Ruger P97 feedback

L

Little Buck

Inactive
Any of you guys had any experience with this pistol? What did you like about it? What did you not like about it?
How about the P-series pistols in general?
Thanks
LB
 
I have a P97, but I've only got about a 150 rounds through it. I had one failure to feed in the third magazine. Since then its worked fine. I've shot mostly ball through it. The FTF occured with a JSWC. I recently shot some Gold Dots and Hydroshoks through it w/ no problem.

Based on this limited experience it appears to be a relatively simple, well made, rugged gun. I'm a better shot with my Slick Willie 686 and my Ruger Single Six, but as I've said I haven't shot it much and I'm a pretty inexperienced handgun shooter.
 
Hi!

I have pretty extensive experience with the P-95 9mm, from which the P-97 was derrived. The P-95 is a well-built double/single action pistol featuring an improved Browning (or Browning-Petter) locking system which uses a shaped chamber block to mate and lockup with the slide. The feed ramp is mounted on the chamber block. It has a very revolver-like double action trigger feel and a light single action feel with some take-up. It is easy to field strip into five pieces, including the magazine, and to maintain.

The slide pull is light enough that a small lady can manage it, but the grip is full enough that she may find it a bit too thick. The frame and grip is well-designed and ergonomically layed out and all controls except the slide release are ambidexterous. The fit and finish are great, with rounded edges even on the inside of the slide. The pistol is light enough to be comfortable to shoot but has a comfortable amount of recoil and flip.

I understand that the P-97 has a lower center of gravity and checked frontstrap which help with the increased recoil and flip of a .45. The P-97DC (decock) debuted Ruger's new low-profile decock levers, and they have been added to the new P-95s as well.

The pistol I shot had 500 rounds through it with only one misfeed, and it was probably atributable to a the novice operator.

Hope this helps a bit,

Bobbalouie
 
A friend in our local IDPA club is shooting his P-97 in competition and doing pretty well with it. Fair trigger, absolute reliability, and despite an appearance of "chunkiness", its about the same size as most other guns that LOOK smaller.

The Ruger P-series guns are solid, reliable good value weapons, not particularly known for great accuracy. (Service guns with service grade accuracy.) The newer P-95 and P-97 seem to be distinct improvements, in that they are just as reliable, lighter, and more accurate.

The P-97 differs from the P-95 in having a different barrel lockup design. In theory at least, it could be more accurate than the P-95.

Having had both a P-95 and a now having a CZ-75B, I think the P-95 is a fine gun, but the CZ (a true CZ, not a clone) is better.

The P-97 may be the best .45 buy available, if you've got to have a .45...


[This message has been edited by Walt Sherrill (edited April 08, 2000).]
 
I have both the P95 9MM and the P97 45 cal.
As stated above.I have never had a jam or misfeed in 2000 rounds in my P95 and none in my P97 approxamatly 700 round through it.
There are better guns out there but take in the price, reliablility, and value. You can't go wrong with one in your collection.

Tony Z :)

Gun Accessorys http://gungoodies.com

[This message has been edited by tonyz (edited April 08, 2000).]
 
I'll take the 97 over the earlier 91 anyday. Ruger simplified the design and eliminated quite a few parts (making the remaining multi-tasked). They also developed a new internal rail (check out the front of the slide) which aids accuracy in the P97. Last, the streamline appearance is much more aesthetically pleasing than the P91.
 
Let me caution you about the investment-cast Ruger SS slide: it is prone to rusting if not oiled frequently and DO NOT store it in a leather holster. I had a P 90 that would rust if you did not judiciously oil the slide. I know SS will rust but what is he benefit of it if you have to constantly watch it. I ended up taking Hoppe's #9 and a copper bore brush to get rid of the rust and then I got rid of the gun.

Rugers are very durable and a good value for the money but they are not a refined high-end firearm. For the money, the P-97 is an excellent buy but it's not a Glock, Beretta or Sig. Their revolovers on the other hand are the finest in the world, bar none, and can be driven over with a car and still be shot------accurately.

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"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."

[This message has been edited by Will Beararms (edited April 08, 2000).]
 
I recently purchased a P95DC, and so far am very pleased by its performance. This was my first handgun, so I went to the gun store with a friend who has several. He was recommending the CZ75, but admitted that for me, the Ruger might be a better choice safety-wise because of the decock levers. We took it to the range the next day, and he expressed surprise at how accurate it was. My next gun will probably be a Glock (I have my eye on the 26), but I don't at all regret getting the Ruger. Consider the fact that I didn't know jack about fieldstripping, and was able to get this gun apart for cleaning easily.

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"Those who would sacrifice liberty in the name of security, deserve neither liberty nor security."
 
I now own three P-series Rugers: the P95 was first followed by the P97, and most recently the P94 in .40. All three are accurate, but I find myself shooting the P97 the most of the three. Really like the changes Ruger made from the P95.

--
Mike
 
Little Buck:

I thought about my previous post while doing the yard work this PM. The Ruger is Rugged and chances are it will last as long if not longer than the Sig, Glock or Beretta. It does lack the refinements but you can't go wrong. If I were getting a Ruger, the P97 would be the one.

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"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."
 
I have one of the first P-97DCs that was available in my area. It`s been great from day one. It`s very accurate(suprisingly so) for a service auto and it`s Ruger reliable. On day at the range with two buddies they were both shocked to find that they shot tighter groups with my P-97 than their own guns,a G17 and a USP Compact .45! I can`t promise it`ll do that everytime or for everyone but you could have knocked them down with a feather. :D Recoil is a little brisk with +Ps but it`s still controllable in rapid fire. It`s not just a good gun for the money ,it`s a good gun. Marcus
 
I borrowed a P97 and consider it a dandy bargain at $300. DA trigger is gritty but passable, SA is pretty good, one hole at 21ft which is adequate for my taste. Very low felt recoil and I like decocker-only for combat guns.
 
Don't have any experience with Ruger autos but I have a 10/22, Mini-14, and a jewel of a revolver in an SP101.

I have to agree with the comment that Ruger makes the best all around revolver but their auto pistols, a good value nevertheless, are not up to the standards of say a Glock, Sig, or Kahr.

That said, I would sleep soundly with a Ruger P95 or P97 under my pillow, but having a Glock 17 and 19 I could also dream.

Curious however, I keep a Ruger revolver SP101 3 1/2 inch barrel in +P .38 special as my nightstand gun. Great piece, it will always shoot no matter what.
 
A real sleeper. Just picked one up and I am impressed. Looks good, feels good, handles well. As reliable and accurate as any G30, P245, USP45c I've shot. Looks tough as heck.

A whole lotta bang for your buck.

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Okay, here we go again. I've owned four 1911s, two P220s, three flavors of Signed & Weeping, and one early P90(Ruger). The most accurate ones were the Sigs, and both the old Ruger, and the new P97 Ruger(DAO too!) Reliability would go with the Rugers, and the Surrendered & Woeful. Ease of carry would go to the Sigs, LW Comm., and the new P97. Price? Well, we know who wins there! All-in-all, the Ruger hits all categories.
smile.gif
 
I carry daily a P97. great gun but keep the trigger, sear, trigger bar, and all that in that area clean. If you neglect to take it apart and clean once and a while you will delop that gritty feel. If it's clean you take up and pull should be smooth till release. Any grit means it's time to clean.

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"It is easier to get out of jail then it is a morgue"
Live long and defend yourself!
John 3:16
 
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