Ruger P-90/P-97

Jesse · 03-12-2002, 10:47 PM

I just wanted to be the first to post on how much I like my Ruger P-90's and P-97's. "Ode to the Ruger .45ACP's... you will never be appreciated... you look like a Mack truck on the outside and a puzzle on the inside... Ah! But how you hit the mark without fail, reliable, yet unassuming...in a land determined to overlook you!"

HEEHEEHEE!

Paul C · 03-15-2002, 03:45 PM

I certainly agree that the P90 is a great machine, although I disagree with the looks and the puzzle. I also wanted to get used to the new forum. Looks good guys.

As far as "ugly," I think it is as pretty a pistol as any of them out there (stainless over gray.) Puzzle? Really not that bad. I had mine apart last night, and with a little practice, it can be taken down to the last spring and pin.

I haven't had a chance to get my hands on a P97 yet, but that should come up soon. I'll be looking forward to it!

Mike southers · 03-17-2002, 12:20 PM

My P90 is a sweetie in my book. I need to improve my shooting with it. It's not the gun, but the gunner in this case.

Mark · 03-23-2002, 11:20 PM

Now if we could just convince them to build a compact .45 model. I'm dreaming of something with a shorter barrel, polymer frame, and a double stack magazine to allow a shorter grip.
Best of all, with R U G E R on the slide.

Hey, it has worked for all the other manufacturers!

tyudi5bs · 04-01-2002, 01:42 AM

I actually just sold a P-97, yes, it was a great gun, it just didn't fit me right so i let it go. It was too large for my needs and at the range we just didn't get along. As i expected, now that it's gone, i kinda miss it. Oh well, reason to buy another i suppose.

Wolv314 · 04-14-2002, 05:05 AM

My P97 is a sweet shooter.

Mike southers · 04-15-2002, 10:32 AM

Added a Pachmayr slip on to oversize the grip on my P-90. Now fits my meat hook. Shot it Saturday. Hit consistently at 25 meters.

04-28-2002, 03:21 PM

If I had to choose between the 2 I would take the P90 because the grip can be replaced with wood for that traditional look. If I buy one I would buy Ajax fake ivory and have Sid Ryan scrimshaw them.
How accurate are the P90s ?

jerry · 04-28-2002, 05:44 PM

like the traditional look. Jesse are you getting commission on 90/97's? ha, ha,. had a 90. the 1911 satisfied my busy mind to a greater extent. Love my Rugers none the less!

Jesse · 04-28-2002, 06:42 PM

The P-90's are extremely accurate right out of the box. I've heard that 1 1/2" with 230 ball at 25yds is common but my experience shows the 230 ball groups around 2 1/2 -3" at 25 yds. The 1" groups I've seen and shot (rested) were with the really hot +p variety: 185gr. +p, 230gr. +p. The P-90 Ruger really likes hot ammo. I reccomend the use of a heavier recoil spring or a buffer system (Firedragon, Springco) for continual use of +p's. The factory recoil spring for the P-90 is 11#, designed for cycling softball loads. The buffer systems include all metal guiderods where the P-90 guiderod is aluminum alloy.
A rare beast for the P-90 are the old Pachmayer grips with the textured frontstrap and backstrap. I have found only two sets in 4 years of searching gunshows. These grips are really great if you use the P-90 for any competitve shooting or have a medium/large hand.
The best aftermarket sights I've found for this pistol are the Ashley standard dot express/tritium.
The P-97 8-shot magazines work well in the P-90.

Jesse

Mike southers · 05-09-2002, 02:44 PM

OK, and where might I come up with one of these oversized Pachmayr grips? Ajax and Lett won't do custom grips for my P90.

Jesse · 05-09-2002, 03:54 PM

Mike, they are getting hard to find... I found only two pair in several years of searching gunshows. Most dealers who have them are glad to move them since the Hogues are now in style. Pachmayer may sell them direct, but be prepared to pay full retail+shipping.

Hogue makes a nice set of wood grips now for the Ruger P-series pistols. The Pachmayers are special to me because you hardly ever see a pair on a P-90 Ruger. The textured frontstrap/backstrap are just the ticket for medium to large hands.

Jesse

Jesse · 05-13-2002, 11:48 AM

Kudos to alan c. I was checking my Pachmayer gripped Ruger p-90 Saturday night and found my ejector pin was also backing out! I checked Ruger's panel grips and found a pad on both grip panels was engineered into the mold to hold the ejector pin in place. I will be modifying the Pachmayers to do the same.

Thanks alan c...!

Jesse

Magnum88C · 06-10-2002, 08:00 PM

I prefer my P-90s over my P-97.

I have big hands and the P-90 fills my grip, the 97 doesn't.
The P-90s will feed anything reliably, evebn 165-gr wadcutters, the 97 won't feed wadcutters (this is NOT a detriment in any way to the suitability of the P-97 as a defensive gun, but a plus to the P-90).

Both are nice, big, accurate (my P-90 will cloverleaf with 230-gr. ball, and LOVES Cor-Bon +p with that big ol' flying ashtray bullet), and tough as nails.

In my opinion, a higher QUALITY gun cannot be found, even at higher prices. I like my 1911s, but they aren't any better than my Rugers, but were more expensive.

God, I love the Rugers.

Revolver or autoloader, I haven't found a Ruger handgun that I didn't like.

Magnum

NRAJOE · 06-10-2002, 08:45 PM

Had a P97 ,got rid of it,shot nasty and wasn't accurate, If ya wanna shoot .45 get a 1911 model of any make any model.

Jesse · 06-11-2002, 10:55 AM

Magnum 88C, I too have experienced tremendous accuracy with the Ruger P-90 and Cor-bon ammo. The +p loads really make a big difference!

Jesse

Mike southers · 06-11-2002, 01:27 PM

Saw a Para Ordnance shorty the other day (Para Carry?). Sweet little .45. Just needs a Ruger name and price tag. I can get 2 P-90's for the price of the LDA by Para Ordnance.

Jesse · 11-22-2002, 11:22 AM

I find myself gravitating more to the P-90 now. The P-97 is really accurate, but the stories I'm hearing about the slide stop working it's way loose and jamming the slide really concerns me. I personally have never seen this happen, but after testing mine by applying pressure to the opposite side of the slide stop while the slide is moving, I'm convinced it can...

mbott · 12-21-2002, 04:11 PM

Picked up my first P97 when they were first available. Put about 7,500 rounds through it without any problems. Accurate, too. Sold it early last year when I was infected with a very bad case of CZ-itis. Sold a P95, too. Replaced the P95 earlier this year. Tuesday, I replaced the P97. Had it to the range yesterday and put about 300 rounds through it. This one is even more accurate than the first one I owned. No flying slide stop, either.

Need to replace the SP101 I sold and it was on the top of my "next gun" list until this morning. Came across a CZ P-01. Decisions, decisions.

UPDATE: The CZ 75 P-01 won out.

--
Mike

alan c. · 12-22-2002, 09:42 AM

Just got a P95 to go along with my P89. Hogue grips on the P89.

03-12-2002, 10:47 PM	#1
Jesse Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,950 Images: 2	Ruger P-90/P-97 I just wanted to be the first to post on how much I like my Ruger P-90's and P-97's. "Ode to the Ruger .45ACP's... you will never be appreciated... you look like a Mack truck on the outside and a puzzle on the inside... Ah! But how you hit the mark without fail, reliable, yet unassuming...in a land determined to overlook you!" HEEHEEHEE!

03-23-2002, 11:20 PM	#4
Mark Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Williamston, NC Posts: 86	Just Dreaming.... Now if we could just convince them to build a compact .45 model. I'm dreaming of something with a shorter barrel, polymer frame, and a double stack magazine to allow a shorter grip. Best of all, with R U G E R on the slide. Hey, it has worked for all the other manufacturers!

04-15-2002, 10:32 AM	#7
Mike southers Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: middle coast Posts: 162	re: P-90 Added a Pachmayr slip on to oversize the grip on my P-90. Now fits my meat hook. Shot it Saturday. Hit consistently at 25 meters.

04-28-2002, 06:42 PM	#10
Jesse Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,950 Images: 2	Kudos to the P-90! The P-90's are extremely accurate right out of the box. I've heard that 1 1/2" with 230 ball at 25yds is common but my experience shows the 230 ball groups around 2 1/2 -3" at 25 yds. The 1" groups I've seen and shot (rested) were with the really hot +p variety: 185gr. +p, 230gr. +p. The P-90 Ruger really likes hot ammo. I reccomend the use of a heavier recoil spring or a buffer system (Firedragon, Springco) for continual use of +p's. The factory recoil spring for the P-90 is 11#, designed for cycling softball loads. The buffer systems include all metal guiderods where the P-90 guiderod is aluminum alloy. A rare beast for the P-90 are the old Pachmayer grips with the textured frontstrap and backstrap. I have found only two sets in 4 years of searching gunshows. These grips are really great if you use the P-90 for any competitve shooting or have a medium/large hand. The best aftermarket sights I've found for this pistol are the Ashley standard dot express/tritium. The P-97 8-shot magazines work well in the P-90. Jesse __________________ Jesse www.gunandgame.com

05-09-2002, 03:54 PM	#12
Jesse Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,950 Images: 2	P-90 Pachmayer grips Mike, they are getting hard to find... I found only two pair in several years of searching gunshows. Most dealers who have them are glad to move them since the Hogues are now in style. Pachmayer may sell them direct, but be prepared to pay full retail+shipping. Hogue makes a nice set of wood grips now for the Ruger P-series pistols. The Pachmayers are special to me because you hardly ever see a pair on a P-90 Ruger. The textured frontstrap/backstrap are just the ticket for medium to large hands. Jesse

03-15-2002, 03:45 PM	#2
Paul C Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 4	I certainly agree that the P90 is a great machine, although I disagree with the looks and the puzzle. I also wanted to get used to the new forum. Looks good guys. As far as "ugly," I think it is as pretty a pistol as any of them out there (stainless over gray.) Puzzle? Really not that bad. I had mine apart last night, and with a little practice, it can be taken down to the last spring and pin. I haven't had a chance to get my hands on a P97 yet, but that should come up soon. I'll be looking forward to it!

03-17-2002, 12:20 PM	#3
Mike southers Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: middle coast Posts: 162	My P90 is a sweetie in my book. I need to improve my shooting with it. It's not the gun, but the gunner in this case.

04-01-2002, 01:42 AM	#5
tyudi5bs Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: VA Posts: 8	I actually just sold a P-97, yes, it was a great gun, it just didn't fit me right so i let it go. It was too large for my needs and at the range we just didn't get along. As i expected, now that it's gone, i kinda miss it. Oh well, reason to buy another i suppose.

04-14-2002, 05:05 AM	#6
Wolv314 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Texas Posts: 9	My P97 is a sweet shooter.

04-28-2002, 03:21 PM	#8
Logansdad Guest Posts: n/a	If I had to choose between the 2 I would take the P90 because the grip can be replaced with wood for that traditional look. If I buy one I would buy Ajax fake ivory and have Sid Ryan scrimshaw them. How accurate are the P90s ?

04-28-2002, 05:44 PM	#9
jerry Short Time Shirt Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 13,229 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	like the traditional look. Jesse are you getting commission on 90/97's? ha, ha,. had a 90. the 1911 satisfied my busy mind to a greater extent. Love my Rugers none the less!

05-09-2002, 02:44 PM	#11
Mike southers Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: middle coast Posts: 162	OK, and where might I come up with one of these oversized Pachmayr grips? Ajax and Lett won't do custom grips for my P90.

05-13-2002, 11:48 AM	#13
Jesse Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,950 Images: 2	Kudos to alan c. I was checking my Pachmayer gripped Ruger p-90 Saturday night and found my ejector pin was also backing out! I checked Ruger's panel grips and found a pad on both grip panels was engineered into the mold to hold the ejector pin in place. I will be modifying the Pachmayers to do the same. Thanks alan c...! Jesse __________________ Jesse www.gunandgame.com

06-10-2002, 08:00 PM	#14
Magnum88C Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 6	P-90s I prefer my P-90s over my P-97. I have big hands and the P-90 fills my grip, the 97 doesn't. The P-90s will feed anything reliably, evebn 165-gr wadcutters, the 97 won't feed wadcutters (this is NOT a detriment in any way to the suitability of the P-97 as a defensive gun, but a plus to the P-90). Both are nice, big, accurate (my P-90 will cloverleaf with 230-gr. ball, and LOVES Cor-Bon +p with that big ol' flying ashtray bullet), and tough as nails. In my opinion, a higher QUALITY gun cannot be found, even at higher prices. I like my 1911s, but they aren't any better than my Rugers, but were more expensive. God, I love the Rugers. Revolver or autoloader, I haven't found a Ruger handgun that I didn't like. Magnum

06-10-2002, 08:45 PM	#15
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,737 Images: 3	Had a P97 ,got rid of it,shot nasty and wasn't accurate, If ya wanna shoot .45 get a 1911 model of any make any model. __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

06-11-2002, 10:55 AM	#16
Jesse Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,950 Images: 2	Magnum 88C, I too have experienced tremendous accuracy with the Ruger P-90 and Cor-bon ammo. The +p loads really make a big difference! Jesse __________________ Jesse www.gunandgame.com

06-11-2002, 01:27 PM	#17
Mike southers Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: middle coast Posts: 162	Saw a Para Ordnance shorty the other day (Para Carry?). Sweet little .45. Just needs a Ruger name and price tag. I can get 2 P-90's for the price of the LDA by Para Ordnance.

11-22-2002, 11:22 AM	#18
Jesse Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,950 Images: 2	I find myself gravitating more to the P-90 now. The P-97 is really accurate, but the stories I'm hearing about the slide stop working it's way loose and jamming the slide really concerns me. I personally have never seen this happen, but after testing mine by applying pressure to the opposite side of the slide stop while the slide is moving, I'm convinced it can... __________________ Jesse www.gunandgame.com

12-21-2002, 04:11 PM	#19
mbott Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Central, OH Posts: 44	Picked up my first P97 when they were first available. Put about 7,500 rounds through it without any problems. Accurate, too. Sold it early last year when I was infected with a very bad case of CZ-itis. Sold a P95, too. Replaced the P95 earlier this year. Tuesday, I replaced the P97. Had it to the range yesterday and put about 300 rounds through it. This one is even more accurate than the first one I owned. No flying slide stop, either. Need to replace the SP101 I sold and it was on the top of my "next gun" list until this morning. Came across a CZ P-01. Decisions, decisions. UPDATE: The CZ 75 P-01 won out. -- Mike Last edited by mbott; 12-23-2002 at 11:40 AM.

12-22-2002, 09:42 AM	#20
alan c. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pasadena,Tejas - also known as Texas Posts: 3,769 Images: 15 Blog Entries: 3	Just got a P95 to go along with my P89. Hogue grips on the P89. __________________ God Bless. From Tejas -- formerly known as Texas. Last edited by alan c.; 03-31-2006 at 04:26 PM.