Some Blasts From The Past

[steve_k]

Thought I would share my most recent haul of goodies from another road trip... Kinda been the summer of guns for me with picking up a small collection from a friend that passed away and now some of my dads stuff as he's not really able to handle firearms with his Parkinson's and deteriorating health.

First find was his Ruger P85 that has never been shot and came with 3 magazines. Serial number dates it to about 1989 from what I have found on the inter webs.

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Up next was his first rifle that I want to say he probably received in the early to mid 60's since I think he graduated high school in '67 or '68. It's a Ranger .22lr M34, but no serial numbers to figure out when it was made. When stopping by a friends gun shop on the road trip home, he had 2 of these under different names that he was cleaning up for people. Haven't put in the research to see who actually made them, but apparently they we're cranked out by someone and marked up for whoever was reselling them. Considering its current condition, I might see about getting the barrel threaded for a nice quiet plinker.

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Mixed in with the guns was some old ammo, magazines, and some cleaning supplies, some of which I know I bought for him back in the late 80's and early 90's. He had bought a couple of G17's and 19's for work when they first hit the US. I remember buying some extended magazines and some Black Talons. Also in with the ammo was some Winchester Silver Tip, some black tipped .30-06 surplus ammo that came with an 03-A3 my grandpa had bought in the 50's, and some other various .38spc and 22lr ammo. My mom is still looking for the Glocks and I will go pick those up once they are ready, or maybe do the digging myself on my next trip down to see them.

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[Papa]

Ashamed to relate this, but a P85 was my EDC for awhile, back when I couldn't afford a 92 or 226 and wanted more firepower than a sixgun or a 1911 provided.

What a brick. Carried it sans holster, AIWB, with a spare magazine and no backup. Mine was basically a 4" gun at 25 yards.

Yikes.

[steve_k]

And they are still cheap today! Just checked Gunbroker and there were a couple with opening bids of $160 and $230... I remember shooting one that a friend had in the early 90's and it seemed to have the longest trigger pull in the world. Not sure if I will shoot this one, but might be fun to give it a go.

[Jon Payne]

There’s a huge difference in accuracy between the early P85’s and the P85 MK II/P89-P91 etc. The late models were ugly, blocky, ultra reliable, and accurate. Did I mention they were ugly and blocky?


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[Papa]

There’s a huge difference in accuracy between the early P85’s and the P85 MK II/P89-P91 etc. The late models were ugly, blocky, ultra reliable, and accurate. Did I mention they were ugly and blocky?


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Like a guy said in another thread, out walking around in public, no one's gonna see them unless they're used.

[7 Mary 3]

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LoL I want a t-shirt with that.

I had a stainless P85.

First handgun in '95

No complaints. Big honkin piece of metal that went bang every time. Traded it for something more useful years ago which I cant remember now.

The P95 on the other hand would be a very good truck gun for dirt cheap these days...

7M3

[jtiii]

I was a real Ruger fan boy in the 80's. I had a MKII pistol, 10/22, Mini 14 with the factory folding stock. Several buddies lent me their p85's to try. I really liked them but I ended up with getting a Taurus M92 copy ( I walked into a deal I could not refuse} I don't regret it. All the P85's I handled where accurate and reliable. If I found a good deal on one now I'd pick it up.

[M_P_E]

Ah, old school stuff. I’d totally buy a clean P89 if one came up, or a Taurus 92 clone of the same era.

[Gunstore Commando]

A decade or two ago, I had a torrid affair with a rental range P90 for a few months. Eventually ended up buying a P220 instead. No regrets, especially considering what it would be like trying to get spare parts, mags, and accessories nowadays -- but honestly, there wasn't a whole lot wrong with a P90 other than being pretty big for a single stack .45.

Never used any of the other Ruger P series, but I wouldn't feel unarmed if all I had was a P90.

[Beoceorl]

Speaking of old school:

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My first semi-auto was a STAR Firestar. It was reasonably accurate, and its weight made easy to shoot (even in 40 S&W). I don't recall any reliability issues (and I did a lot of shooting with it).

It was replaced as my EDC with the little item below. The CZ was a big step up in virtually every way, except perhaps for concealability.

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