Intro

all texts and some pictures
copyright © 1999-2009
by Max R. Popenker
and can not be used without author's permission

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Ruger P-series (USA)

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	P85	P89	P90	P91	P93	P94 / P944	P95	P97
Caliber:	9mm	9mm	.45	.40	9mm	9mm / .40	9mm	.45
Action(s) *:	DA	DA DC DAO	DA DC	DC DAO	DC DAO	DA DC DAO	DA DC DAO	DC DAO
Lenght, mm:	200	200	200	200	184	191	185	185
Barrel lenght, mm:	114	114	114	110	99	108	99	99
Weight, g:	1077	?	980	900	870	930	780	860
Frame:	Aluminium	Aluminium	Aluminium	Aluminium	Aluminium	Aluminium	Polymer	Polymer
Capacity, rounds	15	15 (10 post-ban)	7	11	10	10	10	8
Years of manufacture	1987-1991	1991-present	1992-present	1992-1994	1994-present	1994-present	1996-present	1998-present

* - note on action short codes:
DA = Double Action with safety / decocker switch
DC = Double Action with decocker switch
DAO = Double Action Only, without manual safeties

The Rugers' P-series of centerfire pistols began from the model P85. All P-series pistols were designed with the main goal - to produce high quality, reliable and affordable service and personal defence pistols.

The P85 was designed in 1985, and entered the market in 1987. It had some design flaws, such as not too comfortable controls and average accuracy, so it was replaced by P89 in 1991.

Iternally, all P-series pistols are recoil operated, locked breech semi-automatic pistols. All P-series pistols use SIG-Sauer P220 type locking, when one massive barrel lug locks into large ejection port on the slide; All P-series utilise Browning-style tilting barrel: All models prior to P95 use M1911 style link system, while P95 and P97 use linkless system, where barrel tilts when its cam interoperates with another cam, located at the rear of the recoil spring guide.

The original P85 had only one trigger variant: traditional double action with ambidextrous safety that also worked as decocker when activated (blocking the firing pin and trigger and then lowering the hammer). Since introduction of the P89, Ruger offered three available versions of the trigger mechanics - Double Action (same as in P85), Double action with decocker only (the firing pin is locked by means of the internal safety that is actuated unless the trigger is pulled all the way back), and Double Action Only (no manual safeties at all, after each shot hammer came into lowered position and must be cocked by long trigger pull). Automated internal firing pin safety is present in all modifications, regardless of the manual safety options.

Frames of all pre-P95 models are made from aluminium alloy, and P95 and P97 frames are made from polymer. Slides are made from steel in all P models or from stainless steel in all KP-marked models. Grip panels on pre-P95 models are made from polymer, and are integral with the frame on the P95 and P97.

Sighst are dovetailed and has white dots for increased visibility.

In general, alll P-series pistols are extremely sturdy, capable of continuous firing of high-pressure +P loads without any damage to construction. They often referred as "built like tanks", and, when speaking about P89s and P90s - "the bricks with the triggers", because of somewhat rough external appearance. This was slightly improved with P93 and later pistols that featured more streamlined slides.