Ruger P89? Anyone have experience with these?

DW357

DW357

NES Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2011
Messages
23,278
Likes
27,225
Feedback: 155 / 0 / 0
I've been thinking about getting an older generation Ruger 9mm that has preban mags available and was looking at the P89. Interesting looking gun and looks like it is built like a tank. It was the main gun used (well the .45 version P90-identical to P89) in the movie Desperado too - great movie.

Anyway, it looks like they can be had for the high $300s to low $400s on gunbroker and tons of different mags for sale on gunbroker (15 rd, 20rd, 32rd) but I think the 20+ round mags are made by other companies like Promag not Ruger so I'm guessing those wouldn't be good to own in MA. Just curious if anyone on here owns one and has good things to say about it. I'm curious how the DA/SA trigger is, as well as the reliability. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
I had one, great gun, like you said, built like a tank. It was ergonomically a bit large for my hands, but I loved the gun...In the 90's would have been my choice for a military service pistol in traditional double action, in 9mm (too bad it came late, I believe the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Israeli Air Force purchased some of these guns. If you find one in good shape, you can't go wrong IMO.
 
mark056 said:
I had one, great gun, like you said, built like a tank. It was ergonomically a bit large for my hands, but I loved the gun...In the 90's would have been my choice for a military service pistol in traditional double action, in 9mm (too bad it came late, I believe the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Israeli Air Force purchased some of these guns. If you find one in good shape, you can't go wrong IMO.
Click to expand...

Cool, good to know. Sounds like a great gun from what you describe. I've seen a few on GB with the original box, 3 mags, and hogue grips for $350 plus $30 for shipping. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=374171457

So is it just the factory 15 round mags that are OK to own in MA? As long as there aren't any markings/dates on them right?
 
Any pre94 manufacture. There are lots out there. I have one and I love it. I put the hogues on it to fill the hand better (my hands are pretty big). You buy the ammo and we can meet at your club or mine if you want to try it. (I shhot in malden)
 
MSant said:
Any pre94 manufacture. There are lots out there. I have one and I love it. I put the hogues on it to fill the hand better (my hands are pretty big). You buy the ammo and we can meet at your club or mine if you want to try it. (I shhot in malden)
Click to expand...

Pre94 I know, but I was curious how you can prove that they're preban. Do you just have 10 and 15 rounders?

Yeah I'd be more than happy to supply some ammo and try it out at my club. I don't really go down to Malden that much but if you're willing to drive up to my club that would be awesome.
 
I have a P85 (9mm) and a p90 (45acp) look like the same gun. Had the P90 for 20+ years and the P85 for about 10 years not the best gun you can get but a good gun for the price shoots great and as you said built like a tank. A long ride for you but if you come to the cape you can try them out
 
I would say they are a "very good" and inexpensive utilitarian gun.

There's nothing cheap as in shoddy about them, they are built very well and will take a beating, eat anything you feed them, easy take down, plenty of mags reasonably priced available. The trigger pull is long but it can be gotten used to, its has a decocker, double and single action.

I like all mine.[wink]

- - - Updated - - -

whatluck said:
Great gun to duct tape under the bathroom sink.
Click to expand...

Meaning what?
 
MSant said:
I have 15+17 rounders. Not a lawyer, but don't they need to prove they are no they made lots of mags for these during the wonder nine years.
Click to expand...

Yeah you're right, they would have to try to prove they're post 94.
 
Yeah I just wanted a inexpensive 9mm pistol that has preban mags, other than a Glock. Not knocking glock owners but I just want something different as everyone has a glock. And the P89 is all metal not polymer/metal and is less expensive than a glock. Also this wouldn't be a CCW just a rugged range gun is all I'd care about.
 
Last edited:
My P85 hasn't let me down in the 20 years I owned it and I bought it used (for $250). Also very ambidextrous. Glock and Smith and Wesson just started thinking about leftys.
 
Mike-Mike said:
My P85 hasn't let me down in the 20 years I owned it and I bought it used (for $250). Also very ambidextrous. Glock and Smith and Wesson just started thinking about leftys.
Click to expand...

Yep, ambi decocker/safety and ambi mag release.
 
Finalygotabeltfed said:
Meaning what?
Click to expand...

Meaning it can be categorized with guns like your 3rd gen S&W semiautos and your glocks. Cheap, reliable, and you don't mind if it takes some wear being in a lockbox in the car, duct taped under the sink, or even like this:

kaboom_killbill_01_big_zps977536e5.jpg
 
Ruger P series are a yawnfest condensed into a handgun.

That said, if I didn't have a lot of money to spend I'd be buying a P95DC. Not too heavy, built like a brick shithouse (and looks like it too) decent enough sighting, reliable.

You could do a LOT worse.

-Mike
 
drgrant said:
Ruger P series are a yawnfest condensed into a handgun.

That said, if I didn't have a lot of money to spend I'd be buying a P95DC. Not too heavy, built like a brick shithouse (and looks like it too) decent enough sighting, reliable.

You could do a LOT worse.

-Mike
Click to expand...

I just looked up the P95s, yeah they don't look too bad and seem to be rugged as the P89 or P90s. I'll have to do more research.
 
whatluck said:
Meaning it can be categorized with guns like your 3rd gen S&W semiautos and your glocks. Cheap, reliable, and you don't mind if it takes some wear being in a lockbox in the car, duct taped under the sink, or even like this:

kaboom_killbill_01_big_zps977536e5.jpg
Click to expand...

What am I not understanding? lol
 
whatluck said:
Meaning it can be categorized with guns like your 3rd gen S&W semiautos and your glocks. Cheap, reliable, and you don't mind if it takes some wear being in a lockbox in the car, duct taped under the sink, or even like this:

kaboom_killbill_01_big_zps977536e5.jpg
Click to expand...

I must admit I didn't know what the hell the pic was about until I saw the clip above. Except for the cereal's name I had no clue.[smile]

Agree with your points, and that's why I own them.
 
I babysat a Ruger P85 years ago for a friend. I think it got more range time in my hands than it ever did in his. I probably put about 400 rounds through it and never had one issue whatsoever. Nice, simple, inexpensive guns.

Oh and Kill Bill is a must see if you haven't already.

ETA: Actually I think it was a P94 I babysat. I remember it had a flat sided slide.
 
Last edited:
Have one love it!would recommend

dcmdon said:
And if you run out of ammo, it makes a great club.
Click to expand...

I have one . its a 1994 stainless model with the decocker/safety. it came with 2 15 round mags.
I have 3 10 round mags for practice. It has 5k rounds since new and it just got a new recoil spring. (nothing wrong with the original,just replacing it after 20 years)The gun is fairly accurate,has a 4.5 inch barell and good sights.I also added a hogue replacement grip , the plastic ones from ruger are slippery. It has never had a jam, never failed to eject, failed to fire.It will fire any ammo you put in it. not picky at all. I shoot reloads alot. The recoil is nothing. The gun weighs 32 ounces so it will make a good club when out of ammo!
i use it as a range gun. and home defense loaded up with 124 gr.+p hollowpoints.
 
Running out of ammo is about the only thing that will stop one of those things.

I've never owned one, but have shot one on several occasions. The only thing I can really say negatively about it, other than its ugly, is that the safety levers on the slide can rip up your hand if you have to rack the slide with any authority. No problem if you are just plinking. But it can beat up your hands if you are "on the clock" in a match or practicing malfunction drills.
 
Well I finally found a mint condition Ruger P89DC on GunBroker, no safety just a decocker which I like. Luckily the guy lived just over the border in Atkinson, NH and we met at a equal distant FFL. Guy said he never used it much and it sat in the safe which explains why there are zero scratches, dents, or rust on the gun. Paid the guy $375, not super cheap but considering the condition and price of other comparable guns, it wasn't a bad price. It came with original box, manual, and 2 10 round mags. I bought 2 17 round MecGar mags on Gunbroker for short money and I assume/hope they're preban.

The mag on the left is the MecGar 17 rounder. It doesn't have any LEO or date markings on them. The only markings on the mag are "Made in Italy", "MecGar", and a patent number. Anyone have advice or experience with MecGar mags and whether or not I'll be good to go having these "hi cap" mags?

Otherwise the gun is built like a tank and has a great SA trigger.
View attachment 86184View attachment 86185View attachment 86186View attachment 86187View attachment 86188
 

Similar threads

Help with rust prevention on my friend's Browning Citori CXS
Replies
15
Views
437
StephDoza
S
Ruger Max-9
Replies
0
Views
283
BigAl23
BigAl23
What's with this CZ?
Replies
15
Views
639
milktree
milktree
Ruger 22/45 lite grip size
Replies
2
Views
291
Lennypeters
Lennypeters
Anyone got the new Sig P365 Fuse?
Replies
19
Views
1K
Coyote33
Coyote33
Back
Top Bottom