Ruger P97 owners wanted for questioning

M

mlk18

New member
I have several questions for those you who own or have owned the .45acp Ruger P97 variants. I prefer a blue or parkarized finish to the stainless, but does it match well with the black polymer? I have found some pics of used P97's online where the blue looks like it faded into an ugly reddish blue. While the new ones look like they have a nice matte black finish. I have seen the same with the P95 models. (See pic of a P97) Did ruger change their finish at some point?

What about the trigger; pull, weight, length and transition from DA to SA? I would also like feedback on the DAO model, trigger differences or similiarities with the Decocker model. And of course any pics if your P97 you would like to post would be great. Thanks.

mlk18
 

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I had a stainless Ruger KP97DC. It was a rugged gun that could shoot any brand .45 ACP made. The DA pull was a bit long but the SA pull was much better. The P97 will not win any awards for accuracy, but it has consistant combat accuracy. You can expect to hit a plate sized object at 25 yards, but the groups on mine were about five to six inches shooting SA. I sold it because I was not please with the accuracy. It was very reliable mechanically. If I were to buy another Ruger .45 ACP, I'd get the P90. The frame on the P97, although virtually indestructable, was too smooth for me. I like the texture on the polymer frames on Glocks a lot better.

I can't answer your question regarding the color of the blue finish because mine was stainless steel. However, the steel on my KP97DC had a good finish. It was finer than the finish on the Taurus Millennium series.
 
I have a stainless P97 and I really like it. About 800 rounds through it with no malfunctions, reasonably accurate for a service pistol, rugged, great price....can't beat it. It's a good all around work-horse type gun, a bit big for carry, but it's possible with the right rig and clothing. I find the DA trigger pull to be long but smooth.

I'd say go for it!

Good luck and good shooting.
 
I have a P97 Stainless. Had initial slidestop problem, but Ruger replaced it. Mine needed 2-300 rounds to break-in. Since then no problems. Probably 2000 rounds of my own reloads-200gr LRNFP. It punches holes in paper plates at 25 yards, which is plenty for me.
 
I have both a p-95 and p-97 in Blued finish and the 95 does have a slight eggplant hue in the right light at the right angle. The 97 is solid black. In a previous thread on ruger forum they discussed the metals ability to take up the bluing during the process as the reason for the purplish coloration

This however does not effect the strength or durability of the steel used. If I keep them well surface oiled when cleaning and a quick occassional wipedown with silicon gun cloth, it's not noticeable. I actually forgot about it until you reminded me....now where did I put that silicon cloth???

Both good, dependable shooters in a polymer frame.

They share my safe with my Glock and a Taurus revolver and I enjoy shooting them all equally.
 
Second only to P89!

My Ruger KP97DC has been nothing but a joy. I have had no problems at all. Mine was purchased in December last year. About 800 rounds through so far. Seems to be getting more accurate lately. Will eat any ammo, AME, Win White, Silver Points, including Corbon +P. I prefer Stainless in all my handguns, being in Florida. Currently I carry it in a Fist K4. This is not however an endorsement for smaller frame individuals. There are there detractors on TRF, but most I have seen have had the problems rectified by Ruger. There are however a very vocal group of unsatisfied customers.

genius91
 
I had one of the first ones made (got it before the magazines reviewed it or anything) by dumb luck. Great gun! It fit my hands very well,was 110% reliable with any ammo I threw at it and was suprisingly accurate. My last group I shot with it was 5 shots through 1 hole at 25yds. offhand! I couldn`t do it again on bet but it shows what the gun can do. I traded it on my 10mm Witness because believe it or not it used to hammer bite me and I finally got sick of it. The DA pull was smooth but had a lot of takeup,the SA was also pretty good but it had even more takeup. Mine was stainless so I can`t speak for the blued finishes. Fit and finish was okay on mine,the whole gun felt a little clunky compared to my CZ-75B and others but it shot really well and never let me down so I`d gladly recomend it to others. Marcus
 
We own two Ruger pistols among our numerous handguns -- my wife has a P95 and I have a p97. Both of those Rugers have been dead reliable. Neither one of them has ever bobbled with any factory load or handload that has been fed to then. The P97 has been fed just about every factory JHP around, and I have fed it handloads in FMJ and JHP bullets, lead RN, lead SWC, and lead truncated cone. Feeds everything without a snag.

The P95 is not as accuracy as either of my 9mm Glocks -- a 17 and a 19. The p97 is a little more accurate than my Kimber Compact, but not as accurate as my Kimber Gold Match.

Every semi-auto I have ever owned either needed several hundred rounds through it to "break it in" or needed something done to it to make it reliable. Except for the Rugers -- neither the p95 nor the P97 have ever had anything done to them. The P95 has about 3000 rounds through it, and the P97 has about 1500 rounds through it.

One interesting piece of data... There's is something about these Rugers -- they are the easiest guns to clean of all of my handguns, and that includes Glocks, 1911's, Hi Powers, Smith & Wessons, Colts, etc.

The only negative comment about the P97 is that it a little bulky for a carry gun. However, it is very light, compared to a 1911, so that makes up for it, particularly in winter when larger outer garments are worn.
 
Have 97DAO version, gave my DC to my son. Extremely accurate at 21-50feet. Usually only shoot these distances. A couple of bobbles but nothing serious. Feeds anything. Ejection angles irratic but always ejects. The trigger pull is smooth with nice surprise break. Also have the 944DAO in 40. I am sold on the DAO version of these autos. No levers just slide release and mag release. Have been using my revolvers a lot lately though. When I carry auto CCW I carry the 97.
 
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