I'm looking to add another handgun to my collection, this time a semi-auto. I'm pretty loyal to Rugers, own three of them already so I'm looking at the P series, either the P89 in 9mm or the P90 in .45. I do my own handloading and this will be strictly a range gun, so I want something accurate. Is there any noticeable difference in accuracy or range between the 9mm and .45? I've also noticed the P series doesn't have adjustable rear sights, will this be much of a problem for a target gun? I've been shooting revolvers for years but I'm pretty unfamiliar with autos. One other thing I would like explained better, the P series has options of either a manual safety or a decocker but I don't quite understand the descriptions on how they operate. How do each of these work, and is one preferable over the other? I want a metal gun, no plastic frames and the Ruger is within my price range.
I haven't looked at a Beretta P92 yet, do these have adjustable sights and how do they compare in price?

its late, and i could be wrong - haven't looked in a while...but i own the a ruger p series in .45 and it shoots good, is decent accurate but nothing i could call a target gun.

if you don't want plastic frame you're looking at the wrong weapon. if memory servies all p-series have a plastic frame. i love mine, i shoot it as much if not more than the other ones, and its never failed to fire once.

I've had my P90 for 10 years and I like it.It'll feed everything I've ever put through,very reliable.The P90's are metal frames.The difference between the safety and decocker models are the safety models act like a regular thumb operated safety that also decocks the hammer when put on safe.The decocker models just decock only and doesn't work as a safety.In other words,the decocker model doesn't have a safety,except for the transfer block.My P90 is a safety model and if I had it to do over,I would've got a decocker model.

after doing some research, all but two of the p-series pistols have metal frames.

mine does not.

The P89 9mm and P90 .45 both use aluminum alloy frames (with plastic grips), while the rest of the P series use a plastic composite frame.

If you do get a Ruger P-Series,get a set of Hogue rubber wrap-arounds.They're like a must-have for P-Series.

RR, I have the P-345 and it's as accurate as a lot of pistols that cost twice or three times the price. I shoot rested groups @ 50' and I shoot offhand @ 50'. The rested groups are so I will know the intrinsic accuracy of my handloads, and to know what the pistols capable of when I shoot offhand. I haven't put many handloads through it that weren't capable of 1" rested groups or close to it. Some of my best efforts come in at .75" with the 230 gr. Rem. Golden Saber. I like SIGs myself, but I believe my P-345 would shoot with the P-220. I'd be happy to compete against an H&K which is a fine pistol with an excellent recoil reduction system in its own right, but Ruger's is better. Done both! If this pistol was made in Germany, it would cost $800 like the H&K instead of the $400 or so that Ruger charges.

The polymer that Ruger has compounded is so strong that steel inserts are not required like other polymer framed guns. The recoil reduction system in the P-345 is the reason I chose the gun in the first place. It is the softest shooting .45, I and a few others, have ever fired. I like the grip shape much more than the alloy frame P-series pistols, plus there is molded-in checkering around the entire grip surface. This gun easily handles +P ammunition and I keep asking why Ruger doesn't offer it in 10mm. The polymer frame is nothing to be concerned with. The light weight is not an issue at 29 oz. because of the recoil reduction system. When loaded, my pistol has an excellent heft and balance that makes it hard to believe it weighs 29 oz. empty.

The P-90 is without a doubt, one of the best buys in a .45 ACP pistol. If you get past the dislike/distrust of a polymer frame I think you'd find the P-345 well worth checking out. At least pick one up and see how it feels inyour hand. The sight radius is actually longer on the P-345. It is much trimmer than the P-90 and you only give up .3" of barrel to achieve it. P-90 - 4.5" barrel, P-345 - 4.2" barrel, making it much easier to carry concealed.

As you can see from the avatar, mine is blue, so it has the manual hammer drop safety. When engaged, the hammer drops and the trigger will not complete the hammers operation. You must move it back manually to the fire position. The decocking models drop the hammer when you rotate the decocking lever downward. Release the lever and it automatically returns to the fire position. The P-90 is available with either as is the P-345, except that the blue slide model only comes with the hammer drop safety and I don't want a "white slide" on a defense pistol.

Any way you go I think you'll be happy. As far as accuracy with Ruger P-series, I think it's fair to say that the .45s are more accurate than the 9mms.

Thanks, I've been looking more at the .45 than 9mm for that reason, most people beleive the .45 has better accuracy. I'm still leery of plastic frames, so I think I'll stick with the alloy. I might try to get out this weekend and see if I can hold a few models, I know my nearby Cabela's store has a few in stock. I buy through a local kitchen table dealer so he gives me a pretty fair price, he barely made a profit on the last gun I ordered through him.
I've never shot either a 9mm or .45, but based on my load info I'm assuming the recoil from the .45 would be comparable to a .38 special? I can't imagine it being as heavy as a .357 mag.

Not as heavy as a .357 magnum in a medium frame revolver. Recoil is a very subjective thing. To me, 9mm is quick and snappy, but I rarely shoot anything less than +P, .40 S&W is quick and snappier and .45 ACP is kind of a slow push. I love to shoot magnum revolvers and I reload for all of 'em including the autopistol rounds. I actually prefer the recoil senastion from the .45s slow push and I shoot some fairly stiff loads with 230 gr. bullets and 185s at +P. Then again, take into account how I feel about the recoil absorption ability of the P-345 and maybe I just have a bias.

I have a SIG P-226 in 9mm that is as accurate as the P-345, so I'd say an accuracy evaluation between the two cartridges is dependent on the pistol. Either caliber is more accurate, in my oppinion, than the .40 S&W, but I had a P-91 in the early 90s that was probably the most accurate .40 I ever fired. Talking strictly Rugers, I'd give the nod to the .45 ACP.