Ruger .45 models?

S

sleeping dog

New member
I was looking at some Ruger .45 models the other day. One was a kp97d (or kp97dc?). The other was a p90 something or other. Is there any difference between a p90 and a p97? The only visible differences I noticed was the p90 had a safety in addition to a decocker where the p97 only had a decocker, and the p90 frame was metal.

Is there any difference in accuracy or ammo preference?

I assume both are sturdy as tanks, like most Rugers.

Thanks.
 
There is a BIG difference in size and feel. The P97 is much slimmer and has a reduced grip and trigger reach. Both are very accurate.
 
Here's Ruger's web site:
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/index.html
Here's a Shooting Times review of the P97

http://www.galleryofguns.com/shootingTimes/Articles/DisplayArticles.asp?ID=1152

The P90 is larger than the P97 and all metal. The P97 has a polymer frame. The P97 has the corners rounded off. Both guns triggers function the same. The P97 is different internally. There's manual safety, decocker, and dao versions. The manual safety is simply a added safety to the dao version. Both trigger pulls are double action.
 
P97 is lighter, a bit smoother in operation and has a reputation for accuracy better than expectations based on either price or earlier models.
 
I had a P97. Great .45 pistol. Liked it better than the HK USP and any 1911 I've had. Built like a tank, reliable as hell, surprisingly accurate and quick to return to target. As mentioned, slim profile/grip. Traded it to finance a rifle purchase. Would not hesitate to buy one again if needed a .45 to count on.

You asked about differences between P97 and P90. As mentioned in the Shooting Times article (I think), the P97 has a different guide rod setup than the P90. The P90 guide rod is like most other semi-auto designs. The P97 has a guide rod with a hole in the end through which the take down pin fits. So, the guide rod is "captive" in a sense. Also, the guide rod end has angled surfaces which mate with the locking lugs on the underside of the barrel. Upon recoil, the barrel drops down and locks into the angled guide rod, which in turn is held in place by the take down pin. The idea is that the guide rod and take down pin takes all or most of the impact from recoil, rather than the frame taking it. Reduces wear on the "plastic" frame. Also seems to improve accuracy.

Great gun. Not the prettiest, but works where it counts - reliability, accuracy.
 
Thanks, all. You're making this an easy choice. The P90, with safety and decocker, was a little more expensive than the P97 with decocker only. I thought the P90 looked nicer, probably because of the metal frame. But what do I care about looks? Heck, I own a Glock. Ugly can be just fine. It looks like there's a P97 in my future. Unless a nice old affordable 1911 pops into view.

regards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top