Would you recommend a Ruger P95?

Question

Someone I know is getting their first handgun, mainly for concealed carry. I know quite a bit about guns, however, my friend is fairly new to the industry. He wants a good, reliable, semi-automatic handgun for concealed carry that is under $400.00 dollars. Therefore, I recommended the Ruger P95 9mm pistol. He loves the Colt Government .45, Glock 22/23, and a couple of the Sigs. He has never been around Rugers and they are around his price range. Would you recommend the Ruger P95, chambered for 9x19mm Luger ammunition?

Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

For not too much more money he could get the new SR9. It has undergone a 12,000 round test without cleaning it once without a single jam whatsoever. That takes care of the reliability. 9x19mm parabellum is one of my favorite cartridges. Just enough stopping power without a kick of a mule. Tell him he should probably carry with +p Hollow points. That's how i go for extra power. Also if he can handle the kick i like to carry +p+ hp ammunition.

Tell him not to carry his weapon until he can get all rounds within an 8 inch area at 25 yards.

He'd probably be allowed but no one would want him to carry it.

Also make sure he puts a couple rounds down range just to make sure he likes it before he buys it.

Answer 2

Ruger P95 Concealed Carry

Answer 3

NO. I had a P-95 (2001-2002) and it was very inaccurate (I mean combat inaccurate-not target). It would hit paper but I could never get a fist-size group anywhere on paper. I have shot a lot of 9mm pistols and even wonder- nines that were less durable and they were more accurate. I have witnessed others on the range with P-95 accuracy problems as well. My shooting was done off of a bench to give the gun the benefit of the doubt. Guntests magazine noted that there might be a problem with the timing of the slide due to it being so heavy. Professional testers could only get accuracy with the hottest 9mm commercial rounds. If you want a swiss-cheese paper puncher or a belly gun you could buy something cheaper. If you want Ruger quality, get an SR9 or even the older P-89.
Stay away from the P-95.

Update: The long-strand fiber glass frames of the P-95 (and defunct P-97) are very vulnerable to cheicals other than oil. Any type of degreaser or cleaner (other than typical gun oil) that happens to get on it will leave an indelible shadow that must be scuffed off to be made to disappear.

Answer 4

I am a big fan of Ruger Firearms but it made me curious when I went to a couple of pawn shops, looking for an incredible deal on something (which there wasn't), and to my surprise there was a gang of Ruger semi-autos in the case. I guess some were P89's which differ from the P95's but it made me think why so many people were dumping them. I asked if they were police trade in's but the guy said no they weren't.

The best thing for your friend to do is go to a shooting range that rents and try a few different makes and sizes until they find something that they like. You can't get cheap with a carry gun because your life could depend on it and isn't that worth more than $400.00?

Answer 5

I'm sorry for being opinionated, but there's a lot of other 9mm pistols I'd choose before the Ruger.

Maybe I hold a grudge for too long, but I got burned by a piece of junk 'P' series when they first came out and nothing has ever changed my mind about the Ruger centerfire pistols. I think that's why every pawn shop and used section of gun shops have a lot of Rugers......I'm not the only one with this opinion.

Under $400 you can get a lot of good 9mm pistols.

Look around for the used SIG 9mms, I just looked at prices and he can afford it. If you are within reach of the best for a bit more, you go for it.

Answer 6

I actually just purchased a Ruger SR9. I did get it for just above $400 mark, but IL is higher (Cook county) than most areas. I cannot carry conceal but do have an IWB holster and it is really comfortable doing home chores, sitting, standing, and then sitting again. Shoots like a dream too. the 95 may be a bit big for daily carry though. The SR9 is much more slim and does not have a hammer. Next brand would be Taurus. The Millennium Pros or 24/7s.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Would you recommend a Ruger P95?
Someone I know is getting their first handgun, mainly for concealed carry. I know quite a bit about guns, however, my friend is fairly new to the industry. He wants a good, reliable, semi-automatic handgun for concealed carry that is under $400.00 dollars. Therefore, I recommended the Ruger P95 9mm...

Answer 8

I own a P95DC as well as a S&W Sigma, HK USP, a Sig, and a Colt Govt. Although not quite as accurate as the others, I still find the P95 a very good, reliable handgun. The sights are close and bulky on the P95 but for close combat, are still pretty good. The gun is simple and rugged. The biggest problem I have found is using aftermarket mags or mags for a p85 or p89. They will work but not as reliably as the factory mags specific for the P95. I have owned my P95 for about 11 yrs and have put 1000's of rounds through it including the high velocity LE Rangers. Even after all that, the gun will still allow me to fire 3-4 inch groups freehand at 20 yds. Not the best, but it would do the job.

Answer 9

I love my P95DC totally reliable has never jammed not even a burp. Deadly accurate out to 25 yards. Handles every brand and type of ammunition I have fed this pistol. Easy to disassemble and clean. A good bargain for a high capacity 9mm. If your friend and spare another $100.00 the Ruger SR9 is the state of the art and a definite keeper.

Answer 10

I own one, yes. The decocking lever is great, as well as no manual safety. I'm giving mine to my daughter. Accurate and fast too.