Ruger P89 Serial Number History

Jasp fur mac. Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., better known by the shortened name Ruger, is an American firearm manufacturing company based in Southport, Connecticut with production facilities also in Newport, New Hampshire; Mayodan, North Carolina and Prescott, Arizona.The company was founded in 1949 by Alexander McCormick Sturm and William B. Ruger and has been publicly traded since 1969.

  1. Ruger P89 History
  2. Ruger Pistol Serial Number Search
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Lablover, As P89DC stated, Ruger lumped P-85 S/Ns with P-89 S/Ns. According to the Red Eagle News Exchange reference (which is much more accurate than Ruger's web site), your P-89 was made in 1993. It's eye-Oh-wee-jan. Leave it to Ruger to improve upon a classic. That number grew to about 85,300 by 1989. The P85 MKII was replaced by an upgraded P89—in blued or stainless steel versions. In this video I show the disassembly of a Ruger P89 similar to a P95 Subscribe. Ruger American® Rifle. Ruger American® Rimfire. Ruger Precision® Rifle. Ruger Precision® Rimfire. Ruger® Scout Rifle. Hawkeye® Rotary Magazine. Record screen video mac os x. Model 96™ PC Carbine™ AR-556® SR-762® SR-556® SR-22® Rifle. Archestra license manager guide. 10/22® Mini-14® / Mini Thirty® PC9.

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Post subject:Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Single-Sixer

Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2001 1:01 am
Posts: 101
I was finally able to purchase some new factory Ruger 15rd P-Series magazines for a couple of new to me P89's. Unfortunately, it was hard to rack the slide on one of them when I inserted one of these magazines. I did some research and found out the there are actually two different magazines for the P89 depending on the serial number with the serial number 304-70000 being the dividing line. Well, I now have Ruger magazines for the one that has a serial number greater than 304-70000, but I can't find Ruger magazines for the one that has a serial number below 304-70000. I would just use Mec-Gars, but the floor plate really cuts in to my hand. The Ruger part number for the factory Ruger 15rd magazines I need is 90234. Does anyone know where I can find them?


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P89Ruger p89 serial number history site
Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Hunter

Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:13 pm
Posts: 3156
Ruger has them in stock.
http://shopruger.com/P-Series-9mm-Blued .. nfo/90234/


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Single-Sixer

Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2001 1:01 am
Posts: 101
Thanks for the link. I wouldn't say I'm cheap, but paying $40 each for mags is kind of steep. The Ruger mags that I did get were $30 each, so I was hoping for a price in that range.


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Hawkeye

Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2005 2:01 am
Posts: 15486
Location: Greenville, SC: USA
I just purchased an older P89 and my plan is to figure out how to modify the pistol so that newer mags will work.


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Hunter

Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:13 pm
Posts: 3156
You basically need to lower the new mag so it will fit. If you 'mill' the mag hole or the mag stop they should work. Or if you say the metal foot mags bother your hand you could simply grind the foot so it is smooth with the pistol grip when installed.


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Newly Registered

Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:11 pm
Posts: 6
I have a P85 (ser# 300-6xxxx) and P89 (ser# 305-4xxxx). I have no problem using any of the original magazines in either pistol - the P89 mags work in the P85. I have a couple of spare early P85 Ruger magazines that work in the P89. The MEC-GARS I have work in both pistols. I can see slight differences between the P89 and P85 mag followers. What specifically is the difference that causes problems? Pictures please. Thanks. Mark O


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Hunter

Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:13 pm
Posts: 3156
It was a small design change made by Ruger to raise the height of the round in relation to the chamber. The newer mags have the hole for the release slightly lower. Only like .010' or so. Can cause the ejector to be pushed over slightly and or the slide to hang on the mag lips.


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Newly Registered

Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:11 pm
Posts: 6
I can see no significant difference in the P89 and P85 magazines other than the follower. See the following measurements from the top of the mag release opening to the top front of the mag.
P89 Ruger Mags: 1.652' & 1.655'
P85/P89 Mec-Gars Mags: 1.655' & 1.654'
P85 Ruger Mags: 1.653', 1.651', 1.651' & 1.654'
What am I missing? Mark O
Also - I have pictures but they are difficult to post here.


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Single-Sixer

Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2001 1:01 am
Posts: 101
Only like .010' or so. Can cause the ejector to be pushed over slightly and or the slide to hang on the mag lips.

That's exactly what happened with my pistol.


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Hunter

Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:13 pm
Posts: 3156
I can see no significant difference in the P89 and P85 magazines other than the follower. See the following measurements from the top of the mag release opening to the top front of the mag.
P89 Ruger Mags: 1.652' & 1.655'
P85/P89 Mec-Gars Mags: 1.655' & 1.654'
P85 Ruger Mags: 1.653', 1.651', 1.651' & 1.654'
What am I missing? Mark O
Also - I have pictures but they are difficult to post here.

Just because you have a newer serial numbered 89 doesn't mean you have the newer style mags. What do your mags look like? The all metal type Ruger supplied for years should work in both old and new guns.
So maybe the measurements you posted don't really tell the complete story.
I really like the P-guns and am glad to see people talking about them and trying to help each other.


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Single-Sixer

Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2001 1:01 am
Posts: 101
Does Ruger mark the mags differently?


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Hunter

Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:13 pm
Posts: 3156
The old style Ruger supplied was an all metal design. (Metgar) There current style has a different shape to the hole that is used to hold it into the gun. The link I posted to Rugers site shows this. The newer units are a rectangular hole and the older fit units have a round shape on the bottom edge.


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Newly Registered

Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:11 pm
Posts: 6
roylt - Thanks for the information. This makes sense to me now if the plastic base is the key to any differences. All of my magazines are the all-metal type with a square shaped magazine release opening. I did notice the round bottom to the magazine release opening and the plastic base in your attached link to the Ruger site. Your input is appreciated. Mark O


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Single-Sixer

Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2001 1:01 am
Posts: 101
Excellent information! I setup a search on GunBroker to notify me when someone posts them for sale. I also set Buds Gun Shop to notify me when the get back in stock. I'll let you know when I get them.


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Post subject:Re: Where to get Ruger P89 magazine? (s/n below 304-70000)
Hunter

Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:13 pm
Posts: 3156
I have found on gunbroker the buyer typically knows more than the seller. Good luck on your search. Ruger also uses a code for the mags. I think 'P15' is the older serial number style you are looking for and 'P18' is the newer.
Gotta love those P-guns!! From one P-nut to another!


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AuthorMessage
Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 3:57 pm
Moderator

Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:26 pm
Posts: 10086
Location: Illinois
For RENE Subscription information:
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=30544
From the Ruger web site:
https://ruger.com/service/productHistory.html.
Edit 5/4/19 . . . for the latest see here . . .

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=278554


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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 10:08 am
Hawkeye

Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:17 pm
Posts: 19591
Location: Kentucky
It is pretty well-known that the Ruger site references have a few 'discrepancies'.
Best to double-check against Dougan's book and the RENE Reference.

Last edited by Ale-8(1) on Sun Feb 02, 2014 1:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Ruger P89 History

Post subject:Re: Serial Number History
Hawkeye

Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:17 pm
Posts: 19591
Location: Kentucky
These are not online references.
John Dougan’s book RUGER PISTOLS & REVOLVERS, THE VINTAGE YEARS 1949-1973 is a great reference work, published in 2008. Inside the front cover is a number to call to order copies 1-800-999-4697.
Mentioned above viewtopic.php?t=30544 The Red Eagle News Exchange is published several times a year. Also available is a two-volume Reference of Ruger Firearms giving extensive production numbers and serial number information . . . available via Chad Hiddleson, 1945 Clover Ave., Perry, Iowa, 50220. He posts here as chet15.


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