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Boring, Durable, Unsexy Bricks: The Remarkably Successful Ruger P85 (Ad-free)

🕑 Added 2024-09-18 12:00:06 +0000 UTC

Comments

ViejoLobo

Mine is an original P85 with the factory Mk II recall mod, so stamped on the rightside safety. The safety decocks as well, like that on a Walther P38 or Smith M59. When pulled out of the safe, after 20 or more years, it shot as reliably as ever, with the same mediocre accuracy. Not that it won't group, but every five rounds or so it'll throw an unpredictable and uncalled flier. Changing to a Mk II-marked slide assembly, which uses a larger swinging link, did not cure the problem. Reducing hammer spring weight resulted in light primer strikes even with the OEM hammer, much less a bobbed spare that I experimented with. The unsat sights were replaced with Mepro night sights, a decided improvement. As issued, the P85 is adequate for 25 yards and in, if you don't mind the occasional high, low or sideways flier.

Mark Brian

It was eagerly anticipated by Ruger fans, and at least for this one, somewhat of a let-down. We had owned a M59 S&W for years prior and just didn't see much advantage to the P Ruger. If you had been a young gun nut in 1967, and seen the first advertisement for the Number One, you might take the much-admired Mr. Ian to task about "boring". Understated, yes. Sexy, no. Smart and Practical, Yes. The only big disappointment was the failure of the XGI. Many of us Mini 14 owners were foaming at the mouth about that one, but our hopes and dreams were dashed. A FW Episode on that would be cool. Betcha Mr. Ian can lay his hands on one.

TJ

I borrowed a Ruger P85 from a friend for this year Finnish Brutality. Not really impressed, it´s not very accurate, trigger is terrible, grip is slippery and as comfortable as piece of 2x4! I´d rather take a TT-33 than the Ruger for a brutality match! But back then there were less many options than today. We are spoiled by so many good gun options today.

Bruce Brodnax

There's just not a whole of packaging variation possible when you're trying to fit things into the same envelope. It may look very similar on-screen, but IRL they're probably visibly different up close: squishing 3D artifacts into 2D distorts things in such a way as to make our stereo vision useless [ie, contrary to popular sayings, the camera *always* lies...]

Simo

I have one, and while indeed rather odd looking, it has yet to fail me at the range.

Glenn Miller

"Boring guns that just work" ain't boring at all!

Forgotten Weapons

A friend of mine has one of those...definitely neat curio.

Guido Schriewer

but ok.. the 85 is made different but still a DA/SA 80s wondernine. just bigger.

Guido Schriewer

not THAT much of a ruger fanboy but have to disagree. beside a couple of true longrun bestsellers they come out here and there with stuff nobody else brings at least not affordable or at such units sold. off shelf blackhawk convertible, 10/22, the mini, mk1-4 22 pistol, redhawk 45colt/acp (for me), the PR,....

Thomas Walls

One of the few modern handguns I have is a P89 that came with a 7.65mm Luger barrel and spring. This was probably for those particular markets in which common military calibers were prohibited. I love shooting it in that caliber! I always pick up the brass because I know I'll reload it one day.

Mark H. Smith

I was introduced to the P85 by a friend in college who had one. It fit my hand pretty well and was pretty much "a gun" as I recall. Nothing especially noteworthy but it was less expensive than a new fangled Glock at the time. My only other experience with a 9mm until then was a Browning Hi-Power and those were way too pricey for a poor college student. It seems like a P85 tops out at about $450 or so today so not a bad starter gun even now I suppose.