Ruger P-90 superior to P-97?

T

Tropical Z

New member
I've seen several mentionings in various places recently that the P-90 is definitely a better gun than the P-97.All the info pointed to the fact that both are great,but the 90 is better.What is the difference between the two other than the 90 being an alloy frame and the 97 a polymer?
 
I own and like both of these pistols. The P90 is available with a manual safety that also serves as a decocker. The P97 can be bought with a decocker (no manual safety) or as double action only. At present the P97 isn't available with a manual safety. The P90 is heavier and slightly larger than the P97. The two pistols feel slightly different in the hand and have slightly different balance. The P97 is said to have a more sophisticated action and to have a better trigger than the older pistol. Some think that the polymer frame absorbs a little more recoil than the alloy and will last longer. I find that the P90 is a better looking hunk of metal, especially with the Hogue grips, but find that the two pistols are really very similar. I think you must try out the two guns and decide which one you prefer for your specific purpose. They are both excellent firearms and very good values in today's market.

Drakejake
 
Ruger's model numbers indicate the year when the pistol was developed. So apart from the polymer frame and lack of a safety, there are seven more years of gun engineering in there.

That said, the CZ 97B eliminates my need to consider a Ruger .45.
 
You hear some grumbles about the problems with the Ruger Xenoy frames. You don't hear anything about the alloy. I think the ruger alloy frames are so over-engineered that long term durability is not an issue.

They're both big guns. I'd go with the P90.

Sometimes 7 years of R&D only yield a cheaper product, not better. Anyway, I thought automatics were perfected back in 1911.;)
 
my P90 looks heavy, feels heavy, and hits heavy. If I ever run out of ammo.....this would be more than a clobber than a Glock could ever hope to be!

When I bought my P90, I had a look and feel of the P97 next to it. The polymer just didn't look right on a big caliber pistol. Also the Ruger's "Xenoy" or whatever polymer just feels wrong to my fingers, way too smooth. I could almost imagine it cracking.

They have about the same grip...but the P97's more streamlined in design so the slide was smaller. I didn't feel much different in trigger, besides I'm never one to be picky in that dept. For whatever reasons, P97 was $20 cheaper, but my P90 has a stainless slide, which looked very good on Aluminumalloy frame. despite its outline. I was looking for a .45 right after 9/11, so I picked up the P90 which was also more menacing looking, should give Bin Ladin a heart attack staring down the barrel! :D
 
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Alloy or polymer

I have the P90 and the P95. I have over 10,000 rounds through the P95 and about 4,000 rounds through the P90.
I tear them down after each range session, and I will have to say this, nether pistol is showing any wear on the frames or the slides. Frame to slide fit is the same as when they were both new.
I would'nt worry about what the frame is made of, but which one fits your hand the best.


Tony
 
No...

Opposite way around IMO. The P97 is the better overall pistol. P97 has shorter/lighter/better DA trigger, better SA trigger, better grip ergonomics, and newer (improved) features. Its also more accurate in my experience.

P90 is a reliable workhorse, but lacks many of the up-to-date features of the P97 (such as improved magazine release, slide serations, grip ergonomics, etc).

Either pistol will get the job done; however, the P97 is the more innovative/improved design. My only complaint with the P97 is the slide stop problem. But, it appears that its only a small % of pistols experience that problem...and mine is one of the lemons.
 
Both are excellent

However, I preferred the P90, mostly because for a pistol of this size and bulk (P90 or P97), it's not going to be too concealable, and that I was able to replace the P90's Xenoy grip panels with some wraparound Hogue grips.
 
I've owned both and prefer the P-90 over the P-97,the 90 fit my hand better,triggers felt the same,sights are the same,poly frame slick and felt too large with slip ons.I do think both are quality firearms and you need to try both to find the one that's right for you.
 
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