Built Like A Tank….

mk70ss · September 3, 2021, 01:26 PM

Just picked this up from my FFL. Ruger P90 .45. Snagged it on GB for a bargain price. Stoutest semi auto pistol I’ve ever owned, I don’t think you could ever wear this thing out.

Cyanide971 · September 3, 2021, 01:31 PM

Nice score and like you said, built like a tank! Had several P95’s and a P93 DAO in the past, great “little” handguns.

HighValleyRanch · September 3, 2021, 03:08 PM

Oh, kinda cool. I always thought the 9mm version was too clunky for the caliber, but I like that chunky .45 look. Wonder if it would take .45 supers?

Ed4032 · September 3, 2021, 03:18 PM

Nice find!! Looks brand new.

Forte S+W · September 3, 2021, 03:43 PM

Very nice, the Ruger P Series is really underappreciated, as most inexpensive firearms tend to be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighValleyRanch

Oh, kinda cool. I always thought the 9mm version was too clunky for the caliber, but I like that chunky .45 look. Wonder if it would take .45 supers?

Depends on what the frame is made of. If it's Aluminum, then probably not, but if it's Steel then it probably could, so long as it was properly modified.

Fortunately, .45 ACP is already plenty potent enough for practically anything, unless you're going on a fishing expedition in Alaska, but in that case you'd probably want something even more powerful than .45 Super.

Drm50 · September 3, 2021, 04:29 PM

I never likes Ruger P series but I would say a way better pistol for your money than many others. I’ve had 9mm and 45s and got good marks to give them. I’ve got small hands and they were to bulky for me. I herd rumor they did very well in govt. trials.

**JohnKSa** · September 3, 2021, 04:48 PM

Ruger did some really unorthodox testing on the original 9mm design when it first came out. Things like cutting away parts of the slide where it locks to the barrel, threading a bolt into the barrel and then firing the gun. It held up to everything they threw at it.

Sgt Pepper · September 4, 2021, 03:08 AM

Nice score. My only problem with the P90 is could Ruger not find a less attractive grip? I know that Ruger prides itself on perfecting the utilitarian tank look, but come on.

Mosin44az · September 4, 2021, 12:46 PM

Massad Ayoob liked the P90. Claimed it’s super accurate, that he won a shooting contest with his police issue P90, when his 1911 went down. IIRC

CP93 · September 4, 2021, 01:02 PM

Somebody at Ruger must've been a CZ-52 fan.

ccSnoopycc · September 4, 2021, 05:45 PM

Super Nice .45 and backup club. Cant go wrong with the Ruger P Series

tallball · September 5, 2021, 06:45 AM

They are or were a bargain for the money.

I got my beat-up P90 police trade-in DAO for a super cheap bid on Gunbroker, like $150 or something.

I shot it, liked it, and snagged a 9mm version and 40 caliber version in nicer shape for $200-$250 apiece.

They are good quality pistols and I doubt I will wear one of them out in my lifetime.

On the other hand, their triggers aren't the best and I don't end up taking them to the range much.

So inexpensive HD weapon or "truck gun"? Perfect. Range toy, not so great if you have fulll-sized pistols in the same caliber that are more fun to shoot.

lee n. field · September 5, 2021, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgt Pepper

Nice score. My only problem with the P90 is could Ruger not find a less attractive grip? I know that Ruger prides itself on perfecting the utilitarian tank look, but come on.

Hogue still makes grips for it. Rubber overmolded, and wood. Uncle Mike's made a rubber grip that's pretty nice, if you can find it.

FairWarning · September 5, 2021, 09:24 AM

Those are +P hounds if you are so inclined.

Chuck Norris · September 5, 2021, 11:05 AM

I looked up the specs when I bought mine to see if it was rated +p,it is rated +p+ which I had never heard of at the time. This was ab out 15 years ago.

**JohnKSa** · September 6, 2021, 01:38 AM

Yeah, Ruger was really proud of how strong the gun was. The manual for the 9mm P85/P89 pistols had a very impressive comment about ammunition.

"The Ruger P-Series pistols are compatible with all factory ammunition loaded to U.S. Industry Standards, including high-velocity and hollow-point loads, loaded in brass, aluminum, or steel cartridge cases. No 9mm x 19, .45 ACP or .40 S & W ammunition manufactured in accordance with NATO, U.S., SAAMI, or CIP standards is known to be beyond the design limits or known not to function in these pistols."

**4V50 Gary** · September 6, 2021, 11:22 AM

Underrated gun. That and the P97 were very accurate.

Shadow9mm · September 6, 2021, 06:15 PM

the old ruger P-series are really cool guns. I hope to add one to my collection one day.

John D · September 6, 2021, 11:00 PM

Hope your 45 had a better trigger than my P89 9mm. Trigger was like a cap pistol. Awful...

**JohnKSa** · September 6, 2021, 11:02 PM

DA triggers on the PSeries guns were not great. I use one of mine for dryfire practice. Really gives the finger a workout.

The SA triggers were ok, especially after some use.

mk70ss · September 7, 2021, 08:24 AM

DA trigger on mine is not too bad. SA trigger is excellent.

ZEBRARANGER · September 7, 2021, 01:16 PM

I've had my P90DC for many years now, its solid and reliable. Its been a known issue, but dont use the mags with metal followers, they gouge the feed ramp.

lee n. field · September 7, 2021, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZEBRARANGER

I've had my P90DC for many years now, its solid and reliable. Its been a known issue, but dont use the mags with metal followers, they gouge the feed ramp.

Yep, known issue. And, it really doesn't get any worse than what you see there.

Skans · September 10, 2021, 12:55 PM

Yes, the P90 was built like a tank. Good quality gun for the money, and it is often overlooked. Since I prefer 9mm's, I wouldn't mind having the P89 in my stable. Would have to get it for the right price, though. They don't tend to appreciate all that much over time.

Seedy Character · September 13, 2021, 09:02 AM

Well, it IS a Ruger

September 3, 2021, 01:26 PM	#1
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	Built Like A Tank…. Just picked this up from my FFL. Ruger P90 .45. Snagged it on GB for a bargain price. Stoutest semi auto pistol I’ve ever owned, I don’t think you could ever wear this thing out. __________________ Say when.....

September 3, 2021, 03:08 PM	#3
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	Oh, kinda cool. I always thought the 9mm version was too clunky for the caliber, but I like that chunky .45 look. Wonder if it would take .45 supers? __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

September 3, 2021, 03:18 PM	#4
Ed4032 Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 306	Nice find!! Looks brand new. __________________ Gun control is like stopping drunk driving by making it harder for sober people to drive.

September 3, 2021, 04:48 PM	#7
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,992	Ruger did some really unorthodox testing on the original 9mm design when it first came out. Things like cutting away parts of the slide where it locks to the barrel, threading a bolt into the barrel and then firing the gun. It held up to everything they threw at it. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

September 4, 2021, 01:02 PM	#10
CP93 Member Join Date: February 15, 2021 Posts: 22	Somebody at Ruger must've been a CZ-52 fan. __________________ *Isn't it amazing how many people know exactly what everyone except themselves is doing wrong?*

September 3, 2021, 01:31 PM	#2
Cyanide971 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2014 Posts: 725	Nice score and like you said, built like a tank! Had several P95’s and a P93 DAO in the past, great “little” handguns.

September 3, 2021, 04:29 PM	#6
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,382	I never likes Ruger P series but I would say a way better pistol for your money than many others. I’ve had 9mm and 45s and got good marks to give them. I’ve got small hands and they were to bulky for me. I herd rumor they did very well in govt. trials.

September 4, 2021, 03:08 AM	#8
Sgt Pepper Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 811	Nice score. My only problem with the P90 is could Ruger not find a less attractive grip? I know that Ruger prides itself on perfecting the utilitarian tank look, but come on.

September 4, 2021, 12:46 PM	#9
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	Massad Ayoob liked the P90. Claimed it’s super accurate, that he won a shooting contest with his police issue P90, when his 1911 went down. IIRC

September 4, 2021, 05:45 PM	#11
ccSnoopycc Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2010 Posts: 123	Super Nice .45 and backup club. Cant go wrong with the Ruger P Series __________________ "The 9mm will kill the body, the .45 will kill the soul"

September 5, 2021, 06:45 AM	#12
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	They are or were a bargain for the money. I got my beat-up P90 police trade-in DAO for a super cheap bid on Gunbroker, like $150 or something. I shot it, liked it, and snagged a 9mm version and 40 caliber version in nicer shape for $200-$250 apiece. They are good quality pistols and I doubt I will wear one of them out in my lifetime. On the other hand, their triggers aren't the best and I don't end up taking them to the range much. So inexpensive HD weapon or "truck gun"? Perfect. Range toy, not so great if you have fulll-sized pistols in the same caliber that are more fun to shoot.

September 5, 2021, 09:24 AM	#14
FairWarning Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: GA Posts: 1,149	Those are +P hounds if you are so inclined. __________________ Mauser Werke, Schmidt-Rubin, Colt, Walther, HK, Weatherby, Sig Sauer, Browning, Ruger, Beretta, etc, etc....a few friends of mine

September 5, 2021, 11:05 AM	#15
Chuck Norris Member Join Date: April 9, 2019 Posts: 25	I looked up the specs when I bought mine to see if it was rated +p,it is rated +p+ which I had never heard of at the time. This was ab out 15 years ago.

September 6, 2021, 01:38 AM	#16
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,992	Yeah, Ruger was really proud of how strong the gun was. The manual for the 9mm P85/P89 pistols had a very impressive comment about ammunition. "The Ruger P-Series pistols are compatible with all factory ammunition loaded to U.S. Industry Standards, including high-velocity and hollow-point loads, loaded in brass, aluminum, or steel cartridge cases. No 9mm x 19, .45 ACP or .40 S & W ammunition manufactured in accordance with NATO, U.S., SAAMI, or CIP standards is known to be beyond the design limits or known not to function in these pistols." __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

September 6, 2021, 11:22 AM	#17
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Underrated gun. That and the P97 were very accurate. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

September 6, 2021, 06:15 PM	#18
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,974	the old ruger P-series are really cool guns. I hope to add one to my collection one day. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

September 6, 2021, 11:00 PM	#19
John D Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2000 Location: No. Arizona Posts: 436	Hope your 45 had a better trigger than my P89 9mm. Trigger was like a cap pistol. Awful...

September 6, 2021, 11:02 PM	#20
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,992	DA triggers on the PSeries guns were not great. I use one of mine for dryfire practice. Really gives the finger a workout. The SA triggers were ok, especially after some use. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

September 7, 2021, 08:24 AM	#21
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	DA trigger on mine is not too bad. SA trigger is excellent. __________________ Say when.....

September 7, 2021, 01:16 PM	#22
ZEBRARANGER Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 620	I've had my P90DC for many years now, its solid and reliable. Its been a known issue, but dont use the mags with metal followers, they gouge the feed ramp.

September 10, 2021, 12:55 PM	#24
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Yes, the P90 was built like a tank. Good quality gun for the money, and it is often overlooked. Since I prefer 9mm's, I wouldn't mind having the P89 in my stable. Would have to get it for the right price, though. They don't tend to appreciate all that much over time.

September 13, 2021, 09:02 AM	#25
Seedy Character Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2021 Location: SW Okla Posts: 201	Well, it IS a Ruger