Ruger p85 first handgun?

James1873

James1873

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Finally got approved for my rpal last Thursday. So while I'm waiting for it to come in, I'm looking around for an inexpensive option for a handgun. Noticed a ruger p85. Looks bulky but nice too. And they don't seem to fetch all that much. What's your thoughts on this pistol? Anything else comparable for the price?
 
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It's a good pistol...I've owned several.....they are all steel and bulletproof.....the eat any ammo you feed then......they are OK.....I hated the sights.....the dots are soo small....i wouldn't pay a penny more than 350$ shipped to your door with 2 mags.....if you want striker fired go with the sw Sd9 or ruger sr9......I'm suggesting these as your price point in mentioning the p85
 
The Ruger aluminum frame p-series pistols are large service type pistols that for some reason, are not very popular thus their low prices. On the upside they are reliable durable and somewhat accurate.

I got two stainless p89s, which are essentially the P85mkII. I don't know of any other good pistol in their price range.

BTW, what's it going for?
 
Well I'm looking for something around $500. Can probably spend a bit more. But all I'm going to use it for is shooting paper at the range for fun. I'd like a 357 magnum revolver but they all seem out of my price range. So a 9mm would be my second choice
 
I had a p85... They are "bulletproof"... they eat anything you feed them, and they will work just as good as any hammer on the market.
If you do decide to buy one, don't go with a DAO... Make sure you get a single/Double action pistol with the decocker.
The recoil is quite manageable with such a heavy gun.

An SR9 or a SW sd9ve is a great choice for a polymer/striker fired pistol.
they will cost a bit more, but not much more... and IMO they are the better choice for a new (handgun) shooter since most of the guns of today will have a polymer frame.

the p80 series handguns are amongst the most reliable semi auto's of their time... but their time has past.

Up to you!
Good luck friend!
 
easyrider604 said:
The Ruger aluminum frame p-series pistols are large service type pistols that for some reason, are not very popular thus their low prices. On the upside they are reliable durable and somewhat accurate.

I got two stainless p89s, which are essentially the P85mkII. I don't know of any other good pistol in their price range.

BTW, what's it going for?
Click to expand...

They seem to be going for around the $400 mark
 
I've owned a P85 since the late '80s. The good news is that they are a big, solid pistol that eats everything you feed it.

As the OP states, they tend to go cheap in the resale market...as you may eventually upgrade from your first pistol, you'all buy low but also end up selling lower. Buying for less than $400 is typically possible.

Several issues to consider:

- as it was a contender in the original M9 trials, it has a big heavy trigger that can become annoying quickly.

- the original P85s were subject to a safety recall due to the potential of unintended discharge in the event the firing pin breaks in a specific way - you can read about it online.

- most P85s have fixed sights...not sure if there are many aftermarket accessories or sights you could get to upgrade, unlike M&P, Sig, Glock or 1911s.

- to remove the slide, you have to remember to reach into the ejection port with your finger and flip an ejector assembly forward..if you forget, the slide just won't budge (you can guess how I know this!)

In my opinion, there may be better options out there for a first pistol. Maybe a .22 LR due to low ammo costs and low recoil. I saw that IRG has a .22 upper on a Glock lower for less than $400 US. You could then pick up a 9mm upper later and have both centerfire and rimfire capabilities - the best of both worlds...
 
I'll echo the other comments on the P85, and add this- this very reliable gun has an awful trigger. Even after a trigger job, it was a long, heavy, gritty pull. Accuracy was... so-so.

I wouldn't get this as a first pistol, you likely won't like the feel (quite bulky), the trigger, or the results. But it is built like a tank and eats whatever you feed it.

I'd look at the CZ 75 series if you want a 9mm. Or, if it's an inexpensive centre-fire handgun you want, try a TT33. They don't get much cheaper than those.
 
I handled a tt33 at the restricted class. Seems like it's made tough, but the grip was atrocious. It was way too short and just awkward to hold overall. If the p85 is anything like a glock 17 I figure I'd like it better. The one pistol he had that fit like a glove was a ruger new vaquero.

stevebc said:
I'll echo the other comments on the P85, and add this- this very reliable gun has an awful trigger. Even after a trigger job, it was a long, heavy, gritty pull. Accuracy was... so-so.

I wouldn't get this as a first pistol, you likely won't like the feel (quite bulky), the trigger, or the results. But it is built like a tank and eats whatever you feed it.

I'd look at the CZ 75 series if you want a 9mm. Or, if it's an inexpensive centre-fire handgun you want, try a TT33. They don't get much cheaper than those.
Click to expand...
 
i can echo the above.

my first gun was a Ruger P89 and i still have it to this day.
the gun is a bullet proof tank!
its nice and heavy and it has eaten every brand of ammo ive ever seen for sale up here and its never failed me.

every gun i have purchased over the following 25 years ive measured against my P89.

but i dont think id recommend it.... now.
just for the simple fact that its hard to get parts for it if you would ever need some and its just gonna get harder with every year.

you would do so much better to go get yourself a Ruger SR9 or a S&W SVDE9 or something along those lines, you can find those FN's for cheap on sale days as well.

i have a SR9 and it was under 500 and just as reliable as my old P-89.

some pics?

P89
rugerp89a_zps3105cb1c.jpg

RugerP892_zpsb2733206.jpg


SR9
RugerSR91_zpsda599b3a.jpg
 
not trying to derail this thread in any way, just add to the discussion. How about those Sig 250's? I wonder how those stack up against these P85/89's? Or also, how about those IWI Jericho 941/baby eagles? Just tossing those into the discussion as I am curious about them, and one may very well be my next 9mm. (I have just always wondered about these P85's, and almost bought one at least a dozen times, but now that I see these other choices, I'm torn. )
 
The SIG 250 is light years ahead of the Ruger. I would also take a Jericho over the ruger any day.

Ruger makes fantastic 22lr pistols and great revolvers though.
 
I got my p89s used. One has been totally reliable with my reloads in hundreds perhaps 1,000 plus rds. The other keyholes with my cast lee 124 grain truncated tumble lube billets. Also had a couple of misfires although cartridges show primer hits. I will be sending this one to the Ruger warranty Center in Quebec.

My P91 40 cal is superbly accurate and groups less than 1 inch CTC at 15 meters with lee cast TC single groove but Tumble lubed. Totally reliable so far.

If you like the Glock grip, you'll be fine with these alloy Pseries pistols. Actually if you know how to grip a pistol properly, Glocks and these Ps won't present any issues.

DA trigger pull is long and may be stiff for some, but easily get used to. SA trigger around 3-4 lbs is crisp.
 
One of our lady shooters took her Black Badge course with a Ruger P-85. General opinion was there are many guns better suited for IPSC/IDPA.
 
The P85 was my first handgun, and you will not be disappointed. I purchased it in 1992 and it was an awesome performer. It is a great starter gun which is affordable and reliable!
 
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