Designed around the Browning action found inside the 1911 with some Sig 220 inspirations, the P85 offered a DA/SA, hammer-fired gun with some modern alloy-framed tech to go with its classic internal design. The one I tested was actually a P85 MKII, which is important to note when looking at P85s, but more on that in a second.

Ruger’s P-series handguns had some high expectations as a possible replacement for the military’s service M1911. It did offer 15 rounds of 9mm in a double-stack magazine, which brought it in line with the NATO 9mm trend. But it also eventually proved to be unable to unseat the Beretta M9. Tragic as that is, the gun has since become a well-liked and affordable handgun with a reputation for reliability. 
 

Origin Stories

 

Ruger P85 Pistol
Offering a similar size to other service handguns vying for dominance in the 80s, the P85 the P85 was a bit late to the party to beat out guns like the Beretta M9. But it still offered a value option to individual gun owners on the American market just as the polymer-framed Glock 17 started to win over more contracts. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


I can almost feel like I hear one of the U.S. Military’s ordnance officers argue that the advantages of the P85 included its familiar design for the troops who already carried 1911s for years. However, it does have an entirely different balance from the 1911s I’ve shot, and the DA/SA trigger might have solved a military need, but I would put it below most DA/SA triggers I have fired. 

At the same time, it did double the capacity of the original 1911 – yes, with 9mm instead of .45 ACP – but it also entered the game a bit late and was already trapped behind the previous 1984 Joint Service Small Arms Program guns that went in favor of the Beretta 92SBF

This version, which is actually more appropriately referred to as P85 MkII, hosts a decocker. Incidentally, why is it important that it's a P85 MKII? Because that decocker/safety was redesigned over the original to correct some safety concerns should the gun experience a specific type of firing pin breakage, that's why. The more you know, right? Now, the fact that the barrel still has a link is interesting, but there are a few other features that make the gun quite unique for most modern hands.  
 

Specs & Figures

 

Ruger P85 Pistol
The gun hosted a decocker/safety that was common among service guns at the time. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


I actually shot this gun fairly well, even though it felt a bit blocky in the hand. I put it in my wife’s hand, and she agreed it does feel a bit heavy on top. However, the recoil was shockingly gentile from a gun that actually makes me try and recall the 1980s. Most of the weight is in the slide, and that weight is fairly well mitigated by the recoil while actually shooting.

The sights are a bit small, but I would give this gun above-average marks for its shoot-ability factor. After adjusting for the fact that I was a bit low on the sights, I would say it came in about as well as I shoot my Glock 17 on a decent day. But I will also have to rate it a bit low for total ergonomics. 
 

P85 recoil spring
The recoil spring and guide rod were are not captured together. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)
P85 Barrel
The gun does host a barrel link that should bring back some memories for Browning design fans. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


The trigger had a bit of slop on the pull. I would almost compare it to my FEG Hi-Power, but the reset has an audible false click that doesn’t quite reset the trigger. Unlike my Hi-Power, the gun does offer a DA/SA option that comes complete with a decocker. I’ve listed a few extra specs below:

Weight: 2 pounds with an empty magazine 
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Action: DA/SA
SA Trigger Pull: 6.22 pounds
DA Pull: 9.9 pounds
 

P85 Barrel
It might be of particular interest to note that the barrel on this now decades-old gun was actually in quite nice shape. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)
Ruger P85 Pistol
But don't expect more modern ergonomics preferred by many American shooters today. The magazine release was ambi but more of a lever design. It works fine, but I struggled to use it without breaking my grip. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)

 

Range Time
 

Ruger P85 Pistol
I found the shooting performance to be solid for a first-time user, with this representing my first-ever two mags through the gun at 15 yards. Recoil is also minimal, but it's a heavier gun anyway. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


I had low expectations for this gun when I first ordered it for testing. It's not one of the polymer wunderkinds I've become accustomed to in recent years. At the same time, it does not boast the sleek lines of a 1911 or the promise that the balance in the hand will feel like a dream. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw my grouping and adjusted a little bit because I was shooting consistently low. The handgun offered even a newer shooter sub-fist-size groups with a bit of practice at practical self-defense ranges.

I did mix it up a bit with a combo of ammo that included Federal 115-grain and 124-grain bullets with some bulk reloads and an old box of Sig Sauer Elite JHP. It ate everything over the 300 rounds I brought for it to the range. Just as importantly, I could certainly see my shooting improve over the course of the day.
 

The sights on a P85
The sights are rather small by modern standards, but they worked well and were still miles ahead of common fixed versions that came on many service guns at the time. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


If I had to leave a negative comment, I would drop three. First, the magazine release on this gun might be ambidextrous, but it’s not really a button or a traditional lever. I have not been able to just lever it without breaking my grip. That would bring me to my next point, which is that the decocker/safety pushes in the upward position. It’s common enough in military guns, but I just find it to feel unnatural and slow.

The last point I will bring up is that the gun has a bit of a weird battery of arms. Having noted the mag release, I would add the fact that in the age of Glocks, you do have to put your hand into the mouth of the action to take this gun apart. If you do it once, it’s a piece of cake. But I did find myself looking up a how-to video on YouTube.
 

Ruger P85 Pistol
One quirk that truly stood out for me was the disassembly process, which involves sticking your finger into the ejection port. A bit of care is recommended here, as the gun can close on your hand if you don't secure it to the rear. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)

 

Final Thoughts


Ruger might have been a bit late to the party with this one, but if you love Browning-inspired designs in an affordable gun that also has a bit of history, the P85 could cut that bill. The gun is simple and robust. It also shoots well. Sure, it is a bit blocky, but it can nail a target inside self-defense ranges.

Having spent some time behind service-issued Beretta M9s, I can see why they won out over the Ruger option. The gun lacks some looks and sex appeal, but it is a pretty nice shooter if you can get past the trigger reset. At least for my generation of gun collectors, I would call it a pretty budget collectible that is both obscure enough to be interesting and ready for a trip to the range at the same time. 

revolver barrel loading graphic

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