Ruger P-97....what's the real deal?

M

Mntneer357

New member
Ladies and Gents:

I've been looking, researching, and reading about different pistols because I am interested in buying a new handgun before the end of the year.

I really like the looks of the Ruger P-97 .45 ACP, although I have not been able to shoot one personally. I like them but I am a bit worried about plunking down my hard earned cash just yet. I've seen a bunch of posts on this and other boards regarding different problems with "the slide stop". Some people allege that this part is the real achilie's heel of this gun. It breaks, it pops out during firing, etc.

What is the real scoop on this gun? Is it good enough to stake your life on? Is it a problem? Does the slide stop come out when it is not supposed to? HELP PLEASE!!!!

Respectfully,
Mntneer357
 
Does anyone know anything about the reliability of this model? From everything I've read, the P-97 is supposed to be the very zenith of Ruger's autopistols. But this issue with the slide stop popping out during shooting really has me worried. Is this a real epidemic problem with these otherwise great pistols?

Also, I am reading about people who say their P-97s have developed a "hitch" in the single action trigger pull. Are these two problems just "a bad production run" and merely urban legend or should I no longer consider the P-97 for purchase???? Help me please.........

Cheers,
Mntneer357
 
I have read several reports of people that I extremely pleased.

I, on the other hand, am not. Maybe mine was just a lemon but it has been back to Ruger in the last 6 mos (bought brand new). Out of the box it would not operate. Something about a bad firing pin. Now it has developed the habit of dropping the magazine after every 2 or 3 shots.

I am not bashing the P-97 I am just letting you know my first hand experience. I hope it works when it comes back from Ruger this time, if not it is GONE.
 
I have had absolutely no problem with my KP97. Several thousand rounds downrange. That said, I and my son did have problems with our first KP95s that were produced around the same time. They had to be replaced because of frame breakage. This came at about 5500 rounds for me (1000 +P+ rounds in there) and about 7000 rounds for my son with his gun.

Ruger does stand behind their product 100%. They treat you right when it comes to service. It would be great if every product was perfect every time; but, that's not going to happen.

I trust their products with my life. They are what I carry.
 
Polymer Frame Broke?

The polymer frames are supposed to be tougher than the aluminum ones. How could one of them break? More details, please.

Drakejake
 
I bought my P97 as soon as they were available locally. Ended up with about 7k rounds through it before I sold it ... after being bit by the CZ bug. Functioning was flawless. No indication of wear: nothing broke or pop'd off. Pretty acurate, too. As soon as I can afford it, I'll probably get another. It and a P95, too.

--
Mike
 
I've had mine for ver a year now and really like it. The slide stop did "pop out" once in the first 100-200 rounds, only once and I think I pushed it out from the opposite side with my trigger finger. I now have well over 1500 rounds downrange and no other problems, other than some jams with some ultra cheap ammo I got on-line. I would buy another one in a second, I'm going to buy my wife a P95 for her first semi-auto!
 
KP95 frame breakage.

OK. My KP95DAO broke on the ledge which supports the trigger. This would be the narrower of the two ledges. It cracked from the back almost all the way to the front of the trigger opening.

My son's KP95DC broke in the loop which supports the off side of the hammer pin. The front half came off.

Prior to all that we both had the edge of the unlocking lug on the barrel break off. He lost 1/8th of an inch and I lost 1/16th of an inch.

We had the bbl replaced and then had the other problems. I didn't know what was causing my trigger to lock up on fast double taps. Apparently the broken frame was allowing the trigger to tilt and engage the other parts incorrectly.

Anyway, since we had the guns replaced we have had no problems. And I have hjad no problems with the KP95DC I bought last Christmas for IDPA competition.
 
Well, here's my problem. I want to buy a .45 or another .357 Magnum (Ruger GP-100 like I already have) before the end of the year.

I really am enamored of the Ruger P-97 .45 ACP. I like the thin grip. It fits my hand very nicely, and as I have learned from past negative experiences, the way a pistol fits your hand makes a HUGE difference in how well you can shoot it. I like the fact that it's built like a tank. I understand that it is reliable in the extreme, and it is one of Ruger's most inherently accurate autopistols yet. AND, I can actually afford this gun. I *am* worried about all these reports of slide stops popping out, triggers with odd "hitch" problems. What am I to think or do?

I have also looked at (but not ever fired) a Glock 30. These seem to be great guns, but I am not certain that it fits my hand as well as the Ruger P-97. I am a bit wary of plunking down my hard earned $$$$ for a gun I have never shot or had any experience with.

With all this uncertainty, I might end up buying a twin Ruger GP-100 4". But I think I'd really like a .45........Can someone help me please??????????????

-Mntneer357
 
The other advantage that I apply to the Ruger P-97 vs the Glock 30 (In MY particular case) is the longer sight radius on the P-97.

I have bad eyes, which probably will not get better with age, so I like guns with good sights which are easy to see and a nice long sight radius.

Any suggestions or constructive criticism???? I'm desperate here guys


Cheers!
Mntneer357
 
P90 reliability

I have about 3000 rounds through my P90, I've had it for just over a year. About 500 of those were +P rounds, another 1000 were 45 Supers. Outside of replacing a few springs with heavier ones (recoil, firing pin, magazine) to handle the 230 g. at 1100 + fps once I had the gun set up properly I've hand no malfunctions. The gun groups under 1" at 15 yards under 2" at 25 yards with Speer Lawman 230 g as well as my 45 Super handloads. Once I put Hogue grips on it ($20), it feels good in my hand. It's my self-defense and go to the range handgun. No complaints, except too much slack on the single action trigger. Great gun for the $319 I paid for it. I probably have another $50 into it... Sorry to hear about P97 problems ....
 
Ssssshhhh...... AYOOB SPEAKS....

Mntneer357,

Saw this article a while back. Thought you might want to take a look. I don't have any experience with the P97, but I own its brother, the KP95. No problems to report. Accurate and reliable. Put on some Hogue or Pachmayr (I like the Pachmayr) grips, and you're good to go.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/ayoob62.html
 
I had one of the very first ones. Nice gun, very accurate, rock solid reliable. Felt great in the hand too. Only problem I had is that it would bite the web of my hand (my hands are very meaty in the web area) a bit from time to time which eventually annoyed me enough to sell it. FWIW I`m the only person who ever shot it that had this problem. Marcus
 
I have had a P97 for almost two years now and it has had no problem.

I've never heard of the slide stop popping out. The magazine falling out is an old problem with some of the first P97s. New spring always fixed it.

Shok
 
I bought a Ruger P90 about 3 months ago. I've shot at least 1000 rounds through it as it has been a while since I owned a handgun and I'm working on my skills for CHL class. Many of those rounds were shot by my son. I've had absolutely no problems with the action of the p90. It is solid as a rock. Only jam was when my son was using it and I think he released the slide a little early as he was seating a full magazine into the grip and it caught the front of a round. He's a rookie at shooting.
It does seem to shoot low though, but I've heard I can call Ruger and they'll send me another taller site or something.


My bride purchase a p95 two weeks ago. She shot four clips into the 5x of a Texas CHL target (5x is centermass and head) from the short range 7 yard the first time she shot it.
 
slide stop problem/trigger problem

First, let me answer the trigger problem. My P97 has about 750 rounds through it and the trigger is just as good as it is when it was brand new (very good SA trigger).

Now, to the slide stop. Mine has popped out twice, and I notified Ruger. They sent me replacement parts, and so far its been perfect since (220 rounds through it since the parts change). Its a great gun for the money, don't let a few rare incidences scare you off.

CZ
 
A buddy of mine out in Virginia owns and carries one daily. He's the rangemaster at an indoor pistol range, and is a retired LtCol (USMC). Basically, he can tote whatever piece he wants, and he chooses the P97. Pretty good endorsement from a guy who knows, IMO.
 
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