Boring, Durable, Unsexy Bricks: The Remarkably Successful Ruger P85 (Ad-free)
Added 2024-09-18 12:00:06 +0000 UTCThe Ruger P85 - like so many of Ruger's products - is not particularly attractive or exciting. It introduced no particular mechanical innovation besides the casting-based manufacturing that would actually probably be seen as a detriment if it were advertised. And yet, the gun (and those developed from it including the P89, P90, P91, and P94) were massively successful, with more than 700,000 produced. What Ruger did was to continue their standard operating procedure of making a gun that was practical affordable, and reliable without trying to make it flashy - and sold it by the boatload.
Comments
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.
ViejoLobo
2024-09-22 02:02:58 +0000 UTCIt 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.
Mark Brian
2024-09-19 11:53:03 +0000 UTCI 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.
TJ
2024-09-18 19:56:27 +0000 UTCThere'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...]
Bruce Brodnax
2024-09-18 18:55:19 +0000 UTCI have one, and while indeed rather odd looking, it has yet to fail me at the range.
Simo
2024-09-18 16:01:35 +0000 UTC"Boring guns that just work" ain't boring at all!
Glenn Miller
2024-09-18 15:22:38 +0000 UTCA friend of mine has one of those...definitely neat curio.
Forgotten Weapons
2024-09-18 14:28:42 +0000 UTCbut ok.. the 85 is made different but still a DA/SA 80s wondernine. just bigger.
Guido Schriewer
2024-09-18 14:12:41 +0000 UTCnot 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,....
Guido Schriewer
2024-09-18 14:07:07 +0000 UTCOne 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.
Thomas Walls
2024-09-18 13:54:45 +0000 UTCI 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.
Mark H. Smith
2024-09-18 13:15:25 +0000 UTCThat magazine looks exactly like my 10 round CZ75 Magazine.
Richard Simon
2024-09-18 13:10:47 +0000 UTCInteresting barrel was cast too.
David Forsberg
2024-09-18 12:32:56 +0000 UTC
