Ruger P-series

[Garb]

So I just recently turned 21 and I am really liking the Ruger P94 in .40 S&W for my first handgun. However, I've also seen a model P944, and I was wondering if there are any significant differences. I watched a couple of youtube reviews on it, but I wanted to double check. The one said that the P944 has a decocker, implying that the P94 doesnt... Is that the only difference, or are there any others? Thanks for the info.

 

[printcraft]

So I just recently turned 21 and I am really liking the Ruger P94 in .40 S&W for my first handgun. However, I've also seen a model P944, and I was wondering if there are any significant differences. I watched a couple of youtube reviews on it, but I wanted to double check. The one said that the P944 has a decocker, implying that the P94 doesnt... Is that the only difference, or are there any others? Thanks for the info.

I think the 944 is the current model of the P94 so it's the newest one with
probably some small update or different frame material, etc.
the 944 is showing as the current on the Ruger site.

 

[42769vette]

my first carry gun was a model 90 dc. i dont have anything bad to say about it at all

 

[Garb]

I think the 944 is the current model of the P94 so it's the newest one with
probably some small update or different frame material, etc.
the 944 is showing as the current on the Ruger site.

Ok thanks, I think that pretty much answers my question. I was partly confused because I've seen the P94 on gunbroker in 9mm, and I thought the P94 was only in .40. I guess when I go to buy it I'll just have to check if that model has the decocker.

 

[Cygnus]

Ok thanks, I think that pretty much answers my question. I was partly confused because I've seen the P94 on gunbroker in 9mm, and I thought the P94 was only in .40. I guess when I go to buy it I'll just have to check if that model has the decocker.

The 9mm in the P-series is the P-95. The listing you saw must've been an error. I own a P-95. If you donpt mind a chunky grip, you can't go wrong. I'm sure the .40 versions are just as good.
Heck the US just armed the Iraqi police with 5k P-95's.

The P-944 should serve you well.

 

[TiminMishawaka]

My first semi auto pistol was a P95DC. Basically a 9mm version of your P94 with a polymer frame. It shot as well as I could, fed EVERYTHING factory made without a single hiccup, and was built like a sherman tank.

I've heard reports of marginal accuracy in the p series by folks who are good enough to notice, but that the P345 is supposed to be an anomaly of that and a surprisingly accurate gun. I can't comment on that, only that my Ruger P series went boom every time the trigger was pulled.

 

[Garb]

The 9mm in the P-series is the P-95. The listing you saw must've been an error. I own a P-95. If you donpt mind a chunky grip, you can't go wrong. I'm sure the .40 versions are just as good.
Heck the US just armed the Iraqi police with 5k P-95's.

The P-944 should serve you well.

Do you knowif the P-944 is the first model that they manufactured with a decocker?

 

[Cygnus]

Do you knowif the P-944 is the first model that they manufactured with a decocker?

Sorry. No clue. I do think the number after the P is the first year of production but I may be wrong there as well.

 

[andyrping]

The P94 was a 9mm that is now discontinued and the P944 is the .40 s&w version. The P94 was originally introduced as a compact version of the P89. The P944's still only say P94 on the slide. It's just the tooling was never updated. Not that it makes a real big difference, but if you're going for a P944 (fine pistols they are) you may want to find a newer version that uses the camblock design instead of the 1911 style link. It was designed to be more robust for the battering of the .40 as compared to the 9mm and is supposed to make the frame last longer. You can tell which is which easily by the camblock version has a little black square just behind the slide stop.

I think the P-series are great guns for the money and I know I will be chastised for saying this, but for how much more a Sig costs, I personally don't think your getting that much more gun... Just my thoughts anyway....

 

[cbop]

I believe all the early P series (P90, P93, P94, P95 & P97) were available as decocker model or manual safety models. After the P97 ended in around '03, they switched all the new production over to manual safety models (which also have the decocker feature but the lever detents down in 'safe' and will need to be moved back to 'fire' whereas the straight decocker models, the lever was spring loaded and returned to the 'fire' position and relied strictly on the trigger block safety).

 

[Joe Williams]

The 9mm in the P-series is the P-95. The listing you saw must've been an error. I own a P-95. If you donpt mind a chunky grip, you can't go wrong. I'm sure the .40 versions are just as good.
Heck the US just armed the Iraqi police with 5k P-95's.

The P-944 should serve you well.

The P94 was/is available in both 9mm and .40 S&W. I used to own one in 9mm. Good, solid, reliable gun, as all the P series pistols are.

 

[JohnP82]

i agree the ruger p series will do you well. my first handgun was a p95 and i still have it. it is a bit bulky for me to carry since i now have many more to choose from, but for the money it is a great gun and built like a tank. good luck and keep us posted when you get it.

 

[Bendrx]

I'm sure any P Series will serve you well. I've got a KP345 that I've had about 6 months now, and love it. As for the accuracy comment I can't say as I've not fired any other P pistols, and I'm far from a crack shot. In 300 rounds I've had 1 FTF, I've only used UMC FMJ 230gr rounds. I don't expect anymore as it's just now "Worn In" IMO. Not the cheapest thing to shoot in the world, but alot of fun. Congrats on you're purchase, whenever and whatever it may be.

 

[Bubba]

My first handgun was a P89, bought off a firearms instructor. I paid $450 for the gun, 3 holsters, several pre-ban magazines (during the AWB), and some other assorted kit - a healthy price but not a complete ripoff. I have no idea of its lifetime round count (many thousands, surely), but I put about 1500 rounds down the barrel before it just gave up. Over the course of 500 rounds or so it went from decent groupings to spraying rounds everywhere. I thought it was me, but I got worse the more I practiced. I even took it back to the instructor who sold it to me for him to try it and he could barely keep the shots on the paper. Knowing what I know now I would have started by replacing the barrel, and maybe a trip to a decent 'smith for a once-over, but I couldn't see the benefit to dumping hundreds into an old low priced gun. I ended up replacing it with a Sig P220.

I can't say anything bad about the Ruger. It was reliable, controllable, decent ergonomics, and accurate enough for a beginner, but I'd question used offerings carefully. It may have just been mine that went bad so quickly, but I'd be leery of high-round count Rugers if I were to purchase another.

 

[Joe Williams]

My first handgun was a P89, bought off a firearms instructor. I paid $450 for the gun, 3 holsters, several pre-ban magazines (during the AWB), and some other assorted kit - a healthy price but not a complete ripoff. I have no idea of its lifetime round count (many thousands, surely), but I put about 1500 rounds down the barrel before it just gave up. Over the course of 500 rounds or so it went from decent groupings to spraying rounds everywhere. I thought it was me, but I got worse the more I practiced. I even took it back to the instructor who sold it to me for him to try it and he could barely keep the shots on the paper. Knowing what I know now I would have started by replacing the barrel, and maybe a trip to a decent 'smith for a once-over, but I couldn't see the benefit to dumping hundreds into an old low priced gun. I ended up replacing it with a Sig P220.

I can't say anything bad about the Ruger. It was reliable, controllable, decent ergonomics, and accurate enough for a beginner, but I'd question used offerings carefully. It may have just been mine that went bad so quickly, but I'd be leery of high-round count Rugers if I were to purchase another.

At that round count, some copper solvent down the barrel and a new recoil spring may have been beneficial.

 

[Customgod227]

I own a P94 and i think it is a very nice weapon. It was also my first handgun. Its a bit bulky, but extremely reliable. Its a Ruger P94, it did not mention anything about the "DeCocker" but it does have a decocker, which is a feature that i enjoy.

 

[jmiller676]

P89 DC was my first handgun. I wanted something smaller it was however solid, accurate and reliable.

 

[Customgod227]

I was going to go with the P89/P90 but then i found mine for a really good deal.

 

[Garb]

At that round count, some copper solvent down the barrel and a new recoil spring may have been beneficial.

I'll have to keep that in mind for later. Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'm going to look around at the 1500 in March and see what I can find that I really like, I'll post pics of my purchase then.

 

[barrelmaker_2002]

The P944 is the current model. Both it and the P94 say P94 on the side.

I looked at this gun and while it seems fine, Ruger only produces 10 round magazines for it and I could not find any larger aftermarket mags.

This is an awfully big gun to only carry 10 rounds with and even though you might be able to find bigger mags, they will likely be used and the supply will be unreliable.

The P-95 or SR9 might a be a better choice if you want a Ruger. They carry more bullets, weighs less and are cheaper. If you want a .40 caliber, there are several excellent choices other than the P944.