Review Ruger P95
I guess I should state my qualifications so that this posting will be read in its proper perspective. I have owned several guns, and with the exception of a couple of flintlock pistols all have been long guns. I still have 2 flintlock lock guns a replica 75 caliber replica Brown Bess, and a 45 Caliber Thompson Center Hawkins. I haven't fired either in almost 20 years. I have only had very limmited exposure to modern semiautomatic handguns.I've wanted a good handgun for a while. The great Rita Evacuation had me feeling a little vulnerable, but mostly I just wanted one to pop of a few rounds at the range once in a while. Personal protection was only minor reason for my wanting a handgun. My Brown Bess makes a fine club for home protection.
I wanted a semi-automatic of around 9mm. A real safety was important and I didn't want to spend more than $600. I decided on the Ruger stainless steel P95 for $368 at Academy Sports and Outdoors. It boasted the following features:
- 9mm, good size amunition is cheap and plentiful. With hollow points it should make good sized holes.
- Comes with 2, 15 round magazines. Clips this size might become rare some day. I thought the 2 clips was pretty generous and fill my immediate requirements.
- A real safety, that when reenabled leaves the first shot in double action mode. If one feels that they want to keep the safety off, the gun needs either a long hard pull on the trigger or pulling the hammer back. A pretty neat feature as long as its an option.
- Reputation. Ruger is an American company with an excellent reputation for service. The P95 has a good reputation for being trouble free.
- A great price, although I was willing to spend more this gun presented good value for the dollar.
I got the gun home and proceded to check it out. It came in a servicable case with manual 2, 15 round clips and, a piece of black sheetmetal they refered to as a magazine loader. Its usefulness would become clearer later.
I read through the manual, rather quickly and not real thoroughly. Loaded the clip with some rounds. the first couple were a sorta awkward but after about 10, it became real tough and tended to hurt ones fingers. I tried to figure out the magazine loader, there was no help to be found in the manual, eventually I figured it out and loading became a lot easier.
My next adventure was to disassemble and clean it. I struggled a bit, although once you figure things out its actually pretty easy. There are 2 alignment lines that are a little difficult to line up. It is hard to see the one small marking on the black plastic frame. Lining up the 2 points while fighting the tension of the springs all the while trying to remove slide lock. Oh yeah, don't forget to rotate the ejector pin all the way down. You have to reach in through the top to do this. It was a bit of a struggle trying to figure it all out. but once its done the first time it should be pretty easy to do it again.
Today was the fun part. I took it down to the range. Equality and I went down to the Texas City Municiple gun range. The good folks there were very courteous and did a great job of letting us have our fun while never compromising safety. We fired about 80 rounds of T's reloads that I spent about 15 bucks for 100 rounds. I loaded 15 to clip and we fired 80 rounds, we never had a problem. No jams no misfires. My wife has small hands and didn't find the bulky looking grips dificult to manage. The kick was less than what we expected, and the discarded brass went mostly up and toward the right. Although the gun is pretty ambidexterous. Left handers might find they get some brass in the chest. We both found it a little discomforting that when one puts the safety on that the hammer will come crashing home. I suppose we will get used to that. We made lots of little holes in the paper and had a great time.
All in all I'm real happy with it. It may prove that this handgun might be a little big for those who wish to wear it concealed. Its not a light weight at 28 ounces. It is a good reliable gun that is comfortable to shoot, and at e very good price. I have a feeling I'm going to be happy with this for a very long time.
posted by Liberty @ 7:07 PM
26 Comments:
A superb review of a superb pistol. Do tell though, what kind of accuracy were you extracting from the Ruger? And did it seem to have a "preference" for one particular load or another?
And Liberty, and invite for you sir. Most any given Sunday, I'd be honored to go burn up some gunpowder for a few hours. Just give me buzz in the e-mail.
Oh, and thanks for your kind link to Us or Them. I am duly, honored.
Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX
The only rounds I fired were the T's reloads. I wasn't getting a lot of accuracy. and was all over the bullseye at at 3 and 7 yards. The range guy told me that I was doing well enough though for the CHL. My main intention was just to get familiar with the gun and its behavior. My wife, Equality got to fire a gun for the first time also. My next time out I will take accuracy a little more seriously, and will probably use Winchester 115 gr target loads. At one time I was a pretty decent shot with a rifle, but this is different creature alltogether. It would be great to go pop off a few rounds with you. I'll drop off an email and see about when we can do it.
ive had my ruger for a few years now and have shot everything and i mean EVERYTHING through it and it has served me well, although i find it hard for me to belive through the 1000s of rounds i have put through it in every ammo imaginable, i have not had one single problem with it. My old lady didnt like the bulky grip either , but then again its MY gun, she carries a snub 357 so i wouldnt mess with her. But back to the ruger, i love the higher loads compared to the lower ones but im a power freal i guess, anyways enough rambeling on about the P95. Buy it shoot it enjoy it
The P95 I bought is flawless. I qualified at the range, stronge hand only at 50 feet. 3.9" barrel didn't alter the results even with my berreta military issue. Feeds everything and is accurate. Never hesitate to try or buy a ruger. love these guns.
P95 is an awesome gun! I strongly recommend getting a hogue grip, it makes it feel so much more secure in your hands. Especially if you tend to have sweaty hands like me. I have a hogue grip and a light on the rail. It is an excellent home defense gun, and with 15 round mags, would definitely ruin the day of any intruder or intruders for that matter. Be Safe!
I just bought my P95 a couple days ago. But I got a used one at a pawn shop. I only got gun and clip. But I can only fit nine, ten if I push it, into the mag. It's my first semi-auto so I'm learning as I go. But my real question is what is the caliber of a 9mm? My room mate has a S&W .357 magnum and we tried to compare the two. When two men live together you have to know who has the biggest gun. Anyways, respond or write me on myspace.com/theangrysurrealist
I used to hunt allot when I was younger but I got away form the sport and I have not fired a hand gun in about 10 years. I bought a Ruger P95PR friday at Academy for $349. I studied the manual and learned how to operate the weapon. I then practiced loading unloading, safety etc.. at home.
Today I took the gun to the range and had no problems hitting the target. I ran 100 rounds of winchester full metal jacket and it worked flawlessly. I really like how the safety works, I actually think I will feel safe teaching my wife to shoot it. I shot singles through it, shot the magazines that came with it, shot 2 after market 15 round magazines and it never missed a beat (or the target)!
I was in the market for a 9mm handgun. While at my local gun range here in Wheeling, WV, I got to shoot a Ruger P95 that an off duty police officer had with him. I loved the gun so much I went directly to Cabela's and purchased one. I can't wait to shoot my own after work. We have steel-plate competition tonight.
I have been a pistol shooter for many years. Owned many different types but always come back to Ruger.
I have a p95 for self defence home/car and it is loaded with 143 grain hollow points. Great combination. Lots of stopping power fast round so very accurate I get 4" groups at over 40 feet nice gun to shoot but a bit bulky for everyday carry a Glock 27 works well with that in mind. A previous poster asked what the caliber was of his 9 mm,,,,Well its 9 mm which is around the same size as a .38 or 357 the 357 can soot .38 special or 357 rounds
I also own a P95 and the mods I have added are a Hogue Hand all Grip,Williams Fiber optic sights and a 17 pound hammer spring.
Thes 3 mods cost about $65.00 plus a little for a gunsmith to drill the front sight.
This made the 95 the dream pistol.
Do these mods. and you will be a better shot.
Hey Sam,
I just bought a p95, and I would love to make the same mods. What williams sights in particular? Thanks :)
The Williams Fire Sight part # 56360. I bought it from Midway gun parts.You can also get the hammer springs and grip from them also.
The front sight is red with 2 green in the rear.
These light up real nice in dim natural light.
I'm purchasing my first handgun and I've decided on the ruger p95. I am wondering though, as a "newbie" would it be better to go with the manual safety or the decocker model? Also, is it worth the extra $$$ to go with the stainless steel vs. the blued? Thanks.
I have the stainless and I carry it. Its hot and humid around here and being stainless gives it that extra protection. I really like it.
I like having a safety. Its all a matter of preference though. I don't like having to depend soley on the double action for my safety. The thing is if you buy this gun with the manual safety for personal protection make sure you practice ticking off the safety when you practice. The Ruger does have a nice easy to thumb up safety.
Y'all were sayin' you didnt like the way the safety came 'crashing down' when you had the hammer pulled back. the trick to this safety is, when you put the safety on, it turns a little metal cube type item, and that separates the hammer from the firing pin itself. my brother has a p89 9mm and it has the same safety. so don't worry with that, it's completly safe. and, im not sure if you know this, but i've always heard: 'guns don't kill people, gaping holes in vital organs kill people.' and 'if guns kill people, can i blame my pencil for misspelled words?' i am an avid ruger fan, and i love the p95 it's a great gun
i own 2 other ruger guns, a 10/22 all weather rifle, and a single-six 22/22 mag revolver. i have never had a single problem with my other ruger firearm, so when it came to getting a new hand gun i went straight to ruger. i am getting mine soon and cant wait.
Liberty or someone who has a lot of experiance with guns,
My fiancee recently bought the same ruger that Liberty bought, I am a small girl at 5'4" and 125lbs. I was wondering, this being the first gun I will have ever fired, if it was ok for me to practice with it? If so, are there any tips about how I should hold it or stand? We are going to a gun range, but I'd like to get as much information as I can about it. I am nervous about it although I have done some research on the gun itself. I'd be much obliged to any information on this matter.
Carrie
Columbia, MO
Carrie,
The P95 is excellent begginers pistol. It was my first modern handgun. The gun is surprising well balance and easy to shoot. Some folks have a hard time loading mags especially in the 15 rounders. Ruger was kind enough to proved a loading tool to make it a lot easier.
The perceived kick is mild, and is noticeable by a tendency for the muzzle to flip up. The grip is a little large for ladys with very small hands.
I have had a couple of ladies Fire my Ruger as their first handgun. They both found it pleasant to shoot.
One word of advice, please use hearing protection. Believe it or not it will make you a better shooter. Enjoy
Carrie,
Just Try using 2 hands wrapped around the gun. Weak hand wrapped around strong hand, with thumbs parrallel. Firing one handed isn't a problem but most of us aren't as accurate that way.
Love shooting my p95. Eats all ammo and is much more accurate than I'll ever be. The one draw back I found were the sights. 2 dollars at the local hobby store for some bright white metal paint cured the problem. I do have a 92fs and even though it's prettier I enjoy my P95 more. Be safe and have fun.
JJL2245
Rhode Island
By Texas Yankee, what DO YOU MEAN ?
Question? Why do you call yourself a Texas Yankee? Just curious. I live in Houston, Texas and curious. I'm in the process of acquiring my first gun and like the Ruger P95. I've been told to go to a shooting range and work all the guns and see which one you prefer. Any good ranges in houston? I'm close to Hobby Airport.
just wondering if you are a yankee fan or from northeast. Why texasyankee?
I was born and raised and spent most of my life in Massachusetts. I've been in Texas now for 20 years, and consider myself as Texan as any one else. You don't completely take the Yankee out of a man just cause he moved out away. I still have some of the hardnose qualities of an old fashioned Yankee. I love Texas and consider it my home, but my Yankee accent will tell folks wear I was raised.
I go almost exclusively to the Texas City Municiple Gun Range, They charge 6 dollars a gun, but don't have any guns to loan out. I know there are few ranges where you can rent out a gun in Houston but I don't really know which ones they are. You might check out TexasCHLForum.com They have a sub forum on Ranges there. I'm Liberty there also. Good luck!
Rob, I'm originally from Massachusetts. That team from N.Y is the enemy
Ohhhhhh noooo liberty ! I'm originally from NY and moved to Houston in 2000. A Texan woman forced me here..lol ! The team from Boston is my enemy...lol ! My northeast/NY accent will always be with me but i've grown to have that southern hospitality.
I will say this, a playoff without both teams is a boring playoffs.From one former new yorker to a former bay stater...thank you for your answer. How's that P95? Interested in making that my first gun.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home >>