new ruger p345?

[sureshot2040]

anyone handled one of these??
i just saw an ad in a mag abt it and called my local gunshop and they say they have one! gonna go check it out. what is the big difference between it and those p97's?
the guy said it was listed at $429.00 seems kinda high to me

yall let me know what yall know abt em
thanks,
sureshot

[77hiboy]

Sureshot I think the biggest difference is the piatinny rail. I am going to look at one today, trying to decide between that and a CZ PO1. Just got my ccw permit, want a good, affordable, dependable carry gun. The price on the P345 is a little high they sell here for right at $400, I'm going to try to bargain down.

[RickMTSU]

I recently bought a new P345 for $420. It was higher priced than other Rugers but it felt so good in my hands that I couldn't resist trying one out.   My personal impressions are that it looks, feels, and handles better than other Ruger autos. It's a thinner pistol with what feels like a different grip angle.

So far I have run 150 rounds of various handloads thru it without experiencing any malfunctions or quirks. I plan to run another 150 rounds through it in the next few days and will let you know how it performs.

If there was anything I didn't like about the pistol it would be the loaded chamber indicator. I don't have anything against the idea of this safety feature, I just think it looks a little gawky.

[oso45-70]

RickMTSU,
Welcome to GBO, You will find a lot of real good people on these forums
and the information is good, I haven't had a chance to try the P345 out yet
but it is only because we don't have a gun shop in my town. But i plan to go to a city that does have a good shop as soon as possable, Good luck
Rick and have a good day................Joe.................

[RickMTSU]

Thanks Joe. This is the first forum of any kind that I have ever participated in. I guess we will see how it goes.

I am ready to provide more feedback on the P345.

I fired an additional 150 rounds of various handloads ranging in weight from 185g to 230g. Most of this firing took place from a supported benchrest at the 25 yard line. Velocities ranged from an average of 895fps with 185g loads to 790fps with one of my 230g FMJ loads.

I experienced no mechanical malfunctions of any kind during the shooting.

Accuracy of this pistol was more than adequate for my needs and compared favorably with other service type autos that I have used. With one load of WW-231 and the Hornady 200g XTP, I was able to keep all eight shots inside 3" if I did my part.  

The only issue I have with the gun so far is with the sights. All loads shot from 4" to 5" high regardlesss of hold. I confirmed with Ruger that they had some manufacturing tolerance problems with the sights of some of the earlier production pistols. My advice to prospective buyers of this pistol would be to waite until Ruger has corrected this problem before deciding to purchase.

I will share more about how Ruger handles my particular problem in the near future. Wish me luck - Rick

[oso45-70]

Rick,
Just a thought, I have found with my single action pistols with fixed sights
that the heaver loads seem to shoot higher than the lighter ones do. Did you notice that same thing ?  All of my vaqueros that have fixed sights
shoot low with the lighter loads, So i shoot the 300 or 325 grainers to get the POE to where i needs it to be. No doubt you will make it work, Good luck and stay safe..........Joe.................

[Border Bandit]

Ok Guys I need some advice. I am seriously considering the New P345. What do you thank I had a P89 9MM and traded it in and got the SIG P239. Now I am looking for a 45 ACP carry gun. I LIKE the way the Ruger looks, haven't got to hold one yet since I live out here in the sticks of West Texas. HELP !!!!!!!!!!

[RickMTSU]

Joe, Thanks for the feedback on the bullet weights. This sounds like an interesting experiment that I will give a try. I think I will load up some 185 and 230 grainers and head back to the range.  Thanks - Rick

[RickMTSU]

Border Bandit, I think the P345 has real potential to be a very dependable piece. I'd have to say any recommendation I would make on the purchase/ carry issue would depend on your intended purpose for carrying it and whether or not you plan to conceal it.  

If you have potentially life threatening reasons for carrying, I would recommend that you hold on to the P239 for a while, at least until we can confirm that this new Ruger is displaying a track record for excellent reliability. I only say this because the P345 is a new design and there  haven't been many reports from users so far.  

There may be better handgun choices depending on how you plan to carry it.  The P345 is definitely not what I would classify in the compact category. My P345 does fit (though a little more snug) in one of my nylon fabric 1911 holsters. Because of the polymer frame it should carry a little lighter on the hip than lets say, the 1911.

Hope this helps! Rick

[Border Bandit]

Rick MTSU thanks for the info, most of my Concealed Carry is usually just caring my pistol in my vehicle when traveling, I usually don't carry my weapon on my person most of the time. But I sure do like the idea of a good slim Ruger .45 on by my side when my wife and I are  walking from a dark parking garage to the hotel room.....know what I mean !!!!!!!!!!

[45LC-Man]

Does the P345 use P97 Magazines?