The last Ruger handgun I bought was a P97 in .45 ACP a few years ago. I also have a P90 and a P89. All have been superb in terms of reliability and accuracy has been better than I expected based on some comments I had read prior to my first one (though my P90 definately out-shoots my P97). I can shoot my Rugers as well as I do most other semi-auto pistols on the market.

Granted, I have yet to own or even handle/shoot the newer P345. I noticed it was voted Guns and Ammo Gun of 2004 (not that I really value what gun rags say). But I do like how it looks in photos. The grip looks much improved and seems it would fit the hand much better than previous designs. It also appears to be more slim than previous designs. If this is the case, it seems Ruger has eliminated the only two things that I really disliked about their pistols. Plus, being it uses a polymer frame, it would also have to be much lighter than the older P90.

So, anyone here own one or have handled one? Is their reliability typical of the Ruger P-Series? How accurate are they? And do they have better ergonomics than previous Ruger pistols? I might need to add one of these to my collection if the price is right.

The P345 is not a reliable handgun, as are other Ruger designs.

I purchased one NIB and had 4 failures to fire in the first 50 rounds (click, no bang). I then removed the magazine safety, polished the guide rod, and chamber block. The gun is now reliable but I should not have had to do these things to a new “reliable” gun.

As the Ruger manual states; the gun can have extensive damage done to the internal mechanisms done through dry fire without the magazine. My pistol was never dry fired and still needed some amature smithing to work reliably.

If you still want to purchase one; get the decock only model as you can break internal components trying to fire the pistol with the safety engaged (another design flaw). Also, consider “cleaning under the rear sights” – something P345 owners do to improved reliability that involves removing the silly magazine safety.

If I was you I’d stay away. Ruger doesn’t have their act together on this pistol.

Jeff


P.S. Check out the Ruger Forums to get more info. Lots of complaints about the P345.

Nope, too ugly!

My friend had one and I put about 100 rounds through it.  I was very very impressed.  Very comfortable. Very accurate. Has not failed him yet with at least a couple thousand rounds so far.

Thanks for the comments. Most of what I had heard about them up until now has been positive. The first reply to this thread was the only negative I have heard really. Maybe he just got a lemon (it happens occasionally with all guns)?

I like 1911's too. But I also like Sigs, H&K's, S&W's, Glocks, Rugers, and XD's.

As you can see, I like lots of guns. So I can always make room for another quality 45, provided the price is right.

There were some reliability problems when the P345 first came out. Ruger has corrected these problems though.

The Ruger forums go over what the problems were, and you will here from many who have had zero problems and love there Rugers.

I want one but all the durability issues and slide-mounted safety keep me from picking one up.

There was a NIB Sig 220 on the EE recently, probably a better deal all around.

I picked up a 1911 to satisfy the .45 itch for now.