Opinions of Ruger P89TH?

The Overfishin Condition · 12-07-2006, 04:18 PM

This is apparently a special pistol that's only availabe at certain sporting goods stores. I saw it the other day and liked the looks of it. Anyone have any experience with the P89 model in general and care to share their feelings about them? It didn't seem many people were impressed with the Berreta 9000s when I asked so I kept looking around. Any other mid-sized to compact sized 9mms or 40s I should be looking at in the 300-450 price range? TOC.

Hunt'nFish · 12-07-2006, 04:44 PM

All the early rugers are FAT, with levers sticking out even further.
Not until the latest 45 did they fix this.
Hunt'nFish

PGJPJ · 12-07-2006, 04:52 PM

Hmmm I looked on Ruger's site, and they said it was some kind of special addition, but I couldn't find anything about what�s different about it.

I have a P91 DAO (.40 cal). It's a bit heavy, and bulky. Feels really good in my hand. The trigger pull is a little long and heavy (DAO stands for double action only). I think overall you get a lot of gun for the price.

I guess the important thing is I trust it.

mcknerkneykak · 12-07-2006, 05:01 PM

I have a P89.
Its kind of a love/hate type of relationship with this gun. I hate the way it feels in my hand.
I've found like most folks that any wheel gun feels better--- but---- I can shoot this gun. I'm accurate with it.
I have other handguns that I can't shoot as well with, but they feel more natural in my hand.---Go figure.
My favorite handgun is a Ruger Security Six 357 mag. It just feels good and I can hit what I'm shooting at.
If I had to go to war, I'd probably choose the P89.

jvp · 12-08-2006, 07:32 AM

mostly what are you going to use it for?? i have 9000 for the home great hallway gun little heavy to carry can hit the target at 25 yards. if you just want something to shoot get a revolver 357 so you can shoot 38s which my wife prefers. got a glock 23 40 cal. which is lighter than the rugers.

here is an interesting thing i just read:
There's already a virtual hailstorm of large-capacity .40 S&W pistols out there. Within the next few years this cartridge may almost entirely replace the 9mm Parabellum as the standard U.S. police service round.

The Overfishin Condition · 12-08-2006, 09:48 AM

Yeah, the first gun I bought was a 357. Shooting it is nothing, neither the 357 rounds, nor the the 38 rounds really get me too bad. I could shoot it all day.

BUT, it's heavy, and full sized, and I need something more compact, and semi-auto to carry concealed, and just plink with.

CHROME CATCHER · 12-08-2006, 11:33 AM

I have the P89 and I would keep it over my dads Glock any day!
I don't have any thing in peticular against the Glock, I just like the Rugers feel much better. I've got big hands so maybe that has something to do with it. I got the "special edition" model with the two-tone finish and rubber grips. $150 cheaper than the Glock, I think its a great gun for the money.........my

Ethical hunter · 12-08-2006, 12:16 PM

I have been shooting a P-89 for years, I even shot IPSC/USPSA with a P-89 for a number of years. My friends laughed at me when I started shooting competition with it. They quit laughing when I would beat them and their High priced, highly tuned $1500+ competition pistols with my $300 Ruger week after week.

The only aftermarket improvement I made to my P-89 were Houge grips.

If you want an inexpensive and reliable gun there is nothing wrong with the P-89. One potential problem is the alloy frame gets battered by factory ammo. I reload and developed a load that functions great in my gun - 10,000 rounds tell the story.

EH

johndeeregreen · 12-08-2006, 12:23 PM

It's not the highest quality hundgun but still a good one. Can't go wrong with a Sturm-Ruger.

Catching Nemo · 12-08-2006, 12:45 PM

The P89 would make a great range/house/plinking gun but you will get real tired of trying to carry and conceal it. the P89 is a fullsize/heavy auto and there are better choices when ease of carry/concealment is important.

Here are some other options, in your price range, that would make for a better carry firearm:

Taurus PT111
Kahr CW9
Springfield Armory XD9SC
S&W 3913
Cz75C

cwh · 12-08-2006, 01:58 PM

That's a good list Nemo, and I'd take a hard look at the Springfield XD if I were in TOC's position.

I would add, in the used market, to take a look at the Glock 19/23. Sort of a mid-size, which I think would conceal nicely. They are about the smallest I think I could shoot well. I've been very happy with my 23, although I don't cary concealed. You should find police turn-in and factory refurbished glocks to be quite reasonable.

stilly bum · 12-09-2006, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catching Nemo

The P89 would make a great range/house/plinking gun but you will get real tired of trying to carry and conceal it. the P89 is a fullsize/heavy auto and there are better choices when ease of carry/concealment is important.

True. I had a P95 and a P97. Though the 97 was slightly thinner, they were both bulky. Both were dependable. I had some cheap high-caps for the 95 and shot it a lot. It never had a problem.
Aim Surplus is selling a few different Glock models (used) for $370 right now.