Ruger P89DC for $309, buy or pass?

[CAJUNLAWYER]

If you can wrap your hands around it-good deal. The grip is too big and blocky for me. Other than that-a built like a brick handgun. Like the Beretta-only cheaper.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I will go shoot it today, to make sure that it works. I carried a full size all steel 1911 and 4" Nframes in recent years, so weight doesn't seem bad. I will likely have to buy new magazines. Three of the 15rd mags are unmarked aftermarket. I suspect that they are old USA brand from when USA quality was mediocre rather than terrible. The fourth mag is a 15rd ProMag, of seemingly more recent vintage. I would feel better with MecGar or Ruger factory.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Ruger has, or used to have, a page on its website for looking up year of production by serial number.

Looks like between 1993 and 1994.

Try this:

Ruger P89 Serial Number History

 

[GatorFarmer]

Looks like my Ruger left the factory when I was in my first years of college.

No surprises, it worked fine, digested various ammo without a hitch. Even the mystery mags worked.

But now I remember why I never bought one, years ago I did not like that ambi mag release. It still is not my favorite.

I shot a CZ75 today. It reminded me of my old Browning Hi Power, and reminded me why I skipped the Rugers in the past.

But...that was then and this is now. For the money spent, I like the P89, at least I like it better than the Sigma, Turk TP9 and even its own progeny the P95....all of which I have shot lately.

It will do. Even though the mags I have worked, I still think I had best get three MecGars or factory. I would rate the P89 as smoother over all than the somewhat older 459 that I got for $59 less a little while ago.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Not to change the topic but did you ever make that trade to get the revolver and the Enfield for your H&R?

 

[GatorFarmer]

Not to change the topic but did you ever make that trade to get the revolver and the Enfield for your H&R?

I did indeed. The Enfield is a No 4 Mk2, and an interesting bit of work. The buttplate is missing, the safety was broken, and someone had super glued a sling swivel to the barrel. The stock itself was cut back in the front and the handguard and protective fixture around the front sight removed. Best of all the metal had a lovely finish of BBQ paint. Someone left it loaded so the magazine spring is weak and does not want to feed the last round. They did put an ill fitting slip on pad on the stock to cover the missing butt plate. As a bonus it came with 80 odd rounds of Remington ammunition made in 1995.

Oh and the remaining wood in the front was cracked in two places.

I love it.

So I went to work on it. I removed the safety entirely. Taping up the slip on pad made it fit better, and then I laced a buttstock shell holder over that. Glued the cracks and moved the front sling swivel back by simply screwing an eye screw into a poorly filled hole already on the stock. Then I primed all the metal changing it to a dark gray. I still need to sand the innards to make the bolt smooth again. Then for further redneck utility I added a weapon light and mount I had laying around.

Now it is still an abomination from a purist view, but it is a more useful and self aware abomination. Next step, other than smoothing the innards, is to paint the whole thing in a rough approximation of Aussie WW2 jungle camo.

If I keep it, pre camo paint I have been offered $150 for it, I may see about shortening the barrel and adding a flash hider.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I love it when a plan comes together Best thing is the 80 rounds. Plenty of brass to reload on a Lee Hand Loader.
If you are looking to attach anything to the barrel or metal, 5200 comes in black.