be nice to try it a little more and get his feedback before i bought one as well. TO ME the SR9 was a bit rough.... trigger didn't feel as good as my p95.. just wasnt crisp...the angle felt good, recoil was smooth and not disturbing... i will buy one, but since i have my p95, i don't feel the rush and am waiting on finding one used.

[Dark&Good]

All right, thank you all for the answers.

I eventually ordered a brand new Ruger KP95PR for $380, shipped, that is $455 with DROS and transfer. I'm happy

[DVLDOC]

I eventually ordered a brand new Ruger KP95PR for $380, shipped, that is $455 with DROS and transfer. I'm happy

You've made the right decision

[cgseanp1]

Since you bought your gun, I'm gonna ask a question and do a little thread hijack.. I have a Ruger P89DC, and I can't figure out how to take it apart. I've read the manual, but I still can't figure it out.. So, how do I do it? Also, I've noticed that the slide isn't totally centered and is rubbing on the left side of the barrell, causing it to get slighty scratched. Is this normal(probably not)!!? I thought maybe taking it apart and putting it together would center it, but I can't figure how to get it apart.

[Dark&Good]

At this point, feel free to thread-jack
Can't help you with info, though... but here's a bump

[FlyingDesertEagle]

Rugers aren't sexy?

Maybe their centerfires lack appeal, but their .22s are lovely.

[kermit315]

to field strip a P89:

lock slide back
push ejector down (obviously, magazine removed and no round chambered. If there had been a chambered round, it wouldnt be any more)
release slide, putting slight pressure on the nub side of the slide lock. You will feel it hit its groove, when it does, press harder, and pull out from the slide lock side. It wont come all the way out, but almost all the way out.
pull slide off of the front of the frame
pull recoil spring and guide rod out
pull barrel out.

It sounds more complicated than it is, and I can do it in under 10 seconds. If you were local, I would be more than happy to show you.

the rubbing sounds normal, but you would have to post pictures to say for sure. everything sounds fine, but post some pics of what you notice and we will let you know if we suspect a problem.

[cgseanp1]

to field strip a P89:

lock slide back
push ejector down (obviously, magazine removed and no round chambered. If there had been a chambered round, it wouldnt be any more)
release slide, putting slight pressure on the nub side of the slide lock. You will feel it hit its groove, when it does, press harder, and pull out from the slide lock side. It wont come all the way out, but almost all the way out.
pull slide off of the front of the frame
pull recoil spring and guide rod out
pull barrel out.

It sounds more complicated than it is, and I can do it in under 10 seconds. If you were local, I would be more than happy to show you.

the rubbing sounds normal, but you would have to post pictures to say for sure. everything sounds fine, but post some pics of what you notice and we will let you know if we suspect a problem.

Thanks for reply. Those directions sound like what the manual said, but I coulnd't figure it out! I'm at work now or I'd try.. I guess I couldn't even figure out what the ejector button is?

[kermit315]

I lock my left hand pointer finger into the trigger guard, and keep pressure on the slide so that it slowly eases down to the point that you can get the slide lock out. Its a little different than the book says, but once you get the hang of it, it is cake.

[GrizzAwoken]

I saw that you already chose your pistol but I thought I'd chime in anyways. I have an SR9 with about 600 down the barrel. When I first got it I thought the trigger dry-fired a little stuff. After taking it to the range (without a cleaning) it fired MUCH better then the dry-firing. After 2 cleanings and "breaking it in" a bit, I can say I am very happy with the action, trigger etc. The Mag release has relaxed considerably and everything just feels smooth.

One complaint I have heard multiple times is the "stubborness" of the mag springs. I loaded them up and left them in overnight and they are now working like any other mag and can be loaded quickly.

Good luck with your new pistol and have fun!

-Grizz