My Accuracy: Ruger P89 vs.P95

D

Drakejake

New member
Today I fired 30 rounds through each of these two Ruger autos. I find the results interesting. I was firing freehand from 25 yards at targets having a 10 inch diameter. I was much more accurate with the 89 than with the 95. With the 89 I shot low, but not left (I am right-handed). With the 95 I shot left but not low. Many more of my shots with the 89 were within three inches of dead center. More of my shots with the 89 were on the small target somewhere. A number of my shots with the 95 were off the 11 inch wide paper entirely. Based on today's shooting, I would say that I am much more deadly with the 89 than with the 95. Obviously I am no marksman, just an old guy who became interested in handguns two years ago.

Drakejake
 
Have you shot both guns from a rest? (Seated, from sandbags, for example.)

The grips on the gun are subtly different, as are the triggers.

If you get the same results when shooting from a rest, then you should consider getting the sights adjusted.

Shooting low is often sights out of whack, or anticipating recoil. Shooting left is often poor finger placement. The guns "hold" differently even though they are fundamentally similar.
 
No, I haven't shot from a rest, just free-hand. I have the typical problem of righthanders who tend to shoot low and to the left. With single action handguns--autos or revolvers--this problem is minimized. I don't think I am flinching. I am probably pulling some of my shots off target when pulling the trigger. 25 yards is really beyond my range. When I can, I shoot from 7 yards. But even at very close range, I am very inaccurate with little DAOs such as the Kel-Tec P-11.

Drakejake
 
Come to think of it, I shoot the Ruger P90 more accurately than the polymer P97. (This would be roughly the same kind of comparison between the alloy P89 and polymer P95). It might have something to do with grip size, or possibly the longer sight radius of the P89/P90 over the P95/P97. If I remember right, the 89/90 have a 4.5 inch barrel while the P95 has a 3.8 inch barrel, and the P97 is an even 4 inches. A little more barrel might be helping you out.
 
At 25 yards I hold about a 6" group with my new P-95DAO. I'm not happy with it as I used to hold about a 2" group with an old M1911.
I finally broke down and acquired a modern handgun – the Ruger P95.
For thirty years I have shot with a light touch. Hold the piece just enough to control it. Using that style the new Ruger (composite frame) failed to eject. I learned that I had to hold it with a stiff wrist.
I readjusted my style and it works fine. Is this common with the new technology? Am I a troglodyte or is this common with the new style frames?
I still prefer the gentle touch grip that works great with my revolver (Taurus 44) and Browning.
 
It is no surprise that one is more accurate shooting single action than double action. The shorter and lighter the trigger pull, the less chance that one will pull off target when firing.

Drakejake
 
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