Thoughts on Ruger P85 9mm

[mstalcup]

I just got what I think to be one hell of a deal on a Ruger P85 9mm. I go pick it up on Friday and just wanted to get yalls opinion on the gun. I couldn't pass it up for a price of only $190!! The gun shows some wear but that is to be expected from a gun that is 30 years old. If I decide I like it and hang onto it than I may polish the barrel since it is stainless and ceracote the frame and slide black. I plan on picking up a set of the houge grips for it and might put a new set of sights on. what are yalls suggestions for sights?

 

[Pretoria78]

IF you have any problems with it, Ruger's customer service should take good care of you.

 

[mstalcup]

thanks. I went to this guy that is a FFL to purchase a Rossi stainless 2" 38 special for $250 and while I was filling out my backround check paperwork he pulls out this p85 and say that he would sell that for $190. I looked over the gun really good field stripped it just to make sure that everything seamed to be in working condition and made my mind up. I feel that I got a good deal on it after looking at what they are going for on gunbroker.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

They were good guns. Only downside is mags. At that price I would have bought it too

 

[Kman]

Can't help you on sight choices, but I had a P85 and it was an absolute tank. I only sold it because someone offered me plenty more than I paid for it.

 

[damifinowfish]

IF you have any problems with it, Ruger's customer service should take good care of you.

If the gun is out of production good luck. I bought an Old Army that needed a new hammer. Ruger told me "they no longer support guns that have been discontinued" After a six month search I found the part on ebay.

I would not hesitate in buying a Ruger. They make very good guns. I've owned several and have been real happy with them. The issue with my Old Army was a case of the owner not knowing how to use a file to lighten up the trigger pull. My first 9mm was a P89

Enjoy you new to you Ruger

 

[mstalcup]

Thank you guys. everything I read about them says that they are freaking tanks and shoot 147gr ammo great and is one of the most accurate "budget" 9mm pistols. the only downside I have read about is the front sight is a proprietary ruger style and the aftermarket sights are not drilled for the 2 roll pins that hold it in and you or a gunsmith have to drill it out.

 

[mstalcup]

Yeah Ruger makes one hell of a gun and at that price I couldn't let it slip away

 

[Pretoria78]

Worst case, if you get the gun and don't like it (for whatever reason), you could easily sell it for more than you paid.

 

[cotman68]

That was my first handgun in '90. Had it for 7 years and traded it. Wish I still had it. No problems. You got a good deal

 

[MigraineMan]

That deal might have convinced me to get my HQL. I personally like the P-series, but some folks equate the factory grips to "holding a 2x4." Definitely built like a tank.

 

[mstalcup]

holding a 2x4 hahaha yeah the only thing I don't like about it is the grips. Definitely going to be ordering some Hogue grips.

 

[aquaman]

im sure its better than the SR9

 

[fivepointstar]

ABSOLUTELY great gun!!! I bought one back in 1991 its a tank.

Only drawback just like Ruger it was recalled, IIRC the gun would fire if dropped and the safety was on. THey fixed the recalls so make sure of that. The 2nd Edition was the Ruger P85 MII where the fixed the recall

 

[fivepointstar]

if there was one locally for that price I would buy them. ALso forgot to tell you the mags are interchanable with the P85, P85MII, P89 and P90 IIRC. Maybe even the P95 which is the poly version. so mags are easy to fine

 

[Biggfoot44]

Not the P90 , that's a .45acp.

They're chunky and kinda ugly. As noted the few bugs in the early ones were corrected with the Mark II . Other than that , they are near indestructable.in the days before interchangable back straps , not very much able to change how it fits. The Hogue slip on will give you essentially the same result as the Hogue replacement grip, and will be faster/ easier/ cheaper for you to decide if the gun will work for you.

Go to the Ruger Forum (dot) net , and you will find much love for them.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Bad news is the above mentioned dual pinned front sight. Flip side is most people are happy with it, unless you have a burning desire for night sights.

It's your gun and your money, but realize for CeraCoating and new sights installed you'll be spending close to twice what you paid for the gun.

 

[Magnumite]

I had a P85 Mk II and sold it. Been kicking myself ever since. Good service grade accuracy, clean up the draw bar and the trigger (especially DA) will be acceptable, consistant 4" groups 25 yards, often smaller, with bulk 115 grain ammo.

 

[Sewer Rat]

P90 was my first semi..... yup, like its cousin the P89, a brick... not bad for a shooter, really probably more accurate then I am... the 29 yr old and the 13 yr old love shooting it.

 

[mstalcup]

Thank you guys for sharing all your info on this pistol. I knew I was buying a quality pistol when I saw the ruger logo but didn't realize how popular these things were and still are. cant wait to pick it up tomorrow!