Ruger P89- percentage for function and percentage for looks

[preventec47]

I honestly cant afford much so would not mind buying
a total piece of junk if it functioned well. Is the P89
a pistol that cannot ever be broken by use or worn out?

I found one that looks like was drug a 100 miles down
gravel road and left in fishing tackle box at the ocean.

Scratches and discoloration all over it which may be some
kind of corrosion... I dont know how it became so discolored.
I assume the slide was stainless steel but it is covered with
brownish color but it does not look like rust that could be
rubbed off.
I have researched
and seen it is easy to take down and I just want to
try to determine if it has actually be shot a whole bunch
and might be nearly worn out. The inside of the bore
looks pretty good.

The pawn shop is asking $269 for it.

Kinda like a pickup truck that has been in a few wrecks and
knocked a few too many trees down in the woods but has
a good motor and drive train.

When I take it apart, where is the excess wear that I should
look for that might make it malfunction if all I want
it for is to be a reliable shooter in emergency self defense
situations ?

The good thing about a beat up pistol is you never have
to worry about additional dings and scratches. Just let it
bounce around in your tool box with all the other tools etc.

I would rather spend .$269 for a beat up name brand gun
if it functions well than a brand new mystery brand that has
no reputation.

Should I be looking at another pistol if the P89 was very
sensitive had a fickle reputation for working reliably?

 

[revhigh]

The pawn shop is asking $269 for it.

That is a laughably ridiculous price for a P89 in the shape you describe. They can easily be bought LNIB for $250 or so. The way you describe it, it's a $100 gun at most, maybe not even that. Considering what you've said about it, are you sure that the barrel and internals aren't all rusted as well ? From what you've said ... it could easily be worth ZERO. I wouldn't touch it at any price in the condition you describe.

For $300 shipped brand new (right here on the forum), you can usually get a P95, which is a more modern and generally better gun.

REV

 

[96/44]

I wouldn't be afraid of a P89 in that condition, if it could at least be field stripped prior to purchase. It would have to be the right price, which I think revhigh is right-probably $100-150. They are a tough pistol, but abuse and neglect willl destroy anything.

 

[Pinecone]

preventec47, Welcome to the forum! Show us some pics if you can. That gun sounds to me like it has been in a "fire"! If it has, I wouldn't touch it for no money! I have seen a lot of guns in my time that went through a house fire and they were all discolored and the "heat treatment" gone right out of the metal. They are basically put, an "interesting" paper weight in that condition.........................Dick :wink:

 

[preventec47]

sounds to me like it has been in a "fire"!

That is brilliant. I never thought of that and I think you could
be right as no one there could figure how the color got there
on what I think was a stainless steel slide. heat treatment
coloring seems very plausible.

Whatever it was I am sure was bare metal with no paint
or coating. Wouldnt that make it stainless steel ?

Thanks for the heads up on values. I did go to GunBroker
and see some P89 pistols for less or nice condition
for just a little more.

 

[markmmg]

For $30 more you can get a brand new P95. Why waste your money on such a beat up gun? I could cost you another $30 or much more just to get it looking nice again, if it ever works.

 

[Cheesewhiz]

For $30 more you can get a brand new P95. Why waste your money on such a beat up gun? I could cost you another $30 or much more just to get it looking nice again, if it ever works.

markmmg, by the sound of it, I don't think strapping that thing to the hood of his car and running it thru a $10 carwash three times is going to do it. :lol: :lol:

 

[Russ7777]

I have a p89 and love it, but the pawn shop is way out of line in its pricing. I bought my brand new less than a year ago for $369.00 That is brand new from the store.
If I were you I would find a gun shop that will work with you on a lay-a-way, do some reserch on some pistols you are interested and make your purchase.
If you can find a new p89 it is an excellent pistol. It is not as easy to conceal as some other models, but you can shoot it all day and all night and it will just keep on shooting.

 

[blume357]

I'd offer them around $200... expect them to decline and just tell them if they ever get tired of it sitting there to give you a call.

 

[jack76590]

I recently bought a P89 on impluse buy. Outside it looks close to new. Inside some wear, but not much. Big drawback was the two Clinton 10 round mags. I paid $250 and think I paid maybe $25 or so too much given mags were 10 rounders.

So I would not pay asking price for this one. Look around a bit. I will say it seems like solid gun if a bit big and unrefined, perhaps is the word.

What do you want it for? I would not chose it for concealed carry, but would be ok for carrying in the woods, if weight is not big factor. Certainly fine for home defense or car carry. And would make a decent range gun.

 

[pistolpete]

Here's a vote for a new p95.

 

[blume357]

Jack76590, One day you'll be happy you got those 10 rounders... they really aren't so bad. the 15, 17, & 20 rounders get kind of heavy after a while.

 

[btrumanj]

I agree with Pinecone. Forget that pistol and look elsewhere.