Ruger P97 production figures

[RCT(V)]

Concerning the Ruger P97, someone called “IndyGunFreak”, posted way-back on 23 March 2002, that he,

“Had several problems with mine. They are only 389 for a reason. Might want to check http://www.rugerforum.com there are several documented problems with the P-97 there. Be Safe. IGF”

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105912 (post #6).


Does “IndyGunFreak” have access to some authoritative Ruger production figures on individual models? If so, I am very surprised that there “are only 389 . .” in existence!

Although the “97” would indicate that the P97 was introduced in 1997, it is understood that Ruger was/is in the habit of not getting their product to the public/dealers, for some months after the “launch” announcement.

It is also understood that the P97 was actually “listed” as being available until 2004, although it may have ceased production earlier, and the continued “listing” being merely a device to sell the stock remaining on dealers’ shelves.

However, the P97 should have been available for some 6-7 years.

I am therefore, somewhat amazed that during the first 4-5 years that it was “listed” as being available, that in 2002 (according to “IndyGunFreak”) it seems Ruger had only managed to sell 389 examples of the P97.

Can anyone please confirm or deny the above?!

 

[hittman]

A reference I have shows the P97 beginning in 1999 with s/n 663-00001 and ending in 2004 with 663-73311.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I'm thinking that Indygunfreak was actually referring to the price of the gun as being $389.00, rather than that Ruger only made 389 of them. The 97 has a cult following among those who carry .45's. 8)

 

[boomer1]

I would suggest that you contact Ruger about your question about a model that ceased being produced seven (7) years ago, based upon a forum posting from nine (9) years ago.

It is my understanding that the model number was derived from the year of development. For example, the P95 was developed in 1985, but wasn't available until 1987.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_P_series

Maybe other forum members took their Kool-aid today and can recall that information. Certainly an interesting question.....:?:

Be safe,
boomer 8)

 

[Flash]

I would suggest that you contact Ruger about your question about a model that ceased being produced seven (7) years ago, based upon a forum posting from nine (9) years ago.

It is my understanding that the model number was derived from the year of development. For example, the P95 was developed in 1985, but wasn't available until 1987.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_P_series

Maybe other forum members took their Kool-aid today and can recall that information. Certainly an interesting question.....:?:

Be safe,
boomer 8)

:shock: Do you mean the P85 ?

 

[RCT(V)]

I'm thinking that Indygunfreak was actually referring to the price of the gun as being $389.00, rather than that Ruger only made 389 of them. The 97 has a cult following among those who carry .45's. 8)

Thank you all!

I much appreciate your quick replies of explanation.

My mistake! I did not understand the post by “Indygunfreak”, and jumped to the wrong conclusion. It certainly does make sense when the $ sign is used!

As someone noted . . . . "Two nations divided by a common language"

I am pleased that the P97 did acquire a cult status

Thank you, again.

 

[boomer1]

I would suggest that you contact Ruger about your question about a model that ceased being produced seven (7) years ago, based upon a forum posting from nine (9) years ago.

It is my understanding that the model number was derived from the year of development. For example, the P95 was developed in 1985, but wasn't available until 1987.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_P_series

Maybe other forum members took their Kool-aid today and can recall that information. Certainly an interesting question.....:?:

Be safe,
boomer 8)

:shock: Do you mean the P85 ?

Yep, thanks...missed that typo....

 

[RCT(V)]

Even with all the caveats about serial numbers being out-of-sequence, and that these are the serial numbers of P97s shipped (NOT produced), Ruger’s figures provide the basis for a little “number-crunching”.

I’ve added a “Totals” column to Ruger’s own figures.

P-Series - P97D Decocker Model Pistol
(manufactured from 1999 to 2004)
Caliber: .45 ACP

Year of Production: Beginning Serial No: Annual prod: Totals:

1999 . . . . . . . . . . 663-00001 . . . . . 15,240 . . . . . 15,240
2000 . . . . . . . . . . 663-15241 . . . . . 13,596 . . . . . 28,836
2001 . . . . . . . . . . 663-28837 . . . . . 12,671 . . . . . 41,507
2002 . . . . . . . . . . 663-41508 . . . . . . 5,666 . . . . . 47,173
2003 . . . . . . . . . . 663-47174 . . . . . . 6,587 . . . . . 53,760
2004 . . . . . . . . . . 663-53761 . . . . . . ? ? ? . . . . . . . ? ? ?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53,760 . . . . . 53,760

http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory/PI-P97D.html

Those certainly look more like the “production” figures that I would have imagined, rather than the original supposition/question that I raised at the beginning of the thread.

 

[P90]

I am pleased that the P97 did acquire a cult status
Thank you, again.

I just happen to have a couple of them.

 

[RCT(V)]

For completeness, and for the assistance of anyone who may stumble upon this thread, it should be noted that the same serial numbers in the above post, are used for the “P97D Decocker Model Pistol”, and for the “P97DAO Double-Action Only Model Pistol”. Therefore, these seem to be total P97 figures, with NO differentiation between the individual P97 models.

Also, nowhere do Ruger claim that the (combined) Serial Numbers run concurrently from one year to the next! Therefore, although we can be certain the numbers are the MAXIMUM that may have been produced/shipped, the actual quantities that are indicated at “face-value”, could actually have been a good deal less.

For example, Ruger confirm that Serial Number 663-15241 was the first one to be shipped in the year 2000. I have assumed - BUT WE CAN NOT BE CERTAIN - that the Annual Production figure for 1999, was therefore 15,240.

Hopefully, Ruger DID produce something like 15,240 x P97, in the first year. However, on their web pages (links below), Ruger do explain . . .

“Ruger does not produce firearms in serial number order. There are occasions when blocks of serial numbers have been manufactured out of sequence, sometimes years later. Also, within a model family the same serial number prefix may be used to produce a variety of different models, all in the same block of serial numbers. And in some cases, models may be stored for a length of time before they are shipped.”

P-Series - P97D Decocker Model Pistol
(manufactured from 1999 to 2004)
Calibre: .45 ACP
http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory/PI-P97D.html

- and -

P-Series - P97DAO Double-Action Only Model Pistol
(manufactured from 1999 to 2004)
Calibre: .45 ACP
http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory/PI-P97DAO.html

 

[SteveSatch]

I own two.

 

[RCT(V)]

I am pleased that the P97 did acquire a cult status
Thank you, again.

I just happen to have a couple of them.

I own two.

I would be interested to know more about them, and I will come back to you both!

I have - of course - scoured the inter-web, world-wide-net thingy!

However, I must first get-on with some work, that I really must do . . . .

 

[dwd]

I wonder how "rare" the DC and DAO versions of the P97are? I assume there was less than 50% but how much? In fact, in my limited travels, I have never seen a P97DAO.

 

[Al James]

The DAO Ruger P series are hard to come by altogether. But the P97DAO is the hardest to find in my experience. It took me 2 years of steady searching to find one for sale. It seems from my looking that the P93/94 are the most common of the DAO models.

 

[dwd]

Well I picked up a sweet P97DAO. this is the only one I have ever seen and I kind of like it already.

 

[Al James]

Good find. They are very hard to find. I love mine. It is slim and slick. Well, as slim and slick as a Ruger P can be I guess. Not quite sure when it got so bad but I have become quite enamored with the P guns. I'm not crazy about the manual safety models but the DC and DAO guns appeal to me quite a bit.

I missed buying another P97DAO on GB a few months ago and it ended up selling on the cheap. I had been watching it right before close and then I got side tracked by family. When I finally remembered I ran back to the computer and I had just missed it by like 2 minutes. Lameski. That P97 auction bothered me more than any other auction that I have spaced out and missed. So I guess that is how much I like the P97DAO. Enjoy yours, curious what you had to give?

 

[dwd]

I paid $275 + $20 shipping + $15 ffl fee for the stainless P97DAO with plastic box, mag loader, and 2 mags total.
I paid $240 + $20 shipping + $15 ffl fee for a blue P97DC, 2 mags, no mag loader and no box, a few months ago so I didn't think I paid too much.

 

[Al James]

Both great prices IMO! Enjoy the pair!