Questions about P89

[Brianeromni]

I have my sights on a P-89. It is SA/DA,... Stainless,... and by all descriptions in VERY good condition. It is an online purchase. It has a lot of pictures and there is almost no wear on it. I still have a week or so before the purchase. Any pertinent questions I should ask the seller or be aware of?

 

[blume357]

The first year or so they were made those take a different magazine.... you can modify the gun to take the latter magazines.. But I'm not sure how you determine which it is... probably by the serial number if you can get it and then somebody here should know. I have both the older version and a newer one.
the issue was where the latch cut out is on the magazine... I think they are slightly lower or higher on the older ones.. I might just go check.

Well now I'm confused... the two magazines I have marked as the older type are not exactly the same... both have metal base plates but the latch holes are slightly different... one looks like it might have been modified to be slightly bigger and thus fit the newer 89's and 95's.

 

[3manfan]

I have my sights on a P-89. It is SA/DA,... Stainless,... and by all descriptions in VERY good condition. It is an online purchase. It has a lot of pictures and there is almost no wear on it. I still have a week or so before the purchase. Any pertinent questions I should ask the seller or be aware of?

Just be aware that their triggers in both modes are pretty horrible compared to modern DA/SA pistols & there's probably never been a mag release button of a worse design in the modern era. The sights leave a lot to be desired as well.. But they are solidly built & make for a good no-frills utilitarian pistol, as do all within the P80's & P90's line.

 

[roylt]

The P-guns are obsolete but I am still a P-nut. You don't say if it is a DC or safe model but as long as it is what you want I say get it. Easy to care for and should never break.

Keep the P-guns alive!!

 

[Al James]

The first year or so they were made those take a different magazine.... you can modify the gun to take the latter magazines.. But I'm not sure how you determine which it is... probably by the serial number if you can get it and then somebody here should know. I have both the older version and a newer one.
the issue was where the latch cut out is on the magazine... I think they are slightly lower or higher on the older ones.. I might just go check.

Well now I'm confused... the two magazines I have marked as the older type are not exactly the same... both have metal base plates but the latch holes are slightly different... one looks like it might have been modified to be slightly bigger and thus fit the newer 89's and 95's.

SN# 304-69999 and below use the earlier P15 magazine.
SN# above that uses the newer P18 magazine.

Both are readily available.

 

[blume357]

As a side note one of my two P89's is a P89x.... what was the deal with the 30 caliber Luger round? I guess it had something to do with selling in some European countries? For those who don't know, these came with an extra barrel and recoil spring in that caliber.

 

[NC FNS]

Just be aware that their triggers in both modes are pretty horrible compared to modern DA/SA pistols & there's probably never been a mag release button of a worse design in the modern era. The sights leave a lot to be desired as well.. But they are solidly built & make for a good no-frills utilitarian pistol, as do all within the P80's & P90's line.

I thought the same when I first shot a P95, but found out it’s more of a push-forward than a push-in setup. Worked much better for me after I figured that out.