Ruger P95: Any problems ?

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tercel89

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jul 22, 2010
Messages
175
I am debating getting a new P95 . my first pistol was a P89 in 1994 . I loved it but then moved onto Glocks and such . I am alot older and want something low cost but built like a tank to have fun with and keep at the house . Thus the P-95 came to mind .
I have heard lots of good things but you still hear the occasional " P-series Rugers suck" . What are these guys talking about ? What failures are these people having ? Is it all blown out of proportion ?
I carried a P-94 as a deputy for 2 yrs and had no trouble . But what are these people talking about ?

Also , Is there any issudes with the slide riding on the bare polymers frame? Any wear issues ?
 

revhigh

Hawkeye
Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Messages
5,590
Location
PA
I'm stayin' out of the negative side of this one ... :D

P95's are fine weapons ... probably the best value for the money for a new auto. $300 OTD is an easily gotten price. No skeletons in the P95's closet ... go for it.

REV
 

JAREDSHS

Bearcat
Joined
Nov 17, 2004
Messages
44
Location
Tennessee
Get yerself a P95. It is a fine weapon. I am a retired LEO and have
probably carried every brand of semi auto around. Even carried a few
Smith revolvers (I am old---very old).I currently carry a new P 95 24/7 and trust my and my wifes lives with it. She carries a Smith Airweight
Chief. I like the 9mm round and shoot the P 95 well. (used to carry bigger
calibers ---.357 mag, .357 sig, 40s&w and 45acp, even had a XD in 45gap,
But the short version of this tale is I shoot the P 95 better than any of them. Getting rounds on target is paramount. My vote goes to the P95 if
it's any help.
:D
 

tercel89

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jul 22, 2010
Messages
175
What about the slide riding on the polymer rails instead of metal rails ? Any wear issues on high round count guns ?
 

hittman

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
16,915
Location
Illinois
tercel89 said:
Is it all blown out of proportion ?

Yes.

I've got one ~ never had a problem with it. I shoot it very well. It never fails to perform.
 

SteveSatch

Single-Sixer
Joined
Mar 23, 2000
Messages
224
I love the P95. I wish it was less slippery though. My three are all pre rail and extra stippling versions. Two were under $300 out the door and one was over $300 out the door, but guns cost more in Southern California than other places. Get a DC only version if you can. I hate Ruger's safety/decocker version.
 

Gun Fan 70

Single-Sixer
Joined
Oct 9, 2010
Messages
115
Location
Texas
I can't really speak on the wear issues because mine is pretty new. I never really cared for the P-series. I always thought they were oddly shaped, chunky pistols and mainly got mine to supplement my dry firing practice of my SR9 and to be my beater, backpack, tool box, tackle box gun. One day at the range changed all of that. The thing shoots and handles beautifully. Took about a half dozen rounds to find the precise point of aim. After that, the steel just could'nt stay out of my way. Blang...Blang...Blang...Blang...Blang... I made it my nightstand companion on the spot. If you decide to pick one up, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Will
 

BuckJM53

Single-Sixer
Joined
Mar 25, 2008
Messages
337
Location
SW Ohio
tercel89 said:
What about the slide riding on the polymer rails instead of metal rails ? Any wear issues on high round count guns ?
tercel ... My P95dc is fast approaching 10,000 rounds with no noticable wear on the polymer rails, and not a single failure of any kind. IMHO, the P95 is one of the very best values for the money (well built, dependable & accurate) :wink:
 

pistolpete

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
181
Location
Northern Wisconsin
I'm one of the few guys who had a problem with a p95. Bought my stainless model a few years ago. Initially right out the box new I had a problem where the top round in magazine would push the ejector over and cause it to bind on the slide. I had to file metal off of the slide where the ejector was binding. At the time I had read a post on a forum where another fellow had filed metal off the ejector to solve the same problem, but I decided filing the slide made more sense. I just filed metal off til I could hand cycle rounds without any binding. Pistol worked great for about 300 houndered rounds then started to have failure to extract problems. About 4-5 every 100 rounds I'd have a jam where the next round would jam into the back of an empty case still in chamber. Noticed that the extractor didn't have very much tension. I ordered a new one from Ruger for $25, but before it came I talked to a guy who said he use to work for Ruger as a machinist and he told me how to slightly bend the extractor to get proper tension. It's been 500 rounds since I "adjusted" extractor tension and I haven't had any problems. Really like my p95 and trust it for home protection.
 

timinwv

Bearcat
Joined
Aug 18, 2010
Messages
17
Location
West Virginia
I have a KP95DC. The collar and collar retainer kept popping off, 'uncapturing' the recoil springs. No other issues and the pistol functions 100% with uncaptured springs. The P95 is a very good value, the polymer rails shows very little wear, accurate, and mine has not been picky about ammo- Federal, Remington, Winchester, Fiocchi, Geco, Olympic, Wolf etc. :)
 

GhosT

Blackhawk
Joined
Aug 22, 2007
Messages
556
Location
North East Ohio
My P95 is old school....
No rail to add lasers or flashlights.

All I can say is...
100% reliable....and at 35 yards plus.....TRUSTED!
 

Elfego El Gato

Single-Sixer
Joined
Mar 17, 2008
Messages
172
Location
Northern NJ
The only problem I've ever had - and it has repeated to the point that I don't even try to correct it anymore - is that the spring retaining ring on the front of the guide rod pops off. Now, I just insert the collar that holds the springs in place into the slide before replacing the guide rod assembly after cleaning. It stays in place under the spring tension and there are no function issues at all.

Other than that *very* minor issue, my P95 has been absolutely reliable for almost ten years. I cannot recommend the P95 highly enough -- It's just a really good, reliable gun, period.
 
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
10,430
Location
Greenville, SC: USA
I have three and have had no problem with them... even though I have to say the first one is stuck upstairs under a bed and I really should take it out and clean it and shoot it some.

I'd get a new 'textured grip' KP95....(stainless steel top) if you could find a decock only (no safety) model still sitting around in the box new that would be even better.
 

9x19

Hunter
Joined
Dec 1, 1999
Messages
2,558
Location
Texas
All guns Suck!

If you start there, you'll have less frustration with opinions found on the 'net. :D

That said, my personal P95s have never had any issues. They are not the smallest, easiest to detail strip, or have the finest target-grade triggers... but they work and are accurate enough for their intended use.

IMO, of course.
 

tercel89

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jul 22, 2010
Messages
175
Are the ones with Decocker-only still made ? I only see the ones with the safety/decocker .
 

spacemanvic

Bearcat
Joined
Sep 22, 2010
Messages
4
Location
Pennsylvania
You can find them, but you have to look. I have a P95PR15 (safety.decocker). I had some issues with the pistol when I first took it out, but the problem was ME. I limp-wristed it, and it would stovepipe FTE, FTL etc. All me. When I paid attention to my grip and stance, the pistol couldnt miss! Ive only shot it out to 25yds, need to get away from wife to shoot more :D
 

P95 Advocate

Bearcat
Joined
Nov 15, 2010
Messages
2
My wife bought me a P95 brand new for my birthday this past year (around july)
If you have a big man hand the P95 will be perfect for you.
She on the other hand (no pun intended) can't shoot it very well due to small lady hands and limp wristing. She CAN shoot it, but it's awkward for her.
That being noted I can't say enough good things about this gun.
It's cost effective, has a picatinny rail, easily breaks down for cleaning in LITERALLY SECONDS (for real I could break this gun down and put it back together blindfolded in less than a minute.), eats whatever 9mm luger ammo you feed it.(within reason and I will explain below)
I have only fed 3 types of ammo to my gun. Federal 9mm luger FMJ, speer gold dot JHP, and a single box of monarch 9mm FMJ I got as a present(YUCK!).
Let me start by saying the federals and the speers feed WONDERFUL and go bang every time.
The monarchs however are poorly made, DIRTY, PAINTED, LAQUERED ammunition. They left my gun to fail to fire, fail to eject, and fail to feed. Sometimes the slide even failed to operate. went bang ok but the slide action failed.
Come to find out monarch is made by SERBIA AND RUSSIA.
I have read many bad things about them BUT that's all rabbit trails.

The P95 comes bone stock with 2 15 round magazines +1 in the chamber.
Included in the nice storage box is: a speed loader (VERY NICE), a test fire bullet (signed, sealed, and dated) and your new USA made pistol packed in some pretty heavy packing grease in a plastic baggy.

I suggest that while you are there you pick up an uncle mikes size 5 IWB holster. I have one and it fits like a glove and clips right in my pocket very nicely.

I have also replaced the hammer spring which clocks in at 22 pound trigger pull with a 19 pound spring from a wolf spring pack. (best thing I ever did)

I only have 1 small concern and that is after 700 to 1000 rounds I have noticed some pitting on the very begining edge of the feed ramp.
Hasn't caused me any problems yet though.
Other than that you have no reason to not buy this gun. Not from me anyway.

(edit)
I would like to say that I took my concealed weapons permit with the P95 and scored a 92 on the shooting portion with a nice breeze causing my target to flap in the wind from a fan.
 

tercel89

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jul 22, 2010
Messages
175
P95 Advocate said:
My wife bought me a P95 brand new for my birthday this past year (around july)
If you have a big man hand the P95 will be perfect for you.
She on the other hand (no pun intended) can't shoot it very well due to small lady hands and limp wristing. She CAN shoot it, but it's awkward for her.
That being noted I can't say enough good things about this gun.
It's cost effective, has a picatinny rail, easily breaks down for cleaning in LITERALLY SECONDS (for real I could break this gun down and put it back together blindfolded in less than a minute.), eats whatever 9mm luger ammo you feed it.(within reason and I will explain below)
I have only fed 3 types of ammo to my gun. Federal 9mm luger FMJ, speer gold dot JHP, and a single box of monarch 9mm FMJ I got as a present(YUCK!).
Let me start by saying the federals and the speers feed WONDERFUL and go bang every time.
The monarchs however are poorly made, DIRTY, PAINTED, LAQUERED ammunition. They left my gun to fail to fire, fail to eject, and fail to feed. Sometimes the slide even failed to operate. went bang ok but the slide action failed.
Come to find out monarch is made by SERBIA AND RUSSIA.
I have read many bad things about them BUT that's all rabbit trails.

The P95 comes bone stock with 2 15 round magazines +1 in the chamber.
Included in the nice storage box is: a speed loader (VERY NICE), a test fire bullet (signed, sealed, and dated) and your new USA made pistol packed in some pretty heavy packing grease in a plastic baggy.

I suggest that while you are there you pick up an uncle mikes size 5 IWB holster. I have one and it fits like a glove and clips right in my pocket very nicely.

I have also replaced the hammer spring which clocks in at 22 pound trigger pull with a 19 pound spring from a wolf spring pack. (best thing I ever did)

I only have 1 small concern and that is after 700 to 1000 rounds I have noticed some pitting on the very begining edge of the feed ramp.
Hasn't caused me any problems yet though.
Other than that you have no reason to not buy this gun. Not from me anyway.

(edit)
I would like to say that I took my concealed weapons permit with the P95 and scored a 92 on the shooting portion with a nice breeze causing my target to flap in the wind from a fan.

P95 Advocate , Thanks a bunch for a very good detailed description of it ! I am for sure gonna get her . Its been 16 yrs since I had a P-series Ruger ! Thanks again everyone for great information !!!!
 

bspitt

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jan 27, 2010
Messages
169
Location
Newton, NC
I have the safety/decocker model and love it. It is the gun that I am teaching my 17 y/o son with. His 1st time @ the range it stove-piped just about every 2-3 rounds. He was limp-wristing it. He adjusted his grip & neither of us has ever had another issue.

Shooting
Federal White Box
American Eagle
Tulammo steel casings
& speer gold dot

All good!!!!
 

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