Ruger P85 vs. P89
What's the difference in the P85 vs. the P89? Cosmetically the look the same to me. I know the P85 is not made any more, but other that that, is there any advantage of one over the other?
-Marcus
When buying a new gun, remember, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
-Marcus
When buying a new gun, remember, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
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I have to say there both good guns the P95 is a little less expensive.But I am Partcial to my KP89D,I love the safety down no trigger action style.They are both probably one as good as the other for what ever cause.I guess I still like my P85 MKII I guess thats why I like the P89.You want go wrong with either one.The P95 I think is what your question is about and Ive been refering to.Its a Polymer frame gun.If not the P85 was the first P series released from Ruger and was recalled Due to a issue with the Decocker.The P89 followed and was corrected.Hope this answers your question.The P85 was released in 1985 and that was where the 85 came from.This does not apply to other P series guns.Ruger had hopes the gun would take Law Enforcement by storm.But it didnt have as big of impact with LE as it did with civilians.Like all Ruger products there all reliable good shooting guns.The P85 was Rugers first centerfire pistol cartridge Introduced as a semi auto.
Best!!!
Rugster
Toujours Pret
Edited by - Rugster on 08/22/2002 18:35:220 -
who cares, they're both ugly....
Just kidding.
I have a question to tack on to your post if ya don't mind.
Are the lowers on the 85 and 89 made from the same material? I am currently under the impression that the 85 has a polymer composite lower and the 89 has an aluminum lower.
If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.
The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !0 -
I have a P95 and it has a poly frame.Never owned the othe rtwo.CW
A near miss is still a miss!
Before I got married I spent half my money on women and guns,THE REST I WASTED!
Wasn't me(you?).......!0 -
There are 3 guns being talked about here. The KP or P95 is the polymer framed model. The P85 was the original 9mm that Ruger came out with. The P89 is the updated version of the P85. I am not sure of all the difference in the P85 and the P89, I know 1 is a safety update on the firing pin; however, Ruger offers this update on the P85 for free anyway. I am not sure of what the difference is in mags, but I have always seen in ads that the 2 guns take different mags. 1 -
The first P-85 had a manufacturing defect and were recalled by Ruger. When they were repaired the slide was marked. The P-85 Mark 11 was a replacement for the P-85 and was then replaced by the P-89. When I bought my P-85 Mark 11 I had the choice of that or a P-89. Both had an aluminum alloy frame and appeared identical. I chose the P-85 Mark 11 because the ones the dealer had in stock had the decocker safety on the P-85 Mark 11 but the P-89's in stock were decocker models only.
If you don't care where you are going, you can't get lost.1 -
OK, enough guessing.
The P-89 is nearly identical to the P-85 and P-85MKII but has the refined safety that places the rear of the firing pin inside the frame as well as placing a block over it; in 1992 the P-89 replaced the P-85 MarkII.
Also if you want to know if your P-85 was sent back to the factory for modification "MKIIR" is stamped on the right side of the safety, not the slide.
There are other differences between the P-85 and P-85MKII. Early P-85's had an extra large slide release lever and a loaded chamber indicator.
The frame of Ruger's blued pistols is aluminum alloy with a dark matte finish. the slide is chrome-molybdenum steel with a black finish.
Stainless steel "K" guns also have aluminum frames but with a gray finish on the frame that contrasts nicely with the matte "white" of the stainless steel.
Schools Out - Go Home!
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!1 -
Thank you Ruger, that answered my question.
-Marcus
When buying a new gun, remember, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.0 -
Yup - RugerNiner has said it all.
I have an early KP89 1992 vintage and you can shoot anything out of it NO JAMS - you can bet your life on it.
If you are ordering mags from the Ruger Catalog they need to know the sn because there is a break and I guess it has to do with hi cap.
If you buy a P series you get a lot of bang for your buck!!!0 -
The break in the serial number is #304-7XXXX
I also bet my life on my Ruger P-85MKII.
I own 1-P85, 1-P85MKII, 2-P89's, 1-P90, 1-P94, 1-P95 and a SP101 3" 357 mag.
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
Edited by - RugerNiner on 08/23/2002 22:52:110 -
rugerniner, i have an early p85 . it is not stamped to denote update .
should i have it updated or not use the decocker funtion ? i want this gun 100% as my wife will be using it also .the ser # is301-80xxx .
is the p85 considered a med frame ? we are looking for a holster .
thanks , wrench .0 -
Unfired it would be a collectable.
I don't know if there is any collectable value if it's been used for ten or more years.
My suggestion would be to send it back to the factory in Prescot, Arizona. They will fix the firing pin in it for free.
Try this website for more answers.
http://www.rugerforum.com/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/rugerforum//forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Ruger++Semiauto+Pistols&number=2&DaysPrune=5&LastLogin=
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
Edited by - RugerNiner on 08/24/2002 00:05:160 -
it is not unfired but it has very few rounds shot thru it .less than a box . thanks for your reply . wrench . 0 -
Digger, the 85 was built to compete for the armed forces contract back in 1984/5 which it lost to Berreta. The cool thing about the 85 is that the gun had to be built to Govrmt speeks for it to be considered. This is why it does not have parts that will rust, and that it breaks down for clean up in a minimal # of parts. I bought my 85 in 1985 and have shoot @ 20000 rounds throught it ,give or take a few, and it has functioned flawlessly. I have not sent mine in for the decock fix and have had no problems.
Niner, I don't have quit the Ruger selection as your self, but I do have an P85, Securty 6 in 357 mag, Single 6 with 22 long and mag rollers, and a Super Red in 44 mag scoped out. Love them all !!!!
Of course the fun of it all is there are more to buy......0
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