Normally not a fan of double action pistols, but looked at a friend's Ruger P95 9MM pistol. Good weight and fairly smooth trigger. Would appreciate input on pros and cons, etc. What would be as good an alternative (looks like P95 is not an expensive pistol).
Ruger P95 opinions
- Thread starter TOM BECKWITH
- Start date
Erich
Member
Pros: They're inexpensive and they work.
Cons: They're no longer made and they're larger than they have to be.
Alternatives: too numerous to discuss - depends on your priorities
Cons: They're no longer made and they're larger than they have to be.
Alternatives: too numerous to discuss - depends on your priorities
Fishinfool
Member
The Ruger P-95 is a very good pistol for the money. I have a lot of experience with them training a departments LEO's with them. Combat accurate, very reliable, good, smooth triggers in the DA only version, and durable. Most people find the grip comfortable. Drawbacks? - Ruger magazines for this series are a little fragile, and the gun is on the chunky side for concealed carry. Overall, a very under rated platform.
Larry
Larry
OP
Erich, thanks for reply. I normally carry a Para P-13 reworked trigger and no plastic. Would use the Ruger as a back-up, car gun - something that would be cheap, cheap ammo, and reliable.
Larry, thanks for your input also. Will probably pick up one if a great deal comes up. New toys are fun.
Larry, thanks for your input also. Will probably pick up one if a great deal comes up. New toys are fun.
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S&WIowegan
US Veteran
My brother has one and I can recommend it. It shoots great holes in the dirt right by his foot. He was just learning manual of arms and removed his magazine. Failed to clear the gun and dropped the hammer before I could stop him. A good learning experience(for him); he won't forget again!
Erich
Member
Man, it'd be just dandy for that. Put it in one of those cable-down safes to keep some of the dust out and keep it locked down, and forget about it. It'll work when you take it out.
JaPes
Member
I've owned two of them over the years. First one was a blued model.
I liked it but didn't love it. I got annoyed by the lack of aftermarket sights. I traded it off to get something else. A couple years go by, and I get nostalgic about it. I buy another one. This time, I decide to go stainless.
Went to the range a few times with it. I then became annoyed by the sights. I remembered why I let it go. Again, it was traded off to fund a different firearm.
Pro: The P95 is built like a tank. Even though it's big and clunky, the darn thing just works well. I have an extreme dislike for slide mounted safeties. I really didn't mind the safety on the P95. At the time, it was one of the best "bang for the buck" guns out there.
Con: The sights suck. I couldn't find a decent set of aftermarket sights that was worth the price. While the pistol is nice, it wasn't overly special.
If I were to get another P-Series, I'd find a good condition, used, metal frame, full size, Ruger P89. Even then, I'd have to think about it real hard. Nowadays, there are plenty of very inexpensive and good pistols out there. I've seen...
I've also had experience with the ultimate inexpensive trunk gun, a Hi-Point JHP45.
I know it's a knee jerk reaction to put down the Hi-Point, but this gun was surprisingly good for the $100 I paid for it new. Once I got acclimated to the trigger, the Hi-Point was very easy to get bullseyes with. The fixed barrel lends itself to accuracy. Because it was super inexpensive, I didn't bother to break it down but one time over the two years I owned it. I'd just shoot it, and then spray some lube on it and be good to go. I only cleaned it when I sold it to someone who just had to have one at the tail end of the firearms panic.
I liked it but didn't love it. I got annoyed by the lack of aftermarket sights. I traded it off to get something else. A couple years go by, and I get nostalgic about it. I buy another one. This time, I decide to go stainless.
Went to the range a few times with it. I then became annoyed by the sights. I remembered why I let it go. Again, it was traded off to fund a different firearm.
Pro: The P95 is built like a tank. Even though it's big and clunky, the darn thing just works well. I have an extreme dislike for slide mounted safeties. I really didn't mind the safety on the P95. At the time, it was one of the best "bang for the buck" guns out there.
Con: The sights suck. I couldn't find a decent set of aftermarket sights that was worth the price. While the pistol is nice, it wasn't overly special.
If I were to get another P-Series, I'd find a good condition, used, metal frame, full size, Ruger P89. Even then, I'd have to think about it real hard. Nowadays, there are plenty of very inexpensive and good pistols out there. I've seen...
- Walther PPX at about $279
- Sig P250 at about $320
- Taurus PT92 Two Tone at about $389
- Tri-Star CZ Clones at about $300
- Canik TP9 for about $290
I've also had experience with the ultimate inexpensive trunk gun, a Hi-Point JHP45.
I know it's a knee jerk reaction to put down the Hi-Point, but this gun was surprisingly good for the $100 I paid for it new. Once I got acclimated to the trigger, the Hi-Point was very easy to get bullseyes with. The fixed barrel lends itself to accuracy. Because it was super inexpensive, I didn't bother to break it down but one time over the two years I owned it. I'd just shoot it, and then spray some lube on it and be good to go. I only cleaned it when I sold it to someone who just had to have one at the tail end of the firearms panic.
LVSteve
Member
The P-95 is a solid, low cost gun with hopeless sights. Sure, they are three dot, but they are tiny and squished up like they had been crowded on top of a PPK slide.
As for alternatives, go to Gunbroker, type in "9mm" in the top search window, then select "Semi auto pistols" from the sidebar, then sort for price, make etc. For a knock about vehicle gun I'd go Arcus or Stoeger.
As for alternatives, go to Gunbroker, type in "9mm" in the top search window, then select "Semi auto pistols" from the sidebar, then sort for price, make etc. For a knock about vehicle gun I'd go Arcus or Stoeger.
+1
IMO, the entire Ruger P-series offers lotsa value for the money but I never was a fan of the P-series. Not to say they're bad guns.
Arik
Member
My first gun was a P95. The trigger was awful. DA was a gritty inconsistent 15 lb pull. I've never seen a P series Ruger with a good trigger. As a noob I was shooting it at the range and getting pretty good grouping. ...for a shotgun. The guy next to me let me try his G26 and my groups instantly shrank by 90%. That Ruger went bye bye real fast.
Imo, trunk gun or not, a good gun that still has aftermarket support. The market right now is flooded with used guns. I'd look for something that's overall a better gun
Imo, trunk gun or not, a good gun that still has aftermarket support. The market right now is flooded with used guns. I'd look for something that's overall a better gun
Erich
Member
Wow, Arik, I'm surprised to hear that - I've seen lotsof P-series Rugers with good (not "target," but solidly good) triggers. Including a friend's P95 . . . and my ugly old P90. One-hole groups at 10 yards, reliable as an AK, and perfectly happy with my +P+ .45 handloads.
Arik
Member
I don't know what to tell you. I'm not picky on triggers and certainly not trying to compare it to a competition trigger. Every gun I own has stock triggers...HK, which are not the greatest, Glocks, Sig, S&W. ..all stock. Rugers are just plain bad. Heavy and uneven. I like single stack 45s and have been trying to get the legacy guns. Wanted to get them all and compare then stick with the best of the bunch. I have a 1911, W . German Sig P220, S&W 4566/86 and wanted to get the Ruger but after trying a bunch I didn't bother buying ony
tbgunner88
Member
I've owned one for 3 years and have nothing but good things to say about it.
I have a P95 decock mod with the stainless slide. Very reliable pistol.
A bit chunky but fits my hand well. My only real gripe is that the top
of the rear sight is rather sharp. Value remains high for used ones
considering the new price. Rated for +P+ ammo by Ruger.
A bit chunky but fits my hand well. My only real gripe is that the top
of the rear sight is rather sharp. Value remains high for used ones
considering the new price. Rated for +P+ ammo by Ruger.
Erich
Member
It's true that all guns are different, for sure. Sorry you'e had a run of bad luck with the Rugers . . . but keep after it!
(Related to one of your remarks - the joke around the gun store used to be "How do you say 'Ruger' in German? HK!" 
)I have one and like it but it's being sold to fund something else. Possibly a M&P9c.
I can shoot it very well and the SA trigger is OK but they are very susceptible to limp wristing. My wife does not care for it and I can't carry it so it's going to go.
Built like a tank, combat accurate, easy to clean and soft shooting. It's an excellent value.
I can shoot it very well and the SA trigger is OK but they are very susceptible to limp wristing. My wife does not care for it and I can't carry it so it's going to go.
Built like a tank, combat accurate, easy to clean and soft shooting. It's an excellent value.
RufusG
Member
A P95DC was my first 9mm semi. I put about 5500 rounds through it and had zero failures of any kind. I love my third gen Smiths, but out of all the semis I have ever shot, there was something about the way that Ruger cycled that made it seem like it couldn't possibly jam.
Brian41
Member
I have their .40 S&W version of the pistol and think it's a good value. I first got the Ruger carbine they made in .40 S&W and then the pistol as they share the same mags. They made the carbine in 9mm as well.
It's rather nice to have the pair that can share the same mags and ammo. The pistols are sold at good prices around here at least. I forget now what I paid for mine but it was a good deal. The carbines though are getting expensive if you can even find them.
I've not shot my pistol that much but it's always functioned 100% for me and was accurate enough for my uses.
It's rather nice to have the pair that can share the same mags and ammo. The pistols are sold at good prices around here at least. I forget now what I paid for mine but it was a good deal. The carbines though are getting expensive if you can even find them.
I've not shot my pistol that much but it's always functioned 100% for me and was accurate enough for my uses.
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