Gun Review: Ruger P345 Semi-Auto 45 ACP Pistol
Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Introduction
The Ruger P345. Not long before writing this article, I wasn't even aware of its existence... but when I started learning about it, this pistol really began to grow on me. When I put my hands on one, I liked it. A lot. And when I fired it a few days later, I was very pleasantly surprised.
My first centerfire Ruger pistol was a P89 in 9mm Luger. I picked it up because I had just sold my only 9mm pistol that morning, and the P89 was a pretty good deal.
I've had the gun for years, and could never learn to like it much. It's chunky, it's clunky, it has angles and corners and things sticking out hither and yon, it has a stupid-looking hammer, some of the parts look unfinished, and it's just plain ugly. Oh, it's reliable - goes bang every time - but I never could love it.
Production of the P345 began in 2004, and it was landing in the hands of shooters by early 2005. The P89 began production in 1993. Ruger worked out a lot of bugs during the intervening years. The P345, while not perfect, does a great job of addressing many of the issues I have with the P89, presenting a pistol that packs more punch in a slimmer, lighter, more comfortable, and better-looking package. Internal parts, while still beefy, have also been trimmed down a bit.
What better gun to compare the P345 with than the venerable Colt 1911 Government Model? Just to give some perspective on the similarities and differences, I mean. In the accompanying photo, you can see the left side of both pistols.
I like me some 1911, but it's not my ideal all-around semi-auto. I like a popper that offers double action on the first shot. The P345 does that; the 1911 doesn't. It's a minor point to some, but it could be very important in a pinch.
Weight-wise, the P345 wins out. This is not surprising, given the 1911's steel frame and the polymer frame of the P345. The Colt shown was Dad's, and it weighs in at 40.7 ounces (2.54 lbs). The Ruger weighs just 29.2 ounces (1.83 lbs). Both guns were weighed with empty magazines in them. The P345 mag holds eight rounds, while the standard 1911 mag holds seven.
When it comes to width, the 1911 is the winner, with a slide width of 0.91". The P345's slide measures 1.02" wide, and the safety/decocker makes it about 1.2" wide overall.
When it comes to streamlining, Ruger didn't do a bad job, but the slide release could (and should) have been made more trim. As the photo shows, the P345's slide release maintains its wide profile along its length, while John Browning's creation is only made wide where it needs to be - at the rear, where your thumb or finger will engage it.
The left side of the P345's slide has "RUGER P345" clearly marked in large lettering. The grip portion of the frame bears the company's phoenix logo with red background, the name RUGER in the slimmer portion, and the obligatory "read the manual" message above that, at the top rear of the frame.
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Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Right Side With 1911
I realize that comparing the Ruger P345 and the Colt 1911 is an apples-and-oranges kind of thing, and I certainly don't claim that the P345 can or will in any way exceed the 1911 in popularity, durability, or longevity. I'm just trying to give some perspective on the P345, and most pistol fans are familiar with the 1911.
Nothing feels or shoots like a good 1911, but the P345 does feel good. It feels even better with a loaded magazine installed, which helps its balance.
The grip design exceeds that of the P89 by leaps and bounds, features a lot of molded-in checkering, and has a slimmer portion up top where a shooter's thumb and trigger finger lie.
While the overall length of the 1911 is just about 0.75" longer than the P345, the 1911's slide is only about 0.2" longer than the P345. At just a smidge over four inches (mine measures 4.05"; Ruger calls it 4.20"), the P345's barrel is almost an inch shorter than the 1911's five-incher.
The right side of the P345 is marked as such: "45 AUTO" and a Ruger proof mark on the right side of the barrel; "STURM, RUGER & CO. INC." and "SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A." on right side of slide below the ejection port; and a metal insert at the top rear of the polymer frame contains the serial number. The grip is mirror image of the left side, with the same RUGER name and red phoenix logo.
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Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Rear View With 1911
As stated earlier in this article, the Ruger P345 is generally wider than the 1911. Slide width, again, is 0.91" for the 1911 and 1.02" for the P345.
The widest point of the P345 measures about 1.24", and is measured from the outside of the slide release on the left side of the gun to the opposite end of the pin that extends from the slide release and serves to hold the gun together. The widest part of the P345's grip is just about that same width.
The 1911 in the photo is wearing some Hogue finger-groove wraparound grips, and while some of Hogue's grips fall flat with me, these are very nice. It makes for a wide, hand-filling grip, and the widest part of the grip is about 1.29" (measured at the bottom screws), while the overall widest dimension, measured from right grip to outside edge of the safety, is 1.30".
Practically speaking, the difference in width isn't enough to worry about. What's nice is the narrower portion at the top of the P345's grip, which gives your thumb and trigger finger somewhere comfy to be.
The P345's sights are windage-adjustable. Both front and rear sights are dovetailed into the top of the slide. To adjust for windage, loosen the allen-head set screw on the rear sight and drift it right or left, whichever way you want the point of impact to move. As always, make sure you use a non-marring tool such as brass or wood against the sight, so you don't mess it up.
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Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
This simply shows the Ruger P345 from the rear. This photo clearly shows the slimmer portion of the grip up top, which really improves the grip. The grip portion of the frame is checkered both front and rear as well as on the sides, which also helps you hold onto it.
The safety/decocker is much slimmer than those on Ruger's earlier models, and doesn't add much to the overall width of the gun.
The three-dot sights are almost, but not quite, properly lined up in this photo.
The bullet would hit to the left if this sight picture were used when firing the gun.
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Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
The Ruger P345 has a rail built into the frame, as this photo shows. This can be used to mount a laser sight, a flashlight, or another accessory.
This plastic frame is very tough. Ruger thinks so much of it that they allow the slide to ride right against the polymer; this gun has no metal frame rails. This gun had been fired a good bit before I got it, judging by the fouling and gunk I cleaned out of it, but the polymer rails show no detectable wear.
I'm impressed.
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Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Bottom of Pistol
This photo shows the bottom of the gun.
At the front (right), you can see the divot for locking on accessories. The bottom of the magazine features a plastic "pad" that has Ruger's phoenix logo molded in. The front grip checkering is also visible.
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Ruger P345 Pistol Review - P89 Comparison
The Ruger P345 and P89 pistols have some similarities, as well as some radical differences.
The P345 is nicely rounded on the front of the slide, while the P89 is merely squared off and beveled. The P89's sharp-cornered slide release is obtrusive, reaching outside the wider-than-it-needs-to-be frame, while the P345's has been de-horned and only hangs out about 0.125" outside the slide (compared to 0.20" on the P89).
The safety/decocker on the P345 is checkered for your fingers, while the P89's has lugs that hang out to provide a bearing surface. Also, the P89's safety has a corner that's a bit obtrusive when it's in the safe position; the P345's safety has been sensibly trimmed. Both guns are safe when the safety is down, and ready to fire when it's up. This is backwards to my way of thinking, so I'll call that a strike against both guns.
The P89 trigger guard is very heavy and has a hump on the front, while the P345's is slimmer and more streamlined. The P89 trigger is a bit rough and cobby in finish and is squared off on the edges, but the P345 trigger is well finished, well rounded, and has a more comfortable curve to it.
As I mentioned earlier, the internals of the P345 have been slimmed down when compared with the P89. They're still plenty beefy, though. The most noticeable difference is the guide rod. The barrel lacks a swiveling link, and the takedown pin goes through the guide rod instead.
The rear of the guide rod engages with the bottom of the barrel via some magical geometry, and there are two springs on the guide rod; one is a standard coiled wire spring, while the other, which no doubt acts as a recoil buffer, is made of sheet metal.
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Ruger P345 Pistol Review - P89 Comparison Continued
The Ruger P345 is certainly better-designed and better-thought-out than its predecessors.
Presumably, there is someone on Earth who knows why that silver doo-lolly (it's the end of the "hammer pivot assembly") is hanging out so obtrusively at the top rear of the right grip panel on the P89. I am not that someone. Its counterpart ("hammer pivot pin") has been very sensibly set into the frame on the P345.
You may notice a curve visible on the checkered side of the P345 grip frame. That's where the grip has been dished to better fit the human hand. The front part of the palm lies in that shallow cutout for right-handed shooters, and the fingertips lie in the mirror-image cutout on the other side. It's a great feature that helps immensely in providing a comfortable grip.
You may also notice that the P89 has no serrations on the slide to provide grip when you need to pull it back. Instead, a smoothly rounded portion of the slide gives you a kinda-sorta place to grab, and the blonky protrusions on the safety/decocker give you a little something more if you need it. The P345 has very good, simple, grabbable serrations cut into the rear of the slide.
There is one point of the P89 that bests the P345, though, and that is the ambidextrous magazine release. The P345 mag release is only operable from the left side of the gun (thumb for right-handed shooters, trigger finger for southpaws). The P345's mag release is also smooth and could use some texture, while the P89 provides texture in spades.
Ah well. I guess you can't have everything.
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Ruger P345 Pistol Review - P89 Comparison, Top Rear
The Ruger P345 is much more "slim and trim" than previous P-series pistols. This view shows, among other things, how the beefy alloy P89 frame hangs out past the slide, making the gun that much wider and heavier.
It also shows that the P345's rear sight is considerably longer than that of the P89. While it looks odd, it does perform a function; it's helping to hold the gun together. Several of the parts inside the slide are installed from the top; thus the larger sight.
Notice the extra width built onto the safety/decocker on the P89 vs. the P345. Both the mag release and the right end of its pin hang out farther on the P89 than on the P345.
While the overall length of the P89 is about 0.16" longer than the P345, the P345 provides a slightly longer sight radius (about 0.20"). The P89's barrel measures 4.35", while my P345's measures 4.05".
Slide width is 1.02" (P345) vs. 1.07" (P89), but the difference in overall width is much greater. The P89's frame measures 1.30" at the widest point, while the P345's frame is about 1.12" at the top rear, which is the widest it gets except at the widest part of the grip, which is about 1.24". The P89 grip varies a bit, but is about that wide everywhere.
As I stated on an earlier page, the widest point of the P345 above the grip measures about 1.24", and that's taken at the extremes of the mag release & takedown pin. The same dimension on the P89 is 1.53".
The P345's safety/decocker is about 1.2" wide at its widest point; the P89's is a whopping 1.47".
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Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Loaded Chamber Indicator
The contoured grip of the Ruger P345 is contrasted by the "ergonotic" grip of the P89.
You may also notice the P89's hammer, and the grooves on its rear, which serve no earthly function. You can't cock the gun using them; you must put your thumb on top of the hammer. The round cut-out on top of the hammer is smooth, which would make cocking extremely difficult if it weren't for the uncomfortably sharp edge at the rear of the cutout.
I always thought the P89's hammer was of a very poor design. Dad put it in simple terms, the first time he picked up the P89: "The hammer sucks."
The P345's hammer is a lot better than the P89's, but it still kinda sucks. I'm no wimp, but it hurts my thumb to cock the P345, and because of the hammer spur's poor shape, one's grip on it always feels a bit precarious.
Note also the improved finish on the hammer of the P345 vs. the P89. Both bear casting marks, but the P345's hammer is much less cobby.
Weighing each gun with an empty magazine installed, the P89 weighs in at 32.5 ounces (2.04 lbs), while the P345 is weighs 29.2 ounces (1.83 lbs).
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Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
The Ruger P345 features a loaded chamber indicator, which is a device to show you whether there's a round in the chamber. This is an old concept and has been used on many pistols in the past, but Ruger's take on it is decidedly different.
True to form, Ruger filled up almost all of the available space with text. The gun in the photo is, you guessed it, "loaded," as indicated by the lettering - which is even tapered to fill the space (and is also present on the other side).
As you will see on the next page, the top of the indicator reads "LOADED CHAMBER INDICATOR," which certainly makes its function clear, while "dumbing down" the gun a bit.
Is the loaded chamber indicator a good idea? Absolutely. I appreciate that this one is easy to see - and easy to feel in the dark - while being unobtrusive enough that it won't interfere with drawing or holstering the gun. But I could do without the hand-holding. Do I mind it? A little... but not enough to turn me off. I like this gun.
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The Ruger P345 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered for 45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol). It can be fired single action or double action, which means when a round is chambered, the hammer is forward, and the safety is off, you don't have to cock the gun to fire it. When fired, the slide recoils and cocks the hammer, providing for single-action firing.
Magazine capacity is eight rounds. Length is 7.5 inches; width 1.24 inches.
Barrel length is stated as 4.20 inches by Ruger, but mine measures 4.05. Weight with an empty magazine is 29.2 ounces, or 1.83 pounds.
This gun is comfortable to shoot, and as near as I can tell it has received good marks from most who have tried it. At the time of this writing, I haven't yet shot it for accuracy, but the informal use it's gotten so far has shown promise. Its slim, contoured grip works well in my large, long-fingered hands, and should work equally well for shooters with smaller hands.
My P345 has functioned perfectly every time it fired, though it did fail to fire one time. A friend was firing the gun, using Sellier & Bellot 230 grain FMJ ammo. The hammer fell and the gun did not fire. He then pulled the trigger double-action, and it went bang. There was nothing noticeably different about the ejected case, so I'm not sure what the problem was. I'm more inclined to blame the ammo than the gun, at this point. If that changes, I will edit this article accordingly.
The P345 features an internal lock, as do many newer guns.
To lock the gun, place it on safe, and use the factory-supplied key to engage the lock through the hole in the right side of the safety/decocker. To lock it, turn the key clockwise until it stops. To unlock it, turn the key counter-clockwise until it stops.
This gun also has a magazine disconnect feature, which means the gun can't be fired if the magazine is not installed. Some folks love this feature, others hate it. I'm neutral on the subject, unless I'm going to carry the gun for defense. If my mag comes loose during a scuffle, I want to at least be able to fire the round that's in the barrel.
My Ruger P345 has quickly become one of my favorite handguns, and that's saying something. Should I ever find cause to fall out of love with it, I'll be sure to edit these pages to reflect that.
- Russ Chastain
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The Ruger P345. Not long before writing this article, I wasn't even aware of its existence... but when I started learning about it, this pistol really began to grow on me. When I put my hands on one, I liked it. A lot. And when I fired it a few days later, I was very pleasantly surprised.
My first centerfire Ruger pistol was a P89 in 9mm Luger. I picked it up because I had just sold my only 9mm pistol that morning, and the P89 was a pretty good deal.
I've had the gun for years, and could never learn to like it much. It's chunky, it's clunky, it has angles and corners and things sticking out hither and yon, it has a stupid-looking hammer, some of the parts look unfinished, and it's just plain ugly. Oh, it's reliable - goes bang every time - but I never could love it.
Production of the P345 began in 2004, and it was landing in the hands of shooters by early 2005. The P89 began production in 1993. Ruger worked out a lot of bugs during the intervening years. The P345, while not perfect, does a great job of addressing many of the issues I have with the P89, presenting a pistol that packs more punch in a slimmer, lighter, more comfortable, and better-looking package. Internal parts, while still beefy, have also been trimmed down a bit.
What better gun to compare the P345 with than the venerable Colt 1911 Government Model? Just to give some perspective on the similarities and differences, I mean. In the accompanying photo, you can see the left side of both pistols.
I like me some 1911, but it's not my ideal all-around semi-auto. I like a popper that offers double action on the first shot. The P345 does that; the 1911 doesn't. It's a minor point to some, but it could be very important in a pinch.
Weight-wise, the P345 wins out. This is not surprising, given the 1911's steel frame and the polymer frame of the P345. The Colt shown was Dad's, and it weighs in at 40.7 ounces (2.54 lbs). The Ruger weighs just 29.2 ounces (1.83 lbs). Both guns were weighed with empty magazines in them. The P345 mag holds eight rounds, while the standard 1911 mag holds seven.
When it comes to width, the 1911 is the winner, with a slide width of 0.91". The P345's slide measures 1.02" wide, and the safety/decocker makes it about 1.2" wide overall.
When it comes to streamlining, Ruger didn't do a bad job, but the slide release could (and should) have been made more trim. As the photo shows, the P345's slide release maintains its wide profile along its length, while John Browning's creation is only made wide where it needs to be - at the rear, where your thumb or finger will engage it.
The left side of the P345's slide has "RUGER P345" clearly marked in large lettering. The grip portion of the frame bears the company's phoenix logo with red background, the name RUGER in the slimmer portion, and the obligatory "read the manual" message above that, at the top rear of the frame.
More of This Article
- Page 1: Introduction
- Page 2: Right Side With 1911
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Page 12: Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Right Side With 1911
I realize that comparing the Ruger P345 and the Colt 1911 is an apples-and-oranges kind of thing, and I certainly don't claim that the P345 can or will in any way exceed the 1911 in popularity, durability, or longevity. I'm just trying to give some perspective on the P345, and most pistol fans are familiar with the 1911.
Nothing feels or shoots like a good 1911, but the P345 does feel good. It feels even better with a loaded magazine installed, which helps its balance.
The grip design exceeds that of the P89 by leaps and bounds, features a lot of molded-in checkering, and has a slimmer portion up top where a shooter's thumb and trigger finger lie.
While the overall length of the 1911 is just about 0.75" longer than the P345, the 1911's slide is only about 0.2" longer than the P345. At just a smidge over four inches (mine measures 4.05"; Ruger calls it 4.20"), the P345's barrel is almost an inch shorter than the 1911's five-incher.
The right side of the P345 is marked as such: "45 AUTO" and a Ruger proof mark on the right side of the barrel; "STURM, RUGER & CO. INC." and "SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A." on right side of slide below the ejection port; and a metal insert at the top rear of the polymer frame contains the serial number. The grip is mirror image of the left side, with the same RUGER name and red phoenix logo.
More of This Article
- Page 1: Introduction
- Page 2: Right Side With 1911
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Page 12: Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Rear View With 1911
As stated earlier in this article, the Ruger P345 is generally wider than the 1911. Slide width, again, is 0.91" for the 1911 and 1.02" for the P345.
The widest point of the P345 measures about 1.24", and is measured from the outside of the slide release on the left side of the gun to the opposite end of the pin that extends from the slide release and serves to hold the gun together. The widest part of the P345's grip is just about that same width.
The 1911 in the photo is wearing some Hogue finger-groove wraparound grips, and while some of Hogue's grips fall flat with me, these are very nice. It makes for a wide, hand-filling grip, and the widest part of the grip is about 1.29" (measured at the bottom screws), while the overall widest dimension, measured from right grip to outside edge of the safety, is 1.30".
Practically speaking, the difference in width isn't enough to worry about. What's nice is the narrower portion at the top of the P345's grip, which gives your thumb and trigger finger somewhere comfy to be.
The P345's sights are windage-adjustable. Both front and rear sights are dovetailed into the top of the slide. To adjust for windage, loosen the allen-head set screw on the rear sight and drift it right or left, whichever way you want the point of impact to move. As always, make sure you use a non-marring tool such as brass or wood against the sight, so you don't mess it up.
More of This Article
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Page 12: Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
This simply shows the Ruger P345 from the rear. This photo clearly shows the slimmer portion of the grip up top, which really improves the grip. The grip portion of the frame is checkered both front and rear as well as on the sides, which also helps you hold onto it.
The safety/decocker is much slimmer than those on Ruger's earlier models, and doesn't add much to the overall width of the gun.
The three-dot sights are almost, but not quite, properly lined up in this photo.
The bullet would hit to the left if this sight picture were used when firing the gun.
More of This Article
- Page 1: Introduction
- Page 2: Right Side With 1911
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Page 12: Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
The Ruger P345 has a rail built into the frame, as this photo shows. This can be used to mount a laser sight, a flashlight, or another accessory.
This plastic frame is very tough. Ruger thinks so much of it that they allow the slide to ride right against the polymer; this gun has no metal frame rails. This gun had been fired a good bit before I got it, judging by the fouling and gunk I cleaned out of it, but the polymer rails show no detectable wear.
I'm impressed.
More of This Article
- Page 1: Introduction
- Page 2: Right Side With 1911
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Page 12: Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Bottom of Pistol
This photo shows the bottom of the gun.
At the front (right), you can see the divot for locking on accessories. The bottom of the magazine features a plastic "pad" that has Ruger's phoenix logo molded in. The front grip checkering is also visible.
More of This Article
- Page 1: Introduction
- Page 2: Right Side With 1911
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Page 12: Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
Ruger P345 Pistol Review - P89 Comparison
The Ruger P345 and P89 pistols have some similarities, as well as some radical differences.
The P345 is nicely rounded on the front of the slide, while the P89 is merely squared off and beveled. The P89's sharp-cornered slide release is obtrusive, reaching outside the wider-than-it-needs-to-be frame, while the P345's has been de-horned and only hangs out about 0.125" outside the slide (compared to 0.20" on the P89).
The safety/decocker on the P345 is checkered for your fingers, while the P89's has lugs that hang out to provide a bearing surface. Also, the P89's safety has a corner that's a bit obtrusive when it's in the safe position; the P345's safety has been sensibly trimmed. Both guns are safe when the safety is down, and ready to fire when it's up. This is backwards to my way of thinking, so I'll call that a strike against both guns.
The P89 trigger guard is very heavy and has a hump on the front, while the P345's is slimmer and more streamlined. The P89 trigger is a bit rough and cobby in finish and is squared off on the edges, but the P345 trigger is well finished, well rounded, and has a more comfortable curve to it.
As I mentioned earlier, the internals of the P345 have been slimmed down when compared with the P89. They're still plenty beefy, though. The most noticeable difference is the guide rod. The barrel lacks a swiveling link, and the takedown pin goes through the guide rod instead.
The rear of the guide rod engages with the bottom of the barrel via some magical geometry, and there are two springs on the guide rod; one is a standard coiled wire spring, while the other, which no doubt acts as a recoil buffer, is made of sheet metal.
More of This Article
- Page 1: Introduction
- Page 2: Right Side With 1911
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Page 12: Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
Ruger P345 Pistol Review - P89 Comparison Continued
The Ruger P345 is certainly better-designed and better-thought-out than its predecessors.
Presumably, there is someone on Earth who knows why that silver doo-lolly (it's the end of the "hammer pivot assembly") is hanging out so obtrusively at the top rear of the right grip panel on the P89. I am not that someone. Its counterpart ("hammer pivot pin") has been very sensibly set into the frame on the P345.
You may notice a curve visible on the checkered side of the P345 grip frame. That's where the grip has been dished to better fit the human hand. The front part of the palm lies in that shallow cutout for right-handed shooters, and the fingertips lie in the mirror-image cutout on the other side. It's a great feature that helps immensely in providing a comfortable grip.
You may also notice that the P89 has no serrations on the slide to provide grip when you need to pull it back. Instead, a smoothly rounded portion of the slide gives you a kinda-sorta place to grab, and the blonky protrusions on the safety/decocker give you a little something more if you need it. The P345 has very good, simple, grabbable serrations cut into the rear of the slide.
There is one point of the P89 that bests the P345, though, and that is the ambidextrous magazine release. The P345 mag release is only operable from the left side of the gun (thumb for right-handed shooters, trigger finger for southpaws). The P345's mag release is also smooth and could use some texture, while the P89 provides texture in spades.
Ah well. I guess you can't have everything.
More of This Article
- Page 1: Introduction
- Page 2: Right Side With 1911
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Page 12: Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
Ruger P345 Pistol Review - P89 Comparison, Top Rear
The Ruger P345 is much more "slim and trim" than previous P-series pistols. This view shows, among other things, how the beefy alloy P89 frame hangs out past the slide, making the gun that much wider and heavier.
It also shows that the P345's rear sight is considerably longer than that of the P89. While it looks odd, it does perform a function; it's helping to hold the gun together. Several of the parts inside the slide are installed from the top; thus the larger sight.
Notice the extra width built onto the safety/decocker on the P89 vs. the P345. Both the mag release and the right end of its pin hang out farther on the P89 than on the P345.
While the overall length of the P89 is about 0.16" longer than the P345, the P345 provides a slightly longer sight radius (about 0.20"). The P89's barrel measures 4.35", while my P345's measures 4.05".
Slide width is 1.02" (P345) vs. 1.07" (P89), but the difference in overall width is much greater. The P89's frame measures 1.30" at the widest point, while the P345's frame is about 1.12" at the top rear, which is the widest it gets except at the widest part of the grip, which is about 1.24". The P89 grip varies a bit, but is about that wide everywhere.
As I stated on an earlier page, the widest point of the P345 above the grip measures about 1.24", and that's taken at the extremes of the mag release & takedown pin. The same dimension on the P89 is 1.53".
The P345's safety/decocker is about 1.2" wide at its widest point; the P89's is a whopping 1.47".
More of This Article
- Page 1: Introduction
- Page 2: Right Side With 1911
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Page 12: Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Loaded Chamber Indicator
The contoured grip of the Ruger P345 is contrasted by the "ergonotic" grip of the P89.
You may also notice the P89's hammer, and the grooves on its rear, which serve no earthly function. You can't cock the gun using them; you must put your thumb on top of the hammer. The round cut-out on top of the hammer is smooth, which would make cocking extremely difficult if it weren't for the uncomfortably sharp edge at the rear of the cutout.
I always thought the P89's hammer was of a very poor design. Dad put it in simple terms, the first time he picked up the P89: "The hammer sucks."
The P345's hammer is a lot better than the P89's, but it still kinda sucks. I'm no wimp, but it hurts my thumb to cock the P345, and because of the hammer spur's poor shape, one's grip on it always feels a bit precarious.
Note also the improved finish on the hammer of the P345 vs. the P89. Both bear casting marks, but the P345's hammer is much less cobby.
Weighing each gun with an empty magazine installed, the P89 weighs in at 32.5 ounces (2.04 lbs), while the P345 is weighs 29.2 ounces (1.83 lbs).
More of This Article
- Page 1: Introduction
- Page 2: Right Side With 1911
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
Ruger P345 Pistol Review - Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
The Ruger P345 features a loaded chamber indicator, which is a device to show you whether there's a round in the chamber. This is an old concept and has been used on many pistols in the past, but Ruger's take on it is decidedly different.
True to form, Ruger filled up almost all of the available space with text. The gun in the photo is, you guessed it, "loaded," as indicated by the lettering - which is even tapered to fill the space (and is also present on the other side).
As you will see on the next page, the top of the indicator reads "LOADED CHAMBER INDICATOR," which certainly makes its function clear, while "dumbing down" the gun a bit.
Is the loaded chamber indicator a good idea? Absolutely. I appreciate that this one is easy to see - and easy to feel in the dark - while being unobtrusive enough that it won't interfere with drawing or holstering the gun. But I could do without the hand-holding. Do I mind it? A little... but not enough to turn me off. I like this gun.
More of This Article
- Page 1: Introduction
- Page 2: Right Side With 1911
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Page 12: Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
The Ruger P345 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered for 45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol). It can be fired single action or double action, which means when a round is chambered, the hammer is forward, and the safety is off, you don't have to cock the gun to fire it. When fired, the slide recoils and cocks the hammer, providing for single-action firing.
Magazine capacity is eight rounds. Length is 7.5 inches; width 1.24 inches.
Barrel length is stated as 4.20 inches by Ruger, but mine measures 4.05. Weight with an empty magazine is 29.2 ounces, or 1.83 pounds.
This gun is comfortable to shoot, and as near as I can tell it has received good marks from most who have tried it. At the time of this writing, I haven't yet shot it for accuracy, but the informal use it's gotten so far has shown promise. Its slim, contoured grip works well in my large, long-fingered hands, and should work equally well for shooters with smaller hands.
My P345 has functioned perfectly every time it fired, though it did fail to fire one time. A friend was firing the gun, using Sellier & Bellot 230 grain FMJ ammo. The hammer fell and the gun did not fire. He then pulled the trigger double-action, and it went bang. There was nothing noticeably different about the ejected case, so I'm not sure what the problem was. I'm more inclined to blame the ammo than the gun, at this point. If that changes, I will edit this article accordingly.
The P345 features an internal lock, as do many newer guns.
To lock the gun, place it on safe, and use the factory-supplied key to engage the lock through the hole in the right side of the safety/decocker. To lock it, turn the key clockwise until it stops. To unlock it, turn the key counter-clockwise until it stops.
This gun also has a magazine disconnect feature, which means the gun can't be fired if the magazine is not installed. Some folks love this feature, others hate it. I'm neutral on the subject, unless I'm going to carry the gun for defense. If my mag comes loose during a scuffle, I want to at least be able to fire the round that's in the barrel.
My Ruger P345 has quickly become one of my favorite handguns, and that's saying something. Should I ever find cause to fall out of love with it, I'll be sure to edit these pages to reflect that.
- Russ Chastain
More of This Article
- Page 1: Introduction
- Page 2: Right Side With 1911
- Page 3: Rear View With 1911
- Page 4: Rear View Showing Sights and Frame
- Page 5: Bottom of Frame and Light Accessory Rail
- Page 6: Bottom of Pistol
- Page 7: P89 Comparison
- Page 8: P89 Comparison Continued
- Page 9: P89 Comparison, Top Rear
- Page 10: P89 Comparison Continued, Rear View
- Page 11: Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Page 12: Top of Loaded Chamber Indicator, Conclusion
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