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Ruger P series
Ruger P series
Production history
Designed 1985 (P85) Manufacturer Ruger Variants See Individual model information
Specifications
Weight Length Barrellength Cartridge Action Feedsystem 32oz (unknown operator: u'strong'g) (P89) 7.75in (unknown operator: u'strong'mm) (P89) 4.50in (unknown operator: u'strong'mm) (P89) 7.6521mm Parabellum, Short recoil 10 or 15 round detachable box magazine (9mm) 10-round box magazine (.40) 7 or 8 round box magazine (.45) 3-dot sight
[1]
Sights
The Ruger P series are a line of centerfire semi-automatic pistols made by Sturm, Ruger & Company. The P series pistols were designed for military, police, civilian self defense and recreational use. The designs are largely based on the Browning action found in the M1911 pistol, but with minor variations, generally related to the safety mechanism and the barrel-camblock interface. Reviews have considered them rugged, reliable, and strong, though this strength comes at the price of bulk and a blocky appearance.[2]
Ruger P series
Design details
The P series are short recoil-operated, locked breech semi-automatic pistols. They utilize a SIG P220 type locking system, and a 1911 style tilting barrel. The P series were made with a traditional double action/single action (DA/SA), or double action only (DAO) trigger mechanism. The standard models have an ambidextrous manual safety/decocker located on the slide; when the safety lever is lowered to the safe position, the firing pin is cammed into the slide away from the hammer, the trigger is disconnected from the sear and the hammer is decocked. The decocker models have no manual safety; instead, when the lever is lowered it only cams the firing pin into the slide and drops the hammer, when the lever is released it springs back to the normal position. The DAO models have no manual safety or decocker. All models feature an automatic firing pin safety that blocks the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled fully rearward.[3][4] The pistols make extensive use of investment cast parts and proprietary Ruger alloys. Nearly all internal parts, including the barrel, are stainless steel; while the slide and ejector are carbon steel. The P85 through P944 use an investment cast aluminum frame, while the P95 and later models use a fiberglass-reinforced polyurethane frame. The 9mm and .40 S&W versions use double-column box magazines; the 9mm has a 15 round capacity, and the .40 has a 10 round capacity. The .45 ACP versions use single-column magazines holding 7 rounds. All P series of the same caliber use a similar magazine design, however slight modifications have been made to at least the 9mm guns so that not all P series magazines will function in all P series frames. Ruger did not keep track of the magazine models so an older magazine may not secure in a newer frame. The Ruger Police Carbine also uses P series magazines. The P series pistols have an ambidextrous magazine release located behind the trigger guard, it can be pushed forward from either side to eject the magazine. The P95 and earlier models have fixed, 3-dot sights; while the P97 and P345 have windage adjustable 3-dot sights.
P85/P85 MKII
The P85 was developed in 1985, but was not available until 1987.[2] It was only available with a DA/SA trigger, decocker, and a manual safety. Early P85 pistols were recalled for a safety issue that resulted in one accidental discharge. If the firing pin broke in front of the firing pin block, applying the safety, which dropped the hammer, could transfer enough energy to the broken firing pin to cause a discharge. The P85 was recalled, and a new safety was installed that prevented contact between firing pin and hammer during a decocking operation. This modification was done free of charge. The P85 MKII was released with the safety fix, larger safety levers, improved accuracy, and the option of a stainless steel slide.[2][4] P85 production stopped in 1990, and the P85 MKII was discontinued in 1992.[5]
Ruger P series
P89
The P89 is an upgraded P85 MKII that introduced a number of new features; including a DAO model. In 1991, Ruger produced a limited run P89X convertible model, which came with a second barrel and recoil spring assembly that allowed conversion between 9mm and .30 Luger calibers. The P89 was discontinued in late 2007.[5]
P90
The P90 is a scaled up P89 chambered in .45 ACP with an aluminum frame. The P90 is considered to have above average accuracy for its price.[2]
P91
The P91 is a version of the P89 chambered in .40 S&W. It was discontinued in 2004[5]
P95
Introduced in 1996, the P95 incorporated a number of changes from earlier P series pistols; including a shorter 3.9" barrel and a new frame made of fiberglass-reinforced polyurethane, based on Dow Chemical's "Isoplast"[3]. This reduced the weight of the pistol by 4 ounces (unknown operator: u'strong'g) and reduced manufacturing costs. Unlike other polymer framed handguns on the market at the time of design, the P95 had no metal inserts in the frame. The high strength polymer allowed the slide to ride directly on the polymer frame rails which simplified manufacturing and further reduced production costs.
Original model KP95, without the picatinny rail
The P95PR was introduced in 2005, it incorporates a Picatinny rail into the frame and adds a new non-slip texturing in the polymer frame. This model replaced the original P95 in production. In December 2004, Ruger was awarded a contract for 5,000 KP95D pistols by the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois.[7]
Ruger P series
P97
The P97 is based on the P95, but chambered in .45 ACP. It was only available in decocker and DAO versions. It featured an adjustable rear sight. The front sight is pinned in, and the rear held in by a set screw. The P97 is used by a number of police departments in the United States and elsewhere.
New model P95PR with picatinny rail and a Hogue Handall grip installed
P345
The P345 was released in 2004, and incorporates an integrated keyed lock that locks the safety in the safe position, a loaded chamber indicator, and a magazine disconnect that blocks the firing pin when the magazine is removed. It also has many ergonomic improvements such as a new polymer frame design (narrower than the double column derived P90 and P97) and low profile safety levers. The model P345PR adds a Picatinny rail to the frame, for mounting lights and other accessories. It was designed to be legal for sale in states that require elaborate safety measures.
The P345 was also offered in a Distributor Exclusive edition by TALO Distributors, Inc. Only 500 units were produced between October and December 2007. This model featured a unique Serial number (1-500), 24k gold embellishments, and polished blued steel slide.
Ruger P series Manual: Decocking safety that also disconnects the trigger; must be disengaged to fire D: Decocking lever only; automatically returns to ready-to-fire state DAO: Double action only trigger; no external safety lever MD: Magazine disconnector IL: Integrated locking mechanism CI: Loaded chamber indicator DA: Double Action with safety / decocker switch DC: Double Action with decocker switch DAO: Double Action Only, without manual safeties
Listed magazine capacities are for full capacity factory magazines; magazine capacities may be limited to 10 rounds in some locations, and extended aftermarket magazines may hold more than the listed quantity.
Catalog ID Safety Slide/Frame Caliber Capacity oz P85 P89 KP89 P90 KP90 KP94 KP944 P95 KP95 P95PR KP95PR KP97 KP345 P345PR KP345PR Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Blued/Al Blued/Al SS/Al Blued/Al SS/Al SS/Al SS/Al Blued/Poly SS/Poly Blued/Poly SS/Poly SS/Poly SS/Poly Blued/Poly SS/Poly 9mm 9mm 9mm .45 ACP .45 ACP 9mm 15 15 15 7, 8 7, 8 15 Mass g Options Approved
32 unknown operator: u'strong' 32 unknown operator: u'strong' 32 unknown operator: u'strong' 34 unknown operator: u'strong' 34 unknown operator: u'strong' 33 unknown operator: u'strong' 33 unknown operator: u'strong' 27 unknown operator: u'strong' 27 unknown operator: u'strong' 27 unknown operator: u'strong' PR 27 unknown operator: u'strong' PR 27 unknown operator: u'strong' 29 unknown operator: u'strong' CI, MD, IL CA, MA
.40 S&W 11 9mm 9mm 9mm 9mm .45 ACP .45 ACP .45 ACP .45 ACP .45 ACP 9mm 9mm .45 ACP 15 15 15 15 8 8 8 8 8 15 15 8
29 unknown operator: u'strong' CI, MD, IL, PR CA, MA 29 unknown operator: u'strong' CI, MD, IL, PR CA, MA 29 unknown operator: u'strong' CI, MD, IL, PR CA, MA 32 unknown operator: u'strong' 32 unknown operator: u'strong' 34 unknown operator: u'strong' 35 unknown operator: u'strong' 31 unknown operator: u'strong' 33 unknown operator: u'strong' 27 unknown operator: u'strong' 27 unknown operator: u'strong' 27 unknown operator: u'strong' PR 27 unknown operator: u'strong' PR 32 unknown operator: u'strong' 33 unknown operator: u'strong'
KP345DPR Decocker SS/Poly P89D KP89D KP90D KP91D KP93D KP944D P95D KP95D P95DPR KP95DPR KP89DAO KP93DAO Decocker Blued/Al Decocker SS/Al Decocker SS/Al Decocker SS/Al Decocker SS/Al Decocker SS/Al Decocker Blued/Poly Decocker SS/Al Decocker Blued/Poly Decocker SS/Al DAO DAO SS/Al SS/Al
Ruger P series
6
DAO SS/Al SS/Al 9mm 15 34 unknown operator: u'strong' 33 unknown operator: u'strong'
KP94DAO
KP944DAO DAO
.40 S&W 11
Gallery
Ruger P89 with both the original and Hogue grips installed
Ruger P-90 in original box with extra magazine and speed loader.
References
[1] "RUGER P-SERIES P89, P90 P94 & P944 MANUAL SAFETY MODEL PISTOLS" (http:/ / pdf. textfiles. com/ manuals/ FIREARMS/ ruger_p89-p944_manual_safety. pdf). Sturm, Ruger, & Co.. 2002. . Retrieved 2010-06-09. [2] Glenn Barnes "Ruger's P-Series: what's wrong with Ruger's P-Series semiauto pistols? Not a darn thing, says the author". Guns Magazine. FindArticles.com. (http:/ / findarticles. com/ p/ articles/ mi_m0BQY/ is_1_50/ ai_110470559/ ) . Retrieved 2009-11-03. [3] Ruger P series (http:/ / world. guns. ru/ handguns/ hg05-e. htm), Modern firearms. [4] P85 instruction manual (http:/ / ruger-firearms. com/ products/ _manuals/ p85. pdf). Retrieved 2009-11-03. [5] Ruger instruction manuals and product history (http:/ / ruger-firearms. com/ service/ productHistory. html). Retrieved 2009-11-03. [6] The Ruger P series (http:/ / ruger-firearms. com/ products/ pSeries/ firearms. html), Ruger.com. Retrieved 2009-11-03. [7] U.S. Army Awards Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. Contract for 5,000 Pistols (http:/ / www. ruger. com/ news/ 2004-12-23. html)
Ayoob, Massad. "Ruger: The Value 45 Auto", Gun Combat Annual, 2000. Sturm, Ruger & Co. Instruction Manual for RUGER P-SERIES P89, P90TM P94TM & P944 MANUAL SAFETY MODEL PISTOLS, 2006.
External links
Sturm, Ruger & Co. web site (http://www.ruger.com/) P95 instruction manual (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PDF/05.pdf) in PDF format Video of operation (P85) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGn3FGyBmSI) on YouTube (Japanese)
License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/