Rugers... why not more popular?

[SlowDave]

So, I see tons of guns mentioned on this site, but almost no mention whatsoever of Ruger semi-autos (P-series). Is there something bad about these guns I should know? I'm not a 1911 fan, but the SA/DA option of these pistols allows lots of different possibilities. Have... been involved in family members getting a .40, KP944 and a 9mm, P95. Relatively good price, great functionality on the .40, but have had some problems on the 9mm, which may be at least partially operator-assisted problems. These guns have the nice crisp trigger when in SA mode, as well as the ability to de-cock or put on safety (depending on which version you purchase) providing pretty much any level of safety/readiness you so desire. Even "adjustable" rear sight (allen screw to loosen before tapping sideway). Any reason I haven't heard about that Rugers are to be avoided?

I mean, I shoot a S&W Sigma .40, and I know that's the trailer trash of semi-autos, but it works for me. I understand why no one is talking about that one, but don't understand the lack of Ruger discussion. Any info appreciated.

[KBCraig]

I like Rugers. They're like Honda Accords or Toyota Camrys: not stylish, not flashy, but rock-solid reliable and will last forever.

Ruger revolvers usually get good coverage here. Ruger really hasn't made a compact auto until the LCP, so they haven't gotten a lot of attention for concealed carry.

I carry a P97DC, since I like the bigger hole. Concealment can be a challenge unless you dress around the gun, and there are far fewer holster options than for more popular guns. My next purchase will be a 1911, so I won't have to worry about availability of parts and accessories.

Issue carry at work is P89DAO (not my first choice, but the agency mandates a common caliber and platform).

[Liberty]

So, I see tons of guns mentioned on this site, but almost no mention whatsoever of Ruger semi-autos (P-series). Is there something bad about these guns I should know? I'm not a 1911 fan, but the SA/DA option of these pistols allows lots of different possibilities. Have... been involved in family members getting a .40, KP944 and a 9mm, P95. Relatively good price, great functionality on the .40, but have had some problems on the 9mm, which may be at least partially operator-assisted problems. These guns have the nice crisp trigger when in SA mode, as well as the ability to de-cock or put on safety (depending on which version you purchase) providing pretty much any level of safety/readiness you so desire. Even "adjustable" rear sight (allen screw to loosen before tapping sideway). Any reason I haven't heard about that Rugers are to be avoided?

I mean, I shoot a S&W Sigma .40, and I know that's the trailer trash of semi-autos, but it works for me. I understand why no one is talking about that one, but don't understand the lack of Ruger discussion. Any info appreciated.

My stainless P95 is my primary carry . It is reliable and can be trusted. Its not particularly pretty but I don't sweat scratches and holster wear. The more you shoot it the better it gets. You don't worry about breaking it in .. or counting rounds so that you can change springs every 2000 rounds. There just isn't that much to talk about.

1911 owners get to talk about spending over a thousand for a gun that needs to be fluffed buffed and broken in. They enjoy bragging about shooting a box of ammo without a FTF , They get to talk about whether springs should be replaced at 4000 or 5000 round intervals. They get to reccomend a favorite gunsmith. They get to discuss carrying with hammer cocked or uncocked. Lets face it our Rugers are boring, which is exactly why I carry one. Folks who own other guns get to be really excited once they finally get their gun working right.

Al kidding aside, there are a lot of Rugers out there. I wondered the samething when I first joined this forum .. Turns out quit a few folks here own Rugers and even carry them but there just isn't much to discuss about a gun that simply works well.

[flintknapper]

As noted above, the P-series are generally reliable and a very good value IMO.

Personally, I don't care for the aesthetics....and (for me) they feel like a "brick with a trigger" in hand, so I don't own one. I do think they are a good weapon though.

[WildBill]

Personally, I don't care for the aesthetics....and (for me) they feel like a "brick with a trigger" in hand, so I don't own one. I do think they are a good weapon though.

I am not sure why, but the aesthetics of a gun are very important to me. I find Ruger guns to be a bit crude. Some has to do with the machining, workmanship, fit and finish. I agree with flintnapper, that they are a good weapon and usually a good value. Generally, I just don't care for them.

[bdickens]

I have a Ruger P89DC that has a lot of sentimental value for me because it was the first gun I ever bought. I hardly ever shoot it because the trigger reach for that double-action first shot is way too long for my small hands. I can barely get the pad of my index finger on the trigger.

[waterpump1]

My p95 is a great gun I carry 24/7 no problems

[RugerP345]

So, I see tons of guns mentioned on this site, but almost no mention whatsoever of Ruger semi-autos (P-series). Is there something bad about these guns I should know? I'm not a 1911 fan, but the SA/DA option of these pistols allows lots of different possibilities. Have... been involved in family members getting a .40, KP944 and a 9mm, P95. Relatively good price, great functionality on the .40, but have had some problems on the 9mm, which may be at least partially operator-assisted problems. These guns have the nice crisp trigger when in SA mode, as well as the ability to de-cock or put on safety (depending on which version you purchase) providing pretty much any level of safety/readiness you so desire. Even "adjustable" rear sight (allen screw to loosen before tapping sideway). Any reason I haven't heard about that Rugers are to be avoided?

I mean, I shoot a S&W Sigma .40, and I know that's the trailer trash of semi-autos, but it works for me. I understand why no one is talking about that one, but don't understand the lack of Ruger discussion. Any info appreciated.

There is nothing wrong with Ruger's in fact I carry two 24/7. I carry a P345 at 3 o'clock tucked in a nice K&D holster, and an LCP in my pocket. I also have 9mm P85 I've had for years. I don't know why they don't get alot of mention around here, must be b/c the majority of the members are die hard 1911 fan's which is fine. I've put 1000+ rounds thru my P345 with no problems what so ever. Very low maintenance pistol, shoot it, and clean it, thats all, nothing else.
While not the most astheticaly pleasing pistol, they are very reliable which is all that counts when you need em!

[WarHawk-AVG]

I like Rugers. They're like Honda Accords or Toyota Camrys: not stylish, not flashy, but rock-solid reliable and will last forever.

Ruger revolvers usually get good coverage here. Ruger really hasn't made a compact auto until the LCP, so they haven't gotten a lot of attention for concealed carry.

I carry a P97DC, since I like the bigger hole. Concealment can be a challenge unless you dress around the gun, and there are far fewer holster options than for more popular guns. My next purchase will be a 1911, so I won't have to worry about availability of parts and accessories.

Issue carry at work is P89DAO (not my first choice, but the agency mandates a common caliber and platform).

+1

They are a bit on the bulky side for conceal carry..but are tough as nails

[stroo]

I have a P-95 which is utterly reliable and was straight from the box. I used to carry it but found I shot the Hi-power a little better and the Hi-power is a lot thinner and more concealable. Therefore I now carry the Hi-power. The P- 95 is still one of my house defense guns though.

Many people view the P series Rugers as bricks but when I compare them to Glocks and most other double stack plastic guns, the P-series don't seem any larger than the others. Compared to 1911s and Hipowers, P series are considerably thicker.

[flb_78]

You could take a rock, hammer it down a piece of brass with little powder in it and shoot it out of a Ruger P series with no problems I think. They are some tough reliable guns. They don't fit my hands very well though. I like the way my Taurus PT242/7 fits my hands better.

[jbirds1210]

I like the P series and Ruger revolvers, but find that they both have absolutely horrid triggers.

[KBCraig]

My quibble with the KP89DAO is the caliber (9mm), but since they chose it as a replacement for a hodgepodge of Model 10-* series S&W revolvers (all of which were beyond service as boat anchors), and they wanted it to be a gun anyone could shoot, I can't complain too much. They also replaced the limited issue special unit S&W 4-digit autos, which should have been tossed on the bottom of a lake without being tied to a boat. We had some of those that quite literally disassembled themselves on the firing line at 4k-5k rounds.

Meanwhile, we have run as much as 20k rounds through some of the P89s, without a single mechanical failure. I say again: Not. A. Single. One. Nor were any parts replaced on a scheduled maintenance (but some have been replaced after inspection). We've had some bad magazines, but never a pistol that wouldn't shoot. It's been 15 or 16 years since we switched to the P89, and I can count on one hand the number of stoppages I've seen during annual qualification (12 shooters at a time, half a day per section, 24 shooters a day for 10 training days). Many of our staff aren't "gun people", but we just simply don't have a problem with limp-wristing, FTF, or FTE.

The trigger is as good as any true DAO semi (leaving aside the pre-cocked Glocks and such). Long, moderate weight, not a match trigger by any means, but far better than the horrid S&W revolvers they replaced (as I've pointed out, they were way beyond service life). The MIM and investment cast parts make them more consistent from one pistol to the next. Not a match-grade 1911, but smooth.

Some other locations in the same agency use Berettas, and I've heard tell of some H&Ks or SIGs. That's federal contracting for you.

[bdickens]

My Glock 19 is way more concealable than my Ruger P89 and the trigger is more manageable for me.

[srothstein]

I think there are a combination of reasons you do not see more people talking about Rugers. One reason is the first designs in the P series were big and blocky. They just did not look good compared to the S&W autos that were already on the market, and the others becoming more popular at the time. Ruger had great revolvers, and their Mark II .22 semi was arguably one of the best in the world, but the bigger semi's just did not look good compared to the rest of the market.

A second reason was the word getting around about Bill Ruger supporting magazine limits. Some thought he supported a 10 round limit though I think he wanted it at 15. A lot of people reacted as you would think when they thought he was cooperating with the anti's. IMHO, he was using the anti's for marketing reasons more thna cooperating. A 15 round limit would really have hurt Glock as his competition. But there are still people who resent his attitude and decline to purchase the guns.

The third reason was the growing market power of several other designs which just looked better. The marketplace just seemed to prefer other guns and pretty soon the Rugers were almost forgotten about. Gaston Glock had a much better marketing scheme, especially with his police pricing.

As for the guns themselves, I tend to agree with what has been said. They are big, blocky, and very reliable.