Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Remember the Ruger P-85 / P-89’s ?

LGS had one when I dropped by the other day, the P-89 version that looked like new for $300.
Always thought they were the most robust high capacity 9mm ever built. Might have to go back and pick it up for a “spare” 9mm. Heck of a good price in today’s crazy market.

I have one that has had one box shot thru it. If you run out of ammo, it is still useful as a hammer...lol

The first time you use the decocker on one is going to be a time you chit your pants.

Yep to all three comments lol

I had one of the original P-85’s. Never had a problem with it.

I had the first P85 in this region I saw anywhere.
Happened to be standing in the gun store when
the brown truck man brought it in.
Had to wait on the man to log it in and all that.
The only problem I ever had was that the hole
in the end was too small.
It digested whatever I stuck in it without failure.
I never did boohoo about what it weighed because
accuracy and reliability outweigh every other virtue

My first version was one of the early P-85’s that had finish problems. It would rub off on your hands when you were shooting it. Ruger refinished it for free.
Traded mine in for the P-90 Version in 45 acp when they came out.

Yep, sold it fast, will not keep a pistol that is not as accurate as I am. Never have bought another Ruger of any type.

Yep. Mine was accurate and very reliable too.
My P-90 in 45 acp was just as accurate too.

I missed out on those
Came along after I'd already went in another direction

Probably one of the things I'd grab up if I went on
one of those " if you had a time machine " scenarios

I've had a P-89DC for 12 yrs now. It is a solid robust 9mm. Has no problem with cast or jacket bullets, especially XTP's. I think I paid $299 for it used. I put a set of flat Hogue grips on it several years ago which turned out to be a great addition. It's one of those guns I'll keep and pass on to my kids....I like it that much. My 2 sons love shooting it as well.
The only thing i dont like about it is the magazine release but you get use to it.
Yes..the DC lever definitely makes you pucker up the first time you use it!

i clearly recall how they marketed them to compete with the beretta 92f. the beretta’s slide cracks, they said, so clearly the p85 is superior. definitely some truth to the statement, but i ended up with a 92f regardless and loved it all the way up to the point it was stolen. still miss the ol’ girl

Mine was reliale and accurate.

I called mine the AK47 of handguns. It was clunky, but it ate everything I fed it, clean or dirty as hell. It was pretty accurate too.

I passed on an 89 today at $300. Very tempting.

Back in the olden days, a brand new P89 was my first semi-auto centerfire handgun experience. I literally couldn't hit a paper plate at five yards ten feet with it! Didn't take long to rethink things... I admit, I may have been more than mildly intoxicated!

Bought a p85 stainless. Ran 1300 + rds through it never had a malfunction. Then scored a cz 75 that for most part was unavailable here. Didn't think I needed the p85 anymore was wrong , still wished I would have kept it....mb

It works like its supposed to....but the dropping the hammer at full speed vs letting it down slowly was not what I expected.

I ran a HP and a 1911, had no interest in the bulky Ruger offerings.

While maybe a classic, still too big and bulky.
Coworker has his bought new yrs ago, loves it.

I need to get mine out and shoot it. I picked up some 15 round clips for it.