Accuracy issues with my Ruger P89

[TargetTerror]

I picked up a used P89 earlier this year. It has been extremely reliable (no failures of any kind!!) but I can't shoot it to save my life! (hopefully I won't have to test that :p)

I've tried a number of different types of commercial ammo and handloads. I've tried loading it with 115 gr, 122 gr, and 124 grain with various levels of bullseye, unique, and power pistol. Best I can get is maybe 4 inches at 10 yards, though it has been more like 5 or 6 inches, with even worse flyers. It also shoots consistently to the left (I drifted the site some, but it would need to hang WAY off the side to be dead on)

I put Hogue grips on the gun to no avail.

I don't think that its me, but admit I'm not sure. I've shot Sigs and S&W 1911s and can put shots one on top of each other. I'm also extremely accurate with my S&W 686. I really don't like to blame a gun, but I"m starting to think there might be a problem with mine, especially given all of the talk on the forums about how accurate the P89 is.

Can anyone recommend any specific type of grip that might work well? I've tried a whole bunch, with different grip strengths, and none of really worked much better than others. Is there anything on the gun taht I can check that might be off/out of alignment?

What has peoples' experiences been with Rugers warranty and customer service? I looked on their site, and it looks like they may charge me for a repair. Does anyone know how that works? I was under the impression that they had a no bs lifetime warranty like S&W.

[JohnKSa]

Ruger doesn't have a written warranty, but they DO stand behind their products.

Before you call the manufacturer, you need to do two things. Shoot the handgun from a rest to determine the actual accuracy of the gun (vs the accuracy of the gun/shooter combo). Have an experienced shooter try shooting the gun, preferably both from a rest and offhand.

For a more thorough treatment of how to test the accuracy of a handgun to determine if there's a problem, you can read through this post (http://www.therallypoint.org/forum/index.php?topic=1490.0) from another forum.

[blume357]

personally I don't think 4" groups at 30ft with a simi auto 'free hand' is bad at all... but I suspect it's something in your technique. Oddly enough I can shoot Ruger P series pistols better free hand than on a rest.

[jakeswensonmt]

personally I don't think 4" groups at 30ft with a simi auto 'free hand' is bad at all...

I would be satisfied with that group/range with my P89 freehand. I've been getting 3" groups at 7yds/21ft using 15 rounds, and I've been feeling pretty good about that. If you are doing much better with other guns then I'd say you are a dang good shot.

But if your front sight is drifted that far over, and you are getting 6" groups at 10yds there might truly be something wrong with that P89. I would have a good gunsmith check it out, then maybe make a call to Ruger. There would be a fee, but I think the a professional eval would be worth it.

[TargetTerror]

[quote]Oddly enough I can shoot Ruger P series pistols better free hand than on a rest.[/quote}

I noticed this too, which I thought was very odd. I actaully got the P89 on a trade-in from an Argentine Hi-power detective model (traded b/c it was a jammomatic POS :barf:). But, when it worked, I could bench prob ~3 inch groups if I did my part at 25 yards.

My P89 HATES being benched, which, admittedly, makes it hard to determine if its me or the gun.

[blume357]

it has to be something with the way we are shooting.... here's the kicker.... I shoot at a private range during the week, pistol range has targets set at 50ft... you stand behind a long table covered to shoot at the targets... usually no one else is there .... so, I often will step out and shoot closer.... I discovered about a month ago I can shoot my p-95 better or at least just as good at about 15ft with out using the sights at all... just draw, point and pull the trigger... I can hit clay pigions laying on the back berm at least 90% of the time this way as fast as I can pull the trigger. I can't do any better using the sites and shooting slow.

[SCREAMIII2006]

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=259824

I had some issues also.
Take a look at some of the advice on this thread.

[dwatts47]

Never seen a p89 that was tight enough to be called 'accurate', also the one i sold had the worst trigger travel after the shot broke that I've ever felt.

you mention your ability with a revolver, I'd say optomistically that rules 'you' out. Maybe its neither... maybe your style doesn't mesh well with the Ruger.

I sold mine due to it seeming more a 'miss fit' to me than an accuracy issue. I believed my accuracy problems with it came from that miss fit, though.