Hi everyone i was looking at a ruger P90 the price was $299. It had 2 factory mags and a hard case. How do these guns hold up in the long run?I have heard nothing but good things about rugers.Is $299 a good price?Are they big guns in anyones opinion?I didn't handle it, just saw it in the display case.How big is it compared to a 1911?How heavy?Are they DA or SA?How many rounds does it hold?Do they need any work out of the box?Such as trigger jobs etc?Would anyone here feel comfortable defending their life with this gun?I read about the P 97. It got great reviews in the gun rags.Is the P 90 nearly as good?Any help would be of great help.Thank You
Ruger P 90 How Good?? HELP!!!
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Walt Sherrill
New member
The Ruger P-90 is a good solid, reliable, indestructible gun. Reviews of its accuracy varies from crappy to OK. It is not known to be super accurate.
That said, I think you'd be better served by getting a P-95 (9mm) or P-97 (.45). Both are improved versions of the same gun with better triggers and more comfortable grips. And they're in the same general price range.
All of the Ruger P-series guns look big, but if you actually compare measurements you'll find that they are smaller than some competing guns, and larger than others in one or two measurements only (such as width, or overall height).
They look bigger than they are, and feel "chunkier" when you hold them than they are.
(And the double-action to single-action transition takes some getting used too. Most of them would benefit from a trigger job by a good gunsmith.)
[This message has been edited by Walt Sherrill (edited March 19, 2000).]
That said, I think you'd be better served by getting a P-95 (9mm) or P-97 (.45). Both are improved versions of the same gun with better triggers and more comfortable grips. And they're in the same general price range.
All of the Ruger P-series guns look big, but if you actually compare measurements you'll find that they are smaller than some competing guns, and larger than others in one or two measurements only (such as width, or overall height).
They look bigger than they are, and feel "chunkier" when you hold them than they are.
(And the double-action to single-action transition takes some getting used too. Most of them would benefit from a trigger job by a good gunsmith.)
[This message has been edited by Walt Sherrill (edited March 19, 2000).]
VictorLouis
New member
MY P97: Sig accuracy, S+W trigger quality, Glock weight, Beretta reliabilty, & Ruger price! 'Nuff said. 
The P85, P89, P90 and P91 were big, bulky pistols. Like all Rugers, they're very durable and can absorb a tremendous deal of punishment or abuse. These early guns all suffer from one common fault: Big and to some, Ugly.
Ruger heard the complaints and began reengineering them to be smaller and hence, the successive P93, P94 with smaller frames, fewer parts, more slim appearance. The P95 and P97 were simpler yet and with the P97, thanks to the additional rails in the frame and slide, the gun is even more accurate than its all-metal predecessor.
If you want a .45, go with the newer P97. It's a better design with fewer parts (and less to inadvertantly mess up by careless detailed disassembly).
Ruger heard the complaints and began reengineering them to be smaller and hence, the successive P93, P94 with smaller frames, fewer parts, more slim appearance. The P95 and P97 were simpler yet and with the P97, thanks to the additional rails in the frame and slide, the gun is even more accurate than its all-metal predecessor.
If you want a .45, go with the newer P97. It's a better design with fewer parts (and less to inadvertantly mess up by careless detailed disassembly).
Sorry I didn't answer your last question.
Yes I would trust my life to a Ruger pistol. I keep my P85 as a home defense firearm. It's reliable and it's inexpensive to replace. If you should be in the unfortunate situation of having to shoot someone in self-defense, your gun will be confisicated as evidence. I'd rather lose the use of a Ruger than a custom Les Baer, Kimber, my Sig, or even a common S&W/Glock/Beretta. Economics, pure and simple.
Yes I would trust my life to a Ruger pistol. I keep my P85 as a home defense firearm. It's reliable and it's inexpensive to replace. If you should be in the unfortunate situation of having to shoot someone in self-defense, your gun will be confisicated as evidence. I'd rather lose the use of a Ruger than a custom Les Baer, Kimber, my Sig, or even a common S&W/Glock/Beretta. Economics, pure and simple.
I have a P-90, and it's one of my favorite .45 autos. Its accuracy is not target grade and it won't stay with My HK Tatical or my Government model; it will do 1.5" -2" groups at 15 yards all day long. Moreover, it will feed anything, even the crudest handloads, without a hitch. It is without question the most reliable auto loader I own. Like all Rugers, this gun is over engineered and will stand up to all kinds of use and abuse. If you're used to 1911 single actions, then the double action trigger pull and the decocking feature may take some getting used to, but the gun works as is out of the box. As for defending my life, this is one of the few autoloaders I own that routinely serves nightstand duty, although I prefer revolvers for defense as they are substantially more reliable. I haven't fired the new P-97, but I plan to getting one for my 13 year old son this summer. He loves my P-90 and the P-97 fits his smaller hands well. Personally, I think either the P-90 or the P-97 will serve you well.
They do look chunkier than they feel. The new polymer framed guns P97 seem to be getting more consistent remarks(very favorable). I think they cost around $30 dollars more than the P90. Was looking at on myself, but after firing the Taurus 945 I'm having a hard time deciding which one to get.
Walt Sherrill
New member
jetrecbn1:
That is a hard decisions: P-97 or Taurus 945 -- particularly since Gun Tests Magazine has given several Taurus higher ratings than their close cousins, the Beretta, recently.
All things else being equal, I'd go with the Ruger: they're indestructible (Taurus aren't), and Ruger's customer service is far better. (Both offer good warranties and ongoing support -- for things like routine wear or operator-induced problems -- but Ruger tends to be quicker and easier to work with.)
That is a hard decisions: P-97 or Taurus 945 -- particularly since Gun Tests Magazine has given several Taurus higher ratings than their close cousins, the Beretta, recently.
All things else being equal, I'd go with the Ruger: they're indestructible (Taurus aren't), and Ruger's customer service is far better. (Both offer good warranties and ongoing support -- for things like routine wear or operator-induced problems -- but Ruger tends to be quicker and easier to work with.)
Will Beararms
New member
For every one dollar you spend on Ruger, you get two in return. What's more, after a disastrous compromise on the 1994 Crime Bill regarding the outlawing of hi-cap mags, they have gained reslove understanding that the devil cannot be bargained with.
On the P 90, the safety/de-cocker is too large and will dig into the frame if the slide is racked with the safety on which does nothing more than remove the anodizing from the frame. Additionally, the investment-cast SS Slide must be kept well-lubed to avoid corrosion due to the porous nature of castings. Otherwise, the P 90 is an excellent gun and will digest anything and I do mean anything, you can feed it. The owner's manual even states that the P series will shoot any factory round-----+P or not.
If you can get a NIB P 90 for $299.00, do it. I guarantee you it will go for much more than that used in a few years. I would stake my life on a P 90 at any time.
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"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."
[This message has been edited by Will Beararms (edited March 20, 2000).]
On the P 90, the safety/de-cocker is too large and will dig into the frame if the slide is racked with the safety on which does nothing more than remove the anodizing from the frame. Additionally, the investment-cast SS Slide must be kept well-lubed to avoid corrosion due to the porous nature of castings. Otherwise, the P 90 is an excellent gun and will digest anything and I do mean anything, you can feed it. The owner's manual even states that the P series will shoot any factory round-----+P or not.
If you can get a NIB P 90 for $299.00, do it. I guarantee you it will go for much more than that used in a few years. I would stake my life on a P 90 at any time.
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"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."
[This message has been edited by Will Beararms (edited March 20, 2000).]
Desert Dog
New member
I love my full-size tactical pistol. It is about the same size as the H&K USP, and about the same balance. It costs approximately half of the desired weapon, shoots nearly as well, and can eat hotloads like candy. 1" groups with modified Weaver stance at 15 yards. That'll work...
No CCW in NM. When I go shooting, it resides in an Uncle Mike's tactical holster on my right thigh, loaded with Triton 230 gr. Quikshoks. It makes very short order of attacking milk jugs full of water, or flying empty anti-freeze bottles...
I have yet to get the gun to jam, even with some funky handloads with 1.31" OAL.
I wish I could afford an H&K USP or even better a Mk.23...
But my budget won't allow it.
You usually can't go wrong with a Ruger, IMO.
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.45 Super... Fat and FAST...
"No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority" - Thomas Jefferson
No CCW in NM. When I go shooting, it resides in an Uncle Mike's tactical holster on my right thigh, loaded with Triton 230 gr. Quikshoks. It makes very short order of attacking milk jugs full of water, or flying empty anti-freeze bottles...
I have yet to get the gun to jam, even with some funky handloads with 1.31" OAL.
I wish I could afford an H&K USP or even better a Mk.23...
But my budget won't allow it.You usually can't go wrong with a Ruger, IMO.
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.45 Super... Fat and FAST...
"No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority" - Thomas Jefferson
I got my Ruger P-90T NIB at So. Cal Turners for $269. The P-90 is a excellent gun. The recoil is mild, they weigh 33.5oz, the DA trigger pull is heavy, but when you go single action the trigger is really soft. Yes, the gun is DA first, then the rest of the shots are single action. Or just skip the DA and cock the hammer back and enjoy the SA mode with really soft trigger pulls. The magazine holds seven, so it is 7+1 in the chamber (P-90). I do not believe this gun needs any gunsmith work, that is how problems begin. I trust my life with this gun. If you get the P-90, get the one with manual safety, it is easier to handle than the decock model. The only things you need to get for your P-90 is two 10-round magazines made by USA MAG co., and or Pro-Mag co,. And a better grip made by Pachmayr Ltd,. The only differences between the P-90 and the P-97 is: the metal frame in the P-90 and the polymer frame in the P-97, the magazine capacities: P-90= 7 rounds, P-97= 8 rounds, weight: 33.5oz P90 and 27oz P97. But I will tell you something with the polymer frame gun(P-97) the recoil is felt more than with the matal frame P90. Plus, you will not be able to shoot the .45ACP+P ammo in your polymer frame P-97. And yes, there are aftermarket accesories available for the P-90, like adjustable sights, magazines 7,8,10 rounders, grips, barrels (.400corbon) P-90 only and many other stuff. And another thing get the blued version. The P-90 comes with 2- 7round magazines and a hard case and a small padlock with the Ruger crest 
. Later
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. Later ------------------
Walt Sherrill
New member
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ED CHAVEZ:
<snip>The only differences between the P-90 and the P-97 is: the metal frame in the P-90 and the polymer frame in the P-97, the magazine capacities: P-90= 7 rounds, P-97= 8 rounds, weight: 33.5oz P90 and 27oz P97. ..
[/quote]
There is a significant difference in the barrel design. The P-97 has a new and totally different lockup design that makes for more accuracy and less wear on the gun. Compare the two barrels and you'll see the difference -- and you'll find that they're not interchangeable. There was also some modification to the trigger, as well.
(Incidentally, nearly every gun I own gets a trigger job from a competent gunsmith -- not to make the trigger lighter, necessarily, but to make it smoother. It can greatly contribute to better accuracy, by letting you do your part more effectively.)
A friend of mine has been shooting his P-97 in IDPA and doing quite well with it. (He came in second in our last match.) Its a good gun.
(I don't personally know of ANYONE shooting a P-90 in competition. Do you? I think there's a reason for that.)
<snip>The only differences between the P-90 and the P-97 is: the metal frame in the P-90 and the polymer frame in the P-97, the magazine capacities: P-90= 7 rounds, P-97= 8 rounds, weight: 33.5oz P90 and 27oz P97. ..
[/quote]
There is a significant difference in the barrel design. The P-97 has a new and totally different lockup design that makes for more accuracy and less wear on the gun. Compare the two barrels and you'll see the difference -- and you'll find that they're not interchangeable. There was also some modification to the trigger, as well.
(Incidentally, nearly every gun I own gets a trigger job from a competent gunsmith -- not to make the trigger lighter, necessarily, but to make it smoother. It can greatly contribute to better accuracy, by letting you do your part more effectively.)
A friend of mine has been shooting his P-97 in IDPA and doing quite well with it. (He came in second in our last match.) Its a good gun.
(I don't personally know of ANYONE shooting a P-90 in competition. Do you? I think there's a reason for that.)
Ed Chavez - enjoyed your post, mostly agreeing, but have one comment and one question. Comment is that while I suspect the P90 has more brute strength than the P97 (not sure, but suspect that) since it was engineered to be a 10mm that ended up being chambered as a .45, my P97 owner's manual has the usual Ruger statement to the effect that no commercial ammo made in accordance with a long list of standards is known to be beyond the design limits or incompatible with the P97, including high velocity ammo. I take that to mean that commercial plus P is OK. (I ain't that much into it myself, but that's beside the point). The question is...why do you recommend blue over stainless (just curious). Good shooting and take care.
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Lazarus
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Lazarus
I have a P90 and I am very pleased, I have fired 1000 plus rounds, I have not had any problems. Having said that it does seem to be some what inaccurate. That to can be over come though with sight adjustment, kentucky style. I am very pleased with my P90, and yes I would trust my life to its charge.
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one shot one kill
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one shot one kill
The p90 is a very stout and reliable side arm. I've had mine for about 6 years and have put thousands of rounds through it. I have had only one failure to feed and found it was caused by damaged feed lips. I purchased a new mag and that solved that. The price you metioned was well worth it. I allso have used every kind and type of load with this hand gun, and it will eat them all without so much as a burp. I allso have the P97 and so far so good. I would recomend the P97 over the 90. But they are both equaly reliable.